2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, with a long hood and low ground clearance, drawing inspiration from the classic Seville Elegante of the early 1980s. The LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking, surrounded by a solid grille with lighting effects. The Sport trim had a more subdued appearance with a dark triangular motif. The vehicle's wraparound taillights and fender-mounted vertical lights created a bold visual statement, while the steeply raked glass window added to its unique silhouette. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display that integrated seamlessly into the interior design.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS exuded a more understated elegance with its modern design. The GLS 450 test vehicle featured 22-inch AMG rims, a new silver four-louver grille, and polished metal accents, all complemented by a Twilight Blue paint color. Inside, the GLS 450 showcased a Bahia Brown over Black interior with natural-grain Grey Oak trim, polished aluminum accents, and the rich detailing Mercedes is known for. The GLS offered a comfortable and luxurious cabin experience, with features like heated and ventilated front seats, a new steering wheel design, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, making it a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more about comfort than performance. It excelled on the interstate, offering a calm and poised ride with a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided a claimed range of 314 miles with rear-wheel drive and 307 miles with all-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the ability to top up to 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the vehicle's heft raised concerns about its performance under hard use.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, on the other hand, delivered a smooth and powerful driving experience with its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GLS 450 accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, aided by a mild-hybrid system that provided an instant torque boost. The nine-speed automatic transmission and variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system offered a refined driving experience, with selectable driving modes for tailored dynamics. The GLS 450's adaptive air suspension and massive Continental tires contributed to its impressive handling, allowing it to navigate twisty roads with ease. The brakes performed admirably, providing smooth stops in city driving. The GLS also featured an Off-Road menu within MBUX for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced some challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Issues such as misaligned rear fenders, a loose motorized charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash were noted. The floating center console lacked usability, and the glovebox was inconvenient 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.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS, equipped with the AMG Line package, featured sportier styling but had side sill trim that could be inconvenient when entering or exiting the vehicle. The GLS offered a comfortable and luxurious interior with supple leather surfaces, massaging front seats, and a wide range of adjustments. The second-row captain's chairs provided excellent thigh support, and the panoramic sunroof added to the sense of space. However, accessing the third-row seat was cumbersome, and the space was snug for adults. The GLS offered practical cargo space, with 17.4 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 42.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 84.7 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The available Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS was equipped with the latest MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered improved graphics and themes, with intuitive touchscreen operation and outstanding natural voice recognition technology. However, touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel and center console touchpad could cause unintentional changes to the displays. The MBUX system also included augmented reality for navigation, enhancing the overall user experience.

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.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with over 20 significant systems. The advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) could be adjusted through MBUX, allowing for customization of alerts and sensitivity. The GLS's ADAS performed well during testing, with smooth and subtle operation of adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems. The forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning systems were effective without being intrusive.