GMC Yukon vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2022 GMC Yukon exuded a bold and commanding presence, largely due to its extensive use of chrome, especially in the Denali trim. The front of the Denali was almost entirely chrome, featuring a massive, multi-dimensional grille that resembled an industrial-sized cheese grater. This design choice gave the Yukon a unique and premium look, complemented by GMC's signature C-shaped headlights. The test vehicle's 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint, adding to its imposing appearance. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious and tastefully crafted cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with the optional second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim boasted four exclusive interior designs, with the Teak/Light Shale color combo providing a luxurious feel through contrasting colors, unique stitching, and natural wood details.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ showcased a sleek and modern design, with a long hood and low ground clearance that gave it the appearance of a long sedan. Its exterior was marked by vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking the car. The grille featured lighting effects and an illuminated Cadillac crest, while the Sport trim had a dark triangular motif. The Lyriq's design was further enhanced by thin, deployable door handles and wraparound taillights that defined its shoulder line. Inside, the Lyriq paid meticulous attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a padded leather armrest. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, offering a sleek and integrated look without dominating the space. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering no usable space underneath.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines, including a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, both featuring fuel-saving cylinder-deactivation technology. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, known as the "Baby Duramax," provided 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, delivering excellent fuel economy and a range of up to 648 miles on a tank. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The AT4 trim was exclusively 4WD, featuring a two-speed transfer case for better off-road control. The Yukon's maximum towing capacity was 8,400 pounds with the right configuration. The independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, though some bouncing was noted over rough pavement. The optional air ride adaptive suspension enhanced the ride further, especially on highways.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, while not as sporty as its exterior suggested, excelled in long-distance comfort. It featured dual motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for all-wheel drive, with a single rear motor option offering 340 horsepower. Both powertrains used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing a range of 314 miles with rear-wheel drive and 307 miles with all-wheel drive. However, real-world testing showed a range closer to 260 miles. The Lyriq's handling was hindered by its 5,800-pound weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, with regenerative braking options to reduce stress on the friction brakes. The Lyriq's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, but the lack of handling-enhancing features like torque vectoring and magnetic dampers was a drawback.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered ample passenger space across its three rows, with a significant improvement in third-row legroom to 34.9 inches. Cargo space behind the third row increased to 25.5 cubic feet, thanks to a longer wheelbase and independent rear suspension. The second-row seats folded flat, and power-folding options made accessing the third row easier. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding center console with hidden storage, adding convenience. Power-retractable assist steps were part of the Denali Ultimate Package, aiding entry and exit. The pushbutton transmission controls required some acclimation but were ultimately user-friendly.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders and a problematic charging port were noted. The floating console lacked storage space, and the glovebox was difficult to access while driving. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch. Despite these issues, the Lyriq offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. Cargo space was limited to 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded, smaller than most compact SUVs.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came equipped with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center, providing access to phone, audio, and navigation functions. A 15-inch multi-color head-up display was standard on the Denali, offering driving speed, safety aids, and off-road information. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system featured Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bose 14-speaker audio system was adequate but not exceptional. The rear-seat media system included dual 12.6-inch touchscreens compatible with various media formats.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ's standout feature was its 33-inch OLED screen, divided into three sections for lighting, trip odometer, and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The Super Cruise system offered excellent hands-free driving capabilities, with a helpful colored bar on the steering wheel indicating system status. The 19-speaker AKG stereo provided strong audio performance with variable surround sound modes.

The 2022 GMC Yukon featured GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. The Pro Safety Plus package added lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Safety Alert Seat and rear camera mirror enhanced safety further. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with specific scores for crash protection and rollover resistance.

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, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and the Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and rear emergency braking.