This is the 2025 Cadillac Lyriq, Cadillac’s striking entry into the electric vehicle market. This elegantly designed crossover boasts a range exceeding 300 miles and now features all-wheel drive with enhanced power so I had to get my hands on one to see how it compares to its rivals.
Styling
The Lyriq distinguishes itself from typical crossovers by avoiding a tall or cumbersome appearance. Its 16.5-foot silhouette transitions smoothly from one contour to another, culminating in an elongated rear and a gently sloping roofline. Consequently, this vehicle measures only three inches longer in total length and is five and a half inches shorter in height compared to a BMW X5, yet it boasts a more streamlined and sophisticated design. On the negative side, the flush door handles look cool but can be awkward to use.
Under the Hood
A few years ago, the mere notion of a 500-horsepower Cadillac would have instantly conjured images of a model adorned with a “V” badge and equipped with the formidable Blackwing engine. However, that perception has shifted dramatically. The 2025 Cadillac Lyriq AWD exemplifies how the electric vehicle revolution has transformed our understanding of performance. This all-wheel-drive variant boasts 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, representing an increase of 160 horsepower and 125 pound-feet compared to its rear-wheel-drive counterpart. When the accelerator of the Lyriq AWD is fully engaged, it can accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds.
Battery and Charging
The 102.0-kWh Ultium battery is mounted beneath the vehicle, providing a range of 307 miles. An optional 19.2-kW onboard charger is available for $1,480, capable of adding up to 51 miles of range per hour when connected to a Level 2 (240V) AC charger. Additionally, the battery supports DC fast charging at a maximum of 190 kilowatts, allowing for a range increase of approximately 77 miles every 10 minutes, according to Cadillac.
Wheels and tires
The all-wheel drive (AWD) model features 22-inch alloy wheels with 275/40 Michelin Primacy All Season tires. These tires are designed to be self-sealing, eliminating the necessity for a spare tire.
Weight gain
The installation of an additional motor increased the curb weight by over 200 pounds, resulting in the Lyriq AWD approaching a total weight of nearly 5,800 pounds but with the extra horsepower it doesn’t matter.
Driving
The all-wheel-drive system is designed primarily for traction in adverse weather conditions and straight-line acceleration, rather than for navigating corners. In this aspect, it performs admirably well. During my evaluation period, the weather was as usual dry, we are in Southern California after all.
Regardless of the terrain, the Lyriq’s passive dampers consistently impress. The additional weight does not hinder their capacity to absorb significant bumps as if they were nonexistent. It feels as though one could drive over a speed bump at 40 mph with minimal awareness of it. It reminds me of the Citroen CX a car that you could easily transport a dozen eggs over a ploughed field without breaking any.
For those who frequently encounter potholes during their commutes, this vehicle offers a delightful experience. The substantial 22-inch wheels are quite heavy, and the narrow tires do little to mitigate the small road vibrations, although most of the noise that reaches the cabin is from the tires themselves. That said even on particularly rough roads with a lot of vibrations, I didn’t hear any of the interior trim squeaking or rattling.
Mash the go pedal from a stop and you don’t get the massive shove in the back from say a Tesla instead it is a seamless surge and the real acceleration arrives when you are moving at around 30 mph. It’s easy enough to boost the Lyriq past slower vehicles on two-lane roads with a minimum of fuss and around town it’s a joy to drive.
Interior
You can’t tell whether you’re in a single or dual-motor Lyriq, both have the same roomy, handsomely designed interior. It’s a welcoming, luxurious cabin featuring nice lines, handsome leather seating, tasteful brightwork, and good-looking wood trim.
You can’t miss the 33-inch diagonal curved display ahead of the driver, it houses the gauge cluster and numerous vehicle functions and is a striking feature. Unfortunately, it necessitates navigating through multiple screens to reach various menus and submenus that manage everything from the 19-speaker AKG audio system to the integrated Google Assistant.
>While most climate controls are conveniently arranged in a series of physical buttons within the center stack, it remains necessary to access the climate control menu to synchronize the temperature settings for both the driver and passenger.
The seats are very comfortable, have adequate bolstering, and have 8-way power and massage functions, however, the door-mounted switches for adjusting front-seat massage and lumbar support can be somewhat tricky to operate. I much prefer these controls on the side of the seats since my ingrained muscle memory always reaches that way.
The rear seat passenger bench is somewhat uncomfortable since there’s a bolster housing the child seat latches that catches you at the base of your back making the seats rather uncomfortable but at least you get climate controls and USB power.
Cargo Space
The Cadillac Lyriq provides a trunk capacity of up to 28 cubic feet when the rear seats are in their upright position. For those requiring additional space for luggage or equipment, the second row can be folded down, allowing for a total of 60.8 cubic feet of cargo area. Unfortunately, there is no front trunk available.
Pricing
The Lyriq starts with a base price of $66,995, adding AWD adds another $3,500. This one also has the Nappa Leather Package for $3,790 which gives you Nappa Leather Armrests, Genuine open-pore wood decor, Backlit door accents, and alloy pedals. In total, it has over $10,000 of options taking the total price to $78,760.
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Verdict
The interior design and materials are truly exceptional, showcasing meticulous attention to detail that is truly impressive. While the user interface requires some improvement, the large single-piece screen is visually striking. If you are in search of a sports car, you may want to consider other options; however, if you desire a Cadillac, this model may be the finest one in recent years. When evaluated on its own merits, it stands out as a commendable luxury SUV.
2025 Cadillac Lyriq AWD Numbers
BASE PRICE: $47,600
PRICE AS TESTED: $58,030
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, SUV
FRONT MOTOR: Permanent-magnet AC
REAR MOTOR: Permanent-magnet AC
COMBINED POWER: 500 hp
COMBINED TORQUE: 450 lb-ft
BATTERY PACK: Liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 102.0 kWh
ONBOARD CHARGER: 19.2.5 kW
PEAK DC FAST CHARGE RATE: 190 kW
TRANSMISSION: direct-drive
CURB WEIGHT: 5,800 lb
RANGE: 307 miles
0-60 MPH: 4.6 seconds
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB: 93/77/40 mpge
CARGO SPACE: 26 cubic feet, 60 cubic feet with rear seat folded
PROS: Very upscale interior, beautiful exterior, super smooth ride
CONS: Doesn’t feel 500 hp fast, awkward door handles
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