As a luxury performance sport utility vehicle, the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V makes a bold statement. It’s modern, almost futuristic, yet echoes the carmaker’s heritage.

The Lyriq-V triggered childhood memories riding in my mother’s ’59 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. The Lyriq recalls a time when GM was a design powerhouse. “Standard of the World” was Cadillac’s motto.

Beyond nostalgia, the Lyriq stirs emotion. Its road presence isn’t obvious in photographs, but in person, it captivates. The V-Series badging and the engineering behind it add bravado. It’s a performance vehicle—the fastest production Cadillac ever. It sprints from 0–to-60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds, a fun-inducing effort.

Cadillac Style

Pizzazz? Absolutely. The Radiant Red Tintcoat paint shines with candy-apple depth, and the red calipers add performance flair. The lighting is pure showmanship—approach at night, and it animates the front and rear. I couldn’t resist showing it off to friends. Inside, there’s a modern techno vibe. Elegance meets technological sophistication. Whenever I parked it and walked away, I always looked back with admiration.

Lyriq-V Drivetrain

The Lyriq is Cadillac’s first electric V-Series vehicle. It’s a dual-motor AWD high-performance e-SUV that produces 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Lyriq-V might change potential but skeptical EV buyers’ reservations. The Lyriq rides on GM’s Ultium platform with a single-stack 102 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It charges up to 190 kW with DC Fast Charging and supports 19.2 kW onboard charging. The V-Series version also gets quicker steering and active dampers.

Lyriq-V Interior Technology and Comfort

The instrument panel and infotainment system are seamlessly integrated into a striking 33-inch LED display spanning most of the dashboard. It’s attractive and practical, complementing the cabin’s technological theme.

The AKG audio system delivers high-fidelity sound through 19 speakers, including headrest-mounted surround speakers for an immersive experience. It performs best at high volumes.

XM satellite radio performs well; Cadillac’s interface is intuitive, smooth and responsive. Despite some GM electric models excluding Apple CarPlay for Google-based infotainment systems, the Lyriq offers CarPlay and Google integration.

The cabin is clad in perforated Nappa leather and accented with faceted, knurled stainless steel. The leather’s earthy aroma adds luxury. Switches and knobs are trimmed in stainless steel and feel substantial.

The lounge-style bucket seats are heated, cooled and supportive. The eight-way power front seats have four-way power lumbar and are comfortably firm. Power-adjustable bolsters strike a balance between comfort and stability. The massage function, limited to a lumbar roll, is still appreciated.

Headroom is generous, leg and shoulder room suit this 6-foot-3 reviewer, but seat bottoms lack thigh support. An extendable cushion would help.

Rear passengers will find it snug. To add rear leg room, move the front seats forward. The raked roof and performance sunroof limit backseat headroom

This Cadillac’s cabin is tranquil, thanks to the electric powertrain, acoustic glass and active noise cancellation. It ensures a relaxing environment for all occupants.

Behind the Wheel of the Lyriq-V

The Lyriq V shines on the road. It sprints from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds and covers the quarter mile in 11.7 seconds at 118 mph. Just shy of 6,000 lbs., you’d expect it to resist changing direction, but it’s eager for backroads. A sport-tuned multi-link suspension and Sachs active dampers keep handling flat and responsive. Six-piston Brembo brakes provide confidence. It’s not tossable, but it’s satisfying to drive.

SuperCruise stands out, making highway driving effortless. Parking assist is a remarkably impressive feature to demonstrate, even if it’s unnecessary.

Lyriq-V Cost of Ownership

The Lyriq-V’s efficiency is lower than rivals such as the Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQE and Tesla Model Y Performance. For context, the BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron average about 2.5 to 3 miles per kWh, the Mercedes EQE SUV manages roughly 3 miles per kWh and the Tesla Model Y Performance achieves about 4 miles per kWh. In comparison, I averaged 2.1 miles per kWh in the Lyriq-V over a week-long test, about half Tesla’s efficiency.

Range is the Lyriq-V’s main drawback. Even though it has a 102 kWh battery, I averaged about 120 miles of driving before needing to recharge. The manufacturer claims 285 miles per full charge, but when using public charging stations, the effective usable battery range is reduced by about 40 percent.

Many San Francisco Bay Area stations limited charging to 80 percent battery capacity. With home charging, range was not an issue, but frequent public charging was required. Recharging from 20 to 80 percent took 25–35 minutes at about 150 kW.

The Cadillac Lyriq-V has a base MSRP of $83,795. My test model included $2,320 in options, including the premium package (Nappa leather, panoramic sunroof), upgraded radiant red paint and red-painted calipers. As tested, the price, including destination, was $87,510.

The Lyric-V Verdict

I love this car. The Lyriq-V has presence, speed and a distinctive Cadillac flair that connects me to its lineage. I had to recharge often at public stations. Home charging would be ideal. The Lyriq is fast and handsome. It makes me feel Cadillac never left my life—just electrified it.

Visit: https://www.cadillac.com/electric/lyriq/v-series

_{Cover photo: 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V shown in Radiant Red Tintcoat – Photo copyright © John Berg 2026}