2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2024 Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, resulting in subtle yet effective updates. The exterior featured redesigned headlights and grille, with a new light strip connecting the smaller taillight assemblies, giving the vehicle a rejuvenated appearance without significant cost increases. The test model showcased the new "Pluton Blue" paint, adding a sharp aesthetic touch. Inside, the Seltos introduced a new Gentle Brown interior colour, although the test model retained the standard black interior. A prominent change was the large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dash, integrating a fully digital instrument panel and an enlarged touchscreen infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted striking exterior styling, reminiscent of the classic Seville with its long hood and low ground clearance. The vehicle's design included vertical light bars with nine LED headlights, a solid grille with lighting effects, and wraparound taillights that defined its unique style. The Sport trim, tested in all black with 22-inch wheels, exuded a commanding presence. Inside, Cadillac paid meticulous attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating centre console and some functional aspects, like the glovebox access, were less practical.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The SX and X-Line trims came with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in Sport mode, and handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, prioritized highway comfort over sportiness. The dual-motor powertrain in the test model produced 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, offering continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both configurations used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with a claimed range of 505 kilometres for rear-wheel drive and 494 km for 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, despite strong braking capabilities.

The 2024 Kia Seltos provided ample cargo space, with up to 1,778 litres available when the rear seats were folded, and 753 litres with the seats in use. The upright seating position offered excellent visibility and comfortable legroom for both front and rear passengers. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including in-door cupholders and cubbies, as well as a removable cargo cover from the EX Premium trim.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, while offering generous headroom and legroom, sacrificed cargo space for a spacious back seat. The cargo hold measured 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. However, the vehicle faced issues with build quality, such as misaligned rear fenders and a malfunctioning charging port. Functional aspects, like the glovebox access and floating console, were less user-friendly, and some physical components seemed poorly integrated.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a consistent digital bezel across its trim lineup, with screen sizes varying by trim. The base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, while upper trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with responsive controls and logical layouts. The SX and X-Line trims offered an upgraded eight-speaker Bose stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ showcased a 33-inch OLED screen divided into three sections, with touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came equipped with standard driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added smart adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and highway driving assist, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ included standard safety features such as forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. 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.