2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for that model year. It was notably longer at 226.9 inches compared to the regular Escalade's 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height of 76.4 inches. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space and providing a more stable ride due to its extended 134.1-inch wheelbase. The Escalade ESV's design was characterized by its big SUV look, with chrome styling on Luxury trims and blacked-out accents on Sport trims. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spokes depending on the trim. The exterior was further enhanced by features like LED headlights, a power panoramic moonroof, and various package options that added to its luxurious appeal. However, the interior, while spacious, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements, which detracted from its overall luxury feel.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, on the other hand, was a strikingly styled SUV with a long hood and low ground clearance, reminiscent of a long sedan. Its design was inspired by the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The front of the LYRIQ was adorned with vertical light bars and a solid grille with lighting effects, while the rear boasted wraparound taillights and a steeply raked glass window. Inside, the LYRIQ paid meticulous attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console was criticized for its lack of functionality. Despite its impressive design, the LYRIQ's interior space was more focused on passenger comfort than cargo capacity, offering generous headroom and legroom but limited cargo space compared to other SUVs.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The Escalade ESV's performance was adequate, though the V8 could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, impacted its acceleration, especially when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA for the ESV, but it averaged around 18 mpg during testing, which was better than expected.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more suited for long-distance comfort than spirited driving. It featured an optional dual-motor powertrain with 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for all-wheel drive (AWD), while the standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. Both configurations used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering an estimated range of 314 miles with RWD and 307 miles with AWD. However, real-world testing showed a maximum range closer to 260 miles. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight of 5,800 pounds, resulting in significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. While braking was strong, the lack of handling-enhancing features like torque vectoring and magnetic dampers was noticeable.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a luxurious people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with a spacious third row, although adults might find it less comfortable for long journeys. Cargo space was a highlight, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third. However, the power-adjustable third row could be cumbersome to fold, and the hands-free power liftgate was inconsistent in operation. The ESV also featured an adaptive air suspension for easier entry and exit.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, while offering generous headroom and legroom, sacrificed cargo space for passenger comfort. It provided 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded, which was smaller than most compact SUVs. The interior had some functionality issues, such as a glovebox that was difficult to access while driving and a floating console that left valuables exposed. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch, and some physical components seemed poorly integrated. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ's interior was spacious and comfortable for passengers.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional upgrade to a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The centerpiece was a curved 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. The Escalade also offered Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system that allowed for hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled with lane changes and required driver intervention in certain conditions.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and trip information. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The available Super Cruise system was praised for its hands-free driving capabilities, with a helpful colored bar on the steering wheel indicating system status. The 19-speaker AKG stereo provided excellent sound quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a suite of safety features, including front automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Additional technologies such as adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and night vision were available. The Escalade ESV received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rating in the rollover test due to its top-heavy design.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the 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.