2023 Cadillac Lyriq Electric SUV Review

The first Cadillac car in the all-electric LYRIQ series rolled off the assembly line at the SAIC-GM joint-venture factory in Shanghai on May 7; This marks a significant step toward its mass production. It’s also the first new car model to be manufactured at the plant owned by auto giant Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. and US-based General Motors since it resumed operations amid the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown.

The mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle, Cadillac’s first all-electric vehicle, will begin final performance testing, JV Yicai Global said. Deliveries should start in the middle of the year. The LYRIQ is also the first car to be made using GM’s new Ultium energy vehicle platform, which the Detroit-based company launched in China last September. It’s the cornerstone of GM’s comprehensive electrification plan, allowing nearly 100 percent of components to be outsourced. By 2025, the Buick brand will launch five more electric cars based on the platform.

GM will launch more than 30 electric vehicles worldwide by 2025. More than 20 will be found in the Chinese market, Julian Blissett, GM’s global executive vice president and GM China, said earlier. The company’s electric car production in China is expected to reach one million units. China is one of GM’s most important markets, accounting for nearly half of GM’s global sales last year with 2.9 million units.

The SAIC-GM JV, formed in 1997, in which each party holds an equal 50 percent stake, sold 1.3 million units this year. Almost six months after the official launch of the all-new Cadillac Lyriq in China late last year, GM just announced the start of pre-production of Cadillac’s all-electric crossover in the Asian country. The Cadillac Lyriq moves ever closer to its commercial adventure in the world’s largest automobile market and the most influential electric vehicle market, managed by SAIC-GM; This is an essential change from recent information released by GM’s primary joint venture in China, as it previously stated that the all-new Cadillac Lyriq would be the first vehicle to be produced at the new Ultium Center plant, also in Shanghai located, is being built.

The pre-production start of the all-new Cadillac Lyriq in China comes a month and a half after the series production of the luxury crossover at GM’s Spring Hill plant in Tennessee on March 21. GM’s original plan was to initially sell the Cadillac Lyriq in China, but semiconductor shortages impacted the supply chain and delayed the vehicle’s launch in the Asian country.

GM will use this phase to optimize the manufacturing process, conduct reliability tests, and complete local validation of some vehicle features, including the infotainment system and Super Cruise technology, to ensure the highest quality. The luxury electric crossover will introduce a new Cadillac direct sales system in the country through its all-new IQ Stores network, a brand-owned dealership franchise created exclusively for electric-kW battery packs.

This combination delivers 340 horsepower and more than 300 miles of range per Cadillac. This range estimate is similar to what you get from the Tesla Model Y Long Range and more than the 2021 Audi e-Tron or Jaguar I-Pace. BMW’s forthcoming 2022 iX electric SUV should be more of a match as it has a claimed range of around 300 miles. A two-engine, four-wheel-drive Lyriq version will be available, although Cadillac has yet to provide specifications for this model.

GM has developed a new EV platform that will form the backbone for future GM electric vehicles. The Lyriq is the first model to use it and a new battery design. According to GM, the design contains fewer rare earth materials than current GM batteries and is less complex to manufacture. Cadillac is also working on battery improvements to counteract the traditional reduction in electric vehicles experience in cold weather.

The Lyriq’s five-seat interior continues the theme established by the 2021 Cadillac Escalade. A substantial curved digital instrument panel and a touchscreen display dominate the dashboard. While the steering wheel and climate controls are similar to those in current Cadillacs, the Lyriq seems to make excellent use of the free space that electric vehicles offer. There is a large handbag storage area near the floor in front of the center armrest and two storage compartments on the dashboard. The interior features stainless steel speaker grilles, knurled metal on the controls, and a laser-etched, backlit wood veneer on the doors.

Slim air vents and a low dashboard further add to the impression of rarity and luxury. Overall, the Lyriq seems far more modern than anything else in the Cadillac lineup. As a mid-size SUV, the Lyriq should also be spacious and able to withstand everyday use, although overall cargo space is less than what you’d expect from many small or mid-sized petrol-powered SUVs. The Lyriq has 28 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 60.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. You don’t get a front trunk like the Model Y or Ford Mustang Mach-E. Key Things You Should Know Before Taking buy of the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq It’s Important You Should Be Now.

