2025 Cadillac Lyriq review: International first drive

10/03/2024 03:00 PM

2025 Cadillac Lyriq

Mention Cadillac and most Australians will have some idea of the brand's long history and unique character, but local exposure to the car maker's vehicles has been limited.

However, that's set to change – quickly too – because the American manufacturer is launching an all-electric vehicle Down Under before the end of 2024.

Though Cadillac is best known for its tail-finned, V8-powered, and chrome-laden passenger cars, the car maker will only be bringing its new line of IQ electric vehicles to Australia. Despite launching with just one large SUV named Lyriq, the brand has signalled its intentions for further model launches in 2025.

The Cadillac Lyriq is due on local roads before the end of 2024 and is intended to rival the likes of the BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, and Audi e-tron models. It's tough competition to sidle up against, especially for a fresh brand, but its sharp pricing, tech-filled interior, and unique looks may have some luxury car buyers looking away from the established – namely German – competition.

There are few changes between the American home market cars and right-hand-drive versions. Aside from Australian cars being fitted with a CCS charge port instead of the American NACS standard, 21-inch wheels will be fitted to Australian-spec units instead of 22-inch units for the Americans. Additionally, a revised suspension and handling package will accompany the smaller wheels.

With this in mind, Cadillac invited Drive to the United States to sample the model before it arrives locally.

How much is a Cadillac Lyriq?

A surefire way for a fresh-faced brand to attract attention in Australia is to come in with an attractive price tag, and Cadillac has sharpened its pricing pencil in anticipation of launch.

We first heard that Cadillac Australia was contemplating pricing similar to its European rivals, which all roughly begin around the $140,000 mark.

However, the two-strong model line-up will start from $117,000 (before on-road costs) when cars arrive locally, and rises $2000 for the more expensive flagship variant. Common to both variants is a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system that outputs 388kW and 610Nm from a 102kWh battery.

Cadillac claims a 530km driving range based on the WLTP standard, while the maximum charge rate is 190kW from a DC fast charger.

In terms of its competition, the most similar cars that Cadillac has benchmarked itself include the $140,600 Audi Q8 e-tron, $136,900 BMW iX, and the $134,900 Mercedes-Benz EQE.

Other less expensive alternatives include the $127,800 Genesis Electrified GV70.

In terms of how you buy one, Cadillac is selling the Lyriq in a “direct-to-customer"type scheme, in which buyers will be able to spec their cars online and have it delivered through an Experience Centre, initially planned for Sydney and Melbourne.

Customers elsewhere can have their car delivered to them, though the brand is planning a wider showroom footprint in the future too.

In terms of specification, the Lyriq Luxury is typified by chrome accents on the exterior, whereas the Sport version gets darker trim, a unique grille, and black chrome finishes for the front and rear ends.

It's fair to say the Cadillac Lyriq looks nothing like other cars in the Australian market, led by a unique Crystal Shield closed-off front grille and slimline vertical headlights at the extreme ends of the front fascia.

On the left-hand side of the car sits the charge port – which will also be the case for Australian-spec versions – and pop-out door handles allow entry to the vehicle.

The rear end exhibits a coupe-style sloping rear roof bookended by a set of boomerang-shaped tail-lights.

I've always thought of Cadillacs as stylish vehicles, but the new range of electric models look unlike anything else on the market. I can certainly see them making a strong impression on Aussie roads.

How big is a Cadillac Lyriq?

The Lyriq's impressive style attributes continue once you're seated inside the cabin. The entire space is dominated by a single-piece 33-inch screen that spans from the infotainment to the digital driver's cluster, but more on that specific element in the next section.

Design-wise, the cool cantilever-style centre console arrangement appeals to the eye and copious contrasting trim inlays highlight certain sections. There are woodgrain elements on the door panels (with integrated ambient lights) as well as chrome surroundings for things like the cupholders or the rotary infotainment controller.

Despite a sizeable tray on the floor for odds and ends – as well as handbags – I did wish for more at-hand storage space around the centre console. There are twin cupholders for storing your wallet and keys, in addition to a pop-out tray proud of the dash, but considering the size of the car it would have been handy to have a few more stowage nooks and crannies.

Keep in mind, the Lyriq does come with a wireless phone charger slot in addition to a pair of USB-C ports.

