2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a testament to Cadillac's flair for exterior styling, boasting a design that commanded attention on the road. Its long hood and low ground clearance gave it the appearance of a sleek sedan rather than a traditional SUV. 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 offering a more subdued look. The vehicle's wraparound taillights and fender-mounted vertical lights created a striking visual, while the interior showcased luxury with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its distinctive retro-inspired appearance, reminiscent of the Lancia Delta, with its "Parametric Pixel" headlights and taillights, round wheel arches, and high rear spoiler. The XRT trim stood out with red tow hooks and black plastic bumper cladding featuring a "digital camouflage" pattern. The Ioniq 5's color palette expanded, offering new hues like Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl. The interior remained minimalistic and modern, with a revised center console for improved functionality. The XRT trim added rugged elements like all-weather floor mats and a dark interior. Despite minor changes, the Ioniq 5 retained its open and uncluttered cabin, offering a comfortable and functional space.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for comfort rather than sportiness, excelling on long interstate drives with its calm and poised demeanor. It featured two powertrain options: a standard single rear motor with 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, and an optional dual-motor setup delivering 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque for all-wheel drive. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered a claimed range of 314 miles for rear-wheel drive and 307 miles for all-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed a maximum range closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the ability to reach 80% in about 30 to 35 minutes using DC fast charging. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT introduced a Terrain Mode button for off-road adventures, offering Snow, Mud, and Sand modes that adjusted throttle mapping, wheel slip, and power distribution. The XRT handled off-road conditions well, with regenerative braking minimizing the need for traditional braking. The Ioniq 5 offered various powertrain options, with rear-wheel drive models producing up to 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while all-wheel drive models delivered 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. The Ioniq 5's range varied by configuration, with the single-motor, rear-wheel drive models achieving up to 318 miles on a single charge. The Ioniq 5's performance was characterized by its instant torque and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty 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. 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 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed previous complaints by adding a rear windshield wiper and revising the center console for improved functionality. The interior featured standard heated front seats, with additional amenities like a heated steering wheel and front seat ventilation available on higher trims. The Ioniq 5 offered ample headroom and legroom, with cargo space measuring 26.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 58.5 cubic feet when folded. The transition to the North American Charging System (NACS) allowed Ioniq 5 owners to access Tesla's Supercharger network, enhancing its charging capabilities.

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 available Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, while the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its dual 12.3-inch screens, with improved functionality and faster processing speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard, enhancing smartphone connectivity. The Ioniq 5 offered a Bose Premium Audio system on higher trims, along with standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and multiple USB-C ports. The Limited trim featured a head-up display, and a wireless charging pad was available starting at the SEL trim level.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations, but it offered standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 received top safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. It featured an enhanced driver attention system, reverse and forward parking-distance warning, and Highway Driving Assist 2 on higher trims. The Ioniq 5's comprehensive safety suite contributed to its strong safety reputation.