With Cadillac about to open the order books for the 2023 Lyriq on Thursday, the luxury automaker released more details about its first battery-electric SUV as GM seeks to regain its lead in EVs.
Cadillac said deliveries of the new electric SUV will begin this summer, starting with the 2023 Lyriq Debut Edition, which is available through reservation only. They will be followed by rear-wheel-drive models in the fall and all-wheel-drive models early in 2023.
“These are important steps for Cadillac, as we make good on our promise to deliver an EV offering more than 300 miles of range and move toward an all-electric portfolio by 2030,” said Global Cadillac Vice President Rory Harvey, in a statement. “Cadillac will define the future of luxury transportation through its range of forthcoming EVs, and it all begins with Lyriq.”
The numbers that matter
Cadillac will offer the Lyriq RWD with a single motor and a 100-kWh battery pack that generates 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. With an EPA-estimated 312 miles of range, the RWD model starts at $62,990.
As you might expect, the Lyriq AWD model gets an additional motor up front. Together, they’re good for an estimated 500 hp and a 3,500-pound trailering capacity, but Cadillac didn’t release range estimates, stating they would be released closer to the start of production. The automaker did announce pricing for the AWD model, however, starting at $64,990.
Those numbers look good compared to its competition, including the $71,300 Jaguar I-Pace with 253 miles of range and the $65,900 Audi E-Tron with 222 miles of range. But both have more horsepower than the Lyriq FWD, 394 in the case of the Jaguar and 402 in the case of the Audi. Opting for the Lyriq AWD model outguns them both on ponies, but its range remains unknown.
You could opt for a Tesla Model X, but it will prove far more expensive at $114,990 and 333 miles of range, while the Model Y starts at $62,990 for 303 miles of range and is far smaller.
Plugging in
The other numbers that matter? Charging.
The Lyriq offers Level 2 AC recharge rates of up to 19.2 kW, supplying 52 miles of range per hour. It also will handle DC fast charging rates of up to 190 kW, providing 76 miles of range in about 10 minutes.
Lyriq customers can choose between two years of unlimited public charging credits at EVgo charging stations, good for those who live in charger-free apartment complexes, or a credit of up to $1,500 toward a home charger installation provided by Qmerit.
The company, which spun off from Fortune 500 company ABM Industries in 2016, has a national network of electrical contractors and other field service providers, and has installed more than 150,000 EV charging stations for various automakers, including Ford, Stellantis, Audi, Toyota, Nissan and Subaru as well as other major corporations, including healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline.
Like all EVs, the Lyriq comes with a charging cable for use with 120-volt and 240-volt outlets. Cadillac will offer faster 11.5 kilowatt or 19.2kW wall-mounted charging stations as an accessory, which can recharge a drained battery overnight, rather than three days.
Other considerations
As befitting a true Cadillac, the Lyriq’s size is impressive. It’s 196.7 inches long with a 121.8-inch wheelbase. Overall height is 63.9 inches and width, including mirrors, is 86.9 inches. It’s almost two inches shorter than an XT6, and a half-foot lower, but with a 9-inch longer wheelbase.
Inside, there’s 105.1 cubic feet of passenger space, a cubic foot more than the XT5. Cargo space measures 28 cubic feet — 60.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, again, about the same as the XT5.
Once inside, drivers face a 33-inch LED display AKG Studio 19-speaker audio system, including headrest speakers with adaptive volume and surround sound, as well as active noise cancellation.
And finally, Cadillac has integrated Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play into its infotainment system.
A milestone for Cadillac
The Lyriq is the latest in what will be a growing line-up of all-electric models, as GM is set to abandon conventional internal combustion engines entirely by 2035, with 30 all-electric models launching by 2025. GM recently restarted production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV models, and GMC Hummer EV pickup started production late in 2021.
The Detroit automaker has also confirmed plans for a Hummer EV SUV, as well as electric versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, the Chevy Equinox, the Blazer as well as the Corvette. Buick has also teased its first U.S. electric vehicle.
But look for Cadillac to switch entirely to battery power by 2030.
Production of Cadillac’s new SUV started in March, nine months ahead of schedule. It’s being manufactured at the former Saturn plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee originally set up to produce vehicles for the brand abandoned a decade ago after GM emerged from bankruptcy. General Motors President Mark Reuss said the company does have additional EV models planned for this plant, but declined to identify what they were.
More junk made by Cadillac/GM. Run, run away from these overpriced models.