Luxury EV Leads the Way for Cadillac
Cadillac introduced the Lyriq in 2023 as its first all-electric SUV. Since then it has been ursurped by two larger EV SUVs—the Vistiq and Escalade IQ, and joined by a smaller one, the Optiq. This places the Lyriq in a prime position as a stand-out premium EV in the crowded field of midsize SUVs. The four all-electric Cadillac SUVs, in order smaller to largest, are Optiq, Lyric, Vistiq and Escalade IQ.
Electric in Style
The 2026 Lyriq Signature Sport we drove is available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD.) The RWD configuration gets one motor producing 365 horsepower and 325 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque for a 326-mile all-electric driving range, and 0-60 mph in about 6.4 seconds. The AWD (like the one driven by Clean Fleet Report) has dual motors that kick it up to 515 horsepower, 450 lb.-ft. and 303-319 all-electric miles driving range. We pulled 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. After 178 miles of driving through Southern California on a combination of freeways and city streets, we averaged 3.2 miles/kWh.
Ride and Handling
The performance was smooth, linear and seamless. Not designed to eat-up corners at high speeds, the Lyriq, with a near 50:50 weight distribution and Cadillac’s first-ever 5-link front and rear suspension and adaptive dampers, is designed for a serene and comfortable ride. While the Lyriq has a Sport driving mode, it is not sporty, but does have solid and predictable handling.
The continuously variable electric steering was on the heavy side, which is how we like it as this gives a truer direct feel for the road. The Michelin Primacy 275/40 all-season tires on 22-inch alloy wheels gripped well and were noted for their quiet ride. The small turning radius was impressive.
The quiet ride is comfortable without being cushy. Cadillac did not design nor will they be selling the Lyriq as a performance or sporty midsize SUV, but one that is meant to be used for road trips and in-town driving. There are four driver-selectable drive modes—Tour (default), Sport, Snow/Ice and My Mode. Tour will get the best range, Sport is when a bit more oomph is wanted and Snow/Ice is self-explanatory.
My Mode allows the driver to program ride customizations include handling, steering, braking and motor sound. Yes, Cadillac has programmed-in simulated motor sounds as some people just can’t get used to driving a car with no engine noise. Baffling, but heck, go for it!
Make sure to try SuperCruise, which is a hands-free driver assistance technology on 750,000 miles of compatible roads.
SuperCruise crusin’
Exterior Statement
Whether front or rear, Lyriq’s lighting accentuates the design. When approaching and departing, the digital key launches a choreographed LED lighting sequence.
Hello
Starting up front, you are welcomed by the unmistakeable black crystal face and its hundreds of LED lights that produce a waterfall effect, the Cadillac Crest emblem glows, as do the turn signals and vertical daytime running lights. The door handles and puddle lights illuminate, as do the taillights that dramatically wrap back-and-up onto the rear pillars. The high brake light is vertically mounted in the roof spoiler.
Goodbye
The side view features gloss-black mirror caps with turn signals and cameras, gloss black and aluminum trim running the full length of the door bottoms, a gently sloping roof edged in a gloss black and slim aluminum strip that ends with a butter knife shape. The gloss black shark fin antenna finishes off the roof at the small spoiler that shades the hands-free power lift gate. Did the Cadillac designers go overboard with the gloss black treatment? Check it out at your local Cadillac dealer and let us know.
Cadillac has designed the aerodynamics so a rear wiper is not needed, allowing water to naturally flow off the tinted rear glass. The smooth doors with flush handles, and the purpose-designed aerodynamic 22-inch split-spoke alloy wheels with After Midnight finish complete the elegant design.
The lighted rear Cadillac emblem, which opens the lift gate when pressed gently, is joined by a simple L-Y-R-I-Q badge, and—something Cadillac has been doing for a few years—a badge showing the motor(s)’ torque rating in Newton-Meters[1], which in this case is 600E.
Lyriq has six exterior color options with metallics (Nimbus, Stellar Black and Opulent Blue) available for a $725 premium. Radiant Red Tintcoat and Vibrant White Tricoat (the color of our test Lyriq) are $1,325 extra. Opting for a Black painted roof (like ours) is an extra $600.
Clean and Simple Interior
The first thing that hits you when sliding behind the driver’s seat is the one-piece, curved glass, 33-inch diagonal LED touchscreen that integrates the driver information center, navigation and infotainment systems. Extending more than half of the dash, Cadillac says it emits over 1 billion colors. The sleek dash is devoid of buttons, knobs and switches, meaning a combination of voice commands, touches and swipes are used to interact with the systems, features and functions. Some controls can be found on the steering wheel and the command wheel on the center console.
