Ford Bronco Sport 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 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 2025 Ford Bronco Sport embraced a rugged aesthetic, drawing inspiration from its larger sibling, the Bronco. Its square silhouette, rectangular grille, and round headlights gave it a distinctive look. The Bronco Sport's design was both cute and approachable, with off-road packages adding modular steel bumpers and underbody protection. Inside, the Bronco Sport was functional, with centre-console grab handles and auxiliary switches for off-road accessories. While less distinctive than the exterior, the interior was practical and well-suited for its off-road focus.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a smooth and comfortable highway ride, with its dual-motor powertrain delivering 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Despite its impressive power, the LYRIQ's acceleration and regenerative braking were dialed back for comfort. However, its handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The LYRIQ's battery provided a range of up to 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive, though real-world conditions saw closer to 420 kilometres. Charging was efficient, but the LYRIQ's handling and steering left much to be desired.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport retained its powertrain options from the previous year, with a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 250 horsepower. Its all-wheel-drive system included torque vectoring for off-road capability, and the Bronco Sport excelled in off-road conditions with features like Trail Control and multiple drive modes. Despite its off-road focus, the Bronco Sport remained composed and comfortable on highways, offering a balance of off-road prowess and on-road comfort.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic glovebox were notable issues. The floating console lacked practicality, and the centre cubby was small. However, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. Cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport prioritized practicality without compromising its off-road capabilities. It offered more headroom than competitors and competitive cargo space, with 920 litres behind the seats and 1,846 litres when folded. The interior featured a dedicated device tray, multiple USB ports, and a wireless charging pad. The Bronco Sport's towing capacity was impressive, with up to 1,225 kilograms when properly equipped.

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 Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport upgraded to the Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with improved graphics and animations. An available 360-degree camera system enhanced safety and off-road driving, providing clear views of obstacles.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came with standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it received a poor headlight rating from the IIHS and had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and top scores in several IIHS tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features like reverse automatic emergency braking and traffic sign recognition enhanced safety further.