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Top Gear
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Cadillac Lyriq-V review: the newest V-Series member and… the quickest Caddy in history Reviews 2025
It's the Lyriq-V, which, despite how it sounds, is not an electrolyte-infused sport drink, but is in fact the first electric car to join Cadillac's V-badged series of sporty cars. Lyriq? As in the car that took me to the airport? Probably. If you recall, the Lyriq is the first of Cadillac's all-electric luxury vehicles that now includes Celestiq, Vistiq and Optiq, all sharing the same GM BEV3 platform. Along with its lux looks and interior, the Lyriq was appealing due to its 300+ miles of range, ample cabin and $60,000-ish price tag. Advertisement - Page continues below Turns out the smooth ride was worth the buy-in, too, and it's since become a hot ticket item, with Cadillac selling more than 60,000 units to date, 71 per cent of those being conquests from other brands. As such (anecdotally), a not-small number of those were swept up by livery cab and ride share businesses. Seems to be a thing for Caddys. If it was lacking in any particular department, it would be on the performance side of things. But then the Lyriq's focus has always been on luxury, and not having to split the difference between that and sport was to its benefit. This Lyriq-V is the $80,000 answer to those asking for a more bimodal vehicle to live with. Alright, so what's so 'V' about it? Cadillac went through every aspect of the Lyriq to find ways to give it enough muscle and precision to earn it a V-Series badge, starting with the power output. The Lyriq-V builds upon the standard car's optional dual-motor setup and shares the 102kWh battery pack, though it now delivers 615hp and 650lb ft of torque – way over the 515hp and 450 lb ft it previously spouted. Advertisement - Page continues below A number of suspension changes and new drive modes are included so that all this juice can be put to use when let loose. Yes, I'm deliberately being lyriqal. Ba-dum tsh. Jumps from 0 to 60mph can be done in 3.3 seconds once engaged in its launch mode, though in the right conditions it can score a flat three-second run. Which I've witnessed first hand. Albeit going by the Lyriq's own in-car telemetry, but what matters is it's still quite quick and consistent in doing so. It tops out at around 130mph, all of which is made possible through prodigious use of its new V-Max mode, a carry-over function from the Escalade IQ that dumps more power out of the battery than is usually necessary. As one would imagine, this does take a hammer to the available range, the best of which the Lyriq-V can muster is 285 miles. How about the handling? For a near-6,000lb vehicle (2,700kg ish), surprisingly manageable. A multitude of suspension components have been reinforced for increased precision, and the V is now the only Lyriq with adaptive dampers. The whole thing rides on 22in V-Series wheels shod in Continental summer tires as standard. Behind the scenes are six-piston Brembo brakes in the front, with the discs receiving an FNC-coating treatment to reduce brake dust. If you're hardcore about it, you can opt out for better bite, but you're getting into serious performance minutiae with this one and it sounds like just another fact to bore your friends with. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Brake-based torque vectoring and a 'competitive' drive mode brings this all together to make the Lyriq-V quite spry for a vehicle of its caliber. Our time with the latest V-Series included an autocross that showcased how the electric executive ride could handle quick inputs in small spaces and, very much to its credit, it performed better than expected. Steering inputs were direct and speedy, allowing us to focus on finding the Lyriq-V's tolerances. Can you get the back end out? With great effort, yes, though you quickly discover the Cadillac's digital boundaries the harder you push, requiring drivers determined to swing the Caddy's thicc rump around to sort of trick it into doing so. Will you ever race the Lyriq-V? Highly unlikely, but if you were determined to demonstrate that you can indeed get to LaGuardia Airport with the efficacy of the limo driver from The Wedding Singer , you could certainly do worse. How about on the road? In the real world, the Lyriq-V remains just as comfortable as the standard model, there's just the added grunt underneath if you want it. Though it gives more of itself in the sporty modes, the improvements are still there in casual driving, so there's