Ultium Battery

This chassis cutaway is an all-wheel drive model that will be available in the first quarter of 2023. The front motor unit was not quite ready for launch as development on the Lyric was accelerated by nine months. This is the second gmev to use. The new Ultim battery technology is a first for the GMC hummer EV, which it shares with the Lyrics pack along with the lyric’s pack. The GMC hummer EV’s 102 kilowatt energy nickel metal cobalt aluminum cathode synthetic graphite anode battery pack is alloy steel to hold all 288 cells.

Technology specifically designed to handle the tough work of breaking when you need really hard steel, and then we’ve got some good steel here to carry the load on the side beams and transfer it, and it’s got a very strong feel that you feel is always very connected to the vehicle. It uses an iconic wireless battery management system that removes 30 pounds from the package and simplifies manufacturing, it collects data to help technicians work ing on the car plus helps recyclers properly repurpose modules EPA classification in terms 312 miles Cold weather usually reduces efficiency and engineers use a trick to improve it.

Charging Speed

Lyric’s maxed charge rate is 190 kilowatts or 76 miles of range in 10 minutes at the right dc fast charger. Now that’s not as fast as Porsche tycoon Hyundai ioniq 5 or Kia ev6 obviously, charging speed depends on a lot of things the station’s kilowatt rating, the level of charge the battery begins at. Ambient temperature sets a destination in the Navi. The system will locate stations along the way, optimize the route for the best-charging strategy, and pre-condition itself before arriving to juice up.

Remember that some 85 percent of charging is done at home, and most commercial fast charging. Terminals that I encounter max out at 150 kilowatts lyric comes with a standard charge cord switchable from 120 to 240, and Cadillac throws in fifteen hundred dollars for owners to install level two charging. If you already have it opt for two years of unlimited charging through ev go, and Cadillac stresses no 30-minute restrictions.

Energy Recover System

It’s called the actual energy recovery system because energy isn’t just electric. There’s also thermal energy, so we have a heat pump on this thing that can take that thermal energy and convert it to passenger comfort. If you look at what happens with this in a cooler climate, the battery is fully charged. Still, you can actually get more energy into that battery with heat without affecting life. You can warm that battery up a couple of five-eight degrees c, so you don’t get the reduction in range in the wintertime.

Handling

The drive route Cadillac mapped out took us on some pretty interesting roads. We’ve been chucking this around in curves for a big crossover. It handles pretty well, and it does, and it is big. I mean this, uh, I’m six foot five guys. I got a lot of room in the back seat. Yeah, it’s got a 100-kilowatt hour battery underneath this here with the ultium platform, so this is not a small car.

But has a very good pickup. The hefty floor-mounted pack drops the center of gravity weight distribution is near 50-50. the low rolling resistance tires have a better grip than expected. This is a balanced chassis comfortable with a sporty edge, but no Blackwing pushed hard into tight turns, and those 5600 pounds make themselves known understeer says hello there approaching the limit.

Super Cruise Technology

Freedom is calling. To initiate available Super Cruise hands-free driver assistances technology, press the Adaptive Cruise Control button while on compatible roads. When the Super Cruise icon turns white, press the Super Cruise button while centering yourself in the lane. Wait for the steering wheel bars and icon to turn green. Take your hands off the wheel, and enjoy the ride. To use Lane Change on Demand, tap the turn signal. Or enable Automatic Lane Change, where Super Cruise will automatically activate the turn signal and change langes for you if the system determines the situation is optimal.

The driver attention camera system tracks your eyes to make sure you’re focused on the road and alerts you if it detects a problem. When the steering wheel light bar starts blinking green, it is telling you to pay more attention to the road. Should the steering wheel light bar start blinking red along with beeps or seat vibrations, you need to immediately take control of steering. If you don’t, a voice prompt will tell you to take over. And if you still don’t respond, your LYRIQ will gradually come to a stop in its lane, and you will be contacted by an OnStar advisor. To disengage Super Cruise, press the steering wheel button or pull the Regen On-Demand paddle with your hands firmly on the wheel. You can also turn off the system by pressing the brake pedal with your hands firmly on the wheel.

