2024 Toyota RAV4 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, in particular, had a muted dark triangular motif, and the vehicle's imposing presence was enhanced by 22-inch wheels. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console offered limited functionality, and some elements seemed cobbled together.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed for a rugged appearance, with aggressive angularity and dual exhaust outlets hinting at performance. The TRD Off-Road model, tested in Army Green, featured off-road suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, and utility-style roof racks. The RAV4's interior prioritized practicality, with storage shelves, trays, and rubberized control knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim included SofTex artificial leather upholstery and optional features like heated and ventilated seats. The RAV4's cabin was comfortable, with excellent outward visibility and a roomy cargo area, making it ideal for recreational activities.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more suited for long-distance comfort than spirited driving. It featured a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, with a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offering a claimed range of 314 miles for rear-wheel drive and 307 miles for all-wheel drive. However, real-world testing showed a range closer to 260 miles. The LYRIQ's handling was hampered by its weight, and it lacked features like torque vectoring and magnetic dampers. Regenerative braking was available, but the steering feel was uninspiring.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The TRD Off-Road model featured all-wheel drive, off-road suspension tuning, and Multi-Terrain Select driving modes. While the RAV4 handled off-road conditions better than its siblings, it wasn't as capable as a 4Runner. On-road, the RAV4's suspension absorbed bumps well, and the eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts. The RAV4's fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg combined, with the hybrid version offering even better efficiency.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic glovebox were notable issues. The floating console offered limited space, and the rotary selector for the touchscreen was cumbersome. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, though its cargo space was smaller than most compact SUVs, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 excelled in practicality and utility. Its interior featured storage shelves, trays, and oversized control knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim offered comfortable seating with SofTex upholstery and optional features like heated seats. The RAV4's rear seat provided good legroom and footroom, and the cargo area was spacious, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the seats and 69.8 cubic feet when folded, making it competitive in its segment.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a large, legible instrument cluster. 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 delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, featuring an 8-inch or optional 10.5-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and various connected services plans. The system included Service Connect, Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect, offering features like cloud-based navigation and a digital voice assistant. However, the lack of a multi-panel Home screen and some usability issues were noted. The RAV4 also offered a JBL premium audio system and an optional digital rear-view mirror.

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 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. However, the base LE trim lacked blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The TSS 2.5 system performed adequately, though the RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to updated testing criteria. The RAV4 received a Marginal rating in the small overlap frontal-impact crash test and an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test.