Kia Telluride 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 grille lines sweeping toward the illuminated Cadillac crest. 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 overall design was marred by some misaligned components.

The 2025 Kia Telluride, available in five trims, was a handsome SUV with a distinctive design and upscale details. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added a rugged look with increased ground clearance and exclusive wheel designs. Inside, the Telluride boasted a black-over-Terracotta interior with simulated wood trim, metallic accents, and chevron-pattern Nappa leather. The dual-screen display on the dashboard provided a modern touch, and Kia retained physical buttons and knobs for ease of use. However, the blacked-out treatment on some trims diminished the SUV's personality. Despite this, the Telluride managed to stand out in a crowded SUV market with its original and appealing design.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty appearance, was more suited for highway cruising than spirited driving. It featured a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, with a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offering a claimed range of 505 kilometres for RWD and 494 km for AWD. However, real-world testing showed a range closer to 420 kilometres. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its substantial weight of 2,630 kilograms, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Regenerative braking was available, but the overall driving dynamics fell short of Cadillac's reputation for suspension and chassis tuning.

The 2025 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. It offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart, with the latter adjusting to driver behaviour. The V6 provided smooth and ample power, though it occasionally struggled at higher elevations. The Telluride returned a fuel economy of 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres over a long road trip. The X-Pro trim's all-terrain tires excelled off-road but sacrificed some on-pavement grip. Overall, the Telluride delivered a pleasurable driving experience, with only minor issues in brake pedal behaviour.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in functionality and build quality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash were notable issues. The floating console lacked practicality, and the glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving. 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 Kia Telluride excelled in interior space and thoughtful features. Heated and ventilated second-row seats, USB-C charging ports, and smartphone storage sleeves were highlights. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and ample legroom, while the third-row seat was reasonably comfortable for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 601 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,304 litres with the third row folded, and 2,455 litres with the second row flattened. The Telluride's interior design and functionality made it a standout choice for families.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a large, legible instrument cluster. 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, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Kia Telluride offered a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a single piece of glass. The head-up display provided blind-spot alerts, and the Blind Spot View Monitor showed live video feeds. However, the Telluride lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the voice recognition system was basic. Despite these limitations, the Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality, and the SiriusXM satellite radio subscription was a valuable addition.

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 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, making it a safe choice for families.