Baron Wilton

by Baron Wilton

posted on April 28, 2023

Not your dad’s Cadillac

Cadillac exudes luxury, but with cool, unconventional flair. Vintage Caddies like the DeVille and Fleetwood Brougham boasted cutting edge features, beefy engines, and head-turning design like wing tips, logo-embossed taillights, and if you’re Elvis, pastel pink metallic. The 2023 Cadillac Lyriq honors that legacy by ushering in a completely new aesthetic as Cadillac’s first battery electric vehicle. Aaron is one of the first to share the brand-new Lyriq on Turo, so let’s take a deeper look into our April car of the month.

2023 Cadillac Lyriq
BATTERYHORSEPOWER0 to 60 MPHTOP SPEEDRANGEDAILY PRICE*
102kWh340 hp5.7 sec118 mph308 mi$189
BATTERYHP0 to 60
MPH
TOP
SPEED
RANGEDAILY
PRICE*
102 kWh340 hp5.7 sec118 mph308 mi$189

The first thing to notice as you approach the Lyriq is that its tailpipes are missing. Aaron’s Stellar Black Metallic Lyriq is entirely electric and can reach up to 308 miles on a single charge. The Lyriq is equipped with General Motors’ Ultium battery which is flexible to accommodate both compact hatchbacks and supertrucks alike. Cadillac’s electric SUV uses 12 8.5 kWh modules that work collaboratively to power a capacious 102 kWh battery. Plus, the Ultium platform achieves a near 50/50 weight distribution, resulting in a low center of gravity that comes in handy during spirited driving on curvy roads. The SUV is also creatively aerodynamic with a roof spoiler that allows air to pass through and aero inserts in the rims to boost driving range. 

Although the responsive electric motor quickly accelerates the Lyriq, its 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque feels dull compared to other large electric competitors like the Jaguar I-PACE and Tesla Model Y. But, the Cadillac truly excels at delivering a smooth, comfortable ride in a package that looks nothing like any other car on the road. The Lyriq has a wide and long stance reminiscent of the extended-wheelbase Cadillacs of the past. The grille is made of LED strips with sharp angles, similar to the triangular chrome inserts on the front fender and the artfully crafted sweeping taillights. Lighting was critical for Cadillac engineers as the car presents a choreographed light show as you approach and lock the vehicle that incorporates the crest logo, grille, headlights, and door handles. And once you press those handles, the door partially opens to invite you inside.

The interior of Aaron’s Luxury Trim Lyriq is coated in Nappa leather, open-pore wood, metallic accents, and clever backlighting. Following in the innovative lighting theme, the speaker grilles feature a delicate hexagonal pattern of LED lights and the rotary gear shifter lights up like a crystalline jewel box proudly displaying Cadillac’s new logo. The Lyriq also showcases a massive 33-inch curved display that is capable of 9k resolution, perfect for relaxing in the ventilated and heated massaging seats.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Lyriq is how incredibly quiet it is within the cabin. The 19-speaker AKG studio speaker system uses active noise canceling in the seat headrests to minimize any electric motor noise. It’s so quiet inside that you can hear the rustle of the trees or leaf piles swept up in the car’s breeze.

Behind the wheel, the Lyriq is responsive to the touch and easy to navigate. If the rotary gear shifter isn’t to your liking, you can use a lever behind the steering wheel to change driving modes. The Lyriq is also equipped with Super Cruise, General Motors’ semi-autonomous system, similar to Tesla’s Autopilot. You can enjoy hands-free highway driving and even change lanes or exit the highway with the push of a button. Like all electric cars, the SUV offers regenerative braking that powers the battery any time you brake and enables one-pedal driving. And for those who brag they’re good with their hands, the Lyriq can brake by applying pressure to the paddle on the back left side of the steering wheel. It’s as easy as riding a bike.

Cadillac may have modernized its crest logo and become the go-to private hire SUV brand, but the Lyriq is Cadillac’s most recent attempt at returning to its free-spirited self. Its sophisticated, fresh design and innovative engineering is purely nostalgic, following suit of trend-setting Cadillacs from years past. Take Aaron’s Lyriq out for a spin in Cincinnati and experience firsthand America’s electric revolution.


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Baron Wilton

Baron Wilton

Baron is a walking encyclopedia of car facts. His favorite sport is behind the wheel of his Jaguar F-Type, which he drives more in the canyons of SoCal than on the streets.

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