2024 Hyundai Tucson 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. The LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille, adorned with lighting effects, varied between trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The vehicle's wraparound taillights and steeply raked glass window added to its unique aesthetic. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, chrome-outlined controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console offered limited functionality, and some elements seemed more style-focused than practical.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, introduced in its current generation in 2022, maintained its contemporary and sharp styling. Its design featured taut angles and headlights that seamlessly blended into the grille, creating an athletic presence. The Tucson's trim levels, including SE, SEL, XRT, and Limited, offered various exterior enhancements, such as alloy wheels and dark chrome grilles. Inside, the Tucson's cabin was modern and refined, with technology integrated in an approachable manner. While some controls were less intuitive, the overall layout was user-friendly. The Tucson's interior provided ample space for passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for families and daily commutes.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, prioritized comfort over sportiness. With over 500 miles driven, it excelled on the interstate, offering a calm and poised ride. The dual-motor powertrain, producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, provided continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 horsepower. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered 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 performance varied, with home charging benefiting from the optional 19.2-kW Level 2 onboard charger. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Regenerative braking helped alleviate stress on the brakes, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While adequate for city driving, highway acceleration required significant throttle input. The Tucson's handling and ride quality were commendable, offering a comfortable and well-rounded driving experience. It absorbed road imperfections effectively and provided precise steering. Although not as athletic as some competitors, the Tucson excelled in delivering a balanced ride suitable for daily commutes and long trips.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console lacked practicality. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch interaction. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, providing 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson excelled in cargo space, offering up to 74.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 38.7 cubic feet with them in use. Its hands-free power liftgate, available on SEL trims and above, provided convenience without requiring foot gestures. The Tucson accommodated up to five passengers comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The cabin featured numerous storage options, including deep cup holders and a center tray with a wireless charging pad.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ showcased its technological prowess with a 33-inch OLED screen divided into three sections. The leftmost portion was touch-enabled for various functions, while the main touchscreen ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Super Cruise system offered impressive 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.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with home buttons for essential functions. Higher trims offered a fully digital instrument panel and a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, though wireless connectivity was lost. The Tucson's remote start system was intuitive, allowing drivers to start the vehicle remotely and drive off seamlessly.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. 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.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim added front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and Hyundai's Smart Park feature. The Tucson received high safety ratings from IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation for the 2023 model.