The all-American dream SUV arrives
General Motors is ready to launch an EV to rival premium Euro brands.
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Cadillac is ready to sell the American dream to Australians. The brand synonymous with status and success was the car of choice for US royalty, from Hollywood stars to presidents.
Owning a Cadillac wasn’t about getting from A to B. It was a statement – owning one meant you made it. Now, with the launch of the fully electric Lyriq SUV, Australians can experience a new version of that American dream.
The Lyriq combines the brand’s rich heritage with a sleek and futuristic take on electrification.
Jess Bala, General Motors’ local managing director, said it represents a “significant milestone” for Holden’s former parent company.
“The Lyriq is the perfect vehicle to launch the Cadillac brand in Australia and New Zealand,” she said. “It delivers a uniquely Cadillac experience, with the refined luxury and technology that the brand is famous for.”
The Lyriq represents a new strategy for a brand that has built its modern identity around oversized SUVs such as the Escalade, along with sports sedans to rival BMW’s M3 and M5.
Those cars aren’t available in right-hand-drive. But the Lyriq is built in right-hand drive at GM’s Spring Hill Manufacturing Plant in Tennessee, making it an easy fit for Australia.
Available in two different models – Luxury and Sport, the Luxury will be priced from $117,000 inclusive of GST and LCT, but excludes government charges and on-road costs, and optional extras while the Sport is $2000 dearer.
Both feature dual electric motors with 388kW of power and 610Nm of torque, linked to a battery sufficient for about 530 kilometres of range. A fast charge delivers 128km of range in 10 minutes.
Bold exterior styling includes a sleek, coupe-like silhouette bound to catch the eye of anyone who loves the slant-back style of an Audi or BMW.
Classic design elements include a modern spin on Cadillac’s traditional grille framed by vertically aligned headlights.
Inside, the cabin is luxurious, spacious and functional. The middle console offers two cup holders, charges, middle console and a dedicated space for handbags.
The seats are comfortable for long drives and feature massage, ventilation and heating elements.
An enormous 33-inch LED display dominates the dashboard. It really is a showstopper, and a control panel off to one side allows for quick and easy navigation, helped by wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The premium 19-speaker AKG studio stereo includes speakers in the headrests that work with active noise cancellation to deliver one of the quietest rides I’ve experienced.
A full-panel glass roof makes the vehicle feel open, but it is worth noting that the sunroof only opens about a third of the way. It has a large boot space at 793 litres and can expand to 1722 litres with rear seatbacks folded. Iconic Cadillac crests can be spotted through the vehicle to pay homage to the brand’s heritage.
Out on the road, the Lyric has grunt to spare and feels impressive to drive. The Lyriq offers smooth and instantaneous acceleration, and felt secure and stable on winding roads through Malibu.
It’s responsive and engaging, with an electric one-pedal driving mode that makes the drive even more comfortable.
A brief drive on a mix of urban, semirural and city areas only used a quarter of the claimed range.
The Lyriq comes with a suite of safety features including Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Plus surround vision provided a 360 degree view of the car’s surroundings, this was particularly helpful when driving through the tight streets of Los Angeles.
The Lyriq is covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year roadside assistance with an eight year/160,000 km battery guarantee.
Verdict
4 stars
Cadillac’s first fully electric SUV offers an appealing blend of luxury, technology and performance. While the price may be high, it offers value for money compared with prestige rivals. Folks looking for a premium electric SUV with a sleek and sporty design matched by high-tech features need to test out the Cadillac Lyriq.
Originally published as The all-American dream SUV arrives
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