Audi Q7 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 LED headlights added a modern touch, while the grille and lighting effects enhanced its unique style. The interior was meticulously crafted, 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 Audi Q7 featured a refreshed front fascia with Matrix-design LED headlamps and a cohesive exterior look. Customization options allowed buyers to personalize the front bumper, door trim, and rear diffuser. The interior updates were minimal, with new wood and carbon trim inlays, but the overall design remained elegant. The Q7's interior was practical, with a focus on functionality, although the piano black surfaces were prone to fingerprints. The stacked infotainment screens and wide HVAC vents emphasized the car's proportions, creating a spacious feel.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a smooth and comfortable highway ride, with its dual-motor powertrain delivering 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Despite its power, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system was a welcome feature, but the lack of handling-enhancing technologies was noticeable. The LYRIQ's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms, and its range was around 420 kilometres in real-world conditions.

The 2025 Audi Q7 provided two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder with 261 horsepower and a 3.0-litre turbo V6 with 335 horsepower. The larger engine offered smooth power delivery, but the transmission's downshifting was inconsistent. The Q7's handling was impressive, with minimal body roll and firm brakes. The available all-wheel steering contributed to its agility. The Q7's fuel economy was rated at 13.0 L/100 km in the city and 10.0 on the highway for the V6 engine, with the smaller engine offering slightly better efficiency.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality, as misaligned rear fenders and a malfunctioning charging port were noted. The interior's functionality was compromised by a small centre cubby and a cumbersome glovebox. The spacious back seat came at the expense of cargo space, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch controls.

The 2025 Audi Q7 offered a well-equipped interior with heated front seats, a Bang & Olufsen stereo system, and rear door sunshades. The third row was best suited for children, with limited legroom for adults. Cargo space measured 402 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,970 litres with the seats folded. Small storage spaces were limited, and the centre console was shallow. The Q7's interior was practical, but some storage areas were difficult to access.

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 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 delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Audi Q7's Multi Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system was housed on a 10.1-inch centre screen, with a smaller screen for HVAC controls. The digital gauge cluster was configurable, and the menu structure was user-friendly. The navigation system used Google Maps, and the Audi App Store offered third-party program downloads. The infotainment system was generally responsive, but the screen required a firm touch.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came with standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. 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 Audi Q7 was equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Q7's lane-centring system was less robust than competitors, but the ADAS features were customizable. The NHTSA awarded the Q7 five out of five stars for overall safety, with top marks in crashworthiness and child restraints from the IIHS.