The US cult brand, known for its huge, fuel-guzzling road cruisers with big V8 engines, is celebrating its comeback in Europe with the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq. For the current issue of eMove360° magazine, we were able to test the premium-class e-SUV, which is more than five metres long, on a trip to Marienbad in the Czech Republic. Driving comfort, equipment and performance are top notch. The Cadillac Lyriq drives the way you would imagine cruising in a Cadillac, only completely silent and emission-free.
By Sabine Metzger
Batteries instead of eight cylinders. Cadillac is back. And is focussing on batteries instead of eight-cylinder engines. After the parent company General Motors withdrew from the European market years ago, the US brand is celebrating a comeback in 2024 with the Cadillac Lyriq. Is this a new Chinese car? A Korean one? We are asked at the charging station. Few people can really categorise the large luxury electric car with the striking design; the logo hasn’t been seen in Germany for too long. From the USA? Really? Only Teslas are currently rolling in from there. And they are quite successful. Why shouldn’t the Cadillac Lyriq be able to do the same, according to the parent company, and compete in this country against the Mercedes EQE SUV, Audi Q8 e-tron & Co. With a price of 80,500 euros, it is at a high price level, but scores points with its extensive standard equipment, which is on top of that of its competitors. From electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated leather seats, massage seats and a panoramic roof to air suspension and navigation, luxury is included on board at Cadillac. Special colours, a roof rack system and a trailer coupling are optionally available for an extra charge. However, the Cadillac Lyriq lacks a familiar and, in our opinion, decisive extra: a head-up display.
Simple luxury ambience: But it’s not just the extensive standard equipment that impresses us. Once inside, the senses are pampered by an elegant and pleasant luxury ambience that does not appear overloaded: soft surfaces throughout, precisely stitched leather and a pleasant feel. Thanks to the long wheelbase, the Cadillac Lyriq offers plenty of space on soft leather upholstery. The modern cockpit is dominated by a 33-inch touchscreen that curves gently over the centre console. Despite its impressive length of more than five metres, a third row of seats has been dispensed with. Instead, there is plenty of space on all seats, a very large, easily accessible boot (588 litres) and an immense load area when the rear backrests are folded down (1687 litres). The Cadillac Lyriq certainly swallowed our luggage for three days in Marienbad without batting an eyelid.
Intuitive: Operating the Cadillac Lyriq is uncomplicated and is no different from the competition. Numerous functions can be controlled directly via the steering wheel or via a 33-inch touchscreen. Alternatively, a selection can be made on the touchscreen itself or using the rotary pushbutton in the centre console. The screen responds promptly to inputs, navigation via Google Maps is standard and works as well as you would expect. When planning the route, charging stops are suggested directly. We like that too. General Motors‘ answer to Tesla’s Autopilot or Mercedes’ Drive Pilot is called SuperCruise. It is certified to Level 2, but works comprehensively and far-reaching, but does not allow you to reach for your mobile phone.
Silent cruising: The Cadillac Lyriq is particularly inviting for relaxed cruising. Its driving comfort is particularly impressive. It sets off silently, gliding over the tarmac, and even as the speed increases, virtually nothing can be heard in the interior. This is thanks to the so-called noise cancelling function: the principle is familiar from some headphones. The loudspeakers in the headrests emit (inaudible) counter-sound that eliminates every frequency, no matter how small. Even tyre noise does not find its way into the interior. Combined with the sound system consisting of 19 loudspeakers, the Lyriq becomes – without exaggeration – a rolling sound studio.
Vibrating instead of beeping: The suspension comfort is also excellent. Despite the 21-inch wheels, the SUV rolls gently and smoothly. No question: the Cadillac Lyriq seems to be made for long journeys. Only the steering is a little stiff. Manoeuvring through the multi-storey car park in Munich city centre and later at our hotel in Marienbad requires a bit of cranking power. But don’t worry: an armada of assistance systems warns you in good time. However, the form of the warning takes some getting used to: vibrating seats instead of the classic ‘parking beepers’ warn of impending collisions.
Heavyweight with 102 kWh battery: The Cadillac Lyriq is definitely a heavyweight. Even when empty, it weighs almost 2.8 tonnes. It cannot be described as a dynamic car. But it is a first-class cruiser with plenty of driving comfort. Thanks to its electric all-wheel drive and 388 kW / 528 hp output with 610 Newton metres of torque, it can generate plenty of propulsion when required. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and we easily reached 210 km/h on open motorway stretches. Without feeling unsafe. However, at high speeds, the consumption skyrockets so much that the theoretically possible 530 kilometres (with a 102 kWh lithium-ion battery) shrinks very quickly. In our experience, 400 kilometres is a realistic range beyond pure city driving.
190 kW charging: At least the Cadillac Lyriq can be recharged quickly. The Cadillac charges with a maximum of 190 kW at DC fast-charging stations. It reaches 80 per cent in half an hour. At city centre AC charging points, it takes the full 22 kW and is recharged in four and a half hours.
Conclusion: Extensive equipment, plenty of space, high driving comfort and strong electric power combined with a pleasing luxury ambience that does not appear overloaded: The Cadillac Lyriq is definitely an alternative in the luxury SUV segment. For electrified fans of the US cult brand anyway.
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