The seats were comfortable and contained enough adjustment for me to find a nice driving position (I'm 194cm tall for reference), though they lack side support, which proved to be a problem during fast cornering, as the car wallowed and swayed through bends – more on this aspect in the driving section. Additionally, the seat base was too short for my long legs.

Materials use is largely good. Cadillac has used soft-touch panels for just about every touchpoint, and the leather upholstery felt good quality. The dash top isn't quite the leather like you'd find in Mercedes-Benz, but it was plush to the touch.

There were some instances of creaking and flexing that you’d rarely find in a European alternative, made obvious when you lean on the door panel or centre console through cornering. It's a slight tarnish on what is otherwise a well-appointed interior.

Although the second-row seats don't slide on rails backwards and forwards, I enjoyed more than enough knee room behind my own driving position and ample space for my shoes.

The sunroof could touch the top of my head if I sat in a certain orientation, but side-to-side space was impressive. It's handy that the backrests have two stops of recline so you can lean back too.

Amenities-wise, the Lyriq's second row is serviced by dual USB-C ports, air vents and controls, map pockets, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, plus a household power socket.

You might think the Lyriq's sloping rear roofline would prioritise style over substance, but the brand's been able to supply both – there's a sizeable 793 litres of storage capacity behind a power-operated boot and even an under-floor cubby.

Handily, there are latches to fold down the rear seats and a cargo blind that stows away under the boot floor.

Does the Cadillac Lyriq have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

It's hard to miss the gigantic 33-inch display integrated within the entire dashboard – it covers the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment system.

The mammoth single-screen display is canted towards the driver to make at-a-glance visibility easier, but surprisingly it's the first touch-enabled digital instrument cluster I've come across.

You can cycle between varying digital cluster displays by touching the side of the instrument cluster, while a small portion of the cluster is dedicated to providing detailed information such as efficiency and charge information.

In any case, the main infotainment display is big, bright, and highly detailed. The integrated Google Maps displays beautifully on-screen and is a joyous system to use when you're navigating unfamiliar territory like Los Angeles.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are offered, though I never felt the need to connect my phone because the native software contained all I needed in my time with the car. You can easily swipe between menu screens with no lag.

Considering it's an all-new operating system not used elsewhere in the Australian market, I was pleasantly surprised with how easily I took to the new system. It's sleek and doesn't confound.

For now, the Cadillac Lyriq won't come with connected services in Australia and won't come with a paired smartphone application. However, this is slated to come in the future with the next revisions.

Is the Cadillac Lyriq a safe car?

The Cadillac Lyriq has not been crash-tested by either the IIHS or the NHTSA in the United States. It's possible the right-hand-drive version will be crash-tested sometime after launch.

What safety technology does the Cadillac Lyriq have?

The Lyriqs bound for Australia will come packed with an array of active and passive safety measures, much like the top-spec versions sold in its home market.

That said, unfortunately, Australians won't be able to benefit from the cool Super Cruise adaptive cruise-control system that can autonomously handle the vehicle on certain roads – including lane-centring, distance control to the car ahead, and even make lane changes on its own.

These systems work after a manufacturer has ‘mapped out’ specific roads and allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel for highway cruising. In my time with the car on the launch, this Super Cruise system worked a treat and kept the car in check between lane markings and steadily behind the car in front.

In the event of a crash, the Cadillac Lyriq will deploy a series of airbags including dual-stage frontal, seat-mounted side-impact for driver and front passenger, knee airbags for driver and front passenger, and head-curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions.

How much does the Cadillac Lyriq cost to run?

Cadillacs will come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty from the day they're delivered in Australia.

The high-voltage battery battery is covered for eight years (or 160,000km). It's too soon to detail servicing costs for the Cadillac Lyriq, nor is a comparative insurance quote available from insurance companies.

What is the range of a Cadillac Lyriq?

A total driving range of 530km (WLTP) is a healthy number that we like to see from premium, large electric vehicles.

It compares to the Mercedes-Benz EQE300 SUV, which is claimed to travel up to 539km, and far eclipses Audi's Q8 e-tron 50 quattro with its 411km claim.

In terms of on-the-go efficiency claims, we've seen that the Cadillac Lyriq in Europe – the same specification Aussies will get – is quoted at 22.5kWh per 100 kilometres.

