Subaru Forester 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 created a dramatic light show upon unlocking, while the grille and lighting effects added to its unique presence. The interior was meticulously crafted, featuring leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display that integrated seamlessly into the cabin. However, the floating centre console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester focused on practicality with a more generic design. The styling updates smoothed out its appearance, making it less distinctively Subaru. The Forester Sport trim featured bronze accents and 19-inch wheels, adding a touch of sophistication. Inside, the Forester offered a more intentional design with structural dash elements and a choice of upholstery materials, including the easy-to-clean StarTex. The cabin was spacious, with a focus on functionality and comfort, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was built for comfort rather than sportiness, excelling on highways with its calm and poised ride. It featured two powertrain options: a single rear motor with 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, or a dual-motor setup with 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. Despite its impressive power, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its substantial weight of 2,630 kilograms, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system helped reduce stress on the brakes, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Subaru Forester retained its 2.5-litre Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. While not particularly peppy, the Forester's performance was adequate for its class. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and X-Mode provided stability and traction on various terrains, making it a reliable choice for off-road adventures. The Forester's steering was smooth and confident, and the vehicle felt stable on different surfaces. However, its fuel economy was not a standout feature, with ratings of 9.1 L/100 km in the city and 7.2 on the highway.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat typical of EVs. However, its cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. The interior had some functionality issues, such as a difficult-to-access glovebox and a small centre cubby. The floating console lacked practicality, and some controls were cumbersome to use. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ's interior was luxurious and well-appointed.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, increasing its cargo space slightly to 779 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,957 litres when folded. The Forester's cargo area was equipped with heavy-duty hooks, and the interior featured a dark headliner to resist marks. Heated front seats were standard, with additional power adjustments and seat ventilation available on higher trims. The Forester's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, making it a family-friendly choice.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a large, legible instrument cluster. The infotainment system included 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 Subaru Forester introduced an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, standard on all but the base trim. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with additional USB ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims. The Limited and Premier trims featured a voice-activated navigation system and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Subaru's Starlink connected services suite offered new capabilities, enhancing the Forester's technology offerings.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came with standard safety features such as forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. 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 Subaru Forester offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Subaru's EyeSight technology with enhancements for 2025. Emergency Stop Assist was available on higher trims, and the Forester included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While the 2025 model had not been crash-tested, the 2024 Forester received high safety ratings, indicating strong safety performance.