Check out Kelley Blue Book's First Drive video on the 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ! If you want to check out all the Cadillacs on our lot, click here: [INVENTORY SEARCH LINK]
This is the 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ – the first pure EV from Cadillac in their future lineup of EV only vehicles.
The LYRIQ gets two options when it comes to motors. You can get a RWD only version that gets a 312-mile estimated range or an AWD version that gets two motors and who’s range is still yet to be determined. The RWD version pricing starts at just below $63,000 and gets 340 hp and 325 lb ft of torque. It’s equipped with a 102-kWh battery. The AWD LYRIQ gets that same battery, but you’re looking at a $65,000 base price and 500 horses.
Charging times for the LYRIQ look competitive among the EV set.
The LYRIQ seats five passengers. And yeah, thanks to no transmission tube the middle seat here is livable. Cargo space with rear seats up (28.0 cu-ft) looks generous. With the second row down you’re looking at a 60.8 cu-ft. That looks like station wagon territory. For the record, I love station wagons, so this is a positive thing.
I’m quite comfortable up front. The most impressive part of the cabin is definitely the 33-inch LED display that houses a control panel for customizing the digital gauge cluster, your driving information, and your infotainment interface.
One thing that’s disappointing about it is that there are so many functions there are a lot of layers to get through to get things done. I have a feeling this is going to continue to be an issue for all manufacturers the more they lean into touchscreen and away from buttons.
As for interior fit and finishes it feels like a lot of different materials being used and I don’t think they all work together. You’ll find brushed chrome and polished chrome around the touchscreen, incidentally in a place bound to reflect the sun while you’re driving. There’s open pore wood which looks great on the doors, but on the center console it feels like inexpensive plastic, which is what these cup holder bezels are made of. The entire console doesn’t look premium. And then there’s this blue bin that seems flimsy. It almost feels like there were too many ideas brought to the table and all of them were used.
The ride in the LYRIQ feels composed and comfortable. The Ultium platform the Lyriq rides on it the same as the GMC Hummer EV but with only one layer of the batteries so it’s not hauling as much weight around. It feels stable and well balanced thanks to a low center of gravity and takes turns with confidence.
Overall, I really enjoyed the ride. The regen braking functionality is cool. You can shut it off for a more natural feel, you can turn is in and use this paddle on the steering wheel that’s touch sensitive and basically acts like a brake, just like on the Chevy Bolt, or you can adjust the regen to high and don’t have to get into the brake at all. It just takes some getting used to feathering the throttle. But to me this is like off-road one pedal function and I’m a huge fan.
Cadillac has gone the extra mile using more damping materials on the interior for a super quiet ride and they’re very successful. I hear little or no wind noise.
Some added niceties you get with your LYRIQ include an automated [DEALER NAME] charge port door, er, this is a pre-production model, but I’ve seen it work on other cars, whoops, wireless charging, a AKG 19-speaker audio system, and Super Cruise.
Looking at the exterior for a quick moment, there’s a lot to like here. I love the profile. I think it’s got futuristic station wagon vibes and some sexy touring car features like a long dash-to-axel ratio, short overhangs and a low roof. At some angles it reminds me of a Citroen DS.
So, does the LYRIQ live up to the Cadillac promise? In some ways yes, exterior styling is concept like and very future forward, the standard features are plentiful and there’s some real innovation going on here. The interior’s design is great, but the fit and finishes left me a bit disappointed for such a premium price. But demand for this is high. If you haven’t ordered yet the soonest you can get your LYRIQ is the 2024 model.
00:00 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ
0:25 Powertrain Options
1:44 Interior
3:41 Driving Impressions
8:49 Exterior
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