Why The Cadillac Lyriq Is The Best Electric SUV

General Motors is envisioning Cadillac to be an all-electric automaker by 2030. This electrification begins with the all-new Lyriq EV, and it showcases Cadillac’s goal of going carbon-neutral by the end of this decade. Cadillac’s emergence as an EV brand is going to be troublesome for EV brands like Tesla, Audi, Ford, and Mercedes. The base model only has a single motor that powers the rear wheels, and you can choose two other variants: Luxury and Sport. Cadillac is trying to take on electric SUV competitors like Tesla with the Lyriq, and it has also announced a brand-new luxury sedan, the Celestiq, which is Cadillac’s attempt to take on luxury brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and others. Cadillac’s take on these two different segments of the automobile market is very courageous and bold, and it might just go in its favor.

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The Lyriq Outperforms The Mustang Mach-E GT

2023 Cadillac Lyriq driving into the sunset 

The Lyriq’s performance numbers surely show that it isn’t a slow SUV but rather a capable, fast SUV that is fun to drive. While the base model will have a 255-kW battery, which will produce a decent 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, if you think the base model isn’t fast enough. Cadillac has a dual-motor AWDe model for you, which will have 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The Lyriq has 20 more horsepower than the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, and the Lyriq goes from 0 to 60 MPH in only 4.6 seconds, which is 0.8 seconds faster than the Audi e-tron Q8 Sportsback.

Top-spec Lyriq and Mach-E Comparison

Furthermore, the EPA estimates that the Lyriq will have a combined city and highway MPGe of 89, and the Mach-E GT is recorded to have 84 MPGe combined. It has an impressive 312-mile range, which is 42 miles more than the Mach-E GT, which clearly shows that the Lyriq is the faster car with a better MPGe and total range. The Lyriq supports fast DC charging, which can add a 72-mile range in just 10 minutes and 195 miles in 30 minutes. This is faster than the Mach-E GT, which can add only 59 miles of range in 10 minutes. This electric SUV has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which is quite identical to the Model Y. Overall, Cadillac has made sure the performance is quite up to industry standards, and Cadillac makes the first impression memorable in the EV market.

Related: 10 Reasons To Buy An Electric Vehicle In 2023

The Lyriq Is One Of The Boldest Electric SUVs Currently

Front angle shot of Cadillac Lyriq parked in a studio

The designers have shown us with the designs of the Lyriq and Celestiq that Cadillac is not afraid to be creative and bold with the styling of the exterior of its vehicles. Looking at the front, it will take you some time to find the headlights of the Lyriq, as the headlights are on the bumper and vertically placed. We said the designers had gone all creative, didn’t we? The electric manufacturers have the luxury to get creative with the grille for obvious reasons. Here, the grille lights up, which makes it look distinct on the road. On the side, we see the charging port; the base model Lyriq will come with 20-inch alloy wheels; and the flush door handles do give this SUV a sleek look. On the rear, you will see that the brake lights are vertically placed on the bumpers, like the headlights. The lead taillights that cover the rear of the SUV are designed to be turn signals. The Lyriq’s exterior is bold and futuristic, which is what we would expect from Cadillac, and it is exciting to see such SUVs on the roads.

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The Interior Is Luxurious And Comes With All Bells And Whistles

Shot of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade’s interior showcasing the dash.

When you enter the cabin of the Lyriq, you immediately get the sense that this is truly a luxury SUV, as the cabin radiates an aura of grandeur with premium quality materials and high-quality leather seats with beautiful stitching to top it all off. The attention to detail is quite evident inside the cabin when you see the wooden trim on the doors, the door opening latches, and the dashboard. The 33-inch diagonal curved screen takes your attention immediately and is fast, responsive, and easy to use. You also get buttons and a scroll pad if you don’t want to use the touchscreen, which is a nice touch from Cadillac. You will have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but GM is planning to drop Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of an in-house infotainment system built in collaboration with Google. The 2024 Chevy Blazer will be the first car with GM’s new infotainment system, and we will be waiting to use it and see if this decision by GM is a clever one or a failed gimmick.

This vehicle will be equipped with GM’s Super Cruise, which provides you with Level 2 autonomous driving technology, and it has all the safety features you would expect from an ultramodern SUV. The Lyriq’s interior does provide the sense of a well-designed luxury cabin, and this is something that Tesla has failed to bring to its vehicles, as Tesla is infamous for its build quality issues and the use of cheap plastic inside the cabin. Hence, the Lyriq’s interior outshines the Model Y’s cabin; therefore, this electric SUV makes a strong case for the title of the best electric SUV available in the market for its price.

Rear angle shot of Cadillac Lyriq parked outside of a building

The Lyriq base model starts at $58,590, which isn’t a cheap price by any means. However, if you look at the exterior, interior, and performance numbers, it really makes a strong case to be the best electric SUV available at this moment. If you are on the hunt to buy your next SUV, the Lyriq should be at the top of your list, as it provides so much value for its price. Moreover, you might be eligible for a $7,500 Clean Vehicle Tax Credit on this electric SUV. This vehicle has a great starting price, critics have positively reviewed it, and it is equipped with all the latest technology and safety features, so the Lyriq can really be the game changer that Cadillac needed at this point