2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA vs 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA presented a modernized appearance with its new generation, fitting seamlessly into the Mercedes lineup as the smallest SUV. Its proportions and styling were distinct, placing it below the GLS, GLE, GLC, and GLB. The GLA's dimensions were on the larger side of the subcompact class, comparable to the BMW X1. It was three inches taller and half an inch shorter in length than its predecessor, with short overhangs and cladding that contributed to its muscular look. Despite the small appearance of the windows, the seating positions provided ample visibility. The interior, however, was less impressive, with surfaces that lacked a premium feel, although the seats were well-appointed. Overall, while the GLA looked appealing from a distance, it fell short in person compared to other luxury crossovers.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a testament to Cadillac's flair for exterior styling, boasting a commanding street presence. Although designed as an SUV, its long hood and low ground clearance gave it the appearance of a sleek sedan. The LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille, adorned with lighting effects, added to its unique style. The interior was meticulously crafted, with leather-wrapped seats and polished controls. However, the floating center console offered limited functionality. Despite its impressive 33-inch OLED display, the LYRIQ's interior had some design flaws, such as a small center cubby and a cumbersome rotary selector for the touchscreen. The spacious back seat came at the expense of cargo space, which was smaller than most compact SUVs.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA was available in several variants, including the GLA 250, GLA 250 4MATIC, and AMG GLA 35, with the AMG GLA 45 on the horizon. The GLA 250 and 250 4MATIC were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The AMG GLA 35 offered an enhanced 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the AMG GLA 45 boasted 382 hp and 354 lb-ft. The GLA's performance was regulated by drive modes, with AWD available for better traction. However, the GLA 250 struggled with turbo lag and transmission issues during daily driving. Its ride quality was decent, but road noise was a concern. The steering was numb, and the turning circle was not as tight as competitors, making maneuverability in tight spaces challenging.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, prioritized long-distance comfort over sportiness. It featured a dual-motor powertrain with 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, offering continuous AWD. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery provided a range of 314 miles with RWD and 307 miles with AWD, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, but the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its 5,800-pound weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking was strong, but the chassis needed improvement. The LYRIQ's regenerative braking helped reduce stress on the friction brakes, but overall, the driving experience lacked the agility expected from Cadillac.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA offered a more SUV-like seating position with its added height, making ingress and egress easy. Front passengers enjoyed excellent headroom and legroom, while the rear seats provided more legroom than before, accommodating smaller adults comfortably. The GLA featured a 40/20/40 split-fold rear seat, synthetic leather upholstery, and power-adjustable front seats. Cargo space was average for its class, with 15.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. The low load floor and available power liftgate facilitated easy cargo handling.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with functionality and build quality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was cumbersome, and drive mode selection required navigating multiple menus. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was smaller than most compact SUVs, offering 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA came standard with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring two 7.0-inch display screens. The system was user-friendly, with touch and touchpad controls, and included four USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Upgrades included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 12-speaker Burmester audio system, wireless charging, a WiFi hotspot, and navigation. The MBUX system allowed for personalization and quick voice-activated controls, though it lacked a quick way to scroll through radio stations. The GLA also introduced a car-wash function for convenience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ excelled with its 33-inch OLED screen, divided into three sections. The leftmost portion was touch-enabled for various controls, while the main touchscreen ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant. The infotainment system offered high-quality graphics and accurate navigation estimates. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The available Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, with a helpful colored bar on the steering wheel. The 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA included a reasonable amount of active safety features, such as a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Driver Assistance Package offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping assist. However, the GLA's standard safety features were lacking compared to less expensive SUVs, and the Parking Assistance Package was an extra cost.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. It came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and rear emergency braking.