Honda Pilot 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 had a more subdued appearance with a dark triangular motif. The vehicle's wraparound taillights and fender-mounted vertical lights created a unique and bold look, while the interior boasted luxurious details such as leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display.

In contrast, the 2025 Honda Pilot Black Edition offered a more rugged and practical design. It featured black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges, with red perforation accents on the black leather seats. The cabin included red contrast stitching and ambient lighting, with "Black Edition" embossed on the head restraints and floor mats. While the Pilot's design was attractive, it was more suited for suburban environments. The interior was thoughtfully designed with quality materials, though the digital driver display and infotainment system appeared dated compared to rivals. Despite this, the Pilot provided practical storage solutions and a comfortable driving experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty appearance, was more suited for long-distance comfort rather than spirited driving. It featured a dual-motor powertrain with 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered a claimed range of 314 miles with rear-wheel drive and 307 miles with all-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the battery topping to 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The Pilot's Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD system provided hill descent control and torque vectoring, enhancing its off-road capabilities. While the V6 provided good acceleration, the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was a concern, with the Pilot averaging 20 mpg on the evaluation loop. The Pilot's handling was predictable and secure, though an adaptive-damping suspension system would have improved ride quality.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Issues included misaligned rear fenders, a motorized charging port that would drop open, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. Despite these issues, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, offering 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with a thoughtfully designed interior for family use. The Black Edition's front row featured a 10-way power seat adjustment for the driver, though the front passenger seat lacked adjustability. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable center section for added versatility. The third row was habitable for adults, though not particularly comfortable. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, with a large storage well under the load floor. Folding the rear seats provided up to 86.5 cubic feet of cargo room.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ's standout feature was its 33-inch OLED screen, divided into three sections. The leftmost portion was touch-enabled for various controls, while the main touchscreen infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant. The available Super Cruise system was highly praised for its hands-free driving capabilities. The 19-speaker AKG stereo provided excellent sound quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens compared to rivals. The Black Edition featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. However, the wireless CarPlay function was problematic, and the voice recognition system often required multiple attempts. The 12-speaker Bose audio system was adequate but not exceptional. The Pilot's CabinTalk feature allowed the driver to communicate with passengers over the stereo speakers, adding to its family-friendly appeal.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. 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 Honda Pilot was equipped with a comprehensive suite of Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Black Edition also featured parking sensors and a multi-view camera system with TrailWatch technology. The Pilot earned high marks in crash tests, with the IIHS naming it a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA awarding it a five-star overall rating.