Honda CR-V Hybrid 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, with a long hood and low ground clearance, drawing inspiration from the classic Seville Elegante of the early 1980s. The LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking, surrounded by a solid grille with lighting effects. The Sport trim, with its dark triangular motif and 22-inch wheels, added to its imposing presence. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating centre console lacked practicality, offering no usable space underneath.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a more conservative design with a technical face resembling an angry robot. While it carried some visual weight over its front wheels, the rear quarter view showcased an upscale appearance with Volvo-adjacent taillights. The Touring Hybrid trim featured 19-inch gloss black wheels, adding a touch of shine. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid offered leather seats with orange contrast stitching, a soft-touch dashboard, and metal mesh hiding the air vents. The cabin exuded sophistication, with a focus on quality materials and a comfortable, well-designed interior.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sleek exterior, did not deliver the sporty performance 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 for AWD. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided a claimed range of 505 kilometres with RWD and 494 km with AWD, though real-world testing showed 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, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to all four wheels. While the hybrid system worked transparently, it fell short of its fuel efficiency claims, achieving 8.7 L/100 km in testing. The CR-V Hybrid offered a compliant ride with predictable handling, though the steering effort was unusually heavy. Overall, it provided a comfortable driving experience but lacked the excitement of a sporty SUV.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of functionality and build quality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose motorized charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash were notable issues. The floating console lacked practicality, and the glovebox was difficult to access while driving. Despite its midsize dimensions, the LYRIQ's cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function. It offered quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seats. The CR-V Hybrid featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was spacious, with generous legroom and adjustable backrest angles. The CR-V Hybrid provided ample storage, though the glove compartment was smaller than expected. Its cargo area offered 1,028 litres, expanding to 2,030 litres with the back seat folded down.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ impressed with its 33-inch OLED screen, divided into three sections. The infotainment system featured native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came equipped with a 9-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. The Touring trim included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. While the voice recognition system was basic, the CR-V Hybrid offered a walk-away automatic locking feature for added convenience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard 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 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The CR-V Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, though it did not achieve the Top Safety Pick+ award due to a poor rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.