The Cadillac Lyriq and Genesis Electrified GV70 do issues in another way. They’re each luxurious electrical SUVs with appetites for efficiency, however they have been born from two very completely different concepts. The Genesis disguises its all-electric powertrain underneath a physique that mimics the gasoline model that debuted in 2021. The Cadillac is a recent begin, an all-electric entrant that is a part of GM’s EV assault. Regardless of their completely different approaches, these two luxurious EVs are pretty carefully matched. However they’ve completely different strengths and weaknesses, and one emerges the winner.

The Electrified GV70 seems almost equivalent to the gas-powered model. Its shiny grille, which additionally homes its charging port, smiles huge whereas many EVs current a tight-lipped face to the world. If not for the unique 20-inch wheels and lack of potato-shooter exhaust retailers, it is perhaps unattainable to inform if the GV70 you are taking a look at burns hydrocarbons or chugs electrons. Even inside, the one rapid clue is that the ignition button says “EV Begin/Cease” as an alternative of “Engine Begin/Cease.” Its rear electrical motor takes the place of the gasoline SUV’s spare tire underneath the rear cargo ground, however cargo house continues to be almost equivalent. A tiny frunk is discovered the place pistons and connecting rods used to bounce. Genesis bulked up the Electrified GV70 with extra structural rigidity to deal with its 5060-pound mass, which, in comparison with the gasoline model, offers you 476 kilos extra GV70 to like. The Electrified GV70 discreetly performs the function of an EV with out making its total identification about its powertrain.

The Cadillac Lyriq is extra clearly an EV, with a recent design that is distinct from the model’s gas-engine fashions. Measurement-wise, it slots in between the gas-powered XT5 and XT6 however is much extra fashionable than both. Actually, throughout our photograph shoot, the Caddy’s illuminated fake grille attracted a lot consideration it precipitated a site visitors jam in downtown Detroit. (Nobody a lot as regarded on the GV70.) Below the Lyriq’s pores and skin is a model of GM’s modular Ultium battery pack, much like the bigger one which’s employed within the GMC Hummer EV.

Energy and Acceleration

Slightly than flashy seems, the all-wheel-drive Electrified GV70 proves its value by motion. Its get together trick, unique to the Electrified mannequin, is a Increase button mounted on the steering wheel that unleashes all 483 horsepower for 10 seconds. The Increase mode shaves a claimed half-second off its 60-mph time, knocking it down to three.8 seconds, and shrinks its leap to a quarter-mile to simply 12.3 seconds. That makes the electrical GV70 1.1 seconds faster to 60 mph than the 375-hp gasoline-drinking GV70 3.5T and leaves it only some tenths behind a Porsche Macan GTS.

In contrast to the dual-motor-only GV70, the Lyriq provides each single- and dual-motor variations. The twin-motor, all-wheel-drive mannequin we examined has 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque (160 horsepower and 125 pound-feet greater than the single-motor model). Regardless of the Caddy’s energy benefit over the Genesis, its 4.6-second dash to 60 and 12.9-second race by the quarter-mile are each slower. An antithesis to Genesis and its enjoyable button, the Lyriq restrains most output till 40 mph, even with the pedal absolutely mashed. Name it a latte anti-spillage system, however the delay actually zaps the thrill of getting 500 horses underneath the hood.

Vary and Charging

The Electrified GV70 could pack a tougher punch, however the Lyriq can go for extra rounds. The EPA estimates the GV70 has a spread of 236 miles, versus 307 for the Lyriq. Our real-world 75-mph freeway vary take a look at confirmed a lesser distinction. The Electrified GV70 went 190 miles whereas the Lyriq (sporting its normal 20-inch wheels, not the non-obligatory 22s) managed 220 miles.

The Genesis, although, makes a comeback on the charger. On the DC fast-charger, the GV70’s 77.4-kWh battery pack can cost at as much as 240 kilowatts, whereas a slower 10.9-kW onboard charger handles AC charging. The Lyriq’s 102.0-kWh battery pack can refill at as much as 190 kilowatts when DC fast-charging and as much as 11.5 kilowatts from its normal onboard AC charger (a 19.2-kW unit will likely be non-obligatory for 2024). Sadly, in two makes an attempt, we by no means acquired an entire 10 to 90 % charging take a look at for the Lyriq. Within the first, the automobile was charging exceptionally gradual, and through a second try, the Electrify America charging station stop at a 76 % state of cost. Nonetheless, we have now sufficient knowledge to inform a lot of the charging story. The Electrified GV70 recharged at a fee of as much as 239 kilowatts, averaging 166 kilowatts for the 24 minutes it took to go from 10 to 90 %, one of many quickest charging speeds of any EV. The Lyriq had a decrease max fee of 181 kilowatts and a decrease common of 111 kilowatts and took 40 minutes to cost to 75 %.

