Mercedes-Benz GLS 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. The grille, adorned with lighting effects, varied between trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The vehicle's wraparound taillights and fender-mounted vertical lights created a unique visual signature, while the interior boasted luxurious details such as leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS exuded a soft sensuality in its design, which, while bordering on boring, aged gracefully. The GLS 450 test vehicle featured 22-inch AMG rims, a new silver four-louver grille, and polished metal accents. Inside, the GLS showcased a Bahia Brown over Black interior with natural-grain Grey Oak, polished aluminum accents, and rich detailing. The GLS 450 was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, offering a smooth and lively driving experience. The vehicle's adaptive air suspension and massive Continental tires contributed to its athleticism, while the interior provided comfort and practicality with heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, and ample cargo space.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more suited for highway cruising than spirited driving. With over 800 kilometres of testing, it demonstrated calm and poised highway manners, offering 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque from its dual-motor powertrain. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack promised a range of 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive and 494 km with all-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed closer to 420 kilometres. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent 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 vehicle's heft raised concerns about its performance under hard use.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, with its 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, provided smooth and seamless acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The mild-hybrid system added an instant 148 lb-ft of torque, enhancing its lively feel. The nine-speed automatic transmission and variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system offered tailored driving dynamics through Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual modes. The GLS 450's towing capacity was 3,500 kilograms, and it achieved a fuel economy of 11.8 L/100 km during testing. The driving experience was sublime, with the adaptive air suspension allowing the SUV to handle twisty roads with ease. The brakes performed admirably, and the Off-Road menu within MBUX provided additional capabilities for adventurous driving.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in 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 inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch, and drive mode selection required navigating multiple menus. 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 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS, equipped with the AMG Line package, featured sportier styling that occasionally hindered entry and exit. The interior offered comfort with supple leather surfaces, heating and ventilation, and massage programs. The front seats provided a commanding view, while the new steering wheel was enjoyable to grip. The GLS offered heated rear seats, four-zone climate control, and expansive second-row legroom. Accessing the third-row seat was cumbersome, but it provided decent leg support for children. Interior storage was decent, and cargo space was practical, with 355 litres behind the third-row seat, 1,209 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,400 litres behind the front seats.

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 simple menus and high-quality graphics. The available Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS was equipped with the latest MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered improved graphics and various instrumentation themes and modes. However, touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel and centre console caused occasional frustration. Despite this, MBUX was praised for its intuitive operation, natural voice recognition, and augmented reality navigation. The standard Burmester surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos technology provided an impressive audio experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. 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. It had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with over 20 significant systems. The advanced driving assistance systems could be adjusted through MBUX, allowing for customization of sensitivity and alerts. The GLS's ADAS received praise for its subtle and smooth operation, with effective forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist systems. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems handled various driving conditions with ease, providing a seamless and reassuring experience.