2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2025 Nissan Murano

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 LYRIQ's rear was defined by wraparound taillights and a steeply raked glass window, enhancing its unique style.

Inside, the LYRIQ boasted a luxurious interior with attention to detail. The seats featured C-shaped headrests and were leather-wrapped, while the window switches and door-mounted seat controls were polished in black and outlined in chrome. The armrest was padded with leather and trimmed with aluminum, forming a speaker grille at the driver's knee. The steering wheel had a three-spoke design with knurled toggle switches, and the air vents were controlled by retro-style knobs. The interior was highlighted by a 33-inch OLED display, though the floating center console offered limited functionality.

The 2025 Nissan Murano introduced a fresh look with a new front design featuring a wing motif in its lighting signature. The model was wider and had increased ground clearance compared to its predecessor. The side profile was accentuated by a chrome arch and black trim, though these elements were not entirely original. The Murano's design was cohesive and sophisticated, with standard 20-inch wheels and an option for 21-inch wheels on the Platinum trim.

Inside, the Murano's interior was modernized with a horizontally oriented dash layout and a single housing for the infotainment and driver-information displays. The steering wheel featured a bar across the middle, and the shifter was replaced by a push-button gear selector. The interior materials included a "Murano glass-inspired" treatment, adding an ombre effect to the dash and door cards. The SL trim level introduced leatherette seating surfaces, a downgrade from genuine leather in previous models.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for long-distance comfort rather than sportiness. It featured two Chinese-sourced motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for AWD, with a standard single rear motor offering 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided a claimed range of 314 miles with RWD and 307 miles with AWD, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the chassis lacked handling-enhancing features.

The 2025 Nissan Murano featured a new 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain offered improved acceleration compared to the previous V6 engine. The Murano's AWD system was standard on higher trims, while the base level offered both FWD and AWD options. Visibility was generally good, though the narrow rear windshield posed some challenges. Noise cancellation was effective, especially in the Platinum trim with the Bose audio system.

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 interior screens were impressive, but some physical components seemed poorly integrated. The LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, but cargo space was limited to 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Nissan Murano continued to offer impressive comfort features, with standard heated and power-adjustable front seats. The Platinum trim added massage functionality, though heated seat settings were only accessible through the screen. The Zero Gravity seats provided comfort, though rear-seat heating was limited to the Platinum trim. Interior dimensions were mixed, with increased front-row space but reduced second-row legroom. Cargo volume was competitive, with 32.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet when folded. A power liftgate was standard, with foot activation on the Platinum trim.

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 capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes.

The 2025 Nissan Murano was equipped with wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The monolith-style display housed two 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and driver-information. The SL trim added Google Built-In, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and a 64-color ambient lighting system. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, enhancing the tech offerings.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. 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 Nissan Murano featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and automatic emergency braking. The new Murano added ProPILOT Assist, with SL and Platinum trims offering a more advanced version. The third-generation Murano earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS, and the new model included additional safety features like a passenger's side airbag and reinforced seating.