Subaru Crosstrek 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 more muted appearance with a dark triangular motif. The interior was luxurious, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display that was both flush and fitted, though the floating centre console offered limited functionality.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek maintained a familiar appearance, closely resembling its 2023 predecessor. Despite new sheet metal and a steeper departure angle, the overall dimensions remained similar, with a slight reduction in cargo space. The Crosstrek's rugged styling was complemented by 17-inch alloy wheels and 22 centimetres of ground clearance, making it suitable for off-road adventures. The front fascia featured a clever visual trick with LED headlights running up against a new wing bar, giving it a Cheshire cat-like smile. The Crosstrek Wilderness trim added unique design elements, including a hexagonal grille, larger cladding, and increased ground clearance, enhancing its outdoor appeal.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more at home on the highway, offering a calm and poised ride. It featured two Chinese-sourced motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for AWD, with a standard single rear motor option delivering 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided a claimed range of 505 kilometres for RWD and 494 km for AWD, though real-world testing showed closer to 420 km. 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 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offered a choice between a 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a smaller 2.0-litre engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The CVT transmission, while not offering a manual option, was refined, with simulated shift points and minimal droning. The Crosstrek Wilderness trim featured different gearing for tackling challenging terrain and increased towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms. The updated 2.0-litre engine reduced vibrations, enhancing comfort. The Crosstrek's steering was light but not sloppy, and the X-Mode traction management system provided excellent off-road capability.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality, as misaligned rear fenders and a malfunctioning charging port were noted. The interior, while spacious, had functionality issues, such as a difficult-to-access glovebox and a small centre cubby. The cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, prioritizing passenger comfort.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Subaru Impreza platform, offered competitive cargo space for a subcompact SUV. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were adequate, though taller passengers might prefer the front seat. The trunk provided 564 litres of space, expandable to 1,549 litres with the rear seats folded. The interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring robust materials, a protective cargo tray, and ample cupholders. The centre console bin was even designed to accommodate two 32-ounce Nalgene water bottles, catering to outdoor enthusiasts.

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

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek featured an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, standard on all but the Convenience trim. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charger available on higher trims. The Limited trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Subaru Starlink technology was impressive, it suffered from glare in bright sunlight and required navigating through multiple menus for some features.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came equipped 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 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, standard on all trims, included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 2024 model introduced a wider-angle lens for EyeSight, enhancing its capabilities.