2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention on the road. 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 LYRIQ's design was further enhanced by thin, deployable door handles and wraparound taillights that accentuated its shoulder line.

Inside, the LYRIQ boasted a luxurious interior with attention to detail. The seats featured C-shaped headrests and were fully leather-wrapped, offering the expected support and adjustments of a luxury brand. The interior was adorned with polished black and chrome accents, and the armrest was padded with leather and trimmed with aluminum. The steering wheel was unique to Cadillac, featuring knurled toggle switches and a sleek black panel of buttons. The air vents had a retro feel, controlled by swiveling, knurled knobs. However, the floating center console was a misstep, offering no usable space underneath the cupholders. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, seamlessly integrated into the interior design.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, particularly the 110 four-door model, struck a balance between ruggedness and visual appeal. While the Defender 90 appeared stubby and the 130 carried too much visual mass, the 110 was the sweet spot. The Defender offered endless customization options, with base prices ranging from $58,525 to $120,525, depending on the model and options. The Defender 130 X trim, priced at $102,525, included the Extended Black Exterior Pack and upgraded interior materials, along with Land Rover's off-roading technology.

The test vehicle featured 20-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires, and options like the Towing Pack and Climate Pack brought the MSRP to $106,092. The Gondwana Stone paint on the test model didn't complement the orange brake calipers, and the twin-spoke wheels looked delicate. Inside, the Defender X received an upgrade to premium Windsor hides with Kvadrat fabric, available in Ebony or Caraway. The interior maintained an industrial theme, with quality materials and a purposeful design. The Defender's cabin was not traditionally luxurious but offered a practical and rugged feel.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for long-distance comfort rather than sporty 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 produced 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 used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with an estimated 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. Charging was efficient, with the battery topping up to 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes.

Despite its impressive power, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight of 5,800 pounds. The heavy chassis affected its agility, with noticeable understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking was strong, but the weight raised concerns about durability under hard use. Regenerative braking helped alleviate stress on the friction brakes, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, paired with a mild-hybrid system, delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission connected to a standard all-wheel-drive system with a low-range setting for off-roading. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The Defender excelled off-road, with its capability often surpassing the skill level of its drivers. On-road, the Defender 130's 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires limited its enthusiasm for twisty roads. The adaptive air suspension provided a comfortable ride, absorbing bumps and potholes with ease. However, the steering was slow, and the stability control system occasionally activated on uneven roads. The Defender's boxy shape contributed to wind noise on the highway, and the observed fuel economy was 16.2 mpg, lower than the expected 19 mpg.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose 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 offered limited space. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch, and drive mode selection required navigating multiple menus. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, the cargo space was limited, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 required effort to enter and exit, especially for shorter individuals. However, it rewarded occupants with three rows of spacious seating. The front seats were 12-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, providing excellent comfort. The Defender offered outstanding forward visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. The Clearsight digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system improved rear visibility and parking ease. The panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row created an open and airy feel.

The Defender 130 excelled in passenger and cargo space, with a heated third-row seat that was comfortable for adults. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, but the air suspension could be lowered for easier loading. Cargo space was limited to 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 89 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

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 excellent 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 Land Rover Defender was equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, accessible via an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and connected services. The Pivi Pro system had improved response and accuracy, passing voice prompt tests with ease. The user experience was more intuitive, with easy programming of favorite radio stations. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system impressed, and the head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system enhanced convenience and safety.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. 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 Land Rover Defender was equipped with several driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The lane-keep assist decisively corrected potential lane departures, though it occasionally attempted to steer the Defender into a turnout area. The adaptive cruise and lane-centering assist operated smoothly, with minor issues in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings for the Defender were unavailable.