Cadillac XT5 vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, but its interior fell short of expectations for a high-end brand. The cabin, while spacious and intuitively laid out, featured materials that seemed more fitting for a Buick or a top-trim Chevy. Despite this, the XT5 offered above-average cargo space with 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, which helped compensate for its shortcomings. Cadillac retained many physical controls, providing an intuitive feel, though this choice made the cabin appear somewhat dated. The XT5's interior offered good headroom and legroom, with options for genuine leather upholstery and heated seats in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted striking exterior styling with a long hood and low ground clearance, reminiscent of the classic Seville. Its design featured vertical light bars, LED headlights, and a solid grille with lighting effects. The interior showcased attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console lacked practicality, and some physical components seemed poorly assembled. Despite these issues, the LYRIQ's interior exuded a sense of luxury and modernity that Cadillac had long needed.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. Acceleration from 0-60 mph was in the high-seven-second range, but the engine could sound rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine delivered 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, providing a more suitable driving experience. However, the XT5 lacked driving excitement, with decent handling but a ride quality that suffered on rough roads. Its EPA-rated fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city to 29 mpg highway for the turbo-four with FWD, and 18/25 mpg for the V6 with AWD.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, while not sporty, excelled in long-distance comfort. Its dual-motor powertrain produced 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, with a standard single rear motor offering 340 horsepower. Both setups used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing an estimated range of 314 miles with RWD and 307 miles with AWD. However, real-world testing showed a range closer to 260 miles. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Despite strong braking, the chassis needed improvement, lacking features like torque vectoring and magnetic dampers.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior, though featuring more hard plastics than expected, offered practical storage solutions. The center console storage bin was deeper than anticipated, and front-seat ergonomics were well-designed. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded. This generous cargo capacity was a standout feature in its class, surpassing rivals like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality, as misaligned rear fenders and a malfunctioning charging port were noted. Functionality issues included a glovebox that couldn't be easily accessed while driving and a small center cubby. The floating console lacked practicality, and the rotary selector for the touchscreen was cumbersome. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited to 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded, smaller than many compact SUVs.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for climate controls and steering wheel functions. A Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation were available options. The XT5's infotainment system was competitive in its segment, though not as advanced as some rivals.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ showcased a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The available Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality. The LYRIQ's technology offerings were a highlight, with top-notch graphics and user-friendly menus.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5, last tested in 2021, earned top "Good" scores in crash tests but missed a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to "Marginal" headlight ratings. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The XT5 offered a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, though some features were only available as options.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. The LYRIQ's safety offerings were robust, though official crash test ratings were not yet available.