Honda Odyssey 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, tested in all black with 22-inch wheels, had a muted dark triangular motif. The interior was meticulously crafted, with leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a unique three-spoke steering wheel. However, the floating centre console offered limited functionality, and the 33-inch OLED display, while impressive, was not overpowering.

In contrast, the 2025 Honda Odyssey had a more utilitarian design, with a familiar aesthetic that had not significantly evolved since the 2011 model. The interior was practical, with buttons, knobs, and physical switchgear that were easy to use, featuring bright white markings on matte black backgrounds. The Odyssey was available in various trims, with the Sport version as the entry point, offering a lower base price. The test vehicle, equivalent to the Touring trim in the U.S., had high-quality leather seats, but styling was not its primary focus. The Odyssey prioritized functionality over flair, catering to families seeking a reliable and spacious minivan.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty appearance, was more suited for highway cruising than spirited driving. With over 800 kilometres tested, it excelled in long-distance comfort, offering a calm and poised ride. The dual-motor powertrain delivered 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered a claimed range of 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive and 494 km with AWD, though real-world testing showed closer to 420 kilometres. 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 braking system was strong but faced challenges with the vehicle's heft.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey, while not focused on driving enjoyment, offered a rewarding experience for a minivan. Its 3.5-litre V6 engine produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Odyssey's fuel economy was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though real-world testing showed slightly higher consumption. Compared to hybrid rivals, the Odyssey's fuel economy was less competitive, but its V6 provided strong performance. The ride and handling were expertly tuned, offering a natural driving experience with responsive steering and braking. The Odyssey excelled in various driving conditions, providing comfort and agility, though it lacked a surround-view camera system.

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, and drive mode selection required navigating multiple menus. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered 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 Honda Odyssey excelled in maximizing interior space and functionality. It could accommodate eight passengers and offered up to 3,973 litres of cargo space. The Odyssey's seating was comfortable, with power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, and available leather upholstery. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided flexibility, allowing for various configurations and easy access to the third row. However, removing the seats to maximize cargo space was cumbersome. The third-row seat was spacious, with room for two adults or three children, and could be easily folded into the storage well. The Odyssey offered ample storage throughout the cabin, with features like the Cabin Talk intercom and Cabin Watch camera system enhancing convenience for families.

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 native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, with a helpful coloured bar on the steering wheel indicating system status. The 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey received a technology update, with a new 7-inch digital driver display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with wireless smartphone charging on higher trims. The infotainment system, while improved, still had dated graphics and limited voice recognition capabilities. The rear-seat entertainment system required a personal device connection, which proved frustrating. Despite these limitations, the Odyssey's technology offerings were functional, with features like USB-C charging ports and a volume knob for convenience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came equipped with standard safety features such as 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. It had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing, a suite of driving-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. The Touring and Black Edition trims added front and rear parking sensors. The Odyssey performed well in safety testing by the NHTSA and IIHS, except for a "Poor" rating in a new evaluation. The Honda Sensing features generally operated smoothly, though the adaptive cruise control could brake too hard in traffic.