The Cadillac Lyriq indicators the true begin of a brand new period for GM, and for Cadillac.
GM spent the primary quarter of this decade speaking massive—restructuring itself round EVs, investing billions in batteries and the availability chain, and revamping manufacturing. After which in July 2022, because of an accelerated improvement push, Cadillac began delivering the Lyriq.
It’s greater than the primary electrical automobile for a model that can shift all-electric by the tip of the last decade. It’s the primary mass-production mannequin constructed round GM’s Ultium propulsion technique, together with a brand new large-format NCMA lithium-ion cell, an industry-first wi-fi battery administration system, new motor designs, and way more.
As such, it’s a harbinger for hundreds of thousands of future EVs from GM, and it’s one among our 5 finalists for Inexperienced Automotive Experiences Finest Automotive To Purchase 2023. And we’re blissful to report from just a few, comparatively brief preliminary driving experiences that it’s really superb, and with none evident faults. Its $62,990 price ticket additionally looks like a uncommon discount in at present’s EV market, for such a considerable automobile.
2023 Cadillac Lyriq
On a spread of backroads round Athens, Georgia, after which in a while some fast-moving freeways round Atlanta, our editorial workforce just lately received the possibility to get to know the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq a bit higher and located that it feels tuned extra like a tall wagon than an SUV. GM has adopted stable engineering instincts with the Lyriq and hasn’t resorted to any intelligent steering, air-suspension, or active-damping options right here. The journey is great with none of it, and whereas the dealing with gained’t disguise that the Lyriq begins at 5,610 kilos, it feels balanced and planted, tracks nicely on highways and backroads alike, and has all of the precision you would possibly hope for in a bigger, luxurious automobile.
In lots of respects, it jogs my memory of the first-generation (2003-2006) Cadillac SRX—the one which took Cadillac’s rear-wheel-drive automobile underpinnings of the time and flipped them right into a crossover.
It’s all completely different—and electrical—after all. The one-level, 102-kwh battery pack suits on the flooring of a automobile that reveals off GM’s experience in making tight unibody autos. There aren’t any large solid components right here as, to paraphrase executives, there was no have to reinvent how the corporate builds physique buildings.
2023 Cadillac Lyriq
The Lyriq delivers 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque from its rear permanent-magnet motor, with a low 11.63:1 discount gear, and it could get from 0-60 mph in just below six seconds, in line with Cadillac. Twin-motor all-wheel-drive variations will make 500 hp and 450 lb-ft. And you’ll tow as much as 3,500 kilos.
The very best proof level up to now for GM’s Ultium tech is that the single-motor Lyriq achieves an EPA vary ranking of 312 miles. The Lyriq is heat-pump outfitted, which can imply it can get near its full vary in chilly climate. Nevertheless, even within the comfy 70-degree candy spot of our take a look at day, we struggled to hit a 2.5-kwh/mile common for a route that blended about each kind of commuter situation. That pegs its real-world vary at significantly lower than 250 miles—though we’ll need to drive one longer, on acquainted roads, for something conclusive.
2023 Cadillac Lyriq
Cadillac says that the Lyriq can DC fast-charge at as much as 190 kw, offering as much as 76 miles of vary in 10 minutes, but when our less-than-ideal charging session was any trace, most house owners will see far slower. Residence charging is spectacular, although. For causes we don’t utterly perceive (and causes GM hasn’t been in a position to clarify), single-motor variations of the Lyriq include faster 19.2-kw onboard charging, permitting them to pack in as much as 52 miles per charging hour (if you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to have a 100-amp circuit and 80-amp charger). AWD variations include an 11.5-kw onboard charger and may add about 37 miles per hour.
The 33-inch curved show that spans from the left fringe of the gauge cluster over to the passenger’s house is spectacular. However like many such display screen setups, the menu system behind it feels imperfect, with some performance for leisure and connectivity both lacking or not absolutely debugged.
2023 Cadillac Lyriq
Exterior design and elegance is a Lyriq energy—from the entrance finish that makes a unique type of over-the-top assertion to the rear glass that nearly seems prefer it needs to be bearing a Saab badge. The inside’s a blended bag, with a middle console placement that this tall driver couldn’t fairly heat as much as, and a real luxurious really feel to most of the higher trims offset by some laborious plastic—sure, particularly, we’re speaking about that skinny, laborious decrease middle console tray that appears prefer it’s prepared for diaper responsibility. Total, although, the inside feels huge, and if you happen to fold down the rear seatbacks there’s a complete house of 60.8 cubic toes. Positive there’s no frunk, however go tailgate with the Lightning proprietor for that.
It’s additionally value stating that the Lyriq is being made in Spring Hill, Tennessee, on the house base of what, just like the Lyriq now, was as soon as a really massive deal for GM: Saturn.
Will the Lyriq be the beginning of a totally new set of autos that transforms GM and the {industry}? Test again Jan. 4 after we reveal our Finest Automotive To Purchase.