Genesis GV80 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 on the front, complete with nine LED headlights, created a captivating light show upon unlocking. The grille, adorned with lighting effects, added to its unique style. The interior was meticulously crafted, featuring leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display that integrated seamlessly into the cabin. However, the floating centre console was a design misstep, offering little practical space.

In contrast, the 2025 Genesis GV80 was a sophisticated redesign of an already handsome vehicle. The front fascia retained its traditional two horizontal bar headlights, now enhanced with a micro lens array, while the grille gained depth and the lower bumper became more aggressive. The interior was equally impressive, with quilted Nappa leather seats and unique trim options like basalt or recycled newspaper. The centre console housed three tactile dials, including a gear selector and drive mode selector, though the redundant infotainment dial seemed unnecessary. The GV80's aesthetic was both stunning and functional, with thoughtful design elements throughout.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sleek exterior, did not deliver the sporty drive one might expect. It excelled on highways, offering a calm and poised ride with a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. 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 conditions saw closer to 420 km. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. However, the Lyriq's handling was hindered by its weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 retained its powertrain options, with a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The larger twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine offered 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Standard all-wheel drive provided versatility, with modes for snow and eco driving. Acceleration was satisfying, and the adaptive suspension offered a comfortable ride. The brakes were firm and reliable, ensuring confident stops. While not a sporty SUV, the GV80 excelled in providing a smooth and quiet ride, ideal for cruising.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in functionality, with misaligned rear fenders and a motorized charging port that frequently came loose. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. Despite these issues, the Lyriq provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 offered a well-equipped interior with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The top trim featured four-zone climate control and ventilated seats. However, the seats were uncomfortably rigid, detracting from long-haul comfort. The second row provided ample legroom, and a third row was available on the Prestige trim. Cargo space was expected to be similar to the 2024 model's 990 litres, and the GV80 could tow up to 2,720 kilograms.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran 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 delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 boasted a 27-inch OLED screen for the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, though delayed. The infotainment system was clear but could be cumbersome to navigate. Standard technology included wireless charging and USB-C ports, with an optional 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system offering sophisticated sound customization.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came equipped with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. However, it 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 2025 Genesis GV80 featured advanced driver aids like lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, and blind-spot monitoring. Upper trims added remote smart parking and a 360-degree camera system. The Highway Drive Assist II system included an attention monitor, though it struggled with certain sunglasses. The 2024 model received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, suggesting similar performance for the 2025 model.