Cadillac Lyriq customer deliveries begin in the U.S. [Update]

  • A bargain-price EV costing half the Tesla Model X (approx. USD 60k and up)
  • Delivers 312 miles of EPA-est. range with 38 kWh/100 mi (more efficient than iX & e-tron)
  • 2023 model on sale; 2024 model in pre-order and arriving in Spring 2023
  • Upcoming AWD variant to offer 500 horsepower and 3,500-pound towing capacity

Update: ‘Production & Sales’ and ‘Price & Release Date’ sections updated.

GM started taking pre-orders for the Cadillac Lyriq on September 18, 2021. In just 10 minutes, the company stopped accepting reservations as the SUV was sold out. The 2023 Cadillac Lyriq was available to pre-order only in the Debut Edition trim. Reservations reopened on May 19, 2022, and this time within hours, all units of the 2023 Lyriq were called for.

Let’s take a look at the important aspects of the Lyriq. For customers who couldn’t already reserve the vehicle, you may refer to the Price & Release Date section for details.

Specifications

The production-spec Cadillac Lyriq debuted in April 2021 and looks virtually unchanged from the concept version that broke cover in August 2020. Sitting on a new modular EV platform, the low-slung electric SUV utilizes GM’s Ultium propulsion system.

The Cadillac Lyriq is 196.7 in. (4,996 mm) long, 77.8 in. (1,977 mm) wide, and 63.9 in. (1,623 mm) tall. Its wheelbase measures 121.8 in. (3,094 mm). The new electric SUV offers a passenger volume of 105 cu. ft. (2,976 L) and a cargo volume of 28.0 cu. ft. (793 L) behind the rear seats. On folding down the rear seats, the cargo volume increases to 60.8 cu. ft. (1,723 L).

The 2023 Lyriq comes in a single-motor RWD variant, with a PMSM generating 340 hp (255 kW) of power and 325 Lb.-Ft. (440 Nm) of torque. A 12-module, 100 kWh battery pack is standard, and it provides an EPA-est. range of 312 miles. Customers can charge it at up to 19.2 kW with alternating current – a segment-leading specification, and at up to 190 kW with direct current.

Charging the Lyriq using a 190 kW DC fast-charger for just about ten minutes will likely add a range of 76 miles. At home, charging it using a 19.2 kW AC fast-charger will likely add 52 miles of range per hour. Lyriq drivers in America can select the level of regeneration with an all-new Regen on Demand technology using a pressure-sensitive paddle located on the steering wheel and experience the comfort of one-pedal driving.

Aspect2023 Cadillac Lyriq Specification
Length196.7 in.
Width77.8 in.
Height63.9 in.
Wheelbase121.8 in.
Headroom38.6 in. (front)/37.7 in. (rear)
Shoulder Room41.4 in. (front)/39.6 in. (rear)
Hip Room58.9 in. (front)/58.6 (rear)
Curb Weight5,610 lbs
Passenger Volume105 cu. ft.
Cargo Volume28.0 L (behind rear seat)/60.8 L (rear seat folded)
Drivetrain LayoutRWD
No. of Motor(s)One
Motor Power255 kW (340 hp)
Motor Torque325 lb.-ft.
Battery TypeLithium-ion
Battery Energy100 kWh
Charging Power (AC)19.2 kW
Charging Power (DC)190 kW
EPA-est. Range312 miles
EPA-est. MPGe97 city/82 highway/89 combined
EPA-est. Energy Consumption38 kWh/100 mi
EPA-est. Charging Time (240V outlet)6.5 hours
2023 Cadillac Lyriq specifications (Source: GM)

Features

On the outside, GM has equipped the Lyriq with features like slim LED headlamps with choreographed lighting sequence, a black crystal grille, and 22-inch split-spoke Reverse Rim alloy wheels. There are just two paint options: Satin Steel Metallic and Stellar Black Metallic.

Interior highlights of the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq include a curved, 33-inch LED display that harmoniously integrates the instrument cluster and the infotainment system, a 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system that includes speakers in the front headrests, digital key, cantilevered center console, and wood over metal decor. Sky Cool Gray and Noir are the interior color selections.

