Lyriq’s little sibling: Previewing the upcoming Cadillac Electric Crossover

Update: ‘Interior’ section added.

Cadillac may have launched the Lyriq SUV and confirmed the Celestiq sedan as a part of its EV roadmap, but they are just the beginning of what’s to come from this transforming automaker. Automotive News reported on March 12, 2022, that the brand showed a picture of a new and upcoming Cadillac electric crossover to dealers at a conference. Since then, new details have emerged on the brand’s entry-level EV, which has also entered the road testing phase.

Possible names

A report auto.ifeng.com published on April 15, 2022, suggests that the future Cadillac electric SUV positioned below the Lyriq goes by the codename ‘Cadillac L232.’ In 2021, the American brand trademarked names like Cadillac Vistiq, Cadillac Ascendiq, Cadillac Lumistiq, and Cadillac Optiq—the terminology with the letters ‘IQ’ indicative of electric propulsion. The Cadillac electric crossover should take one of the aforementioned names, with official confirmation awaited.

Design

Road-testing of the future Cadillac electric SUV positioned below the Lyriq began in the U.S. last year. Spy pictures of a camouflaged prototype have revealed a fair amount of details about the exterior.

Like the Lyriq, the L232 features a low hood, steeply raked windshield and back glass, vertical headlights, a smooth covered panel in place of a traditional radiator grille, a slim greenhouse, a thick C-pillar, and short overhangs. Similarly, the left-side quarter panel houses the charging port. The future model’s hood and greenhouse are shorter and the slope in its roofline is more subtle.

The images above and below show our depiction of the rumored pure electric Cadillac compact SUV. We’ve packaged Cadillac’s design language for EVs in smaller dimensions. The striking front-end with the black crystal grille, ultra-slim LED DRLs, and vertical headlamps make a bold statement and could immediately let onlookers know it’s a Cadillac EV.

It’s likely that the Cadillac L232 will share more than a few things in common with the Chevrolet Blazer EV, similar to the Honda Prologue and the Acura ZDX. The Blazer EV is officially expected to deliver up to 320 miles of range and the same can be expected from the Cadillac EV, which would enjoy a premium positioning, despite the smaller dimensions.

Interior

The forthcoming Cadillac electric crossover, while smaller and more affordable than the Lyriq, should offer an impressive array of high-end features and a sophisticated interior. Buyers can anticipate a sleek, low-profile dashboard, discreetly placed air-con vents, a curved and ultra-wide cockpit display, a sleek climate control panel, and a floating center console.

There’d be plenty of physical controls, including small buttons and knurls as well as a handy rotary dial. Metal decor, laser-etched wood patterns, and subtle illuminations in the cabin should give the driver and passengers a rich and upscale vibe. Cadillac designers may look to the larger and more expensive Lyriq and even the Celestiq for inspiration, to where these models could serve as templates for the upcoming EV’s interior.

Specifications

As evident in the spy media, the Cadillac L232 will be fairly smaller than the Lyriq. According to the report from auto.ifeng.com, the L232 will be 4,820 mm (189.8 in.) long, 1,912 mm (75.3 in.) wide, and 1,619 mm (63.7 in.) tall. Its wheelbase will be 2,954 mm (116.3 in.)-long. The smaller dimensions mean it will be targeted at younger customers. Its dedicated EV platform (a downsized version of the Lyriq’s BEV3), would mean no transmission tunnel, which would leave that area free for extra cabin room.

Ultium-based

Details are scarce about the upcoming Cadillac electric crossover’s powertrain. However, we can safely assume that it will be powered by the GM’s Ultium propulsion systems. Expect specifications to be a step down from the Lyriq, which comes with a single-motor powertrain that produces 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. of torque and will become available with a dual-motor powertrain later.

In China, according to the auto.ifeng.com report, the L232 will be an AWD model available with 68.7 kWh and 80 kWh battery pack options and an energy consumption rating of 12.7 kWh/100 km (12.7 kWh/62 miles).

On the Cadillac dealers

As per Automotive News, American dealers positively reacted to the small Cadillac electric crossover. In a related development, Cadillac has asked dealers to either commit to the transition to electric vehicles by investing in infrastructure and training or stop doing business with the brand. This has taken a toll on the network, with the number of dealers dropping from 900+ to just about 560 in the United States.

Release Date

The pure-electric Cadillac compact SUV will debut in 2023, GM President Mark Reuss revealed at the company’s 2022 Investor Day event on November 17, 2022. He gave the analysts and investors a glimpse of the future EV while briefing them about GM’s 2023 EV debuts and launches. Below is what he said while showing them what we assume was a digital teaser:

This is a Cadillac compact SUV. As we get ready to go all-electric in Cadillac, Cadillac will lead the way in terms of technology and segments and price points, and luxury.

Mark Reuss, President, GM (2022 GM Investor Day on November 17, 2022)

The auto.ifeng.com report states production of the Cadillac L232 will begin at the end of 2023. So, customer deliveries of the new entry-level Cadillac EV could begin as early as the end of 2023.

Rory Harvey, Vice President, Cadillac, had told Fox Business in March 2022 that Cadillac EVs cheaper than the Lyriq will arrive in “a short period of time.” More affordable zero-emission Cadillac EVs are “not that far away,” he said. In a meeting with reporters, Harvey confirmed the company’s plans to roll out 3 new models in 2023, CarScoops reported on February 15, 2023.

Perhaps Cadillac will source the smaller SUV from the Ramos Arizpe Assembly in Mexico, which will export EVs made at the facility to 45 countries from 2023.

TopElectricSUV says

Not all Cadillac aspirants can afford a Lyriq, nor do they need a vehicle that large. Customers shopping for a zero-emissions luxury electric SUV that’s affordable or smaller will find the Cadillac L232 suitable. While American-made like the Tesla Model Y, it should have a good build quality that matches the expectations of luxury vehicle customers. With a circa USD 55,000 base price, the mini Lyriq is likely to pull many new young customers searching for their first luxury vehicle to the brand.

Featured Image Source: TopElectricSUV.com’s illustration of the Cadillac L232 electric SUV.

Suvrat Kothari Freelance Assistant Editor

I’m an automotive journalist with 4 years of experience in magazine and digital publishing, content creation, social media management and YouTube. A car enthusiast who converted my passion into a profession!