Cadillac Escalade vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Sport was a commanding presence on the road, with its substantial dimensions of 211.9 inches in length and nearly 77 inches in height. It was designed to dominate any parking space it occupied. The Escalade's trim lineup was divided into Sport and Luxury versions, with the Sport trims featuring a blacked-out exterior that included dark window surrounds, black roof rails, and a mesh grille. Our Platinum Sport-trim test vehicle exuded a more menacing aura compared to its shinier Luxury counterparts, yet it retained the Escalade's signature grandeur. The vertical LED headlights, introduced in the refreshed 2025 model, continued to stand out as distinctive elements. The Deep Sea Metallic paint and 24-inch seven-spoke wheels with Pearl Nickel and High Gloss Black inserts made our Escalade test vehicle a striking SUV.

Inside, the Sheer Gray and Jet Black semi-aniline leather with faceted quilting in our test vehicle was executed with precision. The pattern added visual texture without appearing overly busy, and the material felt appropriately premium for its price point. Cadillac's interior design strategy of concealing the Escalade's truck-platform origins behind a screen-centric, near-horizontal dashboard was effective in this trim. The 55-inch curved display spanning the full width of the dash made a strong impression and was one of the more coherent executions of large-format in-cabin screens. At the Platinum Sport level, the door trim switched to leather, the headliner to microsuede, and the steering wheel received a leather wrap, creating a genuinely premium cabin. However, the Escalade's body-on-frame T1 platform, shared with the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, remained a structural limitation that couldn't be fully masked by interior craftsmanship.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ continued to stand out as a strikingly handsome SUV, even after five years on the market. Its bold yet tasteful design details ensured it remained a visual standout among electric SUVs. The interior was equally impressive, achieving a perfect blend of technology and old-school luxury. The materials used were top-notch, although the cheaper Optiq model had some unique touches. The climate control toggle switches were a welcome departure from touchscreen controls, offering a tactile and user-friendly experience. Despite its exceptional design and material quality, the LYRIQ had a mixed reputation for build quality, with past test vehicles exhibiting rattles, squeaks, and misaligned trim. However, the test vehicle for this review showed signs of improved quality, suggesting that Cadillac may have addressed these issues.

The LYRIQ's driving experience struck a balance between classic Cadillac comfort and modern refinement. It featured a single motor with rear-wheel drive, producing 365 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-rated range of 326 miles. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive LYRIQ-V offered 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, with a range of up to 285 miles. The test vehicle, equipped with all-wheel drive, delivered 515 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 319 miles. Despite its power, the LYRIQ's throttle was tuned for a refined, linear acceleration, reminiscent of a torque-rich V8. The ride comfort was impressive, even with 22-inch wheels, and the LYRIQ's braking system offered three settings, including one-pedal driving options. Overall, the LYRIQ provided a sophisticated and comfortable driving experience.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade was powered by a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and our test vehicle featured four-wheel drive (4WD). For 2026, this was the sole engine option in the standard Escalade lineup, as Cadillac discontinued the turbodiesel inline-six due to low demand. For those seeking more power, the Escalade-V offered a supercharged version of the same V8, producing 682 hp, but it came at a higher price point.

During a 320-mile road trip from eastern Massachusetts to New Hampshire's Pemigewasset Wilderness, the Escalade achieved 16.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 16 mpg combined for the 4WD version. This was expected for a 6,000-pound body-on-frame SUV on mostly highway miles, although it fell short of the Ford Expedition's 18.9 mpg over 400 highway miles. The V8 engine provided a pleasing note under hard acceleration, and the 10-speed transmission managed its ratios smoothly. The Escalade's ride quality was a standout feature, thanks to its adaptive air suspension, which absorbed imperfections on winter-ravaged roads with composure. While not as dynamically refined as the BMW X7 or Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, the Escalade's ride balance was well-suited to its target audience. However, the standard brakes lacked strong braking confidence, and the optional $3,750 Brembo brake upgrade was recommended for those seeking better stopping power.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 102-kWh battery pack and a DC fast-charging speed of 190 kW, which was slightly above average but slower than its main rivals. For 2027, the LYRIQ switched to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, making it easier to use Tesla Superchargers. However, the charge port's location on the left front fender was not ideal for older Superchargers with short cords. The LYRIQ's single motor with rear-wheel drive produced 365 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, offering an EPA-rated range of 326 miles. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive LYRIQ-V delivered 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, with a range of up to 285 miles.

