2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The vertical light bars and LED headlights added a modern touch, while the grille and lighting effects enhanced its unique style. The interior was crafted with attention to detail, featuring leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating centre console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, particularly in the Rock Creek trim, embraced a rugged and adventurous look. Equipped with all-terrain tires and a metal roof rack, it was ready for off-road adventures. The Pathfinder's design was assertive, with a V-Motion grille and stacked LED lighting elements. Inside, it offered a comfortable and spacious cabin, with leatherette-and-cloth upholstery and heated front seats. The Pathfinder's interior was practical, with ample cargo space and a user-friendly layout, although it lacked the cutting-edge technology found in some competitors.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was built for long-distance comfort rather than sporty driving. Its dual-motor powertrain delivered 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered a claimed range of 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive and 494 km with all-wheel drive. However, real-world testing showed a maximum range closer to 420 kilometres. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Regenerative braking helped reduce stress on the brakes, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in most trims, with the Rock Creek trim offering 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. The Pathfinder's nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the Rock Creek trim's towing capacity reached 2,720 kilograms. The Pathfinder's suspension was soft, offering a comfortable ride on bumpy roads but lacking composure on twisty roads. Its fuel economy was average, with the Rock Creek trim achieving 11.9 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 10.0 on the highway. The Pathfinder's traction management system included seven drive modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. The interior had some functionality issues, such as a difficult-to-access glovebox and a small centre cubby. The floating console lacked practicality, and the rotary selector for the touchscreen was challenging to use. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ's screens were impressive, providing a high-quality visual experience.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder provided ample interior space, accommodating four adults comfortably on a ski trip. Its cargo capacity was 470 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,274 litres with the third row folded and 2,279 litres with both rows down. The Pathfinder's EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats. The interior was comfortable, with three-zone climate control and supportive seats. The Rock Creek trim offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, while the front passenger seat had six-way manual adjustment.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering a touch-enabled interface for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's infotainment system was less impressive, with an older interface and smaller screens compared to competitors. The Pathfinder offered a 6-speaker stereo as standard, with a 13-speaker Bose system on the Platinum trim. NissanConnect supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless projection was limited to Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. The Pathfinder's tech offerings included voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with navigation available only on higher trims.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came with standard safety features such as forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. However, the LYRIQ received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and an acceptable mark for its front pedestrian collision avoidance system.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were also standard, with traffic sign recognition available on higher trims.