2024 Cadillac Lyriq Tech AWD | First Drive
We've been eagerly anticipating the launch of the AWD version of Cadillac's first fully electric vehicle. We first drove the Cadillac Lyriq several months ago off-air as a RWD version, but the all-wheel drive units are starting to arrive in Canada. The Tech trim is the entry-level for the Lyriq, but it still comes with plenty of features and luxury that you'd expect from Cadillac.
Cadillac has been cautious with their roll-out for the Lyriq, with 2023 models being delayed for several months at the start of the year. Many dealers didn't see their first vehicles arrive until the end of spring. Initially the 2023 models were sold as one trim and one drive configuration, priced extremely competitively around $70,000 fully loaded. Cadillac quickly changed the pricing for the 2024 models given the cost of inflation, along with GM needing to recuperate as much cost on their Ultium platform investment. Our Tech has a starting price of $66,699.00 CAD or $58,590.00 USD. With the Stellar Black Metallic paint and AWD added on, our as-tested price comes up to $73,994.00 CAD or $62,990.00 USD.
Powering this AWD Lyriq are two electric drive units for a total of 375 kW or 500 horsepower and 610 Nm or 450 lb-ft of torque. A 102 kWh lithium-ion battery gives this vehicle approximately 494 kms of range, or 307 miles. We always like to remind our readers that electric range is always an estimate, a variety of factors will affect the total driving a vehicle can do including the external weather temperature, driving style, cargo weight in the vehicle, and geography to name a few important ones. The total range you experience may be different from our tests or the officially published ranges.
The Cadillac Lyriq Tech comes modestly equipped with plenty of features that Canadians would want out of an entry-level luxury vehicle. Keyless entry, remote start, power lift-gate, LED exterior lighting, and Cadillac's new signature illuminated grille are just some of the exterior features on this vehicle. Safety tech includes lane keep assist, forward collision alert, rear cross traffic braking and alert, and cruise control. Inside we find a full-panel glass roof, synthetic leather seating, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 33" curved LCD display.
Interior space is key on this vehicle, with generous room throughout the seating area and trunk space. As a larger person I found the driver's seat extremely comfortable, with plenty of width to fit comfortably with my arms below the window sill. Rear seat space and comfort is also exceptional, without a transmission tunnel passengers have more legroom. The Chevrolet Blazer EV which we featured recently and shares the same platform offers similar, if not nearly identical space and comfort.
Driving the Cadillac Lyriq is where this vehicle shines. It's not just an electric vehicle, GM has ensured their flagship luxury EV performs as well as it looks. Handling and ride were what we'd expect from a luxury vehicle, with a quiet interior cabin even at highway speeds. Performance isn't break-neck and that's perfectly suitable for this type of vehicle. When EVs started gaining popularity it was fun feeling that instant torque off the line, but as we start to look at vehicles with more refinement we stop feeling like we need that experience. Off the line the Lyriq AWD was plenty quick to get us up to speed, and passing was no problem in sport mode.
Overall we're glad we had the chance to finally drive the Lyriq AWD, and look forward for a test unit later in 2024 so we can spend more time with it.
Check out our full tour and review of this car on on YouTube Channel.
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