The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq Is Worth the Hassle

The Lyriq is Cadillac's first full EV, and in a vacuum, it's excellent. Pleasant, artful, luxurious, and smooth, the Lyriq ditches internal combustion for a 102.0-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor on each axle. The end result is a nearly silent 500 horsepower.

But like most EVs, you have to design your life around owning the Lyriq. That shouldn't be a problem for electric vehicle enthusiasts, but for normal people like myself, the Lyriq requires sacrifice. This time, though, it’s probably worth it.

The Lyriq is one of the only electric vehicles I genuinely miss having in my driveway. It starts inside, where there is scant evidence of component sharing with other GM vehicles, which is a big surprise. The Lyriq’s interior also rejects the antiseptic styling of other EVs from Tesla, Volkswagen, and Polestar, with embroidered ornamentation in places like the seats and center console.

Careful attention to detail was given to everything from the speaker grates to the HVAC knobs. It all elevates the entire experience. Everything feels intentional. The exterior design language is likewise unique and attractive—a rare balance. Every onlooker loved its looks.

Cadillac’s Super Cruise system made it easy to notice CR-V drivers cranking their necks to get a better look at the sharp new crossover, while I drove hands-free. The optional 19-speaker sound system and heated and cooled massage seats were easy to enjoy, too. If not for the fact that the Lyriq eventually had to be plugged in, it would’ve been a completely stress-free ride. 

With 100 miles of the car’s approximate 307-mile range left, I had to search for a place to get some juice. The curved 33.0-inch infotainment screen has a shortcut to find nearby chargers on Google Maps with one tap, which is very handy. It would’ve been even handier if the first two charging stations had any working stalls. The third one was the charm, and the Lyriq started charging at a rate of 130 kilowatts from a 150-kilowatt charger, which is respectable. That rate was cut in half when someone else showed up at the two-stall station.

At this point in the afternoon, it said that getting to 80 percent would take until 5:00