2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that exuded street presence. Its long hood and low ground clearance gave it the appearance of a sleek sedan rather than a traditional SUV. The design drew inspiration from the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The front end was adorned with vertical light bars and a solid grille that incorporated lighting effects, creating a captivating light show when unlocking the car. The interior was meticulously crafted, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display that blended seamlessly into the cabin.

In contrast, the 2025 Audi Q5 embraced a more rugged SUV aesthetic. Its large, textured grille and high-mounted headlights gave it an imposing front end, while well-defined lines along the body added a muscular touch. The Q5's design was more evolutionary than revolutionary, maintaining a familiar look while incorporating modern elements. The interior was a mix of top-notch materials and a somewhat discordant design, with a focus on piling on details. Despite this, the Q5 offered a comfortable and functional cabin, with standard leather seating surfaces and a range of available features to enhance the driving experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was built for long-distance comfort rather than sporty driving. Its dual-motor powertrain delivered an impressive 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Despite its power, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its hefty 5,800-pound weight, resulting in significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system was a welcome feature, but the overall chassis needed refinement to match Cadillac's reputation for suspension and chassis tuning.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered a choice between a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the SQ5, delivering 362 hp and 406 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. While the Q5's performance figures were competitive, the driving experience was marred by turbo lag and rough shifts. The air suspension provided capable handling, but the steering lacked the engagement needed for spirited driving. The Q5 was more suited for comfortable cruising than aggressive cornering.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The interior offered generous headroom and legroom, but cargo space was limited, with only 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded. The floating center console and small center cubby further hindered practicality, while the touchscreen interface was less intuitive than desired.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, offering adequate headroom and legroom. The sliding and reclining second-row bench seat added versatility, and the Q5 provided more cargo space than some rivals, with 27.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with additional amenities available on higher trims. The Q5 also boasted a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds, surpassing some competitors.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen divided into three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and trip information. The infotainment system ran on Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided an excellent hands-free driving experience, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with an optional 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. The Premium Plus trim added USB-C ports and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5 also featured a head-up display and Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the 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 2025 Audi Q5 offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. The Premium Plus trim added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star rating.