Cadillac’s First All Electric Vehicle
Cadillac, one of America’s oldest luxury brands, is going electric with the all-new Lyriq crossover. The brand has announced that the 2023 Lyriq is available to order now at a starting price of $62,990 for the rear-wheel drive version.
For a brand built on swift, silent progress, going electric makes a ton of sense for Cadillac. Electric motors’ power, instantaneous torque, and incredibly silent running are the perfect fit for a new luxury vehicle. The weight of a battery, which is a disadvantage in some sportier models, actually helps improve the ride even more.
Furthermore, going with a crossover for its first electric vehicle instead of a sedan means that Cadillac will be targeting one of the biggest and fastest-growing segments of the luxury market. The Lyriq will compete with vehicles like the Tesla Model Y and X, cleverly slotting between the two in size and price.
Up to 312 Miles of Range
The rear-wheel drive Lyriq features a rear-mounted electric motor producing 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque – sufficient power to make swift, silent progress. The all-wheel drive version will arrive early in 2023, and makes significantly more power – up to 507 hp. The EPA estimates the rear-wheel drive Lyriq will be able to travel up to 312 miles on a full charge, thanks to its 100-kWh battery. Towing capacity is an impressive 3,500 lbs – enough for most light recreational activities requiring a trailer.
One impressive thing about the Lyriq is its ability to charge faster on Level 2 AC compared to other electric vehicles. Most EVs charge at 7.2 or 9.6 kW at home, but Cadillac will offer 11.5-kW and 19.2-kW home chargers for use with 240-volt circuits. In particular, the more expensive 19.2-kW home charger can deliver up to 52 miles of range for every hour of charging – twice as fast as most home chargers. On a public charger, the Lyriq can charge at up to 190 kW – not class-leading, but certainly very fast, and enough to suck in 76 miles of range in around 10 minutes.
To give the best charging experience, Cadillac offers Lyriq customers the option of two years of unlimited public charging at EVgo stations – or a $1,500 credit that can be applied to home charger installation by Qmerit.
Gorgeous Styling Inside and Out
We love the sleek crossover styling of the Lyriq, particularly its big glass hatch and distinctive rear light signature. With its elevated ride height, it’s easy to get in and out of, and has enough ground clearance to tackle rough roads, cottage trails, or light off-roading duty without breaking a sweat.
More importantly, this may be Cadillac’s best interior yet – which is saying something, given the brand’s reputation for luxury. The interior materials are superb, and the dashboard is dominated by a 33-inch advanced curved LED display which incorporates the instrument cluster, navigation, and infotainment systems.
As you would expect, there is a huge suite of driver assistance systems on hand to keep you safe. The Cadillac Lyriq also offles Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play to personalize the in-vehicle experience, delivering access to hands-free help, live traffic updates, favorite apps and more. Next-generation active noise cancellation helps cancel out undesirable sounds coming from the road. This technology, when combined with Lyriq’s “electric vehicle sound enhancement,” which balances and blends the propulsion system’s sounds, creates a luxurious and quiet cabin.
Order Yours Now
The regular-production Lyriq follows on the heels of the Lyriq Debut Edition, which was announced in 2021, and which sold out in a matter of minutes online. That vehicle, with special trim (and a higher price) will be delivered to the first customers this summer.
Regular Lyriq models are being delivered now and are produced in Spring Hill, Tennessee, in an assembly facility that was recently treated to $2 billion worth of upgrades to support electric vehicle production. Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution, is investing a further $2 billion in battery cell manufacturing at Spring Hill to guarantee supply of batteries for Lyriq and other GM models.