The Lyriq also features Cadillac’s next-gen Active Noise Cancellation system. Based on the road vibration measured, the system actively cancels road-induced noise using the speaker. Acoustic laminated glass tries to keep the unwanted road noise from entering the cabin as much as possible. A dual-zone climate control system is standard in the 2023 Lyriq.

Super Cruise

GM’s Super Cruise autonomous driving is also on the list of advanced driving technologies. Cadillac Society claims all the Lyriqs produced from the start have the hardware required for Super Cruise installed in them. However, the feature won’t be available to use initially. A software update rolled out over the air at a later date will activate Super Cruise.

Why Super Cruise is disabled initially isn’t clear; however, customers will get compensated with 100,000 GM Reward Points or one additional year of free charging at EVgo public charging stations, adds the report.

Production & Sales

GM started series production of the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq in the U.S. at its Spring Hill, Tennessee, assembly plant on March 21, 2022. Year-to-date production stood at just 8,195 units at the end of December 2022, as per a report GM Authority published on January 18, 2022.

GM shipped just 122 units of the Cadillac Lyriq in 2022, but Cadillac Vice President Rory Harvey told reporters on February 15, 2023, that it’s increasing the volume of deliveries significantly, as per a report Detroit Free Press released noon the same day. 1,000 units of the Lyriq will have been shipped over the past 30 days by the end of that week, Rory added. Dispatches had been purposely delayed earlier as the model had issues that needed to be fixed.

According to a report GM Authority published on January 17, 2023, on average, shipment time to dealers is between 30-100 days. Since the rollout of the latest batches of the Lyriq commenced in September 2022, many of them are likely still in transit.

Even GM Authority said that the delay is intentional. In late September 2022, General Motors issued a recall for Lyriqs with faulty display screens. A month later, the automaker issued another recall, this time for units suffering cracking issues in the interior section of the rear liftgate panel. And in January 2023, vehicles with a software configuration management bug had to be recalled. GM Authority says that the more gradual rollout is intended to ensure that when buyers get their keys, the car is relatively problem-free.

Video Source: YouTube/General Motors

Price & Release Date

Since mid-2022, Cadillac is delivering the Lyriq to customers in the United States. A clip on Instagram channel doug.dcadillacman (Douglas Chitren) showed a brand new Lyriq handed over to a customer at a dealership, on July 15, 2022.

The Cadillac Lyriq units for customer deliveries started reaching dealer showrooms in July 2022, as per a report Detroit Free Press published on the 9th of that month. Cadillac is prioritizing deliveries to dealers in locations where it’s seeing the highest demand: New York, Los Angeles, and Detroit. The first unit arrived at Cadillac of Novi (Novi, Michigan), the brand’s top-performing dealer for eight of the last twelve years, including 2021. Barely four minutes after the first unit arrived on the showroom floor preparing to be delivered, it was met with an offer for a USD 30,000 premium over the sticker price!

Initially, the Cadillac Lyriq was available to order in a Debut Edition trim and a rear-wheel drive drivetrain layout for a price of USD 59,990. According to the Detroit Free Press report dated February 15, 2023, deliveries of all the Debut Edition units will end by April 2023.

Currently, there’s no trim level, just a rear-wheel drive model and an all-wheel drive model. The Lyriq RWD costs USD 62,990 onwards and the Lyriq AWD retails at USD 64,990. These prices include a USD 1,195 destination fee. Two years of unlimited public charging credits at EVgo charging stations or credit of up to USD 1,500 for a Qmerit-installed home charger, whichever option the customer chooses, is complimentary.

Orders for the 2023 Lyriq are full, and GM is asking prospective buyers to pre-order the 2024 Lyriq. Cadillac spokesman Michael Albano said that order books opened on May 19, 2022, at 9 AM, and all units available were called for by 1 PM the same day, as per the Detroit Free Press report. This marked a historic moment for the American luxury brand, Albano added.

Cadillac revealed during a media presentation that 70% of Lyriq buyers are new to the brand, as per another report from Cadillac Society. 68% of the customers are Gen X or Gen Y people, as per the report. The outlandish electric SUV’s current competitors BMW iX and Tesla Model X are significantly costlier, with prices starting at USD 85,095 (incl. USD 995 destination) and USD 111,380 (incl. USD 1,390 destination), respectively. The Audi Q8 e-tron is coming to dealerships in the coming months.

