Kia Sorento 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, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The vertical light bars and LED headlights added a modern touch, while the grille and lighting effects enhanced its unique style. The interior was crafted with attention to detail, featuring leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2025 Kia Sorento presented a more rugged appearance, especially in the X-Pro SX Prestige trim with its blacked-out exterior and all-terrain tires. The styling updates aligned it with other Kia models, featuring a wide grille and stacked headlights. Inside, the Sorento offered a mix of materials, with leather seats and a panoramic sunroof enhancing its appeal. The cabin was spacious, with practical storage solutions and a 24-inch panoramic display that dominated the dashboard. The Sorento's design was both functional and stylish, catering to families and adventure seekers alike.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sleek appearance, was not a sporty performer. It excelled on the interstate, offering a calm and poised ride with a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery provided a range of 314 miles with RWD and 307 miles with AWD, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, but the handling was hindered by its 5,800-pound weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel.

The 2025 Kia Sorento offered two engine options: a 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine provided a more satisfying driving experience, with a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg. The Sorento's ride quality was enhanced by its 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, offering a quiet and comfortable ride. The AWD system with torque vectoring and a locking center differential contributed to its nimble handling, making it a pleasure to drive in various conditions.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ struggled with functionality, as misaligned rear fenders and a problematic charging port marred its build quality. The interior, while spacious, had a small cargo hold of 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded. The floating console and touchscreen controls were not user-friendly, and the glovebox was difficult to access while driving. Despite generous headroom and legroom, the LYRIQ's interior design left much to be desired in terms of practicality.

The 2025 Kia Sorento, on the other hand, offered a family-friendly interior with ample space for passengers and cargo. The first two rows were roomy, and the third row could accommodate adults for short trips. The Sorento's cargo space was versatile, with 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 38.5 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet. The interior featured heated and ventilated front seats, practical storage solutions, and a user-friendly layout, making it a practical choice for families.

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

The 2025 Kia Sorento featured a 24-inch panoramic display with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While Kia Connect required a subscription, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Sorento also offered Digital Key technology, a digital rearview mirror, and an excellent surround-view camera system, enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it came 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.

The 2025 Kia Sorento was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, with significant upgrades in the SX and SX Prestige trims. These included active collision avoidance, evasive steering assist, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Sorento earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS for 2024, though changes in testing criteria might affect its 2025 rating.