First Look Review: The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq is a luxury all-rounder

  • Cadillac Lyriq now available in new 'Tech' base trim and 'Sport' top-end trim
  • Five new colors, black roof, three new wheels, join the list of exterior options
  • 5G Wi-Fi hotspot and deployable door handles added to the list of features
  • Updated model rated to deliver up to 314 miles of range and priced from USD 58,590

Update: ‘Price & Sales’ section revised.

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq, the brand’s first pure-electric car and proudly built locally in Spring Hill (Tennessee), is also one of the finest luxury EVs available in the U.S., with sales on the rise. Designed and engineered from scratch as an EV, the 2024 Lyriq flaunts a futuristic design, packs high-tech features, offers heaps of space, and promises to add a whole new experience to the Cadillac brand.

At the 2023 LA Auto Show, I got a chance to experience the Cadillac Lyriq 600E4 variant, and here are my observations:

Design

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq features advanced lighting and impressive proportions, lending it a dramatic and eye-catchy look. In this Silver Metallic paint, it feels like a blend of a vehicle and a modern art piece, with its detailed design and distinctive style. Cadillac Design executive director Andrew Smith wanted it to have details similar to a concept vehicle, and in my opinion after seeing the car here at the Los Angeles Auto Show, it does look like a show car.

The standout feature of the 2024 Lyriq for me is its front design. It sports a sleek panel with refined backlighting in place of a traditional grille, paired with split headlamps featuring ultra-slim DRLs and vertical LED projectors for the beams. The large 22-inch wheels, flowing roofline, sharply angled rear glass, and split L-shaped tail lights all come together to give this EV an emotional look.

While the designers have come up with a fantastic exterior, the engineering and production teams have to work on executing it better. The previous model year faced some quality issues that haven’t been fully addressed in MY2024. For example, it is reported that the powered charge port door sometimes doesn’t close properly. Additionally, there are inconsistencies in panel gaps, a flaw that’s hard to overlook in a vehicle of this price range.

Interior

Inside, the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq has a low-profile dashboard with a beautifully designed 33-inch display. Sophisticated trim details and high-quality materials display exquisite craftsmanship in the cabin. I like the generous use of metallic knurled surfaces on scrollers, rotary dials, and cupholders, as well as the laser-etched wood patterns. A 26-color ambient lighting system highlights many of these stunning details.

My favorite aspect of the interior is the 33-inch curved display in the front, which, though not intended, looks like a single, cohesive unit. Divided into three viewing/operational areas, it’s a curved LED panel with a 9K resolution and more than 9 billion colors! It has a clean and crisp UI, developed by Colorado-based Altia.

The 2024 Lyriq’s floating center console helps it feel more airy and spacious than it is. The generous free storage space below was useful to keep my bag when I was sitting in the front. I also saw that there was a cubby drawer in front of it, which can be used to keep even smaller things, like a wallet or sunglasses. The door pockets and storage box in the center console offer practical storage space for everyday items.

As for space and comfort, the 2024 Lyriq features 8-way power-adjustable seats with 4-way power lumbar support and winged headrests in the front. I felt that I had ample leg space and that the under-thigh support was generous. I’m six feet tall, and I found the headroom to be comfortable. In the rear, I had no issues with headroom, and I felt that three adults like me would fit side by side. Leg room was more than adequate, helped by the flat floor, and under-thigh support was also ample.

2024 Cadillac Lyriq boot
The Lyriq offers 28 cu. ft. of boot space behind the rear seat, and while that’s sufficient for most journeys, it’s a tad small for a car of this size.

Driving impressions

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq is available in a 340 hp/325 lb.-ft. single-motor RWD variant and a 500 hp/450 lb.-ft. dual-motor AWD variant. A 102 kWh battery pack is standard, and it gives the EV an EPA-est. range of 314 miles in the base variant and 307 miles in the top-end variant.

Reviews from credible automotive publications suggest that the Lyriq RWD is a little slow by EV standards but the Lyriq AWD is quite zippy. The latter has more stopping power, thanks to better regenerative braking. When the Lyriq needs more biting force, it smoothly applies mechanical brakes without showing any lag.

2024 Cadillac Lyriq rear
The Lyriq is easily the best Cadillac in the market now with its combination of a luxurious interior, solid performance, and an impressive range.

One-pedal driving feels like a breeze in the Lyriq, irrespective of the powertrain chosen. Even though the Lyriq is quite heavy, it feels light in everyday driving scenarios. It handles well in the corners, but its bulkiness and long wheelbase mean it’s not meant to be tossed around at extreme speeds. When driving normally, the Lyriq doesn’t exhibit much body roll. Thanks to active noise cancelation, the cabin is a calm place to comfortably relax. Feedback from reviewers also suggest that the ride quality could use further refinement, particularly as it feels a bit harsh riding on the 22-inch wheels.

Price & Sales

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq’s prices start at USD 58,590 and go up to USD 63,190.

As of January 1, 2024, General Motors is offering compensation to buyers purchasing EVs that are ineligible for a federal tax credit. According to a Cars Direct report, GM has issued a bulletin to dealers stating that buyers of the Lyriq, for example, will receive an upfront discount of $7,500. This offer is in place until the tax credit is expected to be reinstated later this year

General Motors manufactures the Lyriq in the U.S. at its Spring Hill, Tennessee, assembly plant. The company sold just 122 units of the electric SUV in 2022, but 2023 turned out to be a better year, with 9,154 units sold between January and December.

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq stands out as a stylish EV, boasting a unique design, luxurious interior, solid performance, and an impressive range, particularly in the AWD version. It’s ideal for small families seeking the utmost in luxury and comfort, and we see that the Lyriq (and the future Optiq SUV) will attract many customers back to the Cadillac brand.

2024 Cadillac Lyriq FAQs

What is the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq release date?

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq is now available at U.S. dealerships.

What is the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq price?

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq starts at USD 58,590.

Which EVs are 2024 Cadillac Lyriq rivals?

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq competes with the Genesis Electrified GV70 and Audi Q8 e-tron.

This first look story has contributions from our reader.