GMC Terrain vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2022 GMC Terrain underwent a series of updates, including refreshed front styling, new wheel designs, and revised taillights and interior trim. The introduction of the AT4 trim level added a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges, enhancing its rugged appeal. Despite its off-road aspirations, the Terrain AT4's interior, with its Ebony Twilight metallic paint and black leather, struggled to maintain cleanliness. The vehicle was equipped with a range of packages, including the Tech Package and Infotainment Package II, pushing its MSRP to $41,810. While the Terrain offered various trim levels to suit different budgets, its entry-level status was evident in the quality of materials and execution of details, such as the less intuitive pushbutton transmission controls and the narrow storage tray on the center console.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted striking exterior styling with a long hood and low ground clearance, reminiscent of a long sedan. Its design drew inspiration from the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The LYRIQ's face was adorned with vertical light bars and nine LED headlights that played a light show upon unlocking. The grille, with its lighting effects, added to the vehicle's unique style. Inside, Cadillac paid meticulous attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console offered limited usable space, and the vehicle's handling was hindered by its weight, despite its impressive power output.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While the engine's power delivery required some adaptation, the nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the vehicle within its torque band. The Terrain's performance was adequate for its class, though it lacked the acceleration of its predecessor's 2.0-liter engine. The AT4 trim offered selectable drive modes, including FWD, AWD, Off-Road, and Hill Descent Control, but torque steer was noticeable in FWD mode. The Terrain's suspension provided a comfortable ride on various surfaces, though its off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and tire grip.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, with its dual-motor powertrain, delivered an impressive 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, offering continuous AWD. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided a range of 314 miles with RWD and 307 miles with AWD, though real-world testing showed a slightly lower range. The vehicle's handling was compromised by its weight, resulting in understeer and limited agility. Despite its powerful braking system, the LYRIQ's steering lacked the precision expected from Cadillac, and its regenerative braking system offered some relief to the friction brakes.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a spacious interior with numerous comfort features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The rear seat provided ample legroom and support, with additional USB charging ports. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Terrain's interior featured various storage compartments, though some were limited in size.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray detracted from its luxury appeal. The floating console offered limited storage space, and the glovebox was difficult to access while driving. Despite these issues, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. Cargo space was slightly smaller than expected, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The larger screen offered connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy and responsiveness. Additional tech features included a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and trip information. 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 hands-free driving capabilities, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes. The LYRIQ's tech offerings were impressive, though some physical controls were less intuitive.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The optional GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of review.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. 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.