Cadillac’s Lyriq-V Premium – STRAIGHT FROM HORMUZ

Cadillac’s Lyriq-V Premium

STRAIGHT FROM HORMUZ

Ya’ have to admit…it’s interesting. With this most recent conflagration in the Mideast, not only are lives lost and economies disrupted; there’s a very real risk that the supply of fossil fuels is – in at least the short term – violently interrupted. And although the reduced interest in the EV by U.S. consumers is real, rising prices at the gas pump (now) and possible shortages in the future might rekindle that interest, giving a bump to what is essentially a moribund segment. 

To its credit, Cadillac remains fully invested in the EV, having in its lineup several attractive alternatives to your dad’s (or granddad’s!) Cadillac. That includes our test subject, the 2026 Lyriq-V Premium. 

It was in late November that we took a look at Cadillac’s Vistiq, a 3-row EV sitting on the same 122-inch wheelbase as the Lyric’s, while offering the 3^rd row, just over 8 inches more length and significantly more passenger volume. But as my wife recently assured me (I pressed for a 3-row Grand Cherokee…and she reminded me that it was her Jeep!), not all of us need or want three rows; for those Cadillac builds the 2-row Lyriq, in both conventional and more powerful V Series. The Lyriq-V Premium tested is chock full of goodness, but then, it sits on our driveway with an $87K window sticker.

In profile, with an angled backlight the Lyriq looks more than a little like the Saab 9000 5-door – you can and should Google it!. Given that the Lyriq is a crossover, it sits higher than the Saab, and is over a ton heavier. But that 5-door profile gives you exactly what a sport utility should give you: a small serving of sport, in combination with a surplus of utility. I like the overall impression (as mentioned in looking at Chevy’s Blazer EV, GM’s design department is back on track), and its shorter and slightly narrowed footprint makes it easier to park when compared to the larger Vistiq.

Inside, the Nappa leather (‘Noir’ with Sky Cool Gray accents) is almost sumptuous and, in this view, seriously seductive. And the visual vibe continues with ‘genuine’ open pore wood décor, adding warmth to that serious seduction. 

Not only is the look upscale, but the seating strikes a remarkable balance between comfort and lateral support; you can slide in and out, but you won’t slide around. And despite its tighter dimensions relative to the larger Vistiq, rear seat room is generous for two and adequate – in a pinch – for three. With that rear seat up you’ll enjoy 28 cubic feet in the back, and with it down some 60+ cubic feet. For the mall run take the Caddy – for the mulch run rent a pickup.

In front of the driver is the predictable digitized instrumentation in combination with an expansive infotainment screen. HVAC controls are mounted beneath the screen, so you don’t have to access the screen to adjust temps. But as in the previously driven Vistiq, you do have to access the screen to release the glove box. Having identified the absolute idiocy of that in the Vistiq review, the test Lyriq gets a pass.

And speaking of pass…the Lyriq-V Premium heightens your performance with motors mounted front and rear, delivering a combined output of 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. That power is sustained by means of a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, delivering 102 kWh of capability. Claimed range is 285 miles, with an EPA estimated 80 MPGe. You’ll save $3,000 compared to the average new vehicle, but that number is certain to increase as higher fuel prices grip the national psyche.

And know that while you won’t go further with the enhancements given to construct the higher performing Lyriq-V Premium, you will go faster. In testing by the shoes at Car and Driver magazine, 0-60 arrived in 3.3 seconds, and the Lyriq-V sang its way from 0-100 in just 8.8 seconds, a time that Subaru assigns to its new Outback…when arriving at 60. And with Brembo brakes affixed up front, you can pull into that handicapped parking spot without appearing handicapped!

Cadillac has conjured a compelling package with its Lyriq-V Premium. And while a window sticker approaching $90K might give a freelance journalist pause, if you’re a mover and/or shaker that sum is probably little more than a rounding error in the household budget. With all of that, I’d probably opt for one of the lesser Lyriq trims – the Luxury AWD starts at about $65K – and then lease it. In four years the world will have again changed (I can feel it in my bones…), an EV might be even more compelling, and 500 miles on a full charge will be offered on almost all showrooms. 

And that, my friends, is giving it to you straight.