Hyundai Palisade 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 had a dark triangular motif, while the Tech and Luxury trims showcased sweeping grille lines. The LYRIQ's wraparound taillights and fender-mounted vertical lights created a unique visual signature, and its interior boasted luxurious details like leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade embraced a bold and unmistakable design, especially after its 2023 refresh. The Palisade's angular and technical look replaced its previous chubby-cheeked face, giving it a more upscale appearance. Inside, even the base trim offered a clean and modern feel, with premium leather and metal speaker grilles in higher trims. The Palisade was equipped with thoughtful details like USB charging ports in the front seatbacks, smartphone storage pockets, and accessible drink holders. The Palisade's design value extended to its interior, making it a mainstream SUV in name only.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more at home on the highway, offering a calm and poised ride. It featured two Chinese-sourced motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for AWD, with a standard single rear motor setup delivering 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% 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 the chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Palisade's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, and it averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Palisade's ride was firm at lower speeds but softened at higher speeds, providing a comfortable experience. The powertrain was smooth and refined, with the automatic transmission delivering silky shifts. While not the most fuel-efficient, the Palisade's V6 engine was a delight to drive, offering satisfying power and sound.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with 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 difficult to access while driving, and the floating console lacked practicality. 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 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and functionality. It offered three rows of seats, with the test vehicle featuring a seven-passenger arrangement and second-row captain's chairs. The Palisade's interior boasted Nappa premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver's seat. Heated and ventilated seats were available in higher trims, and the second-row seats provided excellent comfort. The Palisade's storage solutions were thoughtful, with adjustable cupholders, smartphone trays, and a Smart Liftgate for easy access. Cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,447 litres.

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 available Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology, while starting to show its age, remained functional and feature-rich. It included a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection, but the system offered Bluetooth support, wireless charging, and a navigation system. The voice recognition system performed well, and the Harman Kardon audio system provided commendable sound. The Palisade also featured a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display with blind spot warnings.

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.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Palisade's Highway Driving Assist system combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. Additional features included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024, though a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test affected its 2025 accolade. The NHTSA awarded the Palisade five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.