Cadillac Lyriq combines SUV ruggedness with luxurious sedan comfort in Korea

Cadillac's first all-electric vehicle, Lyriq, has the appearance of a midsize sports utility vehicle (SUV), but its interior design and ride comfort evoke the feeling of a comfortable and luxurious sedan. The vehicle is equipped with the ‘Ultium Cells’ battery jointly developed by General Motors (GM) and LG Energy Solution, allowing it to travel 465 kilometers on a single charge.

Cadillac first launched the Lyriq in the domestic market in May last year. The Lyriq is the first model to use GM's electric vehicle-specific platform, ‘Ultium.’ It ranked first among luxury brands in terms of single model sales in the North American electric vehicle market, which opened before the domestic market, for three consecutive quarters last year. The vehicle was released in a single trim for sports, with a price of 100.69 million won.

The Lyriq is a midsize SUV, but it appears sleek due to its lower height compared to other vehicles in the same class. The Lyriq's height is 1,640 mm, which is lower than the Genesis GV80 (1,715 mm) and the new Hyundai Palisade (1,805 mm). It has a length of 4,995 mm, a width of 1,980 mm, and a wheelbase of 3,095 mm.

Overall, the exterior has sharp angles, with distinctive elements of electric vehicles visible throughout that differ from traditional Cadillacs. At the front, instead of a chrome grille symbolizing Cadillac, a glossy black panel known as a ‘Black Crystal Shield’ has been applied. When the driver approaches with the key or unlocks the vehicle, the lights around the panel and central logo illuminate.

The flush door handles pop out when approaching the vehicle. Upon opening the door and stepping inside, contrary to its rigid exterior, the interior felt comfortable and elegant. High-end materials such as wood and Nappa leather created a sophisticated atmosphere, and a 33-inch display, which integrates the cluster (dashboard) and infotainment system, added to the clean impression with its streamlined design.

Although it has a massive stature, the driving experience was comfortable. As expected of an electric vehicle, it had instantaneous acceleration and deceleration, but the considerable weight provided a sense of stability. The Lyriq's curb weight with the battery is 2,670 kg. Even at high speeds, the car showed little shaking, likely due to its low center of gravity.

Throughout the drive, there was almost no vibration from the road or noise entering from outside. Perhaps due to this, when stepping on the accelerator (gas pedal), a virtual driving sound reminiscent of a spaceship in a movie was bothersome. Although I grew accustomed to it over time, initially, the artificial virtual sound seemed to disrupt the quietness. To minimize interior noise, the Lyriq uses double-glazed windows for all seats and is equipped with a noise reduction feature.

The Lyriq is equipped with a 102-kilowatt-hour (kWh) NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) battery produced by Ultium Cells, allowing for a maximum range of 465 kilometers when fully charged. Fast charging enables travel up to 120 kilometers with about 10 minutes of charging. It offers all-wheel drive as standard, and the two electric motors mounted at the front and rear deliver a maximum output of 500 horsepower and a maximum torque of 62.2 kg·m.

The efficiency during cold driving conditions is also relatively good. Generally, electric vehicles see a decline in battery performance and reduced driving range in winter. The Lyriq's certified cold driving range is 283 kilometers, which is only about 61% of its normal temperature driving range, but Cadillac reported that, as per actual driving range tests, it can reach approximately 380 kilometers.

Various safety and convenience features are included, though some functions reacted too sensitively. Even when there was sufficient space in narrow outdoor parking areas with uneven surfaces, the automatic emergency braking activated, causing the vehicle to shake significantly. The Lyriq assists with warnings for front, rear, and side blind spots, automatic emergency braking in the front and rear, automatic parking assistance, and lane-keeping assistance through radar, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors.