Chevrolet Equinox 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 design drew inspiration from the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The front of the LYRIQ was adorned with vertical light bars and nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille varied across trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The LYRIQ's wraparound taillights and steeply raked glass window added to its unique style, while the interior boasted luxurious details like leather-wrapped seats and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display.

In contrast, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a modern redesign, aligning it more closely with larger Chevrolet models like the Traverse and Suburban. The Equinox featured a flat roof, upright grille, and distinct “shark fin” C-pillar. Each trim had unique styling elements, with the RS trim offering sportier features like black mirrors and badges, while the new Activ trim emphasized adventure with all-terrain tires. The interior of the Equinox was updated with a new infotainment screen and improved storage options. The cabin materials felt like a deliberate choice rather than a compromise, with the Activ trim offering a lightened interior theme and the RS trim featuring sporty red highlights.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was equipped with a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, offering continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Despite its power, the LYRIQ prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a calm and poised highway ride. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided a claimed range of 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive and 494 km with all-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed closer to 420 km. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes at DC fast charging stations. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The base LT FWD model came with a CVT, while AWD versions had an eight-speed automatic transmission. The eight-speed was an improvement over the previous six-speed, offering smoother and quieter shifts. The Equinox's accelerator was responsive at low speeds, but the engine's limitations were evident during highway merges. The Equinox could tow up to 680 kilograms with AWD, and selectable drive modes were available on RS and Activ trims, enhancing its versatility for different driving conditions.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were noted issues. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. Despite these drawbacks, 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 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel in Canada, with additional amenities available in a package for RS and Activ trims. The Equinox's flat roof provided consistent headroom, with the moonroof adding light to the rear seats. The cabin featured a well-placed “dead pedal” for driver comfort. Cargo space was slightly reduced in the new generation, with 844 litres behind the rear seats and 1,798 litres with them folded down. A hidden storage compartment added convenience, though overall cargo volume was small for the class.

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 native 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 offered variable surround sound modes.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Google Built-In, offering wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps projected onto the driver information display, allowing for simultaneous infotainment activity. However, the voice control system had volume issues in some test models. The Equinox's tech features were mostly standard, including an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and wireless charging for RS and Activ trims.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. 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.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered an available Safety & Technology package, adding features like rear pedestrian alert and HD surround vision. Most safety features were standard, including enhanced automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Equinox also included Teen Driver Technology, allowing parents to set speed and volume limitations and receive a “report card” on driving behaviour.