During our Californian launch drive, our Lyriq managed 25.8kWh/100km over a series of highway stints and around town. Against the Audi Q8 e-tron 50 quattro I drove recently, which measured upwards of 28kWh/100km, this is an impressive result. Albeit not directly comparable considering the different driving conditions.

We didn't get the opportunity to max-test the Lyriq's charge capability, though it can charge at up to a 190kW rate on a DC fast charger. The charge port is located on the left side of the car, between the front wheel and the door, behind a powered flap.

What is the Cadillac Lyriq like to drive?

An electric vehicle boasting as much power as a BMW M3 sounds like a tantalising prospect… until you learn it weighs 2.6 tonnes.

There's no doubt the Cadillac Lyriq moves with haste, but don't be expecting performance-car-like acceleration from this large SUV – it's far more aligned to the brand's tenets of smoothness, luxury and refinement.

From a standstill, the Cadillac Lyriq is swift off the line, but it's on-the-move acceleration where the big SUV really shines. Plant the throttle on the freeway and overtakes are dispatched quickly and effectively, while the entire experience is accompanied by a distinct lack of noise.

There's little tyre roar (even over Los Angeles's notoriously shocking roads) and the wind noise is subdued to a hushed level. That said, there are a few creaks and flexes that you can hear as you lean on either the door panel or the centre console through corners.

The US-tuned version we drove at the model's launch erred toward the comfort side of the ledger when it comes to suspension and ride quality. Especially with respect to its weight, it floated about over large undulations in the road and swayed through corners.

On the plus side, this made for a comfortable around-town journey as the car absorbed cracks in the road and speed bumps. But I do hope the sharper European ride and handling tune, with the 21-inch wheels, makes the Lyriq experience more dynamic.

Although the Lyriq comes with multiple driving modes, Sport doesn't firm up the suspension because it's a passive (rather than adaptive) damping system. The steering feel is slow and relaxed, while a decent amount of lock is required to turn tighter bends.

It feels like a large car to be pedalling around tight canyon roads. Overall, the braking performance is good, but it's accompanied by an odd brake pedal feel. The system prioritises regenerative braking in order to recoup some energy for the battery, but the changeover between the regenerative braking and the normal friction braking takes some getting used to.

Where energy regeneration paddles would normally sit behind the steering wheel, the Lyriq gets an interesting paddle that acts as another brake controller. Pull it back a small amount and it engages the brake regeneration to slow the vehicle. Pull it a bit harder and the braking force is stronger.

It's a good way to slow the vehicle as it leads into a set of traffic lights. However, I wish the paddle was made out of metal rather than plastic. There's too much flex to the paddle and it's akin to making a brake pedal out of wobbly plastic rather than something more firm.

While the seats don't have the ultimate in under-thigh or bolstering support, they are at least comfortable for longer drives.

Should I buy a Cadillac Lyriq?

As Cadillac's first electric vehicle, the Lyriq does a brilliant job of upholding the brand's long-lasting legacy. It holds dear all the aspects that make a Cadillac great: it's supremely stylish, the luxuriousness is awesome, and the driving experience is suitably plush.

The electric platform plays into the brand's ethos beautifully. It allows effortless power, goes an impressive 530km between charges, and can charge at up to 190kW on a DC charger.

Some of the interior fit and finish doesn't shape up with its premium positioning, but there's no doubt the visual appeal is strong. On the tech front, the Lyriq presents a smartly laid-out infotainment system with integrated Google Maps and slick menu systems.

I hope the ride and handling tune we receive in Australia provides more of a sporty driving experience. It's not unnervingly soft, but it could roll flatter through corners.

Although a lot of Australians would have loved for Cadillac to introduce its line of stonking supercharged V8 cars, the Lyriq is the Cadillac we need right now and is a strong foot forward for the brand.

How do I buy a Cadillac Lyriq? The next steps.

Cadillacs are sold through the direct-to-consumer model in which its website plays a huge part. You can specify models, place orders, and organise inspection times all from the manufacturer’s website.

Deliveries take place through ‘Experience Centres’ – one in Sydney and one in Melbourne – which are expected to become more common throughout the country. The public can also get up close and personal by visiting Cadillac’s pop-up activation at Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne.

We strongly recommend taking a test drive at a dealership before committing to a Cadillac Lyriq purchase because personal needs and tastes can differ.

If you want to stay updated with everything that’s happened to this car since our review, you’ll find all the latest news here.

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