Cadillac Lyriq Review (2026) | Price, Range, Specs & Verdict
Read Caroline's Cadillac Lyriq review for everything you need to know about buying Cadillac's new electric SUV in Ireland.
A line-up of pure electric vehicles has given Cadillac a solid shot at the European market once again, and a partnership with Charles Hurst Group has brought Cadillac to Ireland.
The iconic American luxury car brand is starting to build a presence in Sandyford, Dublin, expected to expand shortly with new models like the Optiq compact SUV and the Vistiq seven-seater.
I recently got behind the wheel of the new Cadillac Lyriq, a large luxury electric SUV to rival the BMW iX, Polestar 3 and the Porsche Macan.
With a 530 kilometre range and many luxurious features, will its performance suit Irish roads?
Cadillac Lyriq Design
The Lyriq looks like nothing else on Irish roads right now and certainly stands apart from premium SUV rivals such as the Polestar 3, Porsche Macan and the BMW iX.
It blends classic Cadillac design cues like the trapezoid front panel, but with a sleek and futuristic edge that brings it right up to date. Thin, LED lighting is another stand-out feature, particularly the rear wraparound lights that extend around the bodywork and welcome sequence that adds a sense of occasion.
At over five metres in length, the Lyriq has real presence. The elegant sloping roof helps to soften its proportions, while the rear spoiler adds aerodynamic qualities.
There are two grades for Ireland: Sport or Luxury. Sport models differentiate themselves with a black windowline and side mouldings. Standard-fit 21-inch alloy wheels and Brembo front brakes underline the Lyriq's performance credentials.
Cadillac Lyriq Interior
Inside the Lyriq impresses with a modern but user-friendly cabin. The centrepiece is a stunning 33-inch curved display that combines the driver displays and infotainment system into one seamless unit. It looks incredibly upmarket.
Cadillac hasn't gone fully minimalist, with plenty of buttons, intuitive shortcuts and a jog wheel for the infotainment on the centre console. Material quality is strong with Nappa leather upholstery, ambient lighting and a mix of gloss black and metal finishes adding a sense of old-school luxury.
There's also generous standard equipment including heated and ventilated massage front seats, panoramic glass roof, 19-speaker sound system and Google built-in to the infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Cadillac Lyriq Practicality
The Lyriq's substantial proportions translate to lots of space inside. Rear seat passengers are well catered for with excellent legroom, though the sloping roofline slightly limits headroom. Comfort levels are high with heated rear seats and tri-zone climate control as standard, as well as Isofix points on the outer seats for family buyers.
Boot space is another strong point with a competitive 588 litres. A 60:40 split folding rear bench and handsfree powered tailgate add versatility, while the 1.5 tonne towing capacity is useful.
Driving the Cadillac Lyriq
In Ireland the Lyriq comes in a powerful dual motor, all wheel drive configuration that delivers 528hp and 610Nm of torque. It is pleasingly quick and responsive off the line, with 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds though it's happy to cruise at a more leisurely pace. It uses a 102kWh battery (usable capacity) with range up to 530 kilometres.
On the road the Lyriq is incredibly quiet and refined making it well-suited to long-distance cruising. It grips well in the corners but it can't quite match the sharpness of rivals like the iX and Macan. There are a few different drive modes like Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice and a customisable setting, but the steering feels on the heavy side in all of them, which can make it feel less agile when manoeuvring in town or car parks.
Ride quality is good but not exceptional either. Without adaptive dampers or air suspension, it doesn't fully isolate passengers from rough road surfaces, particularly in town or on battered country roads. That said it remains comfortable enough for everyday use.
The battery performance is another success for the Lyriq. Though the 530 kilometres expected range is outshone by some rivals the real story is that in real world driving the Lyriq can get close to around 480-490 kilometres, based on consumption between 21-22kWh per 100 kilometres. There are also features like regenerative braking and one pedal driving to help maximise efficiency.
Charging the Cadillac Lyriq
22kW AC charging is included as standard, which means you can make the most of the streetside chargers you find in many Irish towns and cities. There's also 190kW DC fast charging, which is good but not outstanding for a luxury electric vehicle.
Cadillac Lyriq Pricing
The Cadillac Lyriq is priced at €95,109 in Ireland, with both Sport and Luxury versions priced the same.
Cadillac Lyriq Pros and Cons
Pros: Striking design, tech-filled cabin, strong real-world range, generous equipment.
Cons: Expensive for a new brand, not as dynamic as the best in class, ride quality could be more refined.
Verdict: Cadillac Lyriq
Cadillac faces a challenge to build a presence in Ireland once again, but the Lyriq makes a strong first impression. Its bold design, tech-filled cabin, generous equipment and strong real world range make it an appealing luxury EV, especially for buyers looking to stand out from the usual German options.
While it doesn't quite match the sharp driving dynamics of the very best, and the ride could be more polished for the price, it delivers as a spacious, refined and distinctive luxury EV.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Cadillac launches in Ireland
Cadillac is coming to Ireland, thanks to a partnership with Charles Hurst Group.
The first Cadillac showroom will open in Dublin as part of a €1 million investment to bring Cadillac to Irish customers, coinciding with an expansion of the brand across Europe.
The iconic American luxury car brand is part of General Motors and plans to sell a range of fully electric models here.
The first model to go on sale in Ireland is the Cadillac Lyriq, a large luxury SUV that's already available in Switzerland, France, Sweden and Germany.
The Lyriq will rival luxury electric SUVs like the Porsche Macan, BMW iX and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, and offer up to 530 kilometres of range, as well as a performance version with 606bhp.
We're told that the Lyriq will soon be followed in 2026 by the seven-seat Vistiq and the more compact Optiq.
Lasse Grundstroem, Chief Commercial Officer for GM Europe, said:
“We’re thrilled to bring the Cadillac brand to Irish customers in partnership with the Charles Hurst Group, whose deep local expertise and commitment to customer service make them an exceptional launch partner.
Ireland’s forward-looking sustainability vision and tech-savvy customer mindset are a perfect match for our all-electric portfolio. With Ireland now our fifth European market, this launch marks another exciting milestone in Cadillac’s expansion across the continent.”
Charles Hurst Group Operations Director, Jeff McCartney, said:
“Committed to an all-electric future, Cadillac leads in design, craftsmanship, and innovation and is successfully winning new customers around the world for its powerful performance, luxury and pioneering technology.
As one of Ireland’s leading, longest-established car retailers with history and motoring heritage as long as the iconic GM brand, we’re thrilled to partner with Cadillac Europe and to be the first to bring this compelling brand to Irish customers for the first time as part of a major investment.”
Cadillac has been selling cars in Europe since 2023.