2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2024 Ford Escape

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, in particular, had a muted dark triangular motif, and the vehicle sat impressively on 22-inch wheels. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats with C-shaped headrests, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display that was both flush and fitted.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Escape underwent a significant facelift in 2023, which carried over into the 2024 model. The front end was restyled to present a more aggressive look, replacing the previous model's wide-eyed, toothless smile. Despite these changes, the Escape retained a soft and generically appealing overall appearance. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we tested, featured Rapid Red paint, black 19-inch wheels, and a Panoramic Vista Roof. Inside, the Escape's interior initially appeared upscale with diamond-stitched, perforated leather, but the excessively glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery detracted from its appeal. The Escape's interior was functional, with ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats, but it lacked the refinement and attention to detail found in the LYRIQ.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a smooth and comfortable driving experience, particularly on the interstate. It was equipped with two Chinese-sourced motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for continuous all-wheel drive (AWD). The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both powertrains used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing an estimated range of 314 miles with rear-wheel drive (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, at 5,800 pounds, which affected its agility and steering feel. Regenerative braking was available, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered a choice between a 192-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Our test vehicle featured the turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Escape's driving dynamics were more about comfort than sportiness, with a soft and compliant ride. While the turbocharged engine provided quick acceleration, the handling felt nimble but lacked the connected feel expected from an ST-Line model. The Escape's steering was sluggish, and the suspension allowed for unwanted body motion. The turbo engine's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 24.1 mpg during testing.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced some challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose motorized charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash were notable issues. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console lacked practicality. 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 Ford Escape ST-Line featured a black interior with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters, accented by red stitching. While leather seats were optional, they were not recommended due to their uncomfortable feel. The Escape's front seats were large and supportive, and the back seat was comfortable when slid into its rearmost position. Interior storage was generous in the front, but rear passengers had fewer accommodations. Cargo volume measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 65.4 cubic feet when the rear seat was folded down. The test vehicle also offered deep storage areas and a grocery bag hook in the cargo area.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen divided into three sections, with 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 excellent hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes.

The 2024 Ford Escape came with digital instrumentation, with upper trims featuring a 12.3-inch display. The 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system impressed with its landscape format and intuitive layout, though the color theme and thin fonts were less than ideal. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and FordPass Connect services. The test vehicle also had a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, but the speakers were damaged. The optional head-up display (HUD) projected information onto a clear plastic piece, and Active Park Assist 2.0 provided semi-autonomous parking assistance.

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 Ford Escape featured a standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The ST-Line Elite trim added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, lane-centering assist, and a 360-degree camera system. The Escape received favorable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, with five-star ratings across the board, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.