Consolation In contrast

There is no actual loser within the battle of luxurious, however the Genesis’s inside is noticeably extra upscale than the Cadillac’s. The Lyriq actually exhibits effort, with a spectacular startup animation throughout its 33.0-inch curved show. It even makes use of the same rotary infotainment dial and knurled quantity scroll wheel because the GV70, however the execution and tactile really feel isn’t pretty much as good. Whereas the Caddy’s higher rear passenger headroom and leg house are a plus, we would nonetheless moderately be chauffeured within the Electrified GV70’s plush heated rear seats, which our Cadillac lacks. Our take a look at Lyriq did not even have local weather management again there. The electrical GV70 additionally avoids EV gimmicks reminiscent of Cadillac’s odd touch-activated door handles that complicate a easy job.

The sweetness is felt on the steering wheel too. Just like the gasoline model, the Electrified GV70 feeds a longing for enjoyable by tackling curvy roads with out breaking a sweat. Its Michelin Primacy Tour A/S tires are as broad because the Caddy’s Michelin Primacy All Seasons, however the GV70 takes full benefit of its barely higher all-season rubber. Freeway cruising is de facto the place the Lyriq’s extra relaxed persona shines. Its frequency-dependent dampers marvelously soften up the trip over bumps and rapidly return firmer damping in sharp curves.

With expertise on the helm, the Lyriq ought to have the benefit with its normal Tremendous Cruise, GM’s much-touted driver-assistance tech that gives hands-free driving. The GV70’s driving help isn’t completely hands-free. However we discovered Tremendous Cruise to be glitchy on a stretch of I-94, simply minutes from GM’s headquarters, the place it might work at some point and never the subsequent. We additionally could not discover an adjustment for the quantity of textual content notifications that erupt by the highly effective 19-speaker AKG audio system.

Cadillac Lyriq AWD
HIGHS: Plenty of EV for the value, has the sting in vary, a great deal of rear passenger house.
LOWS: Its 500 horses are hobbled, mediocre DC charging, less-than-Cadillac stage of luxurious.
VERDICT: Not fairly the Escalade of EVs.

If this contest have been determined by worth alone, the Lyriq would safe a knockout victory. Our mid-trim Lyriq Luxurious plugged in with a $65,615 as-tested worth, the one choice chosen was Stellar Black Metallic, which is only a fancy method to describe spending $625 for black paint. Nonetheless, it is almost $10,000 cheaper than the Electrified GV70’s $75,275 as-tested worth, which included a $6800 Status bundle that nets the entire upscale inside supplies and $925 for the Makalu Grey Matte paint that we have been a nickel wanting discovering whether or not it was the identical stuff on scratch-off lottery tickets.

Genesis Electrified GV70
HIGHS: The epitome of luxurious, the quickest GV70, does not scream electrical automobile.
LOWS: Greater worth, decrease vary, no wi-fi smartphone mirroring.
VERDICT: Tops its rival and its gas-powered siblings.

As if the 2 have been sporting boxing gloves, these EVs traded punches with execs and cons. The GV70 has a snazzier cabin, nevertheless it prices extra, and the Lyriq has extra space. The Lyriq goes farther on a cost, however the GV70 recharges extra rapidly. In the end, the Electrified GV70 ekes out a victory with superior luxurious, extra thrilling driving dynamics, and simply sufficient vary. On this matchup, creating an EV from an present mannequin moderately than a purpose-built structure proved to be no handicap.

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Sure, he is nonetheless engaged on the 1986 Nissan 300ZX Turbo undertaking automobile he began in highschool, and no, it’s not on the market but. Austin Irwin was born and raised in Michigan, and, regardless of getting shelled by hockey pucks throughout a not-so-successful goaltending profession by highschool and school, nonetheless has all of his enamel. He loves vehicles from the Eighties and Bleu, his Nice Pyrenees, and is an energetic member of the Buffalo Wild Wings neighborhood. When Austin isn’t engaged on his personal vehicles, he’s probably on the facet of the freeway serving to another person repair theirs.