Toyota Corolla Cross vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross presented a conservative design approach, pulling back from Toyota's recent daring styles. Its snub nose was reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra, and it featured the obligatory tall ride height and plastic fender flares typical of SUVs. However, the overall look was understated, seemingly to avoid overshadowing its larger sibling, the RAV4. The Corolla Cross was compact, being 13.5 centimetres shorter than the RAV4, yet larger than the Toyota C-HR, offering more interior space. Subtle styling details included scalloping around the rear door handles and mirrors, and hidden Corolla Cross logos throughout the vehicle. Wheel options varied from 17-inch steel on the base model to 18-inch alloy on the top XLE AWD trim. Inside, the Corolla Cross mirrored the Corolla sedan and hatchback, with oversized door handles akin to the RAV4. Material quality was perceived as below that of the Corolla sedan and hatch, with the base L model feeling basic. The XLE trim offered SofTex leatherette upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, with a power moonroof standard on the XLE and available on the LE Premium AWD package.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a testament to Cadillac's flair for exterior styling, boasting a street presence that was both SUV and long sedan-like. Inspired by the Seville Elegante of the early 1980s, the LYRIQ featured a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. Its face was adorned with vertical light bars and nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille, with its sweeping lines and illuminated Cadillac crest, added to its unique style. The Sport trim featured a dark triangular motif, and the vehicle sat imposingly on 22-inch wheels. The LYRIQ's interior was a showcase of attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a padded leather armrest. The 33-inch OLED display was a highlight, offering a seamless integration of technology without dominating the space. However, the floating centre console was criticized for its lack of usable space. Despite its impressive design, the LYRIQ's functionality was questioned, with issues like misaligned rear fenders and a problematic charging port detracting from its luxury appeal.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with an actual first gear for improved acceleration. While the initial response was impressive, the transition to normal CVT operation was abrupt, and at higher speeds, typical CVT issues like engine droning were evident. The powertrain felt strained on highways, though the interior remained quiet. The optional AWD system, similar to that in the Toyota Camry, could send 10% to 50% of torque to the rear wheels, but body roll was noticeable during hard cornering. The Corolla Cross offered 20.8 centimetres of ground clearance and a towing capacity of 680 kilograms, though it wasn't designed for off-roading.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more suited for highway cruising. It featured dual motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, with a 102-kilowatt-hour battery offering a range of up to 505 kilometres. However, real-world testing showed a range closer to 420 kilometres. The LYRIQ's handling was hampered by its 2,630-kilogram weight, leading to significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the vehicle's weight raised concerns about its durability under hard use. Regenerative braking was available, helping to reduce stress on the friction brakes. The LYRIQ's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms, but its handling and steering left much to be desired.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more passenger and cargo space than the Corolla hatchback, with an additional 5 centimetres of rear legroom and 3.5 centimetres of rear headroom. It featured standard rear climate-control vents and dual-zone automatic climate control on XLE models. Cargo space was 750 litres with the rear seats up and 1,890 litres with them folded. However, the seats were hard and unsupportive, and the driving position, while SUV-like, wasn't ideal for long trips. Storage spaces were minimal.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, while spacious in terms of headroom and legroom, sacrificed cargo space for a roomy back seat. It offered 793 litres of cargo space behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. However, functionality issues plagued the LYRIQ, with misaligned rear fenders, a problematic charging port, and a small centre cubby. The floating console was criticized for its lack of space, and the glovebox was difficult to access while driving. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch, and drive mode selection was cumbersome.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross featured a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model, with an 8-inch screen on LE and XLE models. The XLE also had a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked sophistication, with plain graphics and slow boot-up times. Two front USB-A ports were standard, with additional ports for rear passengers on the LE trim. Wireless charging was available on higher trims.

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 ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with high-quality graphics and simple menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Super Cruise system was a standout feature, providing hands-free driving with lane-switching capabilities. The 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and Lane Tracing Assist. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the XLE included front and rear park assist with automatic braking. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured standard safety equipment such as forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. The Safety Alert Seat provided tactile feedback instead of audible alerts. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. The LYRIQ 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.