2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

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 had a more muted appearance with a dark triangular motif. The vehicle's design was further enhanced by thin, deployable door handles and wraparound taillights that defined its shoulder line. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted a luxurious interior with C-shaped headrests, leather-wrapped seats, and polished controls. The sweeping 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, although the floating center console offered limited functionality.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid presented a more rugged and versatile design. Available in the Rugged Woodland trim and three Sport grades, including the GR Sport, the RAV4 PHEV maintained the same footprint as its predecessor but added buffer bumpers for a more assertive look. The vehicle's boxy design was consistent with Toyota's other SUVs, featuring daytime running lights, an integrated rear roof spoiler, and vertical taillights. The Woodland trim emphasized off-road capabilities with chunky all-terrain tires and a black roof rack, while the GR Sport showcased racier elements like red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille. Inside, the RAV4 PHEV offered a well-equipped cabin with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen system. The interior was optimized for storage, with clever features like a shelf over the dashboard and deep door pockets.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for long-distance comfort rather than sporty driving. 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 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 ability to top the battery to 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 vehicle lacked handling-enhancing features like torque vectoring and magnetic dampers, which affected its agility.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid delivered a more spirited ride with its updated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine and larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. The PHEV's power increased to 324 hp, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. All-wheel drive was standard, with a large front motor and a smaller rear motor. The RAV4 PHEV excelled in EV mode for quiet cruising, while Auto mode provided a satisfying power band. The vehicle's handling was enhanced by a strengthened chassis and suspension tweaks, particularly in the GR Sport trim, which featured 20-inch black alloy wheels and summer performance tires. Despite its weight, the RAV4 PHEV maintained comfort and structural rigidity, offering a balanced ride.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in functionality and build quality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose motorized charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray in the dash were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. The vehicle's interior was spacious, with generous headroom and legroom, but the cargo hold was smaller than most compact SUVs, offering 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a well-equipped interior with features like a power driver's seat, heated front seats, and multiple USB ports. The interior dimensions remained similar to the previous generation, with clever storage solutions like a dashboard shelf and deep door pockets. The RAV4 PHEV provided 37.8 inches of rear legroom, accommodating four passengers comfortably. The cargo area was slightly reduced compared to the standard RAV4, offering 33.6 cubic feet, but folding the rear seats expanded it to 63.5 cubic feet.

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 excellent sound quality.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and loading times. The Voice Assistant responded to a wide range of prompts, and a built-in dash cam recorded clips from exterior cameras. The system also provided data for the plug-in hybrid system, including charging schedules and a range map.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the 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, a 360-degree camera system, and rear emergency braking.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. The system included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and a safe-exit alert. The RAV4 PHEV's safety enhancements aimed to improve responsiveness and detection, contributing to its strong safety record. Crash-testing results from the IIHS and NHTSA were pending.