Chevrolet Suburban vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that captured attention on the streets. 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 Elegante of the early 1980s, 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 22-inch wheels added to its imposing presence, although the effect was diminished with the standard 20-inch wheels. The interior was meticulously crafted, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a unique steering wheel design. However, the floating centre console lacked practicality, and the 33-inch OLED display, while impressive, was integrated without overwhelming the space.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban maintained its iconic profile while incorporating modern updates. The restyled front fascia and rear end, along with new lighting signatures, added a dramatic touch to its appearance. The trim lineup remained consistent, with options ranging from the base LS to the luxurious High Country. The Suburban's interior received significant upgrades, including a more sophisticated dash and a 17.7-inch touchscreen display. The steering wheel was modernized, though slightly less user-friendly. The Suburban's spacious interior offered ample room for passengers and cargo, making it an ideal choice for families. The vehicle's towing capacity and fuel efficiency, especially with the diesel engine, were notable advantages. The Suburban's technology suite was enhanced with a larger touchscreen and improved user interface, although some aspects required a learning curve.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for long-distance comfort rather than sporty driving. It excelled on highways, offering a calm and poised ride. The dual-motor powertrain, producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, provided continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both powertrains utilized a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with an estimated range of 505 kilometres for rear-wheel drive and 494 km for all-wheel drive. However, real-world testing showed a range closer to 420 kilometres. Charging performance was decent, with the battery reaching 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the vehicle's weight raised concerns about its durability during hard use.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of engines, including a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 hp. The 6.2-litre engine was standard on the High Country trim and available on others. The turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six Duramax diesel engine received a power boost, delivering 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine was praised for its quiet and smooth operation. A 10-speed automatic transmission paired with each engine, providing seamless performance. The Suburban's steering was surprisingly light, and the recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control suspension improved ride quality. The adjustable air suspension further enhanced comfort on upper trims. However, the 24-inch wheels, while visually impressive, were harsh on rough pavement and added significant cost.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a problematic charging port, and a poorly designed pull-out tray were notable issues. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console lacked practicality. The interior space was generous, with ample headroom and legroom, but the cargo capacity was limited compared to other SUVs, offering 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space and functionality. It offered enormous passenger space in all three rows and a massive cargo capacity. With 1,175 litres of luggage space behind the third row and up to 4,092 litres with all seats folded, the Suburban was unmatched in its class. The vehicle's towing capacity was impressive, with the ability to pull up to 3,765 kilograms with the Max Trailering Package. The diesel engine provided excellent fuel efficiency, allowing for nearly 1,000 kilometres of highway driving on a single tank.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and trip information. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. The Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban addressed previous shortcomings with a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The screen was crisp and bright, complemented by an 11-inch driver information display and an available 15-inch head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-in for seamless integration of Google services. The user interface was improved, though some aspects required adjustment. Physical buttons for essential functions remained, providing a user-friendly experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came equipped with standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. However, 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 Chevrolet Suburban had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review. However, it included a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian and bicycle braking, and a surround-view camera. GM's Super Cruise technology was available on most trims, although it would not be available at launch.