Acura RDX vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, with a long hood and low ground clearance, drawing inspiration from the classic Seville Elegante of the early 1980s. The LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking, surrounded by a solid grille with lighting effects. The Sport trim, in particular, stood out with its dark triangular motif and 22-inch wheels, although the standard 20-inch wheels diminished its imposing presence. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a unique three-spoke steering wheel. However, the floating centre console offered limited functionality, and the 33-inch OLED display, while impressive, was integrated seamlessly without dominating the interior space.

The 2025 Acura RDX, positioned between the smaller ADX and larger MDX, offered a refined design with subtle updates for the year. Its frameless grille and revised wheel designs contributed to its graceful styling. The A-Spec treatment added a sportier touch with gloss black accents and a finned rear diffuser panel. Inside, the Platinum Elite A-Spec trim featured full leather upholstery, a panoramic glass sunroof, and ambient lighting. The interior materials were of high quality, with soft premium leather, simulated suede, and brushed aluminum accents. However, the red markings on the gauges in the A-Spec trims reduced readability, and the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was less intuitive. Despite these drawbacks, the RDX provided a comfortable and stylish cabin experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, prioritized comfort over sportiness. With over 800 kilometres driven, it excelled on highways, offering a calm and poised ride. The dual-motor powertrain in the test car delivered 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive (AWD). The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both powertrains utilized a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering a claimed range of 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and 494 km with AWD. However, real-world testing showed a maximum range closer to 420 kilometres. Charging performance was inconsistent, with fast-charging rates between 125 and 161 kW. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. While braking was strong, the overall chassis performance left room for improvement.

The 2025 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters directed power to all four wheels through Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) allowed drivers to choose from Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the Platinum Elite A-Spec trim offering adaptive-damping suspension. While performance was lively, fuel consumption increased with aggressive driving, averaging 14.6 L/100 km on a mountainous loop. The RDX's steering was crisp and responsive, and the brakes provided confident stopping power. However, the A-Spec badge reflected sporty styling rather than true performance, and the RDX lacked the thrill sought by driving enthusiasts.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose motorized charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash were notable issues. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space and usability. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was smaller than most compact SUVs, offering 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2025 Acura RDX, in its Platinum Elite A-Spec trim, featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel. While front seat comfort was exceptional, rear seat comfort was compromised by a flat bottom cushion and excessive backrest recline angle. Storage space was generous, with oversized cupholders and a wireless charging pad. The RDX offered 835 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,668 litres when folded. Three underfloor storage compartments added to its practicality. Despite the compromised front centre console design due to the TTI touchpad, the RDX provided a comfortable and functional interior.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. While lacking augmented reality video feed, the instrument cluster was large and legible. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The available Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Acura RDX's infotainment system was accessed through a 10.2-inch display, controlled by the TTI touchpad. While the system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Built-in, the touchpad's usability was hindered by bumpy road surfaces. The RDX included a stereo volume knob, radio tuning buttons, and separate climate controls. The infotainment system featured SiriusXM satellite radio, AcuraLink connected services, and a premium sound system with 16 speakers in the test vehicle.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came equipped with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and a rear camera displayed on the rearview mirror. However, the LYRIQ received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and an acceptable mark for its front pedestrian collision avoidance system. It had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 Acura RDX featured the AcuraWatch safety package, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered low-speed front and rear braking and a surround-view camera system. The RDX earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.