Can the start of a new era for an iconic brand herald a Motor Authority Best Car To Buy winner? Maybe in the form of the Cadillac Lyriq.
Aside from the Escalade, Cadillac has been chasing the Germans for so long that it seems to have forgotten what it stood for and why it existed in its prime. The Lyriq seems to indicate that Cadillac has found its place in the automotive world again.
Editor-in-Chief Marty Padgett said the Cadillac Lyriq is poised for the battery-powered future.
The Lyriq is the first mass-produced, mass-market electric vehicle based on GM’s Ultium EV battery and powertrain toolset. With a range of up to 312 miles for $62,990, the Lyriq feels underpriced. Cadillac originally said the price of the Lyriq would increase to about $70,000 for the 2024 model year, but the company has since reversed course and will maintain the line to lower current prices even further, although it’s still unknown what features will be included.
All Lyriqs delivered to date are powered by a 102kWh battery pack and a single motor sending 340hp and 325hp to the rear wheels. A two-engine, four-wheel-drive, 500bhp Lyriq is coming, although a range rating hasn’t been released yet.
Cadillac said the Lyriq can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds, and that feels about right, but dual-engine models should shave off that time by about two seconds and also allow for 3,500 pounds of towing power . The single-engine, rear-wheel-drive Lyriq is said to tow the same 3,500 pounds, but will require an aftermarket receiver because Cadillac won’t be installing one.
At 5,610 pounds with the single-engine powertrain, the Lyriq is fast enough to get ahead of traffic, and performance doesn’t fall off at highway speeds. Switching the powertrain from Tour mode to Sport doesn’t change the Lyriq’s personality dramatically, and that’s fine as it aims to be a luxury cruiser and not a highway barnstormer.
2023 Cadillac Lyriq
The Lyriq’s ride is its best dynamic quality. Without energy-guzzling air springs or adaptive dampers, Cadillac conjures up some magic with twin-tube dampers and five-link front and rear suspension. The suspension soaks up bumps and bumps in the road just like luxury vehicles that cost twice as much and come with a lot more suspension technology.
Cadillac offers the Lyriq with a 19.2 kW onboard charger capable of a range of up to 52 miles per hour with a 240-volt Level 2 home charger.
Using a DC fast charger, the Lyriq can be charged at speeds of up to 190kW, increasing the range by 76 miles in around 10 minutes.
2023 Cadillac Lyriq
2023 Cadillac Lyriq
The Lyriq is also characterized by its attractive design. It literally lights up thanks to 736 LEDs gracing the exterior. Everywhere you look the Lyriq shines, from the backlit polycarbonate grille and slit-like vertical headlights to the thin LED taillights that wrap around and jut into the D-pillars. The exterior is a sweeping design.
2023 Cadillac Lyriq
The interior isn’t as flashy, but it represents the state of the art, with a 33-inch curved digital display carved into the dashboard. It’s not nearly as stunning as the 56-inch screen in Mercedes-Benz EVs with Hyperscreen, but it’s as impressive as a showpiece. The look is clean, simple and futuristic. None of the hardware or switchgear is shared with other GM products. The Lyriq looks and feels like a luxury vehicle, although some hard plastic parts near the bottom of the front console look and feel out of place.
The Cadillac Lyriq isn’t perfect. While it has a clean sheet design, it lacks a frunk. It’s not the longest-range EV, nor is it the fastest charger, its 400-volt electric architecture lags behind today’s 800-volt systems, and the rear-engine model only manages decent performance. The two-motor model solves this problem, but has less range.
Will the Lyriq’s flashy design, luxurious interior, and shockingly well-sorted suspension be enough to convince three hot hatches, an outrageous SUV, and a sport sedan? Check back on January 4th when we announce the winner, along with champions from our sister sites The Car Connection and Green Car Reports.