Subaru Outback 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 Subaru Outback embraced a rugged aesthetic, designed for off-road adventures. Its exterior featured chunky wheel-arch flares and skid plate-like fascias, with a roof rack setup that emphasized its adventurous spirit. The interior was practical and well-executed, with a focus on comfort and functionality. The use of chrome and glossy black plastic was minimal, and the dashboard featured easy-to-read gauges. The Outback's design was both practical and appealing, catering to those who appreciated a balance between ruggedness and comfort.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a smooth and comfortable highway driving experience, with a dual-motor powertrain delivering 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Despite its impressive power, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight of 2,630 kilograms, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system was a welcome feature, but the lack of handling-enhancing technologies was a disappointment. The LYRIQ's range was respectable, with a claimed 505 kilometres for rear-wheel drive, though real-world conditions saw closer to 420 kilometres.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a choice between a standard 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine producing 260 horsepower. The Outback's performance was enhanced by its standard all-wheel drive and X-Mode for improved traction on slippery surfaces. The turbocharged engine provided a more spirited drive, while the Outback's suspension and steering offered a smooth and comfortable ride. The Outback Wilderness trim further enhanced off-road capabilities with increased ground clearance and additional X-Mode settings.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ's interior space was generous, with ample headroom and legroom. However, its cargo space was limited, offering 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. The interior design had some functional issues, such as a difficult-to-access glovebox and a small centre cubby. The floating console was more of a hindrance than a help, and some controls were awkwardly placed.

The 2025 Subaru Outback excelled in practicality, with a wagon shape that provided easy entry and exit, as well as a lower roof height for easier roof rack loading. Its cargo space was slightly smaller than some crossovers, with 923 litres with the rear seat up and 2,141 litres with the bench folded, but the flat floor and square shape made it highly usable. The Outback's passenger space was generous, with a total passenger volume of 3,044 litres, offering more front headroom and legroom than some competitors.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering a high-quality display and intuitive menus. The Super Cruise system was a standout feature, providing excellent hands-free driving capabilities. The 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes, enhancing the in-car audio experience. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, adding to the LYRIQ's tech appeal.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with wireless functionality on most trims. The Harman Kardon audio system provided good sound quality, though frequent Starlink disturbances were a drawback. The dashboard featured a mix of physical controls and touchscreen functions, catering to both tech-savvy and traditional buyers.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with a suite of safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.