2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe

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 across trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The vehicle's imposing presence was enhanced by 22-inch wheels, although the effect was diminished with the standard 20-inch wheels. The interior was meticulously crafted, with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a unique steering wheel design. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe maintained its popularity as a full-size SUV, thanks to its blend of capability and practicality. The design updates were conservative, with a new grille and updated lighting elements. The Tahoe offered six trim levels, each catering to different preferences, from the no-frills LS to the luxurious High Country. The Z71 trim, which we tested, was equipped for off-road adventures with skid plates and recovery hooks. The interior featured a new 17.7-inch touchscreen display, complemented by a redesigned dashboard with stylish controls. The Tahoe's steering was surprisingly light for its size, and the brake pedal, while effective, felt heavy. The suspension options included Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride adaptive suspension, enhancing ride quality, especially with larger wheels.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was built for comfort rather than sportiness, excelling on the interstate with its calm and poised ride. It featured two powertrain options: a dual-motor setup with 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, and a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering a claimed range of 314 miles for RWD and 307 miles for AWD. However, real-world testing showed a range closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80% in 30 to 35 minutes. Despite its weight of 5,800 pounds, the LYRIQ's handling was lackluster, with significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system helped reduce stress on the brakes, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a choice of two V8 engines and a diesel option. The 5.3-liter V8 delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 provided 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine, with 305 hp and 495 lb-ft, was the most fuel-efficient, achieving up to 27 mpg on the highway. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Tahoe's steering was light, and the brake pedal, though effective, felt heavy. The suspension options included Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride adaptive suspension, enhancing ride quality. The Tahoe's towing capacity reached up to 8,400 pounds with the right configuration.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty 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 less intuitive than direct touch. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, though cargo space was limited to 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe excelled in functionality, with a towing capacity of up to 8,400 pounds and a 24-gallon fuel tank. Cargo volume was impressive, with 122.9 cubic feet available with all seats folded. However, with all seats in place, cargo space was limited to 25.5 cubic feet. The Tahoe offered a 24-inch wheel option, requiring Magnetic Ride Control for improved ride quality. Despite the high cost of larger wheels, the Tahoe's interior space and towing capabilities made it a practical choice for families and adventurers.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a large, legible instrument cluster. 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 capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe's technology was a significant upgrade, with a 17.7-inch touchscreen, an 11-inch driver information screen, and an optional 15-inch head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the Google Built-in system offered seamless integration of Google services. The touchscreen was user-friendly, though customizing the driver information display was challenging. The steering wheel controls were cluttered, but familiar physical buttons remained for essential functions. The premium Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to rivals.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. 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 Chevrolet Tahoe had been crash-tested by NHTSA, receiving four out of five stars in overall crash safety. The IIHS rated the 2024 model as Acceptable in the small overlap front test and Poor in the moderate overlap front updated test. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian and bicycle braking, and a teen driver monitoring system. Super Cruise would be available in 2025.