Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that captured attention on the road. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The design drew inspiration from the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The vertical light bars at the front, combined with nine LED headlights, created a captivating light show upon unlocking. The grille varied across trims, with the Sport trim offering a more subdued look. The LYRIQ's design was further enhanced by its 22-inch wheels, although the standard 20-inch wheels diminished its imposing presence. The interior was meticulously crafted, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a unique steering wheel design. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering little functionality. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, seamlessly integrated into the cabin.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport presented a sportier aesthetic within the Range Rover family. It stood tall on the road, yet its shorter wheelbase and chopped top gave it an athletic stance. The large front air intakes and fake vents added to its sporty appeal, though it appeared somewhat narrow from certain angles. The SV Edition 2, the highest-performance model, featured carbon-fiber elements and a subtle exterior that belied its powerful capabilities. Inside, the Range Rover Sport maintained a minimalist design, with a focus on luxury and comfort. The interior was adorned with red leather upholstery and sport seats, while the dashboard and center console offered a clean, uncluttered look. Despite its sporty mission, the high console and dash created a more enclosed feel, which could be cramped for some. Material quality was high, though the use of piano black plastic was excessive.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for comfort rather than sportiness. It excelled on the interstate, offering a calm and poised ride with a focus on long-distance comfort. The dual-motor powertrain in the test car delivered 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. Both powertrains utilized a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with Cadillac claiming a range of 314 miles for rear-wheel drive and 307 miles for all-wheel drive. However, real-world testing showed a maximum range closer to 260 miles. Charging performance was inconsistent, with the LYRIQ not reaching its peak fast-charging rate. Handling was a weak point, with the vehicle's 5,800-pound weight affecting agility and steering feel. The LYRIQ lacked handling-enhancing features, and its braking system, while strong, was not ideal for hard use.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 355 horsepower, while the Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 hp. The plug-in hybrid powertrain in the Autobiography model delivered 543 hp, and the SV Edition Two boasted a twin-turbo BMW V8 with 626 hp. The SV Edition Two was the most powerful Range Rover model, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The Range Rover Sport excelled in both performance and comfort, with sport-tuned air suspension and advanced features like four-wheel steering and brake-based torque vectoring. It maintained a luxurious ride while offering impressive agility. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by the Terrain Response system, with the Autobiography model featuring a two-speed transfer case for more challenging terrains.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch controls. Drive mode selection was cumbersome, and the integration of metal door handles into the armrests led to confusion. Despite these issues, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, cargo space was limited, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport positioned itself between the Velar and full-size Range Rover in terms of dimensions. It offered ample room for front-seat occupants, though competitors like the Acura MDX and Audi Q7 provided slightly more legroom. The sloping roof did not significantly impact rear-seat headroom, and reclining rear seats were standard. Cargo space was substantial, with 31.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 53 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Range Rover Sport's towing capacity was impressive, with turbo-six and V8 models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds. The vehicle's design facilitated easy loading and unloading, with power operation and an "access height" setting for the air suspension.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen divided into three sections. The leftmost portion was touch-enabled for various controls, while the main touchscreen ran Google Maps and Google Assistant. The infotainment system offered high-quality graphics and accurate navigation estimates. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, with a helpful colored bar on the steering wheel indicating system status. The 19-speaker AKG stereo was another highlight, offering variable surround sound modes.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport shared its screen setup with the larger Range Rover, featuring a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The screens offered a clean, minimalist design, though the reliance on touch controls for various functions was a drawback. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition 2 test car included "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers, providing a unique, albeit somewhat gimmicky, experience. The Meridian audio system offered up to 29 speakers, depending on configuration.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. Standard safety features included 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 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The standard 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror enhanced visibility, though parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.