Chevrolet Equinox 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 design drew inspiration from the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The front of the LYRIQ was adorned with vertical light bars and nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille varied across trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The LYRIQ's wraparound taillights and steeply raked glass window added to its unique aesthetic. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, presenting a modern and robust appearance. Its flat roof, upright grille, and "shark fin" C-pillar aligned it with larger Chevrolet models like the Traverse and Suburban. Each trim had distinct styling elements, with the LT offering a chrome or Midnight Edition treatment, the RS featuring sportier accents, and the ACTIV trim emphasizing adventure with all-terrain tires. The Equinox's interior was thoughtfully designed, with different trims offering unique themes. The RS trim had a darker interior with red highlights, while the ACTIV trim featured a lighter "Maple Sugar and Black" theme. The cabin was spacious, with consistent headroom and a flat floor in the back, enhancing comfort for passengers.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was not as sporty as its exterior suggested. It excelled on the interstate, offering a calm and poised ride with a focus on long-distance comfort. The dual-motor powertrain in the test car produced 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, while the standard single rear motor delivered 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kWh battery provided a range of 314 miles with RWD and 307 miles with AWD, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80% in 30 to 35 minutes. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied with powertrain, offering 184 lb-ft in FWD models and 203 lb-ft in AWD versions. The Equinox's AWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which improved gear shifts and reduced noise compared to the previous six-speed. The Equinox's acceleration was responsive at low speeds, but the engine struggled during highway merges. The ride was generally quiet and comfortable. The Equinox could tow up to 1,500 pounds with AWD, and selectable drive modes were available, enhancing its versatility for different driving conditions.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, though its cargo space was limited to 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a well-appointed interior with standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel on RS and ACTIV trims. Ventilated front seats and heated rear seats were available as part of a package. The Equinox's flat roof provided consistent headroom, with 38.2 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the back with the moonroof. The cabin featured a flat floor, enhancing comfort for rear passengers. Cargo space was slightly reduced, with 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded. A hidden storage compartment added convenience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran 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 offered variable surround sound modes.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Google Built-In, offering wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration projected onto the driver information display, allowing for seamless multitasking. However, the voice control system was overly loud in the RS trim tested. The Equinox's tech features were mostly standard, including an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wi-fi hotspot capability, and wireless charging on RS and ACTIV trims.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. 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, a 360-degree camera system, and rear emergency braking.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a Safety & Technology package for $1,085, adding rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, and more. The Chevy Safety Assist suite included standard features like rear park assist, lane-change alert, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Teen Driver Technology was also standard, allowing parents to set speed and volume limits and receive a driving report card.