Cadillac Lyriq Exterior

Hey crew. I’ve got the key to that 2023 Cadillac Lyriq. We are gonna take it for a drive here in gorgeous Park City, Utah, but first, let’s check out how it looks on the inside and outside. The first all-electric vehicle from Cadillac is leading the design charge now. So up at the front, there’s a black backlit grille and illuminating Cadillac crest that works with the grille to give you this welcome signature as you approach the car. There are LED turn signals up high.

LED DRL light bars on the side, and then vertical LED headlights. There are some chrome and black gloss designs down low. This one is painted in Satin Steel Metallic. It is one of just two paint colors Cadillac is offering on the Cadillac Lyriq for this first model year: this and black. They’re, down the road, gonna add more colors, but for now, it’s just those two. In profile, the Cadillac Lyriq comes as standard with 20” wheels. This one has upgraded 22” wheels with these aerodynamic inserts that help to maximize your range.
They also worked with Michelin to develop these aerodynamic tires. They’re 275 sections, front and rear.

Here, the charge port door is hidden. You just press on the Cadillac logo. It pops on down. You see, we have level two, and then pull this hat for level three charging. Cadillac says that with the included 11.5-kilowatt onboard charger, you can add back 37 miles of range per hour of charge. They’re also gonna have a 19.2-kilowatt charger that will add over 50 miles of range per hour of charge.

With DC fast charging and a max rate of 190 kilowatts, you can add in just 10 minutes, 76 miles of range. To close up the door, just hit that button up there. You can see the black gloss mirror caps. Some chrome trims up high. This flush door handles. A little more chrome down low. Stepping back to look at the profile, this is my favorite view of the Cadillac Lyriq because it’s so low-slung, the roof line is so low, and with that extended piece around the rear three-quarter, it is almost wagon-esque.

And so it looks distinctive, not just your typical crossover EV. And at the back, we have this LED tail light bar that runs all across the back and connects up. There’s a subtle black lip spoiler. Another illuminated Cadillac crest also works with the signature lighting along with these side LED light bars. Fake vents there, unfortunately. Some black gloss lower bumper portion. The rear: is the most typical crossover, but that profile and the front end are just gorgeous.

Interior Review

Cadillac Lyriq Rear

Let’s look at that interior now. Looking inside at this Sky Cool Gray interior with perforated leather seats, they feel great. There’s a big glass roof to bring in lots of light. Cadillac was big on the fact that the Cadillac Lyriq doesn’t use Parts Bin GM stuff, and I can’t think of the last time that was the case for a Cadillac vehicle. Everything in here is bespoke to the Cadillac Lyriq. On the doors, we’ve got injection molding up high.

These open-pore wood trim with these laser etchings on it, and then they backfilled that with a very thin sheet of metal that they back-illuminated, creating this cool effect at night. Very neat speaker covers for the 19-speaker AKG sound system. These aluminum door handles have a cool action to them. The leather is here in the door. Some injection molding down low, but it is not hard plastics. Very cool design to the curve speaker cover there, and that’s very hard to do. Stepping inside. Behind my seat at 6 feet tall, I’ve got good knee room, and the whole back of the seat is covered in leather. I like the contrast stitching there. Bigfoot pockets to slide my feet under, good thigh support.

Headroom is a bit of the premium if you’re taller, so here I am with my head kind of pressed on the roof if it’s back fully; if I’m in a more natural seating position, it’s okay. But, that could be improved, and it might be constrained for taller passengers. I like the details on the air vents, and then you’ve got two USB-C ports and an AC outlet there. The drive shaft hump is obviously not there, so you can easily slide into the middle, and I fit here. If you don’t have someone sitting there, an armrest comes down, well padded with two cup holders.

Front

Now we’ve got this blackfin, very similar to the Mach-E, to swing open the door. The front seats have integrated speakers into the headrests. Looking at it as a whole, it looks like the eye is looking at you. The seats look cool, and I like this blue accent to match the blue of the center console portion, and then there’s some extra blue here in this cubby.

The touches of color are nice in a mostly gray and black cabin. Cadillac sill plates here with an image of the Cadillac Lyriq. Same door materials upfront as in the back, but you can see we have heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. Hit that button there for that. And the seat controls are here in the door, like Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

We’ll turn on the vehicle. And the 33” single screen comes to life. It’s running the new Android operating system, which is super quick to respond. You have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, of course. On the left side of the screen, you can somewhat reconfigure it to look at just a gauge, energy meter, map, or have a cleaner display. What you don’t have like you do in the Escalade is that augmented reality camera, so you can’t get augmented overlaid directions turn by turn. That would be cool.

