2023 Honda CR-V vs 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2023 Honda CR-V presented a more refined and slightly aggressive appearance compared to its predecessor. With a blunt nose, elongated hood, and extended wheelbase, the sixth-generation model adopted a cleaner design that, while more conservative, promised to age gracefully. Both the CR-V EX and EX-L featured 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, maintaining a uniform exterior look. Inside, the EX-L distinguished itself with leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob, offering a more luxurious feel than the cloth upholstery of the EX. The dashboard, inspired by the latest Civic, incorporated metal mesh trim that elegantly divided the upper and lower sections, contributing to a sense of quality and simplicity. The CR-V EX-L further enhanced the interior with a larger touchscreen infotainment system, power-adjustable front passenger seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and power rear liftgate, along with front and rear parking sensors.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted a striking exterior design that commanded attention. Although classified as an SUV, its long hood and low ground clearance gave it the appearance of a sleek sedan, reminiscent of the classic Seville. The LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking, surrounded by a distinctive grille with lighting effects. The Sport trim, tested in all black with 22-inch wheels, exuded a bold presence, though the standard 20-inch wheels diminished its imposing effect. The LYRIQ's design included thin, deployable door handles and wraparound taillights that accentuated its unique style. Inside, Cadillac paid meticulous attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a padded armrest trimmed with aluminum. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, seamlessly integrated into the interior without overwhelming the space.

The 2023 Honda CR-V was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm. This engine, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), powered either the front or all four wheels. While the CVT was known for its droning noise during hard acceleration, the CR-V excelled in ride and handling, offering a refined driving experience. The suspension, steering, and brakes were finely tuned, providing a smooth and engaging ride. The CR-V's fuel efficiency was impressive, with an EPA rating of 29 mpg in combined driving, and our test vehicle averaged 29.1 mpg on a mountainous route.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, prioritized long-distance comfort over sportiness. With dual motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, the LYRIQ offered continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided a range of 314 miles with rear-wheel drive and 307 miles with all-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed a maximum range of around 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent in 30 to 35 minutes at fast-charging stations. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. While braking was strong, the overall chassis performance left room for improvement.

The 2023 Honda CR-V offered a spacious interior, with the second row feeling more generous than the first. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided comfort, though the seating position was relatively low. Visibility was excellent, and the redesigned seats offered support. The CR-V's cargo area, accessed via a power liftgate, provided 39.3 cubic feet of space, expandable to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage options were plentiful, though some were lined with hard plastic, potentially causing noise.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, while offering generous headroom and legroom, sacrificed cargo space for a spacious back seat. The cargo hold measured 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded. However, functionality issues arose, with misaligned rear fenders, a problematic charging port, and a small center cubby. The floating console lacked practicality, and the glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ's interior featured high-quality materials and a well-integrated 33-inch OLED display.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the EX trim, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The EX-L trim added a larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an upgraded sound system. While the technology package was an improvement over the previous generation, it lacked some advanced features found in competitors.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ excelled in technology, with a 33-inch OLED screen divided into three sections. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system offered hands-free driving, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo provided excellent sound quality. The technology package was a highlight, though some physical controls were less intuitive.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured an improved suite of driver assist systems under the Honda Sensing umbrella. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. New camera and radar units enhanced accuracy, and the Traffic Jam Assist system provided added assistance in low-speed situations. While the CR-V's safety features met current standards, there was room for improvement in certain areas.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came with standard safety features such as forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and rear emergency braking. However, the LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations at the time of writing.