2025 Kia Telluride vs 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, with a long hood and low ground clearance, drawing inspiration from the classic Seville Elegante of the early 1980s. The LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking, surrounded by a solid grille with lighting effects. The Sport trim, in particular, had a muted dark triangular motif, and the vehicle's imposing presence was enhanced by 22-inch wheels. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console offered limited functionality, and some elements seemed cobbled together, detracting from its luxury appeal.

In contrast, the 2025 Kia Telluride presented a more traditional SUV design with attractive proportions and upscale details. The SX Prestige X-Pro package added a blacked-out look, but some felt it diminished the SUV's personality. Inside, the Telluride's black-over-Terracotta interior featured simulated wood trim, metallic accents, and chevron-pattern Nappa leather, creating a luxurious atmosphere. The dual-screen display dominated the dashboard, offering a technologically advanced appearance. Kia's thoughtful design included heated and ventilated second-row seats, USB-C charging ports, and ample storage solutions, making it a family-friendly choice. However, the quality of materials in lower cabin areas revealed cost-saving measures.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more suited for long-distance comfort than spirited driving. It featured a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, with a standard single rear motor option delivering 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 was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its 5,800-pound weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The absence of handling-enhancing features like torque vectoring and magnetic dampers further limited its agility.

The 2025 Kia Telluride, powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, offered a smooth and refined driving experience. The eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on the trim. The Telluride's driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart, allowed for adaptability to different driving conditions. While the V6 occasionally struggled at high elevations, it provided ample acceleration and returned a respectable 20.2 mpg over nearly 1,200 miles. The X-Pro package's all-terrain tires excelled off-road but sacrificed some on-pavement grip. Overall, the Telluride delivered a pleasurable driving experience, with only minor issues like brake pedal behavior in traffic.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose 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 offered limited space and usability. Despite its midsize dimensions, the LYRIQ's cargo space was smaller than most compact SUVs, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded. However, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, making it comfortable for passengers.

In contrast, the 2025 Kia Telluride excelled in interior space and functionality. The SX Prestige model featured heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, along with thoughtful storage solutions like door armrest trays and smartphone storage sleeves. The driver's seat offered a lumbar massage function, enhancing long-distance comfort. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and a rear climate control zone, while the third-row seat was reasonably comfortable for adults. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 87 cubic feet with the seats folded. The hidden compartment under the load floor added versatility, though the carpeted cargo mat made access cumbersome.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ impressed with its 33-inch OLED screen, divided into three sections. The leftmost portion was touch-enabled for various controls, while the main touchscreen infotainment system ran native 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 tech experience.

The 2025 Kia Telluride featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a single piece of glass. The head-up display provided blind-spot alerts, and the Blind Spot View Monitor offered live video feeds. However, the Telluride lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the data port was USB-A. Despite these limitations, the SiriusXM satellite radio and multi-device Bluetooth connectivity ensured entertainment options. The 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. However, it came equipped with standard safety features like 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 Kia Telluride boasted an extensive suite of safety features under the Drive Wise branding. Standard equipment included forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and automatic emergency braking. The Telluride also featured blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system provided semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, ensuring peace of mind for drivers.