Cadillac LYRIQ vs Buick Envista

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 2024 Buick Envista took a different approach with its "crossover coupe" design, inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept. The sloping roofline and split lighting design gave it a sleek appearance, while the shark-nose front end added a touch of elegance. The interior was similar to the Trax but featured softer materials and a more streamlined look. Despite some cheap-feeling textures, the cabin was a step up from the Trax, offering a flat-bottom steering wheel and a power driver's seat as standard.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was built for comfort rather than sportiness. Its dual-motor powertrain delivered 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, providing ample power for highway driving. The 102-kWh battery offered a range of up to 505 kilometres with RWD and 494 km with AWD, though real-world conditions saw closer to 420 km. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80% in about 30 to 35 minutes. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the chassis needed improvement.

The 2024 Buick Envista shared its powertrain with the Trax, featuring a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission provided smooth power delivery, and the FWD setup differentiated it from the AWD-capable Encore GX. The Watts Link rear suspension improved ride quality, though the rear end felt unsettled on uneven roads. The Envista offered a quieter and more comfortable ride than the Trax, with adequate acceleration for highway merges.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty charging port, and a cumbersome 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 2024 Buick Envista benefited from its longer wheelbase, offering increased rear-seat legroom and shoulder room. However, the coupe-like design reduced headroom, particularly in the second row. The seats were comfortable, and a power moonroof and liftgate were available on higher trims. Cargo space was limited, with 586 litres behind the rear seats and 1,189 litres with them folded, less than the Trax and the old Encore.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering a user-friendly interface with Google Maps and Google Assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities. The 19-speaker AKG stereo was another highlight, offering variable surround sound modes.

The 2024 Buick Envista came with an 11-inch touchscreen and 8-inch digital instrument cluster as standard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were included. The interface was easy to use, with physical buttons and knobs for climate control and audio volume. However, the centre stack's tilt towards the driver made it less accessible for passengers. Optional tech features were limited, but the standard offerings were impressive for the price range.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came equipped 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 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2024 Buick Envista's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. In Canada, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear park assist were also standard, offering a comprehensive safety package for its price range.