Ford Explorer 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. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, chrome-outlined controls, and a unique three-spoke steering wheel. However, the floating center console, while visually appealing, lacked practicality.

The 2025 Ford Explorer continued to build on its sleek and balanced design, thanks to its rear-wheel-drive platform. The refreshed front end gave it a wider and more rugged appearance, while new LED taillights and a trim strip added a modern touch. Inside, the Explorer's updates significantly improved its ambiance, with competitive materials and design. Ford streamlined the trim levels to four, including the new base trim called Active, the sporty ST-Line, the luxurious Platinum, and the performance-tuned ST. The Explorer's interior was comfortable and well-equipped, with features like heated seats, ambient lighting, and a power-folding third-row seat, making it a family-friendly choice.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a smooth and comfortable ride, excelling on long interstate drives. It featured two powertrain options: a standard single rear motor with 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, and an optional dual-motor setup delivering 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque for all-wheel drive. Despite its impressive power figures, the LYRIQ's acceleration and regenerative braking were dialed back for a more relaxed driving experience. However, its handling was hindered by its substantial weight of 5,800 pounds, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery provided a range of up to 314 miles with rear-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed a lower range. Charging was efficient, with the ability to top up to 80% in about 30 to 35 minutes.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, standard on the ST and optional on the Platinum trim. All Explorers came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with an optional four-wheel-drive system. The Explorer's turbo four provided quick acceleration and responsive handling, especially in Sport mode. The ST-Line trim, while focused on aesthetics, could be upgraded with the ST-Line Street Package for enhanced performance. The Explorer's ride and handling were commendable, with a firm yet comfortable suspension setup.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced some challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Issues like misaligned rear fenders and a malfunctioning charging port detracted from its luxury appeal. The floating center console lacked practicality, and accessing certain features, like the glovebox, required navigating through menus. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, with only 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Ford Explorer provided a versatile interior with seating for six in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat for seven-passenger capacity. The ST-Line trim featured comfortable front seats with heating and power adjustments, while the Premium Package added amenities like ambient lighting and a power-folding third-row seat. The Explorer's second-row captain's chairs were equally comfortable, and the third row, while less accommodating for adults, was suitable for children. Cargo space was competitive, with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 85.8 cubic feet.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ impressed with its 33-inch OLED screen, divided into three sections for various functions. The infotainment system featured 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 2025 Ford Explorer introduced the Ford Digital Experience, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with Google Maps integration and app downloads through Google Play. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems, with the ST-Line featuring a 10-speaker setup and the Platinum and ST boasting 14 speakers and 980 watts of power.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came equipped with standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. However, it had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured Ford CoPilot 360+ as standard, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. The ST-Line trim and higher included Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, with a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. While NHTSA had not fully rated the 2025 Explorer, it received five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.