Retail

Cadillac dealers will get their Lyriq allocation based on two factors, as per a report Cadillac Society published on June 8, 2022. The first and most important factor is, of course, sales performance. 60% of the Lyriq allocation will be given to dealerships based on how many Cadillac SUVs they have sold in the past 12 months. The rest of the allocation will be based on a formula and given to those dealerships that have been selected by customers as their preferred delivery destination when booking the Lyriq online.

Ahead of the Lyriq’s start of sales, a dealer network restructuring was launched in the U.S. market. Once complete, there will be nearly 40% fewer U.S. Cadillac dealers than in 2018. Compared to approximately 920 dealers four years ago, there might be only 560 dealers. Still, the Cadillac dealer network will be wider than other established luxury brands in the country.

U.S. Cadillac dealers had to invest USD 200,000-500,000 to prepare for the brand’s EV transformation. GM ended up buying out dealers unprepared to make that commitment, and it spent USD 274 million in the process in 2020 and 2021. In China, the brand’s largest market worldwide, there was no need to restructure retail operations.

Colors

2023 Cadillac Lyriq colors USA
2023 Cadillac Lyriq color options in the U.S. Image Source: GM

The Lyriq Debut Edition was available in the U.S. in Steel Metallic and Stellar Black Metallic colors, while the normal Lyriq is available additionally in Opulent Blue Metallic and Crystal White Tricoat shades.

2024 Cadillac Lyriq

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq is a more attractive choice than the First Edition for customers seeking sportier styling, extra comfort, and better performance. It is available in three trims – Tech, Luxury, and Sport. It’s also worth noting that the new trims are available in a costlier, dual-motor variant.

Features

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq features many new features, either as standard or an option, such as a tri-zone automatic climate control system, digital key, rear heated outboard seats, panoramic power-opening sunroof with power shade, and more.

Tech

The Tech trim includes the illuminated Black Crystal Shield and front Cadillac logo, 20-inch wheels split 6-spoke alloy wheels with Bright Silver finish and Gloss-Black aero inserts the 33-inch dual display panel, genuine aluminum decor, reclining rear seats, a fixed-glass roof with power interior shade, and Cadillac Smart ADAS suite. Adaptive Cruise Control is optional.

The Tech trim has an 11.5 kW on-board charger, but it does support the model’s maximum DC fast-charging rate – 190 kW.

Luxury

The Luxury trim flaunts 20-inch split 6-spoke alloy wheels with Diamond-Cut/Dark Android finish and Gloss-Black aero inserts, Animated LED lighting, cornering lights, illuminated door handles, and rear spoiler with full-width LED light bar. It has rain-sensing wipers as well.

Inside, the Luxury trim features 26-color LED dual-zone ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel and front seats, a lower instrument panel center with center storage, a deployable divider in front center console cupholders, electrically-adjustable steering column, PaperWood decor, and an auto-dimming mirror. Adaptive Cruise Control is standard in this trim.

There’s a long list of optional features for the Luxury trim:

  • 22-inch dynamic split-spoke reverse-rim alloy wheels with Polished/Gloss-Black finish
  • Black roof
  • Front seats with ventilation and lumbar massage
  • Rear heated outboard seats
  • AKG Studio speaker audio system
  • Panoramic power-opening sunroof with power shade
  • Open-pore Dark Ash wood decor with backlit door panels
  • Nappa Leather Package
  • Technology Package
  • Comfort and Security package
  • Super Cruise
  • 19.2 kW on-board charger

Sport

The Sport trim is for performance vehicle enthusiasts who typically prefer dark, ‘sinister’ styling. It features a Sport grille with a dark grille-bar finish, unique lit pattern, and dark accents; Obsidian chrome finishes and dark accents on the front and rear fascias, as well as window and bodyside molding; and 20-inch dynamic 12-spoke alloy wheels with Diamond-Cut/Satin Dark Android finish.

