Subaru Outback 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 design drew inspiration from the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The front of the LYRIQ was adorned with vertical light bars and nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille varied between trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The LYRIQ's wraparound taillights and fender-mounted vertical lights created a bold visual statement, while the interior boasted luxurious details such as leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Outback stood out as one of the few remaining wagons in the U.S. market. Its design incorporated crossover trends like chunky wheel-arch flares and skid plate-like fascias, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. The Outback's Crimson Red Pearl paint complemented its black leather interior, though it looked best in earthy tones. Subaru focused on catering to adventurous buyers, with features like StarTex synthetic leather in Onyx and Wilderness models, and a power moonroof and DriverFocus tech in the Limited trim. The Touring XT trim offered Nappa leather and ventilated front seats. The Outback's rugged exterior housed a well-executed interior with minimal chrome and glossy black plastic, providing a comfortable and practical driving experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty appearance, was more suited for long-distance comfort than spirited driving. It featured a dual-motor powertrain with 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, offering continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided a claimed range of 314 miles with rear-wheel drive and 307 miles with all-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. 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 vehicle lacked handling-enhancing features like torque vectoring and magnetic dampers.

The 2025 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided better acceleration, making it a recommended choice for those who could afford the upgrade. The Outback's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode system enhanced its off-road capabilities, with the Wilderness model offering even more ground clearance and additional off-road features. The Outback's ride was smooth and comfortable, with light steering and powerful brakes, though the stop/start technology and CVT could be improved.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Issues like misaligned rear fenders and a malfunctioning charging port detracted from its luxury appeal. The floating center console offered limited storage space, and the glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, offering only 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Subaru Outback excelled in practicality, thanks to its wagon shape. It offered easy entry and exit, a low roof height for convenient roof rack loading, and a low center of gravity for agile handling. The Outback's cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with the bench folded, providing a flat floor and square shape for maximum usability. The total passenger volume of 109 cubic feet surpassed its crossover competitors, offering ample front headroom and legroom. Buyers were encouraged to test different trims, as the driving experience varied between models.

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, offering simple menus and high-quality graphics. The Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity available on most trims. The Harman Kardon audio system performed well, but frequent Starlink disturbances limited audio output. The dashboard featured a mix of buttons and knobs, appealing to those less comfortable with advanced technology. The Outback Touring even included a CD player, catering to fans of older tech.

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 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight driver-assist technology, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. While the system kept the Outback in its lane, it exhibited more side-to-side movement than desired. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.