The steering wheel: is thick and leather-wrapped, but not too thick. The design looks cool. You’ve got some of these controls for steering wheel heating, and what will be the Super Cruise function? It’s not here in the 23 model years. It will be here as an over-the-air update. The knurled finishes and details throughout this cabin, even here, that’s textured, textured knurling for the air vent knobs. Everything just helps the cabin feel that much more special. Physical HVAC controls are welcome, so you don’t just have to use the touchscreen; you have a dial here.

So you’ve got lots of options along with voice commands. There is some black gloss here that will smudge and scratch Wireless smartphone charging in there. Leather-wrapped, reasonably well-padded console cover. Lifting this up is cool, and putting it down because it’s magnetized. It’s a very satisfying click when it closes, and inside, you’ve got a smallish console there, a DC outlet, and another USB-C port in addition to that one down there on that metal piece that also says Cadillac.

You have additional details there in this open area where you can maybe store a bag. Visibility is not amazing out back. There’s a very thick blind spot with the design of the exterior, and that little window isn’t helping too much. Thankfully, we have blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic, and a digital rear view mirror to cut through that clutter. This cabin just, I mean, you feel the extra expense that they took to help the Cadillac Lyriq be more premium than what we’ve seen from Cadillac recently, and it gets me excited about the drive as well.

Cadillac Lyriq Boot Space

And inside, we find a generous 28 cubic feet of space. Backpack for reference. If you need more storage, there’s a deep cubby here. You can also hide your cargo cover there. If you want, you can press these two buttons to power down those two seats. They don’t need power raise, but now you have 61 cubic feet of space. There is a power close, but not a power close and lock feature on the tailgate as you get in some competitors.

Cadillac Lyriq Pricing & Competitors

And now it’s time to talk pricing and competition for the 23 Cadillac Lyriq and, you know, discussing pricing for the 23 Cadillac Lyriq is almost pointless because Cadillac is already fully sold out of the 23 model years. They’ve got a wait list that continues to grow for 24 model year cars and they’re saying if you put an order in right now, you’ll probably get it in 9 to 10 months. The first deliveries of the Lyriq are happening probably next month, so July or August for this vehicle.

The starting price of the Cadillac Lyriq when they launched was $60,000. Now, the price is $63,000 for the single motor rear-drive version that we have here. If you want the dual-motor all-wheel drive, again, some specs we still have to figure out. We know it makes 500 horsepower. They think it should get about 300 miles of EPA-rated range. That one’s gonna be $65,000. Compare that to vehicles like the Audi e-Tron. $67,000 to start for that one. It makes 402 horsepower. It gets to 60 in 5.1 seconds. It is all-wheel drive. It has a range of 218 miles. Then we have the Jaguar I-Pace. That one is $71,000 to start. It makes 394 horsepower. It’s very quick to 60 in 4.3 seconds and the range is 253 miles and then we have a vehicle I drove recently: the BMW iX xDrive 50. That one is $84,000 to start. It makes 516 horsepower, gets to 60 in 4.4 seconds and has a range of 315 miles.

So you look at those specs and you say, all right, the Cadillac Lyriq is the least expensive. Even when we get into the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version, it’s still a little chunk less than the e-Tron and quite a bit less than the I-Pace and iX. The range of 312 miles in the rear-drive version and estimate of 300 miles in the all-wheel-drive version is extremely competitive, definitely on the higher end of the segment. It, it’s stunning to look at, I mean, seriously. You park this thing out in valet out of a fancy restaurant and people are gonna turn heads. It’s extremely comfortable. Pleasant to ride in. The power is sufficient. The driving dynamics are good, they’re not exciting and they’re not gonna be competitive with that iX xDrive 50. That vehicle was quite a bit more involving as a driver.

If you approach the Cadillac Lyriq with the right perspective, I think it leads the segment right now and I did not come into this vehicle expecting to say that. After that iX, I was like, okay, this is it, like super comfortable. The interior was stunning, but the exterior wasn’t as great. Now, having experienced the Lyriq, knowing that it doesn’t just look good on the outside and inside, but it rides so well. I’m, I’m blown away by it. I hope you guys have enjoyed this POV drive review. Suppose you did.