CADILLACS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH HAIR-SPLITTING POWER (IN THE ‘60S AND ‘70S CADILLACS WERE BEHEMOTHS OF THE HIGHWAY, FAMED FOR THEIR MUSCULAR BUILD, GIANT WHEELBASES, AND EFFORTLESS LUXURY), AND TODAY, THE BRAND IS PUTTING ITS STAMP ON A NEW KIND OF MUSCLE: ELECTRIC POWER

BY ERIK SCHONING

After a buzz-filled leap off the starting line in 2023, the Cadillac Lyriq is back for its second year. Like most sophomore efforts, this second iteration takes what made the first successful GM’s Ultium EV battery platform, 5-link front and rear suspension, and host of smart tech features and keeps building on it. The 2024 Lyriq rolled in with a reimagined set of trims, offering drivers a suite of models that fit a variety of needs, adding the stylish Sport and no-frills Tech trims to the existing Luxury offering.

The laudable SUV has long been the catch-all car for everything from suburban errands to cross-country expeditions, and the Lyriq is Cadillac’s answer to balancing utility with the ever-swelling demand for electric vehicles. The first question surrounding an EV is always, “How far does this machine go on a charge?” The rear-wheel drive Lyriq boasts an EPA-estimated 314 miles, and offers fast-charging capabilities that nab 77 miles of range in only ten minutes’ time. The all-wheel drive model touts 500 horsepower, dual-drive motors, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity at only a marginal cost to the battery’s range. It will never match the output of, say, Cadillac’s CT5-V Blackwing, but it slots the Lyriq nicely between plodding mid-level EVs and true speedsters.

EVs appear to be the undisputed vehicles of the future, and the Lyriq is as modern in its cockpit as it is under the hood. The Luxury trim is the way to go here, as it features Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system plus a posh ambient interior lighting system. The Lyriq also imports several of the prodigal Escalade’s features, including a 33-inch advanced curved LED touchscreen. The fireworks aren’t limited to the interior, either. The Lyriq also boasts available choreographed lighting, featuring hundreds of exterior LED lights along the front grille that “greet” pilots upon approach.

As demand for electric vehicles continues to boil, brands will try to bridge the gap without giving up the hallmarks they’ve long established. Cadillac has no shortage of competitors there. But the 2024 Lyriq is a notable offering, leveraging Cadillac’s rich history of luxury and style to meet the needs of today’s driver. With three trims, eight exterior paint options, and a host of available features, there’s no one this SUV can’t excite. Starting MSRP is $58,590.

Trinity Cadillac

374 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs

201.227.1111 / trinitycadillac.com