Audi Q3 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, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The vertical light bars and nine LED headlights added a touch of modernity, 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 2026 Audi Q3 aimed for a more traditional SUV appearance with a tall front end and elongated hood. While it wasn't the prettiest, the design incorporated elements like faux air intakes and a textured rear bumper to break up surfaces. The Q3 featured programmable headlights and OLED taillights, adding a touch of sophistication. Inside, the cabin offered leather upholstery and wood dashboard trim, with a distinct look and feel. Despite some plastic elements, the overall quality was fitting for its entry-luxury price point.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sleek exterior, didn't deliver the sporty drive one might expect. It excelled on highways, offering a calm and poised ride with a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery provided a range of up to 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive. However, its handling was hindered by its weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system helped, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2026 Audi Q3, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivered 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, thanks to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. While it was quicker than some competitors, the transmission wasn't calibrated for quick getaways, and the steering was vague. At higher speeds, it offered a refined and composed ride, with laminated acoustic glass reducing wind noise. Despite occasional bumps from the 20-inch wheels, the ride quality was commendable for its segment.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in functionality, with misaligned rear fenders and a motorized charging port that frequently came loose. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. Despite these issues, 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 2026 Audi Q3, slightly larger than its predecessor, offered a standard reclining and sliding second-row bench seat, maximizing interior space. It provided 707 litres of cargo space with the rear seat upright and 1,414 litres when folded. While it lost some first-row headroom, it excelled in cargo space compared to rivals. The Q3 introduced a new control layout, freeing up space for cupholders and a wireless device charger. The door panels offered ample storage, enhancing practicality.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a large, legible instrument cluster. The infotainment system ran on Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Audi Q3 boasted a Digital Stage screen setup with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It featured a natural-language voice recognition system with ChatGPT integration. The Technik trim offered a head-up display and a 12-speaker Sonos audio system, though the sound lacked midrange.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. However, it received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and an acceptable mark for its front pedestrian collision avoidance system. It hadn't been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2026 Audi Q3 offered a comprehensive list of standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. The Technik trim added a 360-degree camera system and a more advanced Adaptive Cruise Assist system. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the outgoing model had room for improvement.