The Lyriq SUV is Cadillac’s first entry into the luxury electric car market, and it has an angular appearance and a contemporary interior. Models with a single motor rear-wheel drive and two motors all-wheel drive will be available, with the former having a range of up to 312 miles per charge. The Lyriq has been built from the ground up to run on General Motors’ revolutionary scalable battery architecture, which supports regular in-home connections for battery recharging and fast DC charging. The Lyriq’s driving characteristics are more concerned with comfort, quietness, and elegance than sheer performance. The Lyriq’s interior is attractively decorated and roomy for passengers, although the cargo area is smaller than comparable SUVs.
What’s New in 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ
In addition to being a new moniker for the American luxury manufacturer, Lyriq is Cadillac’s first all-electric model. It’s designed to compete with powerful vehicles like the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace, and Audi e-Tron.
Pricing
The favourable starting price of $59,990 for the Lyriq applies to the single-motor Debut Edition variant with fewer options. Since that model is out of stock, we suggest investing in the 500-hp Dual Motor AWD model, which also has a 3,500-pound towing capability.
Performance of 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ
Rear-wheel drive and a 340-horsepower electric powertrain are standard on the Lyriq. With this basic configuration, the Lyriq accelerates adequately and feels quick, but it lacks the sense of power we get from competitive SUVs like the BMW iX and the Model X. The rear-wheel drive Lyriq reached 60 mph on our test track in 5.7 seconds, which is rather speedy by mid-size SUV standards but slower than that of EV competitors. Optional all-wheel drive with a 500-hp dual-motor engine adds a second motor to operate the front wheels.
Although we haven’t yet driven that model, we anticipate finding its acceleration more thrilling. Also disappointing to enthusiast drivers will be the Lyriq’s other driving characteristics. The Lyriq handles well and seems solid, but it only provides a little entertainment when pushed aggressively. Although it has beautifully weighted steering, the brake pedal is not tactile. Fortunately, Cadillac has designed an aggressive regenerative braking system that enables one-pedal driving. In most everyday driving situations, stepping off the accelerator pedal slows the car down rapidly enough to avoid pressing the brake pedal. Although the ride is pleasant on flat ground, some people might find the suspension to be a little too hard on rougher sections of the road. We’ll update this article with the outcomes of our test track whenever we get the opportunity to evaluate Lyriq’s performance.
Range of 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ
With the Lyriq, General Motors will introduce its Ultium brand of revolutionary EV battery technology. The manufacturer can now create batteries in sizes ranging from 50.0 kWh to 200 kWh thanks to scalable technology, albeit the biggest capacity is reportedly solely intended for huge electric pickup trucks like the GMC Hummer EV SUT. With a battery capacity of 102.0 kWh, the Lyriq’s single-motor variant is expected to have a driving range of up to 312 miles per charge. The Lyriq offered 270 miles of driving in our highway range test before requiring a recharge. All versions come equipped with DC fast charging, and the Lyriq can also be charged using ordinary household outlets.
Fuel Economy
According to the EPA, the rear-wheel drive Lyriq achieves 92 MPGe in the city and 82 MPGe on the highway. In mixed driving, even with our admittedly slow feet, we recorded 72 MPGe.
Interior
The Lyriq has a luxurious interior design that gives it a high-end feel. Open-pore wood is mixed with metallic brightwork on the door panels and central console. Bright blue leather upholstery lines a wide storage tray on the floor between the driver and front passenger, adding a cheeky flash of colour. The real Lyriq features a more conventional rear bench seat, despite the concept car having just four seats and a centre console that separates the two front and two rear seats with touchscreens for the occupants in the back. The Lyriq uses cutting-edge noise cancelling technology to lessen road noise in addition to not having a gasoline engine, which undoubtedly contributes to the cabin’s quietness. Although the inside is roomy, the cargo space isn’t as roomy as in comparable SUVs, and Cadillac hasn’t included any under-the-hood storage.
Infotainment
The 33.0-inch curved advanced LED touchscreen that serves as both the SUV’s entertainment system and the driver’s gauge display dominates the Lyriq’s dashboard, much like the Escalade. For drivers who dislike touchscreens, the infotainment system may also be operated through a click wheel on the centre console. A Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are all included as standard equipment. An entrancing 19-speaker stereo system by high-end audio specialists AKG is included on all versions.
Conclusion
The Tesla Model X and Audi E-Tron, as well as the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, are competitors of the Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV from 2023. The Lyriq receives a TCC Rating of 8.8 out of 10, with a perfect score in efficiency and good performances in style, comfort and usability, and features. Stay tuned to Auto Tech Portal for more automobile related content.
Also checkout 2023 Cadillac Escalade Specs, Pricing & Review.
