Cadillac’s new performance EV, the Lyriq-V, will be the quickest Caddy ever, with a factory-estimated 615 horsepower, 650 lb.-ft. of torque and a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds from a dual-motor, electronic all-wheel drive powertrain.
Debuting later this year as a 2026 model, the Lyriq-V is the first EV to wear Cadillac’s V-Series logo.
It will start at $79,990 including destination charge, and be outfitted with a 102-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, same as the standard Lyriq. Cadillac’s in-house range estimate is 285 miles.
Lyriq-V features not available or not standard with the non-V Lyriq include:
Performance
- Specially calibrated continuous damping control combined with a lowered multi-link suspension and a quicker steering ratio
- V-Mode, which allows drivers to save custom performance-focused settings with instant access via the V button on the steering wheel
- Competitive Mode, which activates a suite of traction management features engineered to increase vehicle agility. It is one of the setting that can be saved in V-Mode
- Launch Control, also saveable in V-Mode. It manages power output and braking to provide maximum straight-line acceleration
- Brembo performance front disc brakes (a red caliper is an available option)
- 22-inch alloys with low-profile summer performance tires.
Interior
- A styled steering wheel with the V-Series logo, a V-Mode button, a sport rim and an aluminum Regen On Demand paddle
- Power-adjustable seat bolsters for the seatbacks and seat cushions on the driver and front passenger seats
- Infotainment system with V-Series customization options
- illuminated V-Series sill plate
- Standard “paperwood” interior trim (a wood-grain material made from recycled newsprint), available Nappa leather seating and available embroidery and V-pattern detailing on the seatbacks
- Model-specific interior and exterior sounds that, Cadillac says, are “synchronized for an orchestrated sonic experience.”
Lyriq-V Versus the BMW iX
In a battle of numbers, the Lyriq-V stacks up nicely against what likely will be one of its top competitors, the BMW iX.
The Bimmer is pricier, starting at $88,425 for the dual-motor, all-wheel drive xDrive50 version. A performance trim, the M60, is closer to the Lyriq-V in acceleration and power, but starts at a hefty $112,675 – a 40% premium over the Cadillac.
The iX has 28% more total interior cargo capacity than the Lyriq-V’s 60.8 cubic feet, and it can tow 1,500 pounds more than the Lyriq-V’s 3,500-pound maximum. With second-row seats up and in place, the interior cargo capacity difference shrinks, but the BMW still maintains the lead with 35.5 cu. ft, versus 28 cubes for the Lyriq-V.
At 197 inches overall, the Caddy is 2 inches shorter than the iX. But its 121.8-inch wheelbase is almost 4 inches longer. That translates to a bit more legroom – 44.3 inches versus 40.2 in for the BMW in front, and 39.6 in versus 38.9 in. for the second row. But the Lyriq-V comes second to the iX in headroom at 38.6 inches inches vs 42 in. for the front passengers and 37.7 in. vs 39.5 in. for those in the rear seats.
The Lyriq-V’s claimed 3.3-second 0-60 sprint time is a tick quicker than the M60 iX’s 3.6 seconds and easily bests the xDrive50’s 4.4 seconds. The Cadillac’s claimed maximum range of 285 miles falls behind both the iX xDrive50’s 302 miles and the M60’s 296 miles. The xDrive 50 is rated at 516 hp and 564 lb.-ft. of torque and the M60 at 610 hp and 811 lb.-ft. while the Lyriq-V comes in at 615 and 650.
The iX can charge at up to 200 kilowatts per hour adding 160 miles of range in 20 minutes. The Cadillac can draw up to 190 kW from DC fast chargers, adding 150 miles of range in the same time.
