Porsche Cayenne 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 Porsche Cayenne GTS trim was a blend of sporty elegance and practicality. The exterior featured high gloss black trim, larger air intakes, and tinted headlights, with red brake calipers visible through 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from seat colours to trim materials. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a sliding centre console for added storage. The Cayenne's interior was both luxurious and functional, with a focus on driver comfort and convenience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was built for comfort rather than sportiness, excelling on highways with its calm and poised ride. 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 range of up to 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system was a positive feature, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, with the GTS trim featuring a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 producing 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed transmission delivered power to all four wheels, allowing the Cayenne to reach 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The GTS trim struck a balance between sporty and comfortable, with precise steering and agile handling. The active suspension and Pirelli P Zero tires contributed to its athletic performance. The Cayenne's braking system, though touchy, provided ample stopping power once broken in. The Cayenne excelled in both performance and comfort, offering a versatile driving experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders and a faulty charging port were notable issues. The interior lacked practicality, with a small centre cubby and a cumbersome rotary selector for the touchscreen. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered little storage space. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided 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 Porsche Cayenne offered a customizable interior with a wide range of options. The base model featured eight-way power-adjustable seats, with upgrades available for more advanced seating options. The Cayenne accommodated five passengers comfortably, with ample headroom in the second row. The standard Cayenne provided 772 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,708 litres with the rear seats folded. The Cayenne's towing capacity was impressive, matching that of a mid-size pickup truck. While the options list was extensive, buyers needed to be prepared for additional costs.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and trip information. 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 excellent sound quality. The LYRIQ's technology offerings were a highlight, with intuitive menus and high-quality graphics.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne boasted a suite of screens, including a 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The Porsche Communication Management system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Spotify and Apple Music. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The Cayenne's head-up display and night-vision assist added to its technological appeal. The inclusion of multiple USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area further enhanced its tech offerings.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with 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 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were available as options. Porsche's InnoDrive system provided advanced adaptive cruise control, but a hands-off driving assist was not offered. The Cayenne had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS for safety.