not much to compel you to switch into bad-boy mode, save for the odd twisty backroad. While on the go, passengers are treated to the 33in diagonal LED display that houses the gauges and the infotainment screen. Cadillac and GM in general have one of the more manageable interfaces out there today, but it's still far from being particularly user friendly. The interface is pretty flexible, but almost to a fault – there are many vague ways to do things instead of one clear way, if you will. The mix of physical buttons is welcome but it's still all over the place, particularly when you start trying to customize the non-touchpad driver display. Amusingly, all Lyriqs including this one retain Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a feature grandfathered in while GM has booted them out of the rest of its EVs. Super Cruise is included as standard and when you happen to be driving unassisted, a dual-plane HUD features augmented reality pop-ups that are genuinely handy with driving directions. What's the final takeaway? Cadillac's choice to bring the Lyriq into the V-Series fold isn't a huge surprise given how automakers are still discovering how much performance can be mined from their electric power units. As its first true-blue EV, it makes sense that the Lyriq continues to be the showcase (or guinea pig) for new developments. Does it need to be part of the V-Series family? It doesn't hurt, and while I can't imagine there were people camping out on the sidewalk for it, I can see it being an easy upsell for someone already looking into the Lyriq. It's not a Blackwing, you're not getting it for the performance, but you wouldn't turn your nose up at the extra capability.
The Drive
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Cadillac's Having Its Best Moment In Nearly 20 Years
The latest car news, reviews, and features. It only took multiple decades, but Cadillac just might be back to setting the bar for others as sales skyrocket and enticing product hits showrooms. In Seattle, Washington at the launch of the 2026 Lyriq-V Cadillac's Global Marketing Director Brad Franz said the first half of the year has been the automaker's best in nearly 20 years. The numbers speak for themselves. Retail sales are up 19% calendar year to date. Sales of V-Series models are at a record high. Retail sales are up in all 50 states year-over-year, and 26 states are up over 25%. Sales in California are up 16%. Part of that is due to Cadillac's EV push. Earlier in July Cadillac said it still sees EVs as critical despite the disappearing incentives. The automaker believes demand for its luxury EVs will weather the storm of uncertain markets. The data supports this with Franz reporting EV penetration of 23% so far in 2025. Franz said the Lyriq and Optiq are now number one in their segment (though which competitors fall in those segments wasn't discussed). But those sales are coming at the expense of the competition with Lyriq checking in with a conquest rate of 71% and Optiq at 71%. These models are bringing new customers to the Cadillac showroom. To date, Franz said Cadillac's sold over 60,000 Lyriqs in the last three years, though most of those deliveries took place in the last two years as production ramped up. GM is quickly listening to consumer and online feedback and making immediate updates to its products including fixing the Lyriq's undignified charge port door operation. While EV sales are helping bring fresh blood to Cadillac showrooms, the automaker's gas-powered lineup is having its own moment. Joel Feder The V-Series has finally taken hold and buyers are trending younger than the average Cadillac buyer, according to Franz. The performance sub-brand is also bringing money into the showroom with V-Series owners trending more affluent, and more likely to be male. Cadillac has abandoned its plan to have a fully electric lineup within five years, but new EVs are still launching on time as originally planned. The shift is not whether the automaker is moving away from its EV plans, rather it just won't kill the gas-powered cars. The 2026 Lyriq-V launches in the coming weeks and marks the first electric V-Series model. The three-row Vistiq is now in dealers alongside the smaller Optiq. And an Optiq-V is coming to further expand the electric V-Series lineup. Cadillac's been busy just building its brand cache. The automaker is back at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it's entering Formula 1, and it now sells a hand-built $340,000 EV. The cache and EV play seem to be working out for Cadillac. Got a tip? Reach out to us at tips@
