Mazda CX-5 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. The vertical light bars and LED headlights added a modern touch, while the grille and lighting effects enhanced its unique style. Inside, the LYRIQ showcased Cadillac's attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sleek three-spoke steering wheel. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, offering a modern yet unobtrusive presence in the cabin.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 was praised for its timeless design, with graceful curves that set it apart from other small SUVs. Despite not having been redesigned since 2017, its styling remained impressive, resembling an entry-level luxury SUV. The interior of the CX-5 featured high-quality materials and a layout that balanced analog and digital elements. While it lacked a large infotainment touchscreen, the physical buttons and knobs provided ease of use, making it a practical choice for drivers who preferred traditional controls.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a smooth and comfortable ride, particularly on the interstate, where it excelled in long-distance comfort. It featured two powertrain options: a single rear motor with 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, and an optional dual-motor setup producing 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque for all-wheel drive. Despite its impressive power, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its substantial weight of 5,800 pounds, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system was a welcome feature, but the overall chassis performance left room for improvement.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, offered two engine choices: a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged version with 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged model provided quicker acceleration, making it one of the faster options in its class. The CX-5's sporty driving dynamics were complemented by its all-wheel-drive system and well-tuned suspension, delivering a confident and engaging driving experience. While the ride was slightly firmer, it remained comfortable for most passengers, and the quiet cabin minimized road noise.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Issues such as misaligned rear fenders and a malfunctioning charging port detracted from its luxury appeal. The interior, while spacious, had limited cargo space, with only 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded. The floating center console and small center cubby were also points of contention, as they offered limited practicality.

In comparison, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 provided a well-designed interior with adequate headroom and legroom for passengers. However, it fell short in cargo capacity, offering 30.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. While it couldn't match the cargo space of some competitors, the CX-5 featured convenient latches for folding the rear seats and a power liftgate on higher trims. The front seats offered practical storage solutions, including cupholders and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system featured native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided an excellent hands-free driving experience, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with a 10.25-inch infotainment display controlled via a center console dial. While smaller than some competitors' screens, its placement minimized distraction. The dial allowed for easy navigation through menus, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. The CX-5 also featured a head-up display on Premium Plus trims and above, projecting essential information onto the windshield.

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 2025 Mazda CX-5 received high safety ratings, earning five stars from NHTSA in most evaluations and a "Good" rating from IIHS for the 2024 model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist, enhancing the overall safety package.