The Lyriq’s interior attention to detail is obvious. Seams between panels are tight, the look is sleek and very modern. The use of soft materials, wood, metal has a unified and complementary look, with the door speaker grilles one example of exceptional design. An area that may need to be reviewed is the shiny chrome on the dash that doesn’t fit with the overall look, and when the sun hits it and the gloss piano black surfaces just right, the glare was more than noticeable. That gloss piano black trim is a fingerprint and dust magnet, which was an annoyance. Maybe drop this, Cadillac?
The seats are covered in soft and supple Inteluxe which is a synthetic leather that is easy to clean and is scratch resistant. The front seats are perforated and heated and are 8-way power adjustable for the driver and 4-way for the passenger. Both have lumbar, memory and massage.
The rear seating area offers plenty of leg, head and shoulder room for two adults, three for shorter trips. The beauty of an electric vehicle is the flat floor, making for exceptional leg and head room for the rear passengers. The rear seats have adjustable headrests, recline and the outboards are heated. The power folding rear 60:40 seat has 28 cubic feet of cargo space when up and 60.8 when folded flat.
The large fixed glass roof panel has a power shade for diffused light. Interior storage is found in the doors, under the cargo area floor, and in and under the center cantilevered console, which has been designed so a purse or large bag can be conveniently stored in the lower tray. Make sure to check out the slick (but inconvenient) way to open the glove box.
Interior Technology
The AKG Studio audio system is controlled on the display screen by touch, the controller wheel on the center console, voice and steering wheel-mounted switches. With 26 speakers, including in the front seat headrests, the system delivers full and lush sounds for FM, SiriusXM and streaming through USB-C ports (three in the front, two in the rear). Other appreciated features included the digital rear view mirror, wireless phone charging and OnStar. Road surface variations are sensed and the AKG audio system uses active noise cancellation to cancel road-induced noise.
There is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, an augmented reality head-up display, universal home remote, a MyCadillac app that becomes a key card if the key fob is lost, three-zone automatic temperature control and a cabin air filter.
Charging and Stopping
The Lyriq comes standard with an 11.5 kW onboard charger and offers a faster optional ($1,480) 19.2 kW onboard charger.
Lithium-ion battery has a peak DC Fast Charge rate of 190 kW that can add 76 miles of range in 10 minutes and go from 20-80% in under 45 minutes. Public charge stations such as the Combined Charging System (CCS) and the North American Charging System (NACS) can be used, but the NACS requires the optional ($275) adapter.
At home, a 240-volt Level 2 charger will deliver 50-60 miles of range per hour (with the 19.2 kW onboard charger) for a full charge in 4-10 hours, which we did with the ChargePoint Home Flex charger. The Lyriq can also be charged using a common 120-volt wall outlet, but this will take more than 70 hours to get a full charge. A dual level charge cord is included. Cadillac has made charging more convenient with the options of two years of free unlimited charging at EVgo charge stations.
Additional charging is through Cadillac’s Regen on Demand regenerative braking system that converts kinetic energy into electricity that is returned to the battery when braking or coasting. This system allows the driver to set One-Pedal Driving, and then control the level of regeneration, slowing or even bringing the Lyriq to a complete stop, using only their fingertips on a pressure-sensitive paddle located on the backside of the steering wheel. Pulling on the paddle slows the motor and allows for one-pedal driving. Once you get the hang of it, this will be your go-to method of driving.
Pricing
The 2026 Lyriq, assembled in Spring Hill, Tennessee, comes in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. These are the base prices, including the $1,795 destination charge. Options are extra.
RWD
Luxury $62,490
Sport $62,990
Premium Luxury $66,490
Premium Sport $66,990
Signature Luxury $74,590
Signature Sport $71,590
AWD
Luxury $65,990
Sport $66,490
Premium Luxury $69,990
Premium Sport $70,490
Signature Luxury $74,590
Signature Sport $75,090
The Lyriq Signature Sport AWD reviewed here had $8,905 in options and with the $1,495 destination charge the final price was $78,700. Cadillac also has a “V” performance version of the Lyriq that starts at $80,390.
Observations: 2026 Cadillac Lyriq Signature Sport AWD EV
Do you get the feeling Cadillac is trying to get a lock on premium/luxury all-electric SUVs? The Optiq, Lyric, Vistiq and Escalade IQ are the base models with each getting a V Performance package, plus the Escalade IQL stretch model.
Cadillac, knowing each of these Lyriq trims has tough competition from Europe and Asia, has created a stable of eye-catching all-electric SUVs that they have been popular with consumers, grabbing a spot as GM’s best-selling EV marque. If you are ready to step-up into another class then stop by your local Cadillac dealer and take a couple of them for test drives.
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Story and photos by John Faulkner.
[1] What is a Newton-Meter? The Newton-Meter (Nm) is the International System of Units measurement of torque. One Nm is equal to 0.7376 foot-pounds (ft.-lb). So the Lyriq Signature Sport we drove had 450 ft.-lb. of torque. Yes, this will be on the final test.
The post Road Test: 2026 Cadillac Lyriq Signature Sport AWD first appeared on Clean Fleet Report.