Auto Blog
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
2026 Cadillac LYRIQ-V First Drive: Is the Extra Velocity Worth An Extra $12-20k?
The fastest around As I sat in the media center of the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington, listening to Cadillac engineers talk about the new Lyriq-V EV being the 'quickest Cadillac ever,' my mind immediately went to the Blackwing. Then, as I sipped more of my coffee and consumed more calories, I realized there was a difference between the 'fastest' and the 'quickest.' The 'V' part of the equation, which stands for 'Velocity,' is more than just a performance package or a party trick. Cadillac updated the battery thermal control system, suspension improvements, increased braking, faster electronic steering, and changes to the battery discharge current were made to accommodate all 100 extra horses (yes–that means 615 horsepower over 515). While all those changes and improvements mean Cadillac took a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds very seriously, it also means a pretty dramatic increase in cost compared to the base Lyriq, which was already a fairly quick EV. The base Lyriq's price range is from $60,090 to $72,490, while the Lyriq-V starts at $80,090 and maxes out at $85,290 for the Premium model. Those are price differences of $20,000 and $12,800 (they do qualify for the $7,500 tax credit since it's built in Tennessee, but that's for as long as that incentive lasts). Do all those improvements, paired with 'V-Mode,' justify the price difference? I was invited by Cadillac to Seattle, Washington, to spend some time behind the wheel of one and find out. The Cadillac Lyriq was already good, now it's better The Cadillac Lyriq, even as the base AWD model, is an amazing feat of engineering and design. Even though it's an EV, it still carries over design aspects of classic Caddies, like the rear taillights, the headlights, and the front fascia. The interior, despite being very performance-luxury focused, was buttoned up and tidy with a touch of poshness, leather, and, of course, large, responsive, and vibrant screens almost spanning the entire width of the SUV. The seating position isn't too high, nor is it too low; visibility is excellent, and it has a lot of personality. The base model is no cheap pony, either. The AWD model, for either the Sport or the Luxury trim, comes with 515 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds. In RWD, it comes with 365 horsepower and can get to 60 mph from a stop in 5.7 seconds. In rear-wheel drive, you get the most range at 326 miles. All-wheel drive still comes with an impressive range of 319 miles, and the Lyriq-V, with its power increase and performance upgrades, has the least amount of range at 285 miles on a full charge. Some might cringe at that figure, but other performance EVs have similar, if not worse, ranges. The Tesla Model Y Performance, for instance, is said to have a range of 277 miles, but most owners or reviewers report an average of 230 miles of range on a full charge. The BMW iX has a range of around 264 miles. The only other EVs that have better reported ranges are the Acura ZDX Type S at 294 miles (though when I reviewed it, I got 310), and the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 with 312 miles and AWD. The Acura ZDX is a nice EV, but not nearly as fast, and the Mercedes-Benz is a lot more expensive than the Cadillac (think six figures for this one). Super Cruise is also very hard to pass up, as it's one of the most accurate, fluid, and user-friendly hands-free driving experiences out there. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Source: Kristen Brown From the outside, there's not much difference between the Lyriq-V and the standard Lyriq, and that's kind of what I love about it. It looks exactly like a regular ol' Lyriq, but it packs a much bigger punch. Interior-wise, there's no difference either, except for a fat 'V' button on the steering wheel. Pushing it can activate either Comp mode or Velocity mode, which comes with all the performance perks, paired with 615 horsepower, and my personal favorite: launch control. Launch control is any EV is a blast–but the Caddy would be a favorite at any party That's mostly because you can launch it again, and again, and again, and again, and get to sixty in 3.3 seconds (though The Drive's Joel Feder scored a 3.0 during his time behind the wheel) without worrying about overheating the battery. The updated thermal control system has been updated to keep the motors and battery cool before they heat up from multiple launches or pushing it on backcountry roads. As I mentioned