Mitsubishi Outlander 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 lacked practicality, offering no usable space underneath.

In contrast, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander had a bold and distinctive front design, with a thin upper eyebrow functioning as a daytime running light and a large, square headlight below. The grille was smooth, and the diffuser had subtle modifications for 2025. Inside, the top GT Premium trim offered quilted leather seats and soft-touch surfaces, with physical controls for the HVAC system. The Yamaha speaker faces in the doors added a touch of elegance. However, some plastic elements attempted to mimic high-end materials. The third row of seating was cramped, suitable only for small children, and the cargo space was limited with the third row in place.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was not as sporty as its exterior suggested, but it excelled on the highway with a calm and poised ride. It featured two Chinese-sourced motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for AWD, while the standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered a claimed range of 505 kilometres with RWD and 494 km with AWD, though real-world testing showed closer to 420 kilometres. Charging was efficient, with the battery topping to 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight of 2,630 kilograms, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking was strong, but the chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While it offered modes for various driving conditions, the Outlander struggled with acceleration, and the CVT exhibited a droning rubber-band feeling. The fuel economy was not as competitive as some rivals, with a rating of 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The plug-in hybrid version offered more power and better fuel efficiency, with 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, along with a fuel rating of 3.6 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres and 61 kilometres of all-electric range.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had some build quality issues, with misaligned rear fenders and a motorized charging port that frequently came loose. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console lacked practicality. The cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. However, the interior offered generous headroom and legroom, providing a spacious back seat.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a third row of seating, but it was cramped with only 475 millimetres of legroom. With the third row in place, cargo space was limited to less than 308 litres, but folding the seats provided 866 litres of storage. The driver's seat offered easy access to physical controls for the HVAC system, and the top-line trim included heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. However, the cup holders were not deep enough to prevent spills during sharp turns.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted 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 excellent hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a new Yamaha premium sound system with eight speakers, or a 12-speaker, 1,650-watt system on upper trims. The infotainment system included a 12.3-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a physical volume knob and camera system button. Upper trims offered a digital gauge cluster, rear camera mirror, and head-up display. Mitsubishi Connect and Remote Services were available with a trial period, offering features like remote start and live traffic information.

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 an acceptable mark for its front pedestrian collision avoidance system. It had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander offered blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and other safety features at the base level. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The NHTSA had not rated the 2025 model, but the 2024 model received favourable ratings. The IIHS gave the 2025 Outlander a top score for its headlights, with previous models receiving good ratings for crashworthiness.