Lincoln Aviator 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, and 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.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, showcased classic design proportions. Its blunt nose, short front overhang, and tapered roofline created an appealing silhouette, though the 2025 styling appeared less elegant with the optional Jet Appearance Package. Inside, the Aviator exuded a classic architectural sensibility, with a plush interior that didn't rely heavily on screens. The remote keyless entry fob, however, felt cheap and oversized. In Canada, the Aviator was available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with our test vehicle featuring the Reserve trim and several option packages, including the Jet Appearance and Dynamic Handling packages.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sleek exterior, didn't deliver the sporty driving experience one might expect. It excelled on highways, offering a calm and poised ride with plenty of power from its dual-motor powertrain, producing 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kWh battery pack provided a claimed range of 505 km 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 lacked handling-enhancing features.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered various driving modes, including Excite and Normal, with an optional adaptive air suspension. While the Aviator wasn't particularly exciting to drive, it excelled in providing a comfortable and composed ride. The V6 engine offered ample power for acceleration and passing, though fuel economy was disappointing at 13.3 L/100 km. The Aviator's adaptive air suspension helped maintain ride quality, but the oversized tires generated noticeable road noise. The Aviator prioritized comfort and composure over athleticism, making it a calming cruiser.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose 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 lacked practicality. Despite its midsize dimensions, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, but its cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator excelled in interior comfort, with available Perfect Position front seats offering 30-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, though the third-row seats were less accommodating for adults. Storage space was excellent, with a well-organized centre console and deep door panel storage pockets. The Aviator provided 466 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,131 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum capacity of 2,149 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 Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator boasted a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. While the system supported Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, our test vehicle experienced issues with voice prompts. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Siri worked seamlessly. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system provided excellent audio quality, and the available head-up display offered valuable information.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came equipped with standard safety features, including 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 Lincoln Aviator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. The Aviator's BlueCruise system provided hands-free driving assistance on approved highways. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.