Cadillac’s impressive first electric car bodes well for the future.
Heralding the future of Cadillac’s electric vehicles, the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq has been unfairly criticized by those generally skeptical of electric vehicles, especially Cadillacs.
Here’s what we found after our review: The Lyriq is a strong harbinger of the brand’s future, thanks to its striking good looks, dynamic driving dynamics, excellent regenerative braking and innovative touches.
From a design standpoint, the Lyriq looks like an electric car without sacrificing its design in the name of aerodynamics. “It has a classic Cadillac Longnose silhouette reminiscent of the brand’s heyday, with neat vertical taillight elements and flamboyant accents like walk-in and off-light shows,” features editor Christian Seabaugh said.
Guest judge and former Ford design chief Moray Callum complimented the Lyriq’s look even more. “I think it’s the best looking car,” he said.
Inside, the main draw is the impressive 33.0-inch curved screen with crisp graphics. While the jury was divided on the intuitiveness of the Lyriq’s infotainment system, co-editor Alex Leanse found Cadillac’s approach to separating digital and physical controls sound. Amenities include heated, cooled and massaging seats; a panoramic sunroof with sunroof; AKG stereo speakers in the front headrests; and a pull-out drawer in the dashboard.
Thankfully, Cadillac didn’t dive into old GM parts bins when building the Lyriq. Its custom silver door handles and interior controls are beautifully weighted, including turn signal stalks and window switches. For headlights, just press a button on the left edge of the screen and the menu will be written out – no symbols required. The judges also praised the wood paneling on this particular Lyriq, which has a laser-cut pattern.
The rear seats are comfortable and spacious, with air vents and 12-volt and USB power sockets for passengers. (Nice touch: You can tuck the seat belt buckles into a slot in the door to keep them from running around.) The Lyriq’s cargo area has usable underfloor storage and a place to tuck the lid—extra Space can help him make up for his lack of cheekiness.
On the tech side, the Lyriq uses GM’s Ultium electric vehicle platform and battery management system to give the single-engine, rear-wheel-drive Lyriq about 312 miles of range and a decent rating of 97/82/89 mpg-e. The judges found the 340hp 450E model to have smooth power delivery, quick steering and a well-damped ride with its coil-spring configuration.
“Lyriq’s transient behavior is wonderfully vibrant and creamy,” says digital director Erik Johnson. Noting how the power “comes from a long, smooth V-8-like torque,” Seabaugh added, “the accelerator mapping and weighting make the Cadillac very easy to drive.”
When it comes to parking, the Lyriq benefits from an EV’s natural pedal feel for a great ride, with the pedal reducing brake pressure by 5 mph to provide “smooth sedan parking,” said co-editor Duncan Brady.
The judges also appreciated the Lyriq’s overall value, given the price point Lyriq offers. “In terms of features and scope, it’s unbelievable for less than $63,000,” said Zach Gale, Director of Buyers’ Guides.
On the other hand, several judges felt that Lyriq was somewhat immature in some ways. Cadillac pushed it off early, letting features like super cruise come later, while systems like lane-keep assist were seen as weakly executed, bringing it too close to the line. The judges cited fit and finish issues, including guest judge and automotive consultant Gordon Dickie, who had issues with the flimsy tailgate lid, which creaked like a rat when opened.
No, it’s not perfect, and its early launch could hinder the vehicle’s overall execution, but the Lyriq is Cadillac’s first impressive EV and a key addition to the segment. It should not only be fair to Cadillac buyers considering an electric vehicle, but also introduce the brand to a new generation of customers.
Connor Mason is a passionate automotive journalist and the author behind the popular website motonews.info. With years of experience in the automotive industry, Connor is well-versed in all things related to cars and motorcycles.
