2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2025 Honda Odyssey

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, especially on the Tech and Luxury trims, was a visual spectacle with sweeping lines and lighting effects. The Sport trim, however, had a more subdued appearance. The LYRIQ's 22-inch wheels added to its imposing presence, although the effect was diminished with the standard 20-inch wheels. The interior was a testament to Cadillac's attention to detail, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a unique steering wheel design. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, though the floating center console was less practical.

In contrast, the 2025 Honda Odyssey maintained a familiar and somewhat dated design, reminiscent of its predecessors. The exterior and interior styling were functional rather than fashionable, with a focus on practicality. The interior featured traditional buttons and knobs, which were appreciated for their ease of use. The Odyssey was available in several trims, with the Elite trim offering a new Smoke Blue Pearl paint color and two-tone leather seats. Despite its utilitarian design, the Odyssey provided a comfortable and spacious environment for passengers, with high-quality materials and thoughtful features. However, the styling was not a primary selling point for this minivan.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was not as sporty as its exterior suggested. It excelled on the interstate, offering a calm and poised ride with a focus on long-distance comfort. 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. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered a claimed 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 performance was inconsistent, with fast-charging rates falling short of expectations. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Despite strong braking, the overall chassis performance was lacking, especially when compared to other Cadillac models.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey, while not designed for driving excitement, offered a rewarding experience for a minivan. Its 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Odyssey achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing showing similar results. While lacking hybrid or all-wheel-drive options, the Odyssey's V6 provided strong performance, and its ride and handling were well-tuned for a natural driving experience. The Odyssey handled well in various conditions, offering a comfortable and quiet ride on long trips. However, it lacked a surround-view camera system, which would have been beneficial in urban environments.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty motorized charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited storage space. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch interaction. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, offering 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in maximizing interior space and functionality. It could accommodate eight passengers and offered up to 140.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The Elite trim featured comfortable power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, though taller drivers might find the seating position cramped. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided flexibility, allowing for various configurations and easy access to the third row. However, removing these seats to maximize cargo space was cumbersome. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the Odyssey offered ample storage throughout the cabin. Features like the Cabin Talk intercom and Cabin Watch camera system enhanced convenience for families.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted a 33-inch OLED screen divided into three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a high-quality infotainment system with Google Maps and Google Assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities. The 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey received a technology update with a new 7-inch digital driver display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the system was faster, it still lagged behind competitors in terms of graphics and voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and smartphone charging were standard, but the rear-seat entertainment system was frustrating to use. Despite these shortcomings, the Odyssey's technology offerings were functional, with easy smartphone integration and streaming capabilities.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations 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 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing, a suite of driving-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Touring and Elite trims added parking sensors. The Odyssey performed well in safety tests, though it received a "Poor" rating in a new IIHS evaluation. The Honda Sensing features generally operated smoothly, though some aspects, like lane-departure warnings and adaptive cruise control, could be improved.