Other highlights of the Sport trim include body-color illuminated door handles, cornering lights, animated exterior LED lighting, a rear spoiler with full-width LED light bar, PaperWood interior decor, lower instrument panel center stack storage drawer and tilt-out bin, auto-dimming IRVM, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

  • 22-inch dynamic split-spoke reverse-rim alloy wheels with After Midnight finish
  • Front seats with ventilation and lumbar massage
  • Power-opening panoramic sunroof with power shade
  • Nappa Leather Package
  • Technology Package
  • Comfort and Security Package
  • Super Cruise
  • 19.2 kW on-board charger

Specifications

Unlike the 2023 Lyriq, the 2024, Lyriq comes in an AWD variant as well. It has an ‘E4’ badge on the tailgate denoting the additional front motor. GM expects the combined power output and combined torque output of its motors to hit 500 hp and 450 lb.-ft., respectively. The towing capacity of the AWD variant will be up to 3,500 lbs, the company has confirmed. The AWD variant’s EPA-est. range will likely be much lower than 300 miles.

In China, where the Lyriq AWD was recently launched at CNY 479,900 (USD 69,565), the twin-motor powertrain generates 375 kW (503 hp) and 710 Nm (524 lb.-ft.) of torque. A 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint takes just 4.6 seconds, 1.75 seconds quicker than the Lyriq RWD (6.35 seconds). The Lyriq RWD tops out at 190 km/h (118 mph), but the Lyriq AWD can keep accelerating till it reaches 210 km/h (130 mph). The battery pack is the same, 95.7 kWh unit, and it delivers approximately 7% lower CLTC range (608 km or 378 miles) due to the extra weight and higher energy consumption.

Aspect2023 Cadillac Lyriq RWD Specification2023 Cadillac Lyriq AWD Specification
Length196.7 in.196.7 in.
Width77.8 in.77.8 in.
Height63.9 in.63.9 in.
Wheelbase121.8 in.121.8 in.
Curb Weight5,557-5,577 lbs.5,789-5,810 lbs.
Cargo Volume28.0 L (behind rear seat)/60.8 L (rear seat folded)28.0 L (behind rear seat)/60.8 L (rear seat folded)
Drivetrain LayoutRWDAWD
No. of Motor(s)OneTwo
Motor Power340 hp500 hp
Motor Torque325 lb.-ft.450 lb.-ft.
Maximum Charging Power (AC)19.2 kW19.2 kW
Maximum Charging Power (DC)190 kW190 kW
EPA-est. RangeTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced
EPA-est. MPGeTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced
Towing CapacityNot tow-rated3,500 lbs.
2024 Cadillac Lyriq specifications (Source: GM)

Colors

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq is available in eight colors, five of which are new:

  • Crystal White Tricoat
  • Emerald Lake Metallic (New)
  • Nimbus Metallic (New)
  • Stellar Black Metallic
  • Celestial Metallic (New)
  • Radiant Red Tintcoat (New)
  • Opulent Blue Metallic
  • Argent Silver Metallic (New)

Availability

New customers can pre-order the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq now, in both RWD and AWD variants. Customers on the 2023 Lyriq waitlist need not place a fresh pre-order for the 2024 Lyriq, as their reservation will be automatically eligible for the latter.

According to a GM Authority report dated January 24, 2023, prices of the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq (incl. USD 1,395 DFC) start at USD 58,590 and go up to USD 74,590. Deliveries are likely to commence at the same time (Spring 2023).

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq offers something truly unique in its segment, and it’s a great buy for luxury EV customers who want to stand out in a crowd of Teslas and German imports. Priced half that of the Model X, and well under the Audi e-tron and BMW iX, the Lyriq proves that going green doesn’t have to come at an insane premium and holds the potential to make EVs the new normal in its segment.

However, the best is yet to come, with more feature-loaded trims and a punchier, dual-motor variant scheduled to join the line-up in a few months, when supply is expected to be much better. We think that’s when we’ll see Detroit’s finest coming to the market, and the wait will be worth it.

Cadillac Lyriq FAQs

Which electric SUVs will the Cadillac Lyriq compete with?

The Cadillac Lyriq competes with the BMW iX, the upcoming Mercedes EQE SUV, and Volvo EX90.

When are Cadillac Lyriq deliveries set to begin?

The Cadillac Lyriq deliveries in the U.S. have begun, although in limited numbers.

What will be the base Cadillac Lyriq price?

The base 2024 Cadillac Lyriq approx. USD 60,000 in the United States.

Featured Image Source: GM