2025 Acura MDX 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, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The vertical light bars and LED headlights added a modern touch, while the grille and lighting effects enhanced its unique style. The interior was crafted with attention to detail, featuring leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sleek steering wheel. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering little functionality. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, providing a modern yet unobtrusive touch to the cabin.

In contrast, the 2025 Acura MDX received subtle exterior updates, including a new grille and revised bumpers, which enhanced its sporty appearance. The interior saw more significant changes, with a new touchscreen infotainment system replacing the previous touchpad interface, adding more storage space. The MDX Advance and A-Spec Advance trims featured luxurious 16-way power-adjustable seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The cabin was quieter, thanks to added sound insulation, and the controls were logically placed for ease of use. The MDX offered a blend of luxury and practicality, with ample storage and comfortable seating arrangements.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty appearance, was more suited for long-distance comfort than spirited driving. It featured a dual-motor powertrain with 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered a range of 314 miles with rear-wheel drive and 307 miles with all-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. The Lyriq's handling was hindered by its weight, affecting its agility and steering feel. Regenerative braking was a helpful feature, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Acura MDX, known for its performance-oriented design, offered a choice between a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 hp and a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 355 hp in the Type S model. The MDX's driving dynamics were enjoyable, with various driving modes to suit different preferences. The SUV's handling was smooth and predictable, though some brake fade was noted during spirited driving. The MDX provided a comfortable and quiet ride, making it a satisfying choice for commuting and road trips. However, it was not designed for off-roading, with limited ground clearance and performance tires.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic dash tray were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited storage space. The Lyriq's interior was spacious, with generous headroom and legroom, but cargo space was limited compared to other SUVs, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Acura MDX offered a more versatile interior, with 16-way power-adjustable front seats and configurable second-row seating. The third row was less comfortable for adults, but the MDX provided ample in-cabin storage and a practical cargo area. With 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 71.4 cubic feet with the second row folded, the MDX was well-suited for families and those needing extra space.

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 Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system was a highlight, providing hands-free driving capabilities. The 19-speaker AKG stereo offered excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Acura MDX introduced a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Alexa and Google Built-in, eliminating the previous touchpad interface. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The MDX featured an upgraded sound system, with up to 31 speakers in the Type S Advance model. The digital instrumentation display and head-up display provided clear and comprehensive information, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by 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 2025 Acura MDX benefited from AcuraWatch 360, offering enhanced driver assistance features. Standard safety equipment included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The MDX received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though SH-AWD models lacked a rollover resistance rating. The 2024 MDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, but the 2025 model had not been evaluated at the time of writing.