2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more refined and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The black molding strips on the roof were removed, and the windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip. The test model was showcased in a unique Nordic Forest Pearl color, enhancing its sophisticated appeal. The HR-V offered various wheel options, with the Sport trim featuring 18-inch black alloy wheels and a more aggressive grille design. Inside, the HR-V's interior was thoughtfully designed, with the EX-L trim providing perforated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power moonroof, creating a comfortable and upscale cabin experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted striking exterior styling, with a long hood and low ground clearance that gave it the appearance of a sleek sedan. Its design was inspired by the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The front end showcased vertical light bars with nine LED headlights, creating a captivating light show upon unlocking. The grille incorporated lighting effects, and the Sport trim had a dark triangular motif. The LYRIQ's interior was meticulously detailed, with leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console lacked practicality, and some physical components seemed poorly integrated. Despite these issues, the LYRIQ's interior offered generous headroom and legroom, though cargo space was limited compared to other midsize SUVs.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. Drivers could choose from Normal, Snow, ECON, and Sport drive modes, with each mode adjusting various vehicle settings for optimal performance. The HR-V offered front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, with a new fully independent rear suspension enhancing its driving dynamics. Despite its improvements, the HR-V remained underpowered compared to competitors like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek, which offered multiple powertrain options.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, while not as sporty as its exterior suggested, excelled in long-distance comfort. It featured a dual-motor powertrain with 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous AWD. The standard setup included a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both powertrains utilized 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 range closer to 260 miles. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Despite strong braking, the LYRIQ lacked handling-enhancing features like torque vectoring and magnetic dampers, which were available in other Cadillac models.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for storing cords and small items. The HR-V's fastback design slightly reduced rear-seat headroom, but it still provided ample space for passengers. Cargo capacity was 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet when folded, making it one of the largest in its class. The HR-V's rear seats featured a 60/40 split and a nearly flat floor when folded, enhancing versatility. Passenger volume varied slightly between trims, with the EX-L offering more space than the LX and Sport trims.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The floating console lacked practicality, and the glovebox was difficult to access while driving. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded, smaller than most compact SUVs.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The EX-L also offered a 9-inch infotainment display, a wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker audio system. All HR-Vs included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen display, with the EX-L providing additional features like WiFi capability and SiriusXM.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ's standout feature was 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. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The available Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, with a helpful colored bar on the steering wheel indicating system status. The 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. The HR-V had not yet been crash-tested for 2023, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included 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.