Ford Expedition 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, with a long hood and low ground clearance, drawing inspiration from the classic Seville Elegante of the early 1980s. The LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking, surrounded by a solid grille with lighting effects. The Sport trim, in particular, stood out with its dark triangular motif and 22-inch wheels, although the standard 20-inch wheels diminished its imposing presence. The interior was meticulously crafted, with leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a unique three-spoke steering wheel. However, the floating center console lacked practicality, offering no usable space underneath the cupholders.

In contrast, the 2025 Ford Expedition embraced a form-over-function design ethos, prioritizing spaciousness and practicality. Its slab-sided, rectilinear silhouette provided ample headroom, legroom, and cargo space, making it ideal for transporting people and their belongings. The Expedition's styling was not neglected, with horseshoe-shaped daytime running lights framing the bold grille, and a split-gate tailgate offering convenience and versatility. The interior featured a minimalist design with touch-sensitive trackpads on the steering wheel and climate controls housed in the touchscreen. While some may appreciate the high-tech approach, others might find it less intuitive. The Expedition's interior was spacious, with the Expedition MAX offering even more cargo capacity, although it fell slightly short of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban in terms of interior space.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a smooth and comfortable ride, excelling on long highway journeys. Its dual-motor powertrain delivered 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains utilized a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with an estimated range of 314 miles for rear-wheel drive and 307 miles for all-wheel drive. However, real-world testing revealed a maximum range closer to 260 miles. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. While braking was strong, the vehicle's weight raised concerns about brake durability, especially when towing.

The 2025 Ford Expedition, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, offered impressive performance. The standard engine produced 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, while the Tremor trim featured a high-output version with 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Despite its substantial curb weight, the Expedition excelled on highways, providing a comfortable and quiet ride. The ten-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth shifts, and the multi-link rear suspension handled rough terrain with ease. The Tremor trim, designed for off-road adventures, boasted increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and skid plates. However, the Expedition's fuel economy was a downside, with 4WD models achieving only 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose motorized charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash were notable issues. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console lacked practicality, leaving valuables exposed. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch interaction. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, although its cargo space was limited compared to compact SUVs, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Ford Expedition excelled in towing capacity, with a maximum of 9,600 pounds, surpassing the Chevrolet Tahoe. Inside, the Expedition provided ample cargo space, with 21.6 cubic feet behind the third row in the standard model, expanding to 36.1 cubic feet in the Expedition MAX. With all rear seats down, the Expedition offered 108.5 cubic feet, while the Expedition MAX provided 123.1 cubic feet. The interior featured a minimalist design, with touch-sensitive trackpads on the steering wheel and climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. While some appreciated the high-tech approach, others found it less intuitive.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting, trip odometer, and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Ford Expedition boasted a groundbreaking 24-inch driver information display, featuring Google Maps projection and selectable widgets. The 13.2-inch touchscreen display, powered by a Google-based operating system, offered built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play store. However, the Ford Connectivity Package required an active cellular data plan for full functionality, with a complimentary one-year subscription followed by an annual fee or one-time purchase cost.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, rear emergency braking, and a rear camera displayed on the rearview mirror.

The 2025 Ford Expedition had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, and the IIHS ratings were based on the previous-generation 2023 model. Despite this, the Expedition offered an impressive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts. BlueCruise 1.4, a hands-free driving technology, was available on select trims, with a 90-day trial followed by a subscription or one-time purchase cost.