before, the suspension setup is more performance-oriented and designed to be able to handle the V's heft. In 'Tour' mode, it softens up a bit so it's better for daily driving scenarios, too. Source: Kristen Brown Anyway, I launched the Lyriq-V three times. I pressed the 'V' button on the steering wheel, put it in drive, and waited for launch control to activate. Once I saw 'Launch Control Ready' on the large 33-inch display, I was prompted to put my foot on the brake. Once I did that, I felt the Lyriq-V hunker down. Then the engineer told me to floor it when I'm ready for 'take off,' and all I could think about was SpongeBob saying, 'Floor it?' I did just that and flew down the track. I'll admit it, I screamed involuntarily each time, but I came out of the EV smiling, giggling, and shaking a little bit each time. Despite feeling like I was being launched into space, the Lyriq was steady, controlled, and easy to manipulate. The brakes and tires worked in tandem to slow me down incredibly quickly, and it was ready for another run. I watched six other journalists make multiple runs without the Caddie's brakes, battery, or motors needing a cool-off break. Every single time it was launched, the driver was able to drive it back up to the starting line and immediately run it again. If you pulled up to a party in this and mentioned your EV could go 0-60 in 3.3 seconds, consistently, and for multiple runs after easily getting it into launch mode, you would easily become everyone's favorite guest. An autocross section showed off the other enhancements After we all got our blood pumping and adrenaline flowing with the 0-60 test, we were shuttled to the next (and most fun) part of the experience: an autocross section. Several tight turns, acceleration and braking sections, as well as back-to-back turns, helped us understand how the changes to the suspension, steering, throttle response, and brake torque vectoring work in tandem to make the Lyriq a true thoroughbred. Cadillac explained that when it's put into Comp (short for 'competition,' naturally) mode, the AWD system is designed to apply wheel brake pressure in a corner to transfer torque to the outside wheels to simulate a limited-slip differential. It can also help you break the back end loose to get a few drifts in here and there. All controlled, of course. Source: Kristen Brown The Cadillac Lyriq-V weighs around 5,990 lbs with AWD, but you wouldn't know it the way it handled that autocross track. Driver after driver slung it around, and even those with no autocross experience (like myself) were able to get in and feel like I could be a co-driver in the next WRC event. Those with experience truly shone and were able to employ every upgrade beautifully, and it was truly fun to watch. It felt like a gutted, fully-built track car, without looking like one. You can drive around with leather, a fancy sound system, and a large screen, and fling it around in an autocross with your kids in the car without breaking a sweat or damaging anything in the process. Source: Kristen Brown That's something Cadillac continued to stress: the Lyriq-V was designed to handle both your daily errands, as it has enough space for the whole family, and be able to hit the track within the same hour. After driving it through Washington's beautiful and dynamic mountain roads, I believe that. Final thoughts: Is all that and a bag of chips worth the price increase? The Cadillac Lyriq-V really, truly can do it all. With the range, drive modes, interior features, and creature comforts, it can handle the daily commute, errands, the school pick-up, and drop-off with ease. When you're bored of running the same rat race, you can put 'er into V or Comp mode (or both), and remember what it feels like to enjoy both life and the car you spent a very pretty penny on. I'd have to drive the standard AWD Lyriq to put my full weight into this answer, but I personally don't feel like 100 extra horsepower and all those performance upgrades are worth the extra $20,000 and $12,800 over the standard Lyriq. The AWD Lyriq Sport, on paper, has plenty of power and performance-oriented features to keep the average thrill-seeking family man (or woman) happy, and in this economy, it's very hard for me to justify that stark a price difference. Source: Kristen Brown Now, if you do have the financial means, a space for a charger, and you want something that really does have both feet in two different worlds, there are very few that wear both hats as well as the Cadillac Lyriq-V. Considering how many other performance-luxury EVs are out there, the price isn't as hard to swallow. I love the interior layout, and I can't wait to put my kids in one to test the Lyriq from a third angle. Additionally, it's a minor note, but the model I tested had Android Auto grandfathered in, and it's hard for me to imagine driving one without it. However, GM's in-house operating system isn't bad, and feels like a pretty seamless transition from Android Auto to their software. Apple users may have a harder time, but tech-intuitive folks would adjust quickly. About the Author Kristen Brown View Profile
