Lincoln Nautilus 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 had a more muted appearance with a dark triangular motif. The vehicle's wraparound taillights and fender-mounted vertical lights created a unique and bold look. 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 was a design misstep, offering little usable space.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, available in Reserve trim in Canada, showcased a sophisticated and streamlined exterior design. Its grille, reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz, featured LED lighting that illuminated the Lincoln star logo. The rear had a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports, while the door handles were cleverly integrated into the beltline. Inside, the Nautilus impressed with high-quality materials, ambient lighting, and open-pore wood and fine leather. The 48-inch curved display was a standout feature, offering customizable sections for various information. The interior also included Lincoln's 24-way Perfect Position front seats with massage and heating functions, providing exceptional comfort. The Nautilus offered ample legroom and cargo space, making it a practical choice for luxury SUV buyers.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more suited for highway cruising. It offered a smooth and poised ride, with power delivered in a refined manner. The dual-motor setup produced 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, while the standard single rear motor offered 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery provided a range of up to 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive and 494 km with all-wheel drive. However, real-world testing showed a range closer to 420 kilometres. The vehicle's handling was hindered by its weight of 2,630 kilograms, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system helped reduce stress on the brakes, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid option, offering 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, provided better fuel economy at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres. The Nautilus hybrid achieved a range of over 950 kilometres, making it an efficient choice for long drives. The vehicle featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with the adaptive suspension enhancing the driving experience. While not a driver's car, the Nautilus offered a comfortable and capable ride, with the hybrid setup providing a balance of power and efficiency.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with 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 difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was cumbersome, and drive mode selection required navigating multiple menus. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, offering 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus excelled in interior comfort and space. The 24-way Perfect Position front seats were a highlight, offering exceptional comfort with massage and heating functions. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with 1,095 millimetres available. The Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create a relaxing atmosphere. The Nautilus offered 997 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,947 litres with the seats folded down. While it only seated five, the Nautilus prioritized comfort and cargo space over additional seating.

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, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 48-inch curved display, with customizable sections for various information. The 11.1-inch touchscreen handled basic infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The inclusion of Google Maps and Alexa Built-in enhanced voice controls, while wireless charging and USB ports were standard. However, the unlabelled steering wheel controls and menu-driven vent adjustments were distracting.

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. The LYRIQ received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and an acceptable mark for its front pedestrian collision avoidance system.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, and emergency braking. The Blue Cruise 1.2 technology provided hands-free driving capabilities, with automatic lane-change assist and In-Lane Repositioning. The 2024 Nautilus had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2023 model received high scores for crash protection.