The test vehicle, equipped with all-wheel drive, produced 515 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 319 miles when using the standard 11.5-kW AC onboard charger. The optional 19.2-kW AC charger reduced the range to 303 miles, making it a questionable investment. Despite its power, the LYRIQ's throttle was tuned for a refined, linear acceleration, reminiscent of a torque-rich V8. The LYRIQ's driving experience balanced classic Cadillac comfort with modern refinement, offering good body control and precise steering. The ride comfort was impressive, even with 22-inch wheels, and the LYRIQ's braking system provided three settings, including one-pedal driving options.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade offered impressive interior space, with 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 72.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121 cubic feet with both rear rows down. These figures were class-leading, and the power-folding second and third rows made reconfiguring the interior straightforward. For families of four with a full load of luggage, the Escalade provided ample room. However, those needing to seat seven or eight passengers with meaningful cargo space should consider the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV, which offered 41.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row.

The Escalade could seat up to eight passengers or seven with the optional second-row captain's chairs. Second-row legroom was generous at 41.7 inches, and the seats were comfortable for long drives. The third row, with 34.9 inches of legroom, was suitable for shorter passengers or children but tight for adults on longer trips. Towing capacity was 8,100 pounds for the standard-wheelbase model with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and 7,900 pounds with 4WD, competitive but trailing the Lincoln Navigator's 8,700-pound rating. The power-retractable side steps, standard on all Platinum Sport models, were useful for easier access to the vehicle.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ's interior storage was nearly as good as its Optiq sibling's. The main cupholders were large and secure, accommodating metal water bottles and jumbo mugs. The door bins were wide enough for medium-sized bottles, and the center armrest bin was deep. The adjacent wireless charger was a space-saving diagonal slot that kept a phone in place and cool. Underneath the center console was a large storage tray with big bumpers and a leather-like lining, suitable for medium-sized purses and smaller to-go containers. Above, a pull-out tray under the dash served as a second glovebox.

Cargo space in the LYRIQ was decent, with 28 cubic feet of space behind the raised back seat, two cubic feet more than the Optiq. Despite this small difference, the LYRIQ could more easily fit six suitcases with room to spare. The LYRIQ also had a larger under-floor storage compartment, but neither it nor the Optiq had a frunk. The LYRIQ had less cargo capacity than the Audi Q6 e-Tron on paper and in real-world tests. In terms of back seat space, the LYRIQ offered abundant legroom, allowing six-footers to sit comfortably behind six-footers and accommodating rear-facing child seats without moving the front seats much. The LYRIQ's second row was wider than the Optiq's, making it easier to fit three people across.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade's interior was dominated by a 55-inch curved display spanning the full width of the dashboard. This screen incorporated a digital instrument cluster, a 35-inch central infotainment touchscreen, and a 20-inch front passenger screen. A smaller touchscreen below handled climate and secondary controls. The system was responsive, logically organized, and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard on most trims, while the Platinum Sport trim featured a 34-speaker system with dual subwoofers. Super Cruise, GM's hands-free highway driving system, was standard and proved effective over long highway drives, reducing fatigue. However, the Escalade's voice recognition system was less sophisticated than those from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a beautifully crisp and bright OLED touchscreen display. Its arched design and non-rectangular shape contributed to the cabin's luxurious appearance. The screen was easy to reach and well laid out, offering a compelling design and a more traditional luxury look. The LYRIQ included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Google built-in functions such as Google Maps and Google Assistant voice commands. The standard AKS audio system with Dolby Atmos provided exceptional sound quality, with AKS speaker grilles visible throughout the cabin.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance technologies. These included automatic emergency braking with front and rear pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors with lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, and GM's Safety Alert Seat. The Teen Driver system allowed parents to set speed alerts, limit audio volume, and review a driving report card. The Escalade received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), although it had not been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) at the time of writing.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ also came standard with a range of driver-assistance features, with most being well-executed. The lane-keep assist was slightly intrusive but could be easily switched off with a physical button. The LYRIQ offered GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving assist system as standard, providing a more sophisticated alternative to regular adaptive cruise control. The 2026 LYRIQ received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and the 2027 model was expected to receive the same rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the LYRIQ top marks for crash safety and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention tech, although it received an Acceptable score for vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention and a Poor headlight score due to excessive glare.