Auto Blog
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Cadillac Optiq-V Vs. Lyriq-V: Quickest-Ever Cadillac SUVs Compared
On paper, the new Optiq-V runs its bigger, faste sibling the Lyriq-V very close indeed. Cadillac Doubles Its EV Muscle With the reveal of the Optiq-V, Cadillac now has two fully electric members of its growing V-Series high-performance lineup, joining the larger Lyriq-V. The gas-powered V-Series range includes the fire-breathing CT5-V Blackwing with its raucous V8, but for those who prefer their performance to be delivered in the drama-free fashion of an EV, it's all about the Lyriq-V and new Optiq-V. Here are five key differences between these high-performance EVs from Cadillac. 1. Smaller, Lighter Optiq-V Likely To Be More Agile 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V The most obvious difference between these two electric SUVs comes down to size. The Optiq-V measures 190 inches in body length, making it seven inches shorter than the Lyriq-V. Width is just 2.4 inches more for the Lyriq-V, while the Optiq-V is 0.7 inches taller. Perhaps more significant than size is weight. Both are heavy beasts, as is expected for electric SUVs. The Lyriq-V comes in at a monster 5,980 pounds, while the Optiq-V weighs 5,445 lbs – that 535-pound difference could make the Optiq-V feel more responsive through the corners. But, while both have electronic power steering, the Lyriq-V has a continuously variable system that adjusts the amount of assistance needed based on factors like vehicle speed. It will be interesting to gauge the effect of these differences in a back-to-back test drive. 2. Lyriq-V Has Small Performance Edge Lyriq-V owners wouldn't have been pleased if the smaller, cheaper Optiq-V turned out to be quicker, so Cadillac appears to have perfectly tuned the smaller SUV to be slightly slower. Both have dual electric motors and all-wheel drive, but whereas the Optiq-V makes 519 horsepower and 650-lb-ft of torque, the Lyriq-V produces 615 hp – torque remains the same for the larger vehicle. The Optiq-V has a claimed 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, whereas the Lyriq-V cuts that down to 3.3 seconds, so retains its title as the quickest Cadillac ever. Both these times require the EVs to be in Velocity Max mode, a selectable setting that allows for peak performance. 3. Optiq-V Has Smaller Battery But Nearly Matches Lyriq-V's Range Dashboard of the 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V A battery capacity of 85 kWh applies to the Optiq-V, which is sufficient for an estimated 275 miles of range. The Lyriq-V has a larger 102-kWh battery and an estimated range of 285 miles – only 10 miles more than its smaller sibling. Based on these figures, it's likely that the Optiq-V will be quite a bit more efficient, most of which stems from its 535-pound weight advantage. 4. Native NACS Inlet Unique To Optiq-V The built-in NACS port on the 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ-V — Source: Cadillac Not only is the Optiq-V more efficient, but it's the first vehicle from General Motors that will have a native NACS (North American Charging Standard) inlet. This is a welcome move that will make fast-charging options more convenient across the country, as the Optiq-V can make use of the Tesla Supercharger network. The Lyriq-V still requires a NACS DC GM-approved adaptor. 'Integrating the native NACS port into our vehicle architecture is an important step forward, reflecting our leadership in engineering and our commitment to providing our customers with more charging options,' said John Cockburn, Optiq-V chief engineer. 5. Price Difference Of Over $10,000 Source: Cadillac So, how much do you save if you go for the smaller and (slightly) slower of Cadillac's high-performance electric SUVs? Well, the 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V will cost you $68,795, including the destination charge. For the 2026 Lyriq-V, the equivalent price (including the destination charge) is $80,090. You do get a few better features with the Lyriq-V, such as the standard 23-speaker AKG sound system, whereas the Optiq-V has a 19-speaker version. However, the Optiq-V is also well-specified and matches the Lyriq-V's immersive 33-inch dashboard display. As things stand now – unless we needed the extra space and assuming the driving experience is similar – we'd be tempted to go for the Optiq-V and add one or two desirable options, while still coming in way below the Lyriq-V's MSRP. You'd still be getting an extremely quick and very luxurious EV. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Motor 1
