2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2025 Mazda CX-50

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 a solid grille that incorporated lighting effects, creating a captivating light show when unlocking the car. The Sport trim, in particular, stood out with its dark triangular motif and 22-inch wheels, although the standard 20-inch wheels diminished its imposing presence. The rear of the LYRIQ was equally impressive, with wraparound taillights and fender-mounted vertical lights that created a sweeping turn signal effect.

Inside, the LYRIQ showcased Cadillac's attention to detail, with luxurious leather-wrapped seats and polished controls. The interior featured a mix of materials, including stained wood, chrome, and aluminum, creating a sophisticated ambiance. The 33-inch OLED display was a highlight, offering a seamless integration into the cabin without dominating the space. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering little usable space. Overall, the LYRIQ's interior was a testament to Cadillac's commitment to luxury, despite a few functional shortcomings.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 was an attractive compact SUV that built upon the styling elements of the CX-5, enhancing them with distinct fender flares and a wider grille for a sportier stance. Its interior featured a traditional layout with a horizontal dashboard and high-quality materials, including soft-touch surfaces and distinct stitching. The red leather upholstery in the hybrid model added a touch of vibrancy to the cabin. However, the decorative stripe running down the middle of the seats was a point of contention, as it could be felt through clothing and was described as awkward by some passengers.

Despite this, the CX-50 positioned itself above other compact SUVs in terms of design and interior quality, leaning towards entry-level luxury. The cabin offered a comfortable and quiet ride, with a focus on practicality and usability. While it may not have been as high-tech as some competitors, the CX-50's interior was well-crafted and appealing to those who appreciated a more traditional approach to design.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was not as sporty as its exterior suggested, but it excelled on the interstate with its calm and poised ride. The dual-motor powertrain, producing 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, provided ample power for all-wheel drive, while the standard single rear motor offered 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack promised 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. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes at fast-charging stations. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid debuted with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with three electric motors, delivering 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain, borrowed from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, provided quick throttle response and a 0-60 mph time between 7.5 and 8 seconds. The electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT) replicated the feel of a conventional automatic transmission. The CX-50's sportier suspension tuning allowed for engaging handling, with minimal body roll and a firm yet comfortable ride. The cabin remained quiet on the highway, and the overall driving experience was more agile and confidence-inspiring compared to its competitors.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was cumbersome, and drive mode selection required navigating multiple menus. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, with only 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 offered ample room in the front seats, but rear seat space was less accommodating compared to rivals like the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Sportage Hybrid. Personal storage was adequate, but competitors provided more options. The CX-50's cargo capacity was 29.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which was less than the non-hybrid version and below the class average. Despite this, the space was usable, with a standard power liftgate, a large storage bin under the cargo floor, and convenient features like remote rear seatback releases and shopping bag hooks.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering 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 Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving, with a helpful colored bar on the steering wheel indicating system status. The 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50's 10.25-inch infotainment system was mounted atop the dashboard and controlled by a dial on the center console. While touchscreen functionality was limited to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the dial controller offered a user-friendly experience. All models came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charging pad available on higher trims. The base audio system featured eight speakers, while the Premium trim included a 12-speaker Bose system.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by 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 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, which received four stars. IIHS results were not available, but the non-hybrid 2024 model received a Top Safety Pick+ rating. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included a rear passenger reminder, driver attention monitor, and safe exit alerts.