Cadillac LYRIQ vs Mazda CX-50

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 offered a range of models, including the 2.5 S, 2.5 Turbo, and Hybrid, with various trim levels such as Select, Preferred, and Premium. The top-spec 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus featured new white leather seats and a retractable cargo cover, bringing its price to $44,920. The CX-50's design was wide and squat, resembling a lifted wagon more than an SUV, with 8.6 inches of ground clearance. Its sporty styling, flared fenders, and appealing paint colors, including the new Cypress green, added to its visual appeal. The interior boasted a white leather option with 20-inch silver wheels, providing a sharp contrast against the black dashboard and center console. However, the gloss-black plastic on the center console was prone to dust and scratches, and the center air vent was poorly integrated.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ stood out with its striking design and tasteful details, maintaining its beauty over the years. Its interior achieved a perfect blend of technology and old-school luxury, with top-notch materials and user-friendly toggle switches for climate controls. Despite past issues with build quality, the test vehicle showed improvements, suggesting Cadillac had addressed these concerns. The LYRIQ's design and material quality were exceptional, but potential buyers were advised to thoroughly inspect their vehicles before purchase. The LYRIQ's driving experience balanced comfort and refinement with precise steering, making it a compelling choice for luxury buyers. Its ride comfort was impressive, even with 22-inch wheels, and the braking system offered multiple settings for a customizable driving experience.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine with AWD, available in naturally aspirated, turbocharged, and hybrid forms. The base 2.5 S produced 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission and driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Off-Road. It achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg combined and could tow up to 2,000 pounds. The turbocharged version offered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas, or 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel, with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. However, its real-world fuel economy was lower than expected. The CX-50 Hybrid, with 219 hp, provided better fuel efficiency at 38 mpg combined but had limited mid-range passing power. The CX-50's steering was crisp, and its suspension offered excellent body control, though the ride was firm. The Meridian Edition was best suited for off-roading, but the CX-50 excelled in on-road driving and inclement weather.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 102-kWh battery pack with a DC fast-charging speed of 190 kW. It switched to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for easier use of Tesla Superchargers. The single-motor RWD version produced 365 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-rated range of 326 miles. The dual-motor AWD Lyriq-V offered 615 hp and 650 lb-ft, with a range of up to 285 miles. The tested AWD version had 515 hp and 450 lb-ft, with a range of 319 miles using the standard 11.5-kW AC charger. The optional 19.2-kW AC charger reduced the range to 303 miles. The LYRIQ's throttle was tuned for refined power delivery, reminiscent of a V8, with abundant passing power. Its driving experience balanced comfort and refinement with precise steering, and it handled sharp impacts well despite its large wheels. The braking system offered three settings, including one-pedal driving, providing a customizable experience.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 offered easier entry and exit compared to sedans, but its lower stance might have made drivers feel low relative to the side-window sills. Visibility was adequate, aided by large side mirrors. The front seats were firm, causing discomfort on long trips, but they featured power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and memory settings. Dual-zone climate control was standard, but the air conditioning struggled in hot weather. Rear-seat legroom was acceptable, with generous foot room and comfortable backrest angles. Storage space was decent, but Mazda missed opportunities for improvement. The cargo area offered 31.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ's interior storage was nearly as good as its Optiq sibling's, with large cupholders, wide door bins, and a deep center armrest bin. The wireless charger was a space-saving diagonal slot. The center console featured a large storage tray, and a pull-out tray under the dash served as a second glovebox. Cargo space was 28 cubic feet behind the rear seats, accommodating six suitcases with room to spare. The LYRIQ had more legroom than the Audi Q6 e-Tron, allowing six-footers to sit comfortably behind each other. The second row was wider than the Optiq's, making it easier to fit three passengers.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 featured clear gauge displays with a 7-inch screen for data panels. The 10.25-inch infotainment screen offered sophisticated graphics and logical menus but had touchscreen functionality only for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mazda Connect system required acclimation, operated via a control knob and buttons. Alexa built-in was available, but the Mazda Connect voice assistant was limited. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, though the charger was partially hidden. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a head-up display. The test vehicle had a surround-view camera system and front camera view for parking assistance.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ's OLED touchscreen was crisp and bright, with an arched design contributing to the cabin's aesthetics. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google built-in functions like Google Maps and Google Assistant. The AKS audio system with Dolby Atmos was standard, offering exceptional sound quality. The system's design and functionality were well-executed, providing a luxurious experience.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 came equipped with the i-Activesense suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and more. Preferred models added parking sensors, while Premium models included traffic-sign recognition and speed-limit assist. The Turbo Premium Plus model had additional safety features like a surround-view camera system and intersection assist. The CX-50 received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, though it earned a Poor rating in a new whiplash prevention test.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ offered standard driver-assistance features, with GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving assist system as a standout. Super Cruise provided hands-free operation on highways, with clear indications of activation and deactivation. The LYRIQ received five stars for overall safety from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS for crash safety and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. However, it received an Acceptable score for vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention and a Poor headlight score due to excessive glare.