Cadillac’s Lyric-V: Electric power and plenty of space

CADILLAC

Cadillac’s Lyriq-V SUV brings Cadillac's penchant for quality to its exclusively electrified lineup.

Cadillac has gone all-in with the electric vehicle thing. 

The company provides fully electric versions of some of its most popular models but it’s the electric-only models that pique my interest most.

The Lyriq-V is one of those vehicles. The vehicle has been around since 2023, but the V-rated version is new for 2026. It is dynamic in execution, appearance and performance. I think I’m in love.
Cadillac calls the vehicle an SUV, but I say it’s a station wagon, which isn’t a dirty word to me. If that’s what the company wants to call this thing, fine.

The styling is futuristic. The grille is intimidating which sharp lines. Most of it illuminates at night and is striking with the vertical headlamps. The vehicle has a sedan-like stance with a ride height which makes it was to enter through the wide doors. The rear is the SUV giveaway with a squared-off lift gate. 

The Lyriq’s interior is a thing of beauty. If you don’t like high tech, stop reading. This interior is modern, comfortable, spacious and a geek’s dream. The dish is dominated by a one-piece, more than 30-inch screen which greats you with a 9k (according to Cadillac) graphics package when you sit down. That’s also how you start the car – simply have a seat. There is a button on the dash to shut the vehicle off.
Let’s go back to that screen. It doesn’t cover the entire expanse of the dash like the Lincoln Nautilus but it’s still impressive. It’s sharp, easy to read and gives you a plethora of info with being confusing. Finding controls in the menus can be a bit of a challenging but the learning curve is fairly short.

The Lyriq-V’s front seats are sports articulated to give the driver support during aggressive driving The premium package upgrades to real leather as opposed to the synthetic stuff. The driver’s seat does fit snugly, but it’s very comfortable. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, giving the driver the ability to find perfect driving position. The wheel is also heated.

There is plenty of room for three passengers in the rear seats. Head, leg and hip room is generous. Cargo space is adequate in the hatch area.

The Lyriq-V is powered by two electric motors with a combined output of 615 horsepower with 650 pounds-feet of torque. This setup also gives you all-wheel drive. The Lyriq-V can be coaxed to 60 mph in about 3.3 seconds. Yes, that’s quick by any measurement.

Driving the Lyriq-V is pleasurable thing. Put your foot on the throttle and you get pressed in the seat. The car can take command of the road. Passing power is ample which isn’t hampered by the car’s size. The Brembo brakes can bring you to a straight, short stop with no drama.

The Lyriq’s suspension is sports tuned with adaptive dampers. The car is always aware of the road surface and adjusts. This gives the SUV excellent handling prowess. You can search for twisty roads the car will conquer them. There is far less body roll than I imagined which is a great thing.

Cadillac boasts a 50-50 weight distribution that helps keep the car balanced. The ride is firm but comfortable and there is very little wind. The summer tires can be heard at high speeds which should be taken as a sign to slow down.

Charging the Lyriq isn’t difficult. It comes with a home charging cord, or you can go to any high-speed charger. The range on the V is 285 which is not bad for a sports SUV.

The Lyriq-V is packed with standard equipment which includes upgraded brakes, adaptive dampers, front sports seats and black interior accent pieces. The Premium package is the loaded version and that adds panoramic sunroof, 19.2-kW onboard charger and Nappa Leather. One of my favorite things is the AKG audio package. It delivers audiophile sound that fills the cabin.

My test car was more than $97,000. I’m still in love, but maybe I need to buy a couple lottery tickets.

Pros:

• Gobs of power

• Futuristic styling

• Great interior 

• AKG audio system

• Roomy, modern interior

• Excellent handling 

• Smooth, comfortable ride

• Impressive digital dash

• Fast charging

Cons:

• Complicated menus

• Would like a bit more range

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