Lexus RX vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking presence on the road, with its design echoing the elegance of the classic Seville. Its long hood and low ground clearance gave it a sedan-like appearance, despite being an SUV. The vertical light bars and LED headlights created a captivating light show upon unlocking, while the grille and lighting effects added to its unique style. The interior was a testament to Cadillac's attention to detail, featuring leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating centre console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus RX presented a more polarizing exterior design, with its oversized trapezoidal grille and bulky front end. The body panels added visual heft, while the rear end featured a more cohesive design with a single light strip connecting the taillights. Inside, the RX offered a conventional layout with faux suede inserts and a large infotainment touchscreen. The centre console, however, felt less premium due to its simulated woodgrain. Despite these design choices, the RX's interior was covered in premium materials, providing a comfortable and inviting cabin.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more at home on the highway, offering a calm and poised ride. Its dual-motor powertrain delivered 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, with a range of up to 505 kilometres on a full charge. However, its handling was hindered by its weight, leading to significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system helped alleviate stress on the brakes, but the overall chassis needed improvement for better handling.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered a range of powertrains, starting with the base RX 350's 275 horsepower engine. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid provided a more powerful 304 horsepower and an electric range of up to 60 kilometres. While the RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered, the RX 450h+ offered better acceleration and responsiveness. The RX's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in noticeable body roll during cornering. The F Sport Handling trim offered a sportier experience, but the RX's primary focus remained on comfort.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders and a problematic charging port were notable issues. The interior offered generous headroom and legroom, but the cargo space was limited compared to other SUVs. The floating console and small centre cubby detracted from the overall usability, and the touchscreen interface was less intuitive than expected.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample space for front and rear passengers, with standard heated and ventilated front seats. The interior featured a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and versatile cupholders. The rear seats offered good visibility and legroom, while the cargo space, though smaller than some competitors, was practical and accessible. The power liftgate and available hands-free functionality added convenience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ's 33-inch OLED screen was a highlight, offering clear and legible displays. The infotainment system featured Google Maps and 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 2024 Lexus RX's redesigned infotainment system featured a touchscreen interface with logical menus and quick responses. Voice commands allowed for easy control of climate and navigation settings. The steering wheel's multi-function pads required some adjustment, but the cloud-based navigation system and smartphone integration were user-friendly. The available Mark Levinson surround sound system offered excellent audio quality.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with a suite of safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Some features were overly sensitive, but they could be adjusted or disabled as needed.