2025 Buick Enclave 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 design drew inspiration from the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The front of the LYRIQ was adorned with vertical light bars and nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille varied between trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The vehicle's imposing presence was enhanced by its 22-inch wheels, although the effect was diminished with the standard 20-inch wheels. The rear featured wraparound taillights and a steeply raked glass window, adding to its unique style.

Inside, the LYRIQ's interior was a testament to Cadillac's attention to detail. The seats were leather-wrapped with C-shaped headrests, and the window switches and door-mounted seat controls were polished and outlined in chrome. The armrest was padded with leather and trimmed with aluminum, forming a speaker grille. The steering wheel featured unique Cadillac elements, including knurled toggle switches. The air vents had a retro feel, controlled by swiveling knobs. However, the floating center console was a misstep, offering no usable space underneath. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, seamlessly integrated into the interior design.

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern exterior, drawing comparisons to the Lamborghini-inspired Envista. Its front featured slim DRLs, a large angular grille, and a high beltline, giving it a sharp appearance. The side profile was more generic, but the overall design was bolder than its predecessor. The Enclave had fewer creases, a flatter roof, and slightly sharpened wheel arches. Standard 20-inch wheels adorned the base and Sport Touring trims, while the Avenir trim boasted 22-inch wheels with a special finish.

Inside, the Enclave exuded a modern and premium feel. The floating center console and large curved display contributed to an airy, futuristic ambiance. The Sport Touring trim featured perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's appeal. However, the limited sunroof availability was a drawback, with the panoramic power sunroof only available on higher trims. The Enclave's interior was designed for comfort, with heated front seats and a tri-zone climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs and power-folding third-row seats added to its practicality, while the AutoSense liftgate provided convenience for loading cargo.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more suited for long-distance comfort than spirited driving. With over 500 miles driven, it excelled on the interstate, offering a calm and poised ride. The dual-motor powertrain in the test car delivered 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both powertrains utilized a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with Cadillac claiming a range of 314 miles for rear-wheel drive and 307 miles for all-wheel drive. However, real-world testing showed a maximum range closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Buick Enclave was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. The power was transmitted through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front or all four wheels. The Enclave's fuel economy was slightly affected by the all-wheel-drive option, with a combined rating of 21 mpg. It had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The Enclave featured two versions of Active Noise Cancellation, with the engine noise cancellation available on higher trims. The turbo engine was loud and tended to rev more than expected. The Enclave's driving dynamics were more akin to a full-size vehicle, with loose steering at slower speeds. However, this was not a significant concern for its target audience, as it prioritized comfort and practicality over sporty handling.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced 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. The center cubby was small, and the rotary selector for the touchscreen was cumbersome to use. Drive mode selection required navigating multiple menus, and the metal door handles were easily mistaken for window switches. 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 2025 Buick Enclave prioritized comfort and convenience with its interior features. The driver's seat had eight-way power adjustability, while the front passenger's seat had six-way adjustability. Captain's chairs in the second row allowed for a maximum capacity of seven passengers. Heated front seats and a tri-zone climate control system were standard, with heated second-row seats and ventilation available on higher trims. The Enclave offered power-folding second and third-row seats, with the AutoSense liftgate providing easy access to the cargo area. With all seats in place, the Enclave offered 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 57.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen divided into three sections. The leftmost portion was touch-enabled for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. While it lacked an augmented reality video feed, the instrument cluster was large and legible. The main touchscreen infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with simple menus and high-quality graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Super Cruise system was a standout feature, offering hands-free driving with lane-switching capabilities. The 19-speaker AKG stereo provided excellent sound quality with variable surround sound modes.

The 2025 Buick Enclave showcased its premium positioning with advanced technology offerings. The standard 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen integrated the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. However, smartphone projection interrupted the seamless display. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker Bose Performance system available on the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In for native apps. The Enclave also offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and wired charging for all passengers, with two USB ports in each row.

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 with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, rear emergency braking, and a rear camera displayed on the rearview mirror.

The 2025 Buick Enclave prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of features. Newly standard for 2025 were blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision with seven selectable camera views was standard, with an option to increase to nine views. Adaptive cruise control was standard, while a head-up display was optional. The Enclave also featured GM's Teen Driver technology and offered Super Cruise for hands-free highway driving. The 2025 Enclave had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 model received favorable ratings in most tests.