BMW X5 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 center console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2025 BMW X5 maintained its classic proportions while incorporating modern design elements. The cab-rearward profile and rounded fender arches gave it a distinctive look, complemented by arrow-shaped lighting elements. The optional M Sport Package added sportier features, while the Silver Anniversary Edition showcased unique trim options. Inside, the X5's interior evolved gracefully, with a curved dashboard display and quality materials. The sport seats provided comfort and support, although the lack of real leather upholstery was noticeable given the vehicle's price.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a smooth and comfortable ride, ideal for long-distance travel. Its dual-motor powertrain delivered 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power without aggressive acceleration. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered a range of up to 314 miles with rear-wheel drive, though real-world conditions showed a slightly lower range. The Lyriq's handling was hindered by its weight, affecting steering and cornering capabilities. Despite its impressive suspension and chassis tuning reputation, the Lyriq lacked handling-enhancing features, resulting in a less agile driving experience.

The 2025 BMW X5 provided a range of powertrain options, starting with the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 375 horsepower. The X5 M60i xDrive offered a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 523 horsepower, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds. The plug-in hybrid variant combined the inline-six with an electric motor, delivering 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The X5's chassis offered precision and agility, making it a pleasure to drive. The Silver Anniversary Edition included the xOffroad Package, enhancing its off-road capabilities, though it compromised on-road dynamics.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders and a malfunctioning charging port were notable issues. The interior design, while stylish, lacked practicality, with a small center cubby and a cumbersome rotary selector for the touchscreen. The Lyriq offered generous headroom and legroom, but its cargo space was limited, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 BMW X5, a two-row, five-seater, provided generous passenger space, though not class-leading. It offered slightly more headroom than some rivals, and the sport seats were comfortable for long drives. The X5's cargo space was competitive, with 33.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.3 cubic feet with the second row folded. The split tailgate was a practical feature, and the 7,200-pound towing capacity was reasonable for its size.

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 BMW X5's curved dashboard display housed a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. Running BMW Operating System 8, it offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The iDrive infotainment system was intuitive, with multiple control options, including a rotary controller, touchscreen, and voice recognition. Augmented reality navigation and digital key connectivity were welcome additions.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. It came standard with 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.

The 2025 BMW X5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Driving Assistance Professional Package offered Highway Assistant, a hands-free system for speeds up to 85 mph. The Parking Assistance Professional Package added advanced parking features.