Cadillac XT5 vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, but its interior materials and design fell short of expectations for a luxury brand. The cabin, while spacious and intuitively laid out, seemed more fitting for a Buick or a high-end Chevrolet. Despite this, the XT5 offered above-average cargo space, with 850 litres available behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, which made the XT5 feel more intuitive than some rivals, though it also contributed to a somewhat dated appearance. The XT5 provided good headroom and legroom, and higher trims featured genuine leather upholstery and heated seats, enhancing its appeal.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted striking exterior styling with a long hood and low ground clearance, reminiscent of the classic Seville. Its design featured vertical light bars, LED headlights, and a solid grille with lighting effects, creating a unique and imposing presence. Inside, the LYRIQ showcased meticulous attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating centre console lacked practicality, and some interior elements seemed poorly assembled. Despite these issues, the LYRIQ's interior was a step forward for Cadillac, offering a blend of modern technology and luxury.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The XT5's acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h was in the high-seven-second range, but the engine could sound rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine delivered 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, providing a more suitable driving experience, though the XT5 lacked excitement with either engine. Handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on rough roads, with noticeable vibration and noise in the cabin.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, while not as sporty as its exterior suggested, excelled on highways with its calm and poised ride. It featured a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for AWD, while the standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering a claimed range of 505 kilometres with RWD and 494 kilometres with AWD. However, real-world testing showed a range closer to 420 kilometres. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Despite strong braking, the LYRIQ's chassis needed improvement to match Cadillac's reputation for suspension and chassis tuning.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but it offered practical storage spaces, including a deep centre console storage bin. Front-seat ergonomics were good, with easy access to controls, while rear passengers had access to large seatback pockets and cupholders. The XT5 provided 850 litres of cargo space behind the seats, expanding to 1,784 litres with the rear seats folded. This generous cargo capacity was a standout feature in its class, surpassing rivals like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its midsize dimensions, offered less cargo space than expected, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. The interior had issues with misaligned rear fenders and a malfunctioning charging port. The floating console lacked practicality, and the glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving. However, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, and its screens were impressive, though some physical components seemed poorly integrated.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for climate controls and steering wheel functions. A Bose premium audio system with 14 speakers was available, enhancing the XT5's tech offerings. While not as advanced as some rivals, the CUE system was user-friendly and not overly distracting.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ excelled with its 33-inch OLED screen, divided into three sections. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with simple menus and high-quality graphics. The available Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, enhancing the LYRIQ's tech appeal.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were from the 2021 model, which earned top "Good" scores in most areas but missed a Top Safety Pick award due to "Marginal" headlights. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with 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, but it had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.