2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

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 vertical light bars and LED headlights added a modern touch, while the wraparound taillights and fender-mounted vertical lights created a unique lighting signature. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, such as leather-wrapped seats and polished controls, though the floating center console was less practical.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered a more traditional SUV appearance with a massive grille and LED lighting. The Palisade's design was consistent across its trims, with body-color side mirrors and acoustic glass enhancing its appeal. Inside, the Palisade Hybrid impressed with its thoughtful design and high-quality materials. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, with features like H-Tex upholstery and three-stage heating elements standard on the base trim. The Palisade's interior felt well-crafted, offering a richer experience compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty appearance, was more about comfort than performance. It featured a dual-motor powertrain with 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 offered a range of 314 miles with rear-wheel drive and 307 miles with all-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, affecting its agility and steering feel.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, on the other hand, delivered a lively driving experience with its 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The Palisade Hybrid's advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and hybrid system optimized power delivery and fuel efficiency. The cabin was notably quiet, with effective noise insulation, though the engine's noise was noticeable under hard acceleration. The steering was responsive, but the pedal feel was softer, creating a slight disconnect in driver inputs.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders and a problematic charging port were notable issues. The interior design, while luxurious, had practical shortcomings, such as a small center cubby and a cumbersome glovebox operation. The LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, but its cargo space was limited to 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid provided ample cargo space with 86.7 cubic feet, though it trailed some competitors. The second-row legroom was slightly compromised by the battery placement, but the third row offered competitive space. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was comfortable, with three-zone climate control and multiple USB-C outlets. It accommodated up to eight passengers with available seating configurations and featured numerous storage solutions for smaller items.

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 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 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It supported wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a Passenger Talk intercom system. The Limited and Calligraphy trims added a 14-speaker Bose stereo and a built-in dashcam. The Palisade Hybrid introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the use of climate control and infotainment while the engine was off, provided the battery had sufficient charge.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS 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 and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of standard ADAS features, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert. The Palisade Hybrid had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing.