Toyota Sienna 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 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 practical space.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna maintained the traditional minivan aesthetic but with some modern twists. Its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines gave it a distinctive look, though it still resembled a minivan. The Platinum package introduced new wheel designs and a Magnetic Grey paint colour. Inside, the Sienna's updated interior featured a woodgrain finish, though opinions on its appeal varied. The seating was practical, with ample space for passengers and cargo, but the hard cushions detracted from long-distance comfort. Overall, the Sienna prioritized functionality over style.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a smooth and comfortable highway ride, with its dual-motor powertrain delivering 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Despite its impressive power, the LYRIQ's acceleration and regenerative braking were dialed back for a more relaxed driving experience. However, its handling was hindered by its substantial weight of 2,630 kilograms, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The LYRIQ's range was respectable, with a claimed 505 kilometres for rear-wheel drive, though real-world conditions saw closer to 420 kilometres. Charging was efficient, especially with the optional 19.2-kW Level 2 onboard charger.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a CVT, producing a net 245 horsepower. While not particularly powerful, the Sienna's electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing it from feeling sluggish. The hybrid system prioritized fuel economy, with an official rating of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. However, real-world testing showed an average of 8.9 L/100 km. The Sienna's handling was predictable but not engaging, with a smooth ride and quiet cabin. The CVT's droning was noticeable during hard acceleration.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ's interior was spacious, with generous headroom and legroom. However, its cargo space was limited, offering 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded. The vehicle's functionality was compromised by design choices, such as the difficult-to-access glovebox and the small centre cubby. The floating console lacked practicality, and some controls were unintuitive. Despite these issues, the LYRIQ's screens and overall interior design were impressive.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, with power-adjustable and heated front seats, though they were not the most comfortable for long drives. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were a hit, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's cargo space was generous, with 949 litres behind the third row and 2,129 litres with the third row stowed. However, its maximum cargo capacity of 2,860 litres was less than rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats. The Sienna's design prioritized ease of use and practicality.

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

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. The Limited trim included a four-zone climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered connected services with varying subscription periods, and the digital assistant was responsive and accurate. The JBL premium audio system provided decent sound quality, though it could be bass-heavy.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard 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 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured TSS 2.0, which included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. While not the latest version, TSS 2.0 was preferred for its simplicity. The Sienna also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA gave the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though its frontal crash-test result was four stars, and it scored three stars for driver protection in a frontal impact.