Lexus RX vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking presence on the road, with its sleek design reminiscent of a long sedan rather than a typical SUV. Its long hood, short tail, and wide track gave it a unique style, drawing inspiration from the classic Seville Elegante. The vertical light bars and LED headlights added a modern touch, while the grille and lighting effects enhanced its bold appearance. Inside, the LYRIQ showcased Cadillac's attention to detail with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display that integrated seamlessly into the interior design. However, the floating center console was a minor misstep, offering limited functionality.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus RX presented a more polarizing exterior design, with an oversized trapezoidal grille and a bulky front end that some found awkward. The body panels added visual heft, while the rear design was more cohesive with a single light strip connecting the taillights. Inside, the RX offered a conventional layout with faux suede inserts and a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. The center console featured simulated woodgrain, which felt less premium, but the overall cabin was covered in quality materials, providing a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more suited for long-distance comfort than spirited driving. It featured two Chinese-sourced motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for AWD, with a standard single rear motor option delivering 340 hp. The 102-kWh battery pack offered a claimed range of 314 miles for RWD and 307 miles for AWD, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient with the optional 19.2-kW Level 2 onboard charger. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its 5,800-pound weight, resulting in significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four models, starting with the RX 350, powered by a 275-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. The RX 350h hybrid produced 246 hp, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo engine with a hybrid powertrain for 366 hp. The new RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivered 304 hp and an estimated 37 miles of electric-only range. The RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered, but the RX 450h+ offered better acceleration. The RX prioritized comfort with a soft suspension, resulting in noticeable body roll but a smooth ride. The F Sport Handling trim provided a sportier experience, but the RX's main focus remained on comfort.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced some build quality issues, with misaligned rear fenders and a problematic charging port. The interior functionality was also lacking, with a cumbersome glovebox and limited storage space. The floating console and rotary selector were not user-friendly, and some controls were confusing. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, though cargo space was limited to 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample front seat space with power adjustments and standard heating. The interior featured a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and spacious storage options. The rear seats offered good legroom and visibility, with manual sunshades for privacy. Cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The load floor was slightly higher than competitors, but the power liftgate and hands-free operation added convenience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a large, legible instrument cluster. The infotainment system featured Google Maps and Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2024 Lexus RX improved its infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, available in 9.8-inch and 14-inch sizes. The system offered natural speech commands and logical menu layouts. The steering wheel featured multi-function pads, and the cloud-based navigation system was part of a subscription service. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the available 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by 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 2024 Lexus RX received five stars from NHTSA for overall and side collision protection, with four stars for frontal and rollover tests. IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, despite a "Poor" rating in the moderate frontal overlap test. The RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Additional features included parking sensors, a head-up display, and a semi-automated parking system.