BMW X3 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 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 BMW X3 presented a seductive appearance for an SUV, with a long hood and athletic proportions. The Arctic Race Blue paint and 21-inch wheels emphasized its sporty look. Inside, the X3 offered a spacious cabin with a simple dashboard and a BMW Curved Display. The Veganza artificial leather seats were comfortable, though the rear seats were less so. The cargo area was practical, with a lightweight cover and additional storage under the load floor.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sleek exterior, did not deliver a sporty driving experience. 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 and 325 lb-ft. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery provided a range of up to 505 kilometres with RWD and 494 km with AWD, though real-world conditions showed closer to 420 km. The Lyriq's handling was hindered by its weight, affecting steering and cornering performance.

The 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive, with its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It achieved a zero-to-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds, aided by an eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive AWD. The X3 also featured a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for improved responsiveness. The M50 xDrive variant offered a more powerful 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 393 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. The X3's sport-tuned suspension and performance tires provided an engaging driving experience, though the ride could be harsh on imperfect roads.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty charging port, and a problematic glovebox were notable issues. The floating console lacked practicality, and the centre cubby was small. Despite these drawbacks, the Lyriq offered generous headroom and legroom, though cargo space was limited to 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2025 BMW X3 provided a spacious interior with a power-adjustable driver's seat offering a sports car-like view. The dashboard featured a BMW Curved Display, and the cabin felt wide and open. The front seats were comfortable, but rear passengers found the seating position low and the seat-back panels hard. The cargo area measured 892 litres, with practical features like a grocery bag hook and additional storage under the load floor.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ's 33-inch OLED screen was a highlight, offering touch-enabled controls and a user-friendly infotainment system with Google Maps and Assistant. Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system, was a standout feature, along with a 19-speaker AKG stereo. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard.

The 2025 BMW X3 featured the BMW Curved Display with iDrive 9 software. However, the system experienced issues with profile creation and responsiveness. The navigation system with augmented video worked well, but the default Guest profile limited access to BMW Digital Services. Wireless Apple CarPlay functioned flawlessly, providing a reliable alternative to the native infotainment features.

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 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 BMW X3 offered standard safety features like forward collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Premium Package added adaptive cruise control and Steering Assistant. The X3 earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact crash tests.