Toyota Highlander vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2022 Toyota Highlander presented a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window that gave the impression of a smaller vehicle. However, once inside, the Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions for items like iPads and juice boxes. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, contrasting with a sedate navy blue exterior. This trim also featured unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and a sport-tuned suspension, adding a touch of sportiness to its overall appeal.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted a striking exterior with a long hood and low ground clearance, reminiscent of the classic Seville. Its vertical light bars and LED headlights created a captivating light show upon unlocking. The grille, adorned with lighting effects, added to its unique style. Inside, the LYRIQ paid meticulous attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating centre console lacked practicality, offering limited usable space. Despite its impressive design, the LYRIQ's interior had some functional shortcomings.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This power was channelled through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard all-wheel drive (AWD), with no front-wheel drive (FWD) option available in Canada. The Highlander featured a drive-mode button with Sport, Normal, and Eco modes, as well as an AWD system dial with Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes. While the V6 engine provided better pickup at cruising speeds, it was less lively from a standstill. The Highlander's handling was commendable, with a sport-tuned suspension in the XSE trim that reduced body roll while maintaining comfort. It could tow up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) and had a max payload of 775 kilograms (1,709 pounds).

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, on the other hand, offered a dual-motor powertrain with 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous AWD. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both powertrains utilized a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering a claimed range of 505 kilometres with RWD and 494 km with AWD. However, real-world testing showed a max range closer to 420 kilometres. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Despite its impressive power, the LYRIQ lacked handling-enhancing features like torque vectoring and magnetic dampers.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered versatile cargo space, with up to 2,387 litres available with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row seats in use, it provided 1,370 litres of cargo space, and 453 litres with all seats deployed. The Highlander's interior featured deep cargo pockets, multiple storage compartments, and second-row captain's chairs for added convenience. While the third row was less spacious for adults, the overall interior design was practical and family-friendly.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo hold was smaller than most compact SUVs, offering 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity and five USB ports. While it lacked wireless connectivity, the system's straightforward layout and hard buttons made it user-friendly. The XSE trim featured a wireless charging pad and additional USB ports, with an available 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ excelled in technology with its 33-inch OLED screen, divided into three sections. The leftmost portion was touch-enabled for various controls, while the main touchscreen ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The available Super Cruise system offered hands-free driving, with a helpful coloured bar on the steering wheel indicating system status. The 19-speaker AKG stereo provided variable surround sound modes, enhancing the overall audio experience.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and more. It also came with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags. The Highlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered standard safety features such as forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. 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 an acceptable mark for its front pedestrian collision avoidance system.