First Look: 2023 Cadillac Lyriq

by Michael Satterfield - 06/07/2022

Electrification is here and Cadillac has pulled the wraps off their first all-electric offering the midsized Lyriq SUV. I got my first look at the Lyriq while attending the Byron Nelson PGA Golf Tournament, where Cadillac was a sponsor. According to Cadillac, the Lyriq will offer an impressive range of more than 300 miles on a full charge and come in 340 or 500 horsepower configurations. Which puts it right in line when positioned against the Jaguar I-Pace, Audi e-tron, and Tesla Model X. Where the Lyriq stands out is price, with the single-motor Debut Edition starting at thousands less than the Audi and Jaguar, and tens of thousands less than a base model Tesla Model X.

The reasonable price point can be attributed to General Motors' massive resources as the Lyriq doesn’t compromise in quality or luxury when compared to rivals in this class. Riding on General Motors’ new scalable battery architecture, the Lyriq benefits from being developed as an EV from the ground up, offering more space and a low center of gravity. The Lyriq is important for another reason, it is the first step towards Cadillac’s goal of an all-electric future, Rory Harvey, vice president of Global Cadillac said during the launch of the Lyriq, "Every new Cadillac that we introduce from this point on in North America will be a state-of-the-art luxury electric vehicle." That is a bold statement for a company known mostly for the Escalade and full-size sedans. 

Where the Lyriq really stands out for me is in the styling, while it has a more traditional look, the Lyriq has a presence that I think will attract many first-time EV buyers. It is futuristic without trying to be different simply for the sake of being different, the handsome SUV’s styling still has signature Cadillac design cues, including a front panel that resembles a grill that evokes the current generation of Cadillac gasoline-powered vehicles. The Debut Edition is offered in four colors, Opulent Blue Metallic, Crystal White Tricoat, Satin Steel Metallic, or Stellar Black Metallic. 

Moving inside the Lyriq offers all the luxury you would expect in a Cadillac and of course the latest technology including a 33-inch advanced LED display that stretches across the dash. Super Cruise, active noise cancellation, and Google Built-In. The 19-speak ATG Studio premium sound system features adaptive volume and surround technology while working in concert with the active noise cancellation system to filter out undesirable road noise and create the optimal listening experience for driver and passengers. The layout of the dash and other interior features is intuitive and clean, while the large LED screen does offer a lot of control points, there are still buttons and knobs where you expect to find them. 

To help ease the transition to all-electric, owners who purchase a new Lyriq will receive an option to choose between two years of unlimited public charging credits on the EVgo charging network, or a credit of up to $1,500 that can be applied toward an eligible installation of a Level 2 home charger or a 240-volt outlet through Qmerit. 

While I haven’t had the chance to do a long-term test yet in the Lyriq, it is safe to say that the Lyriq needs to be on your shortlist if you are at all considering an EV. Ordering for the 2023 LYRIQ RWD and AWD models began on May 19, with RWD deliveries expected starting this fall. Deliveries of the 2023 LYRIQ Debut Edition, which was available by placing a $100 reservation online only, will begin this summer.