Mitsubishi Outlander 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 vehicle's face featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille, adorned with lighting effects, varied between trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The LYRIQ's design was further enhanced by deployable door handles and wraparound taillights, creating a bold and unique appearance. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander had a distinctive front design that was hard to miss, featuring a thin upper eyebrow for daytime running lights and a large, square headlight below. The front end saw subtle changes for 2025, with a smoother grille and light modifications to the diffuser. Inside, the top SEL trim offered quilted leather seats and soft-touch surfaces, with physical controls for the HVAC system. The Yamaha speaker faces in the doors added a touch of elegance, although some plastic elements detracted from the overall feel. The Outlander provided a more practical interior with heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and ample cup holder space, though deeper cup holders would have been beneficial.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for long-distance comfort rather than sporty driving. It featured two Chinese-sourced motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for continuous all-wheel drive (AWD). 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 (RWD) and 307 miles with AWD, 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, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the vehicle's weight raised concerns about its durability under hard use.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander, equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, offered a stable and poised ride. The suspension was retuned for 2025, providing more comfort and less body roll. The Outlander featured multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. However, the vehicle's acceleration was lackluster, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) exhibited a droney, rubber-band feeling. The Outlander's fuel economy was below class leaders, with a combined rating of 26 miles per gallon. The plug-in hybrid variant offered more power and better fuel efficiency, making it a more appealing option.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose motorized charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. The vehicle's interior was spacious, with generous headroom and legroom, but cargo space was limited to 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander offered a third row of seating, though it was only suitable for small children or adults in a pinch, with just 18.7 inches of legroom. With the third row in place, cargo space was limited to less than 11 cubic feet, but folding the seats provided 30 cubic feet of storage. The interior featured digital HVAC displays with physical controls, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The cup holders accommodated large cups, though deeper holders would have been beneficial to prevent spills.

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

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander introduced a new Yamaha premium sound system, with upper trims offering a 12-speaker, 1,650-watt system. The infotainment system featured a 12.3-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with physical controls for volume and camera system activation. Upper trims included a digital gauge cluster, rear camera mirror, and head-up display. Mitsubishi Connect and Remote Services were available, offering features like remote start and live traffic information.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the 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 Mitsubishi Outlander offered a limited suite of standard ADAS features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition. The NHTSA had not rated the 2025 model, but the 2024 model received favorable ratings. The IIHS rated the 2025 model's headlights as "Good," with previous models receiving "Good" ratings in crashworthiness.