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The New Cadillac Optiq-V Packs a Ton of Power, Tesla Charging
Cadillac is going all-in on performance with its V-Series cars—including the automaker's latest electric vehicles. The Lyriq was the first EV to get the V-Series performance treatment, and now that nameplate extends to the smaller Optiq. The 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V makes significantly more power than the standard version: 519 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, compared to just 300 horsepower and 354 pound-feet on the base model. That extra oomph comes from an upgraded 85.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack with two electric motors. Photo by: Cadillac The Lyriq-V has a 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds, which makes it nearly as quick as Cadillac's most powerful V-Series car, the CT5-V Blackwing (3.4 seconds). The Lyriq-V is even quicker still, with a 0-60 mph time of just 3.3 seconds. Even with that newfound performance, though, the Optiq-V still manages a modest 275 miles of range. Maybe most importantly, this is the first GM product to come from the factory with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug. That means you can plug into any of the thousands of Tesla Superchargers worldwide without an adaptor. Although, GM hasn't revealed details on charging speeds. A new V-Mode system adds launch control and a Competitive Mode, which tweaks the traction control system for even better agility. New Brembo performance front brakes give the Optiq-V even better stopping power, and GM's hands-free Super Cruise safety system comes standard on this model. Model Powertrain Output 0-60 MPH Cadillac Optiq-V 85.0-kWh Battery 519 HP / 650 LB-FT 3.5 Seconds Cadillac Lyriq-V 102.0-kWh Battery 615 HP / 650 LB-FT 3.3 Seconds Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Supercharged 6.2L V-8 668 HP / 659 LB-FT 3.4 Seconds Performance With Looks to Match That extra horsepower pairs with even more aggressive looks. The Optiq-V has a unique front fascia with a special V-Mesh grille design, gloss black accents, and available carbon fiber trim pieces. That optional carbon fiber package also extends to the rear bumper and spoiler. V-Series badges litter the exterior of the body, from the rear doors and trunk to the wheels. The Optiq-V's custom 21-inch wheels wear a Graphite finish with the 'V-Series' badge laser-etched into the metal. But, buyers can also choose from polished or painted wheel options, with standard all-season rubber or optional summer tires. Photo by: Cadillac Photo by: Cadillac Cadillac offers two limited-edition colors for the Optiq-V: A matte gray Magnus Metal Frost and a blue Deep Ocean (pictured here). Those blue accents extend to the painted Brembo brake calipers and inside the cabin, with Santorini Blue (or Sky Cool Gray) accents on the dash, door panels, seats, and even seat belts. There are also V-Series badges aplenty, as well as carbon fiber accents on the center console. Alongside Super Cruiser, the Optiq-V also gets a host of technology, ranging from a standard 19-speaker AKG9 Studio Audio System, a 33.0-inch display that includes the instrument cluster and touchscreen, and Google's Built-In infotainment system with standard Google Maps and Google Assistant. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren't available. Check Out This List Every Three-Row SUV You Can Buy in 2025 The Price to Plug-In The standard Cadillac Optiq starts at $56,390 in the US for 2025, but you will have to pay a bit more for the V-Series model. Cadillac asks $68,795 for the Optiq-V, with destination and handling charges included. The larger and quicker Cadillac Lyriq-V, by comparison, starts at $79,990. "The V-Series was a natural continuation with the Optiq's architecture," says John Cockburn, the Optiq-V's chief engineer. "With Cadillac's signature isolated precision ride and handling characteristic, tighter steering, enhanced suspension, and summer-only tires, our team delivered a unique package that makes Optiq-V a fun, nimble drive that's quicker when cornering." 8 Source: Cadillac Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
