Nissan Kicks 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, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The vertical light bars and LED headlights added a modern touch, while the grille and lighting effects enhanced its unique style. The interior was crafted with 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 2025 Nissan Kicks embraced a youthful and sporty design inspired by sneaker culture. It featured a tougher look than most small crossovers, with a higher ground clearance and a variety of bold colour options, including two-tone configurations. The Kicks incorporated thoughtful details like a sneaker-tread-like effect on the rocker panel trim and a debossed logo on the side-mirror supports. Inside, the Kicks offered a mix of textures and materials, with comfortable Zero Gravity seats and a soft-touch carbon-fibre-look panel on the dash. Despite some cost-saving measures, the interior felt premium for its price point.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was built for long-distance comfort rather than sporty driving. It featured a dual-motor powertrain with 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. 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 rear-wheel drive and 494 km with AWD, though real-world testing showed closer to 420 km. The Lyriq's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Regenerative braking helped reduce stress on the friction brakes, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new CVT. This setup provided a balanced driving feel with minimal body roll and improved noise control in the cabin. The Kicks offered AWD with torque vectoring and a multi-link suspension for better traction and handling. While acceleration was sometimes slow, especially at high elevations, the Kicks delivered a peppy performance in city traffic. Fuel economy was competitive, with ratings of 8.1 L/100 km city and 6.6 highway for FWD, and slightly higher for AWD.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty charging port, and a small centre cubby were notable issues. The floating console lacked practicality, and the glovebox was difficult to access while driving. 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 2025 Nissan Kicks provided a more user-friendly interior with a good view of the road from the driver's seat. The proximity lock and unlock feature added convenience, and the panoramic moonroof enhanced the cabin's airy feel. The Kicks made efficient use of its interior volume, accommodating a 65-inch TV with the rear seats folded. Cargo space was competitive, with 849 litres for FWD and 676 litres for AWD, expanding to 1,699 litres and 1,418 litres, respectively, with the seats down. However, wind buffeting was an issue with the driver's side window open.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a large, legible instrument cluster. The infotainment system featured 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 Nissan Kicks came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR trim featured dual 12.3-inch screens, wireless connectivity, and a Bose audio system with headrest speakers. The screens were well-integrated, and the Bose system added personality to the driving experience, making it enjoyable and engaging.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ included standard safety features such as 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 Nissan Kicks offered a comprehensive Safety Shield 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. ProPilot Assist was standard on the SR trim, providing advanced driver-assistance features. The Kicks also offered a 360-degree monitor system, a rare feature in its class. It received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though it had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.