Cadillac LYRIQ Exceeds Expectations – Here’s Why

After a relaxed 55-year hiatus from the Australian market, Cadillac is back—and this time, it’s all electric. The GM-owned luxury brand is starting fresh with a high-end, high-tech lineup, led by the stunning LYRIQ. Soon to be joined by VISTIQ and OPTIQ, these medium, large, and full-size electric SUVs stand out in a sea of generic, uninspired designs. If Cadillac wanted attention, mission accomplished.

I had a brief taste of the LYRIQ at the Everything Electric expo in Sydney, but when Cadillac extended an invitation for the full experience, I wasn’t about to say no. A car like this deserves more than a fleeting glance—it demands a deep dive.

A New Way to Buy a Car

Cadillac isn’t doing things the old-fashioned way, it joins brands like Tesla and Polestar in Direct To Customer sales. In Australia, there’s currently only one Cadillac showroom—tucked away in Sydney’s rapidly developing Green Square precinct—but more are coming soon to Melbourne and Brisbane. Not that you need to visit one. Most buyers will complete their entire purchase online, possibly while lounging on a sun bed in the Whitsundays. That’s right—no fast-talking salespeople, no showroom theatrics, just a seamless, stress-free buying experience.

But if you do choose to visit the Sydney Cadillac Gallery, you’re in for a treat. It’s more art gallery than car dealership, reflecting the luxury and design focus of the LYRIQ itself. Cadillac’s immaculate ambassadors are on hand to answer questions, facilitate test drives, and guide you through the online purchasing process. Unlike traditional dealers, they’re not chasing commissions—they’re there to ensure your experience is as smooth and sophisticated as the car itself.

Once you buy a LYRIQ, the service continues. Your ambassador remains your personal point of contact, assisting with any needs you may have. Need a service? Drop your LYRIQ off at the Gallery, and they’ll whisk it away to a nearby service centre. No greasy workshops, no long waits. Alternatively, Cadillac’s mobile service team can come to you, performing routine maintenance in the comfort of your driveway or office car park. Now that’s luxury.

Oh, and did I mention the space is very gay-friendly? It’s about time luxury brands made all customers feel truly welcome.

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ABOVE: Cadillacs, then and now

The Design: Cadillac With a Modern Twist

Cadillac may have moved on from tail fins and V8 engines the size of small power plants, but the LYRIQ still exudes presence. The exterior is a showstopper, with an unmistakable “waterfall” light signature that puts most modern SUVs to shame. The design is striking but elegant, proving that electric cars don’t have to look dull or derivative.

The rear hatch has a subtle Jensen Interceptor vibe, and while the LYRIQ is a sizable machine, its sleek lines make it feel more agile than you’d expect. Interestingly, the only place you’ll find the word “Cadillac” is on the front Brembo brake calipers—the rest is pure emblematic luxury, with the iconic Cadillac badge taking centre stage at the front and rear.

The Drive: Silent, Smooth, and Sublime

Once inside, you’re greeted by a cabin that feels more like a high-end lounge than a car. The materials are premium, the layout is clean, and the technology is seamlessly integrated. Cadillac’s badge is subtly embossed on the door sills, steering wheel boss, and even the bonnet lining, reinforcing the brand’s attention to detail.

Accessing the car is easy—door handles flip out automatically when the key is sensed. Inside, everything is controlled via a massive curved display, with an infotainment system that’s intuitive and quick to respond. The sound system? A 19-speaker AKG masterpiece that makes every song sound like a private concert.

Unfortunately, the phone app/card access feature isn’t available in Australia just yet, but everything else works flawlessly. The column-mounted gear selector is simple to use, and the soft-touch steering wheel buttons provide satisfying haptic feedback. A few menu settings—like the bass and treble adjustments—took some digging to find, but overall, it’s a well-thought-out system.

Cadillac has put a lot of effort into making the LYRIQ as quiet as possible. Active Noise Cancellation ensures that city sounds fade into the background, and the only noise you’ll hear under hard acceleration is Cadillac’s custom electric soundtrack—a mix of didgeridoo tones and NASA recordings of the sun. Yes, you read that right.

“Creative sound director Jay Kapadia and his team used a didgeridoo – an Australian wind instrument – and sounds recorded from the sun to build the melodic tunes of its electric Cadillacs.”

Driving through Sydney, the LYRIQ felt effortlessly smooth and composed. The dual-motor AWD system delivers 388kW and 610Nm, launching this 2700kg beast from 0-100km/h in just 5.3 seconds. But while acceleration is certainly brisk, it feels more refined than aggressive—Cadillac’s way of making speed feel sophisticated rather than brutal.

The ride is firmer than expected, but never uncomfortable. Regenerative braking can be adjusted to multiple levels, and after a bit of practice, you’ll hardly need to use the brake pedal at all. The only notable omissions? A Head-Up Display and Auto Lane Change, but these are minor quibbles in an otherwise stellar package.

Rear Comfort and Practicality

The back seat is a fantastic place to be. Space is generous, and the seats offer excellent support, with adjustable backrests for added comfort. Only the outer rear seats are heated, but up front, you’ll find cooling and massage functions—ideal for long road trips or simply winding down after a long day.

Cargo space is excellent, though there’s no frunk. Storage solutions are smartly integrated, and with the rear seats folded, you’ll have no trouble fitting in luggage, shopping, or even an impulse-buy furniture piece.

Safety and Features

The LYRIQ has earned a 5-star safety rating in the U.S., but it may not score the same in Australia due to the lack of a centre airbag. Still, it’s packed with advanced safety features, including:

Autonomous emergency braking
Blind-spot monitoring
Adaptive cruise control
Rear cross-traffic alert
Lane-keep assist

Self-healing tyres are a particularly neat feature—they can be driven at 80km/h to a repair centre if punctured, eliminating the need for a spare. The LYRIQ also comes with a suite of charging perks, including:

12 months of free Chargefox DC rapid charging (up to 1125km worth)
A choice of either two more years of Chargefox access (1125km per year) or a free home charger
5 years of unlimited-km warranty, covering both private and commercial use
8-year/160,000km battery warranty

The Verdict

The Cadillac LYRIQ is a revelation. It blends striking design, cutting-edge technology, and a genuinely luxurious experience into one of the most compelling electric SUVs on the market. The buying experience is refreshingly modern, the service is top-tier, and the drive itself is a masterclass in refinement.

Parts are on hand at the GMSV facility in Melbourne, but hopefully you won’t need to many of those. Mind you, those tyres must cost a bomb.

Is it perfect? Not quite. The absence of a Head-Up Display and a few missing ADAS features may give some buyers pause. But when you factor in the overall package—the stunning design, the seamless ownership experience, and the sheer presence of the thing—it’s easy to see why Cadillac’s return to Australia is making waves.

Would I buy one? Let’s just say that if I had room for 20 in my online cart, I’d be tempted to press “add to bag.”