Ford Escape vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle, embodying Cadillac's signature flair for exterior design. Its long hood and low ground clearance gave it the appearance of a sleek sedan rather than a traditional SUV. 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 between trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The vehicle's imposing presence was enhanced by 22-inch wheels, while the wraparound taillights and steeply raked glass window added to its unique style. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, chrome-outlined controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating centre console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Escape underwent a significant facelift in 2023, which carried over into the 2024 model. The front end received a more aggressive look, replacing the previous model's wide-eyed smile. Despite these changes, the Escape maintained a soft and generically appealing appearance. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we tested, featured Rapid Red paint, black 19-inch wheels, and a Panoramic Vista Roof. Inside, the Escape's interior initially appeared upscale, with diamond-stitched leather and tech upgrades. However, the glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery detracted from the overall experience. The Escape's interior was functional, with generous front storage and comfortable seating, but lacked the attention to detail found in the LYRIQ.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for comfort rather than sportiness, excelling on highways with its calm and poised ride. The dual-motor powertrain in our test vehicle delivered 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both powertrains used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering a claimed range of 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive and 494 km with all-wheel drive. However, real-world testing showed a maximum range closer to 420 kilometres. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. While braking was strong, the vehicle's weight raised concerns about brake durability during hard use.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered a choice between a 192-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Our test vehicle featured the turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Escape's driving dynamics were more about comfort than sportiness, with a soft and compliant ride. While the turbo engine provided quick acceleration, the suspension allowed for too much body motion, and the steering felt sluggish. The Escape's fuel economy averaged 9.8 L/100 km during testing, falling short of the official rating. The turbo engine's potential was underutilized, making the hybrid powertrain a more cost-effective choice for most buyers.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose motorized charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash were notable issues. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch interaction. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, measuring 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line featured a black interior with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters. While leather seats were available, they were not recommended due to their uncomfortable feel. The Escape's interior included ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and power-adjustable seats. The front seats were large and supportive, while the back seat offered comfort when slid to its rearmost position. Interior storage was ample in the front, but rear passengers had fewer options. Cargo volume measured 1,061 litres behind the back seat and 1,852 litres with the rear seat folded. The Escape's design prioritized practicality and ease of access.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ excelled in technology with its 33-inch OLED screen divided into three sections. The leftmost portion was touch-enabled for various controls, while the main touchscreen infotainment system featured native Google Maps and Google Assistant. The available Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered impressive sound quality. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, enhancing connectivity options.

The 2024 Ford Escape featured digital instrumentation, with upper trims offering a 12.3-inch display. The 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system impressed with its landscape format and intuitive layout. However, the colour theme and thin fonts detracted from the display's readability. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and FordPass Connect services. The test vehicle's Bang & Olufsen sound system was unavailable for assessment due to damaged speakers. The Escape's technology package included an optional head-up display and Active Park Assist 2.0, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came equipped with standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, 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. It had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2024 Ford Escape featured the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The ST-Line Elite trim added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a 360-degree camera system. While the lane-keeping systems displayed inconsistent behaviour, the adaptive cruise control performed well on highways. The Escape received favourable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, with five-star ratings across most categories.