2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V Review

At Cadillac, adding a V to a model’s name means it has extra performance.

That’s the case with the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V — an all-new variant for this year, and the quickest-ever Cadillac to date, with the ability to sprint to 100 km/h from a standing start in about 3.5 seconds. It also happens to run on nothing but electricity.

Its two trim levels start with the Lyriq-V at $94,099, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,800. Tested here was the pricier Premium version, starting at $100,199. Meanwhile, this one was further embellished with $8,610 in options, bringing it to $108,709 before taxes.

Styling: 9/10

The Lyriq may be an SUV, but it has the appealing look of a wagon, and with interesting light patterns that add to its attractive design. Inside, the cabin is uncluttered and lives up to the brand’s premium badge, with soft-touch materials and accents like the textured surface behind the central screen, and knurling on the dials.

Safety: 8/10

The United States National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2026 Lyriq its top five-star crash-test rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the top “Good” in its three crash tests, including the updated moderate front overlap that now assesses potential injury to a rear-seat passenger. It also got “Good” for how its front collision system recognizes other vehicles, but the next-step-down “Acceptable” for recognizing pedestrians, and “Poor” for its headlight performance.

Standard driver-assist features include emergency front and rear braking, blind-spot steering assist, surround-view cameras, a safety alert seat, teen driver controls, an augmented reality head-up display, and Super Cruise hands-free driving assist.

Features: 9/10

The V is the Lyriq’s top level, and so almost everything is included, with options limited to appearance packages and accessories. The lower Lyriq-V trim includes Brembo brakes, adaptive suspension, hands-free tailgate access, 22-inch wheels, a fixed panoramic glass roof, 110-volt power outlet, 23-speaker stereo, curved 33-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and ventilated massaging front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, camera-based rearview mirror, wireless charger, and tri-zone climate control. The Premium adds a power panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery, and a 19.2-kW onboard charger versus the 11.5-kW unit on the lower trim.

User-Friendliness: 7/10

The Lyriq isn’t always friendly on the exterior, where the flush-mounted handles pop out and then, after you tug on them, you must wait a moment before the lock pops open. To its credit, though, Cadillac hinges these stick-style handles at the back, so you can actually pull on them to open the door. On some cars with front hinges, wet gloves can easily slide off. But the charging port is under a motorized panel that, during this test, didn’t always open on the first tap — nor the second, nor the third or fourth — and was slow to move when it finally did. A regular gas door-style flap is always the best idea.

The user experience improves inside, where actual switches handle most of the climate functions, including temperature and mode, unlike many electric vehicles (EVs) that incorporate most controls within their touchscreens. Many of the Lyriq’s functions are there, too, but the menus are intuitive. In addition to touching the screen, you can access many features using a dial on the centre console.

Practicality: 8/10

The Lyriq has the inherent practicality of an SUV, and its 793 L of cargo space behind the rear seats is relatively generous for the segment. Up front, the centre console has an open storage cubby below it. However, there are components for the climate and other systems under the hood, so there’s no frunk there. Towing capacity is a maximum of 1,588 kg (3,500 lb), and the surround-view cameras include views of the trailer hitch for easier hook-up.

Comfort: 8/10

The Lyriq-V’s seats are supportive and very comfortable, with bolsters that do a decent job of keeping people in the chairs while still allowing them easy entrance and exit. The seats also heat well, but their massage function could be better. The ride is smooth overall, and the cabin is quiet.

Power: 9/10

The Lyriq-V’s twin electric motors provide all-wheel drive (AWD) and a combined 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. That’s a considerable step up from the non-V Lyriq, at 515 hp and 450 lb-ft for the AWD model. The BMW iX M70 and Porsche Macan Turbo Electric make 811 and 832 lb-ft of torque, respectively, but they also have starting prices that are almost $40,000 more.

It’s worth noting that Hyundai’s considerably more humble Ioniq 5 N is some $14,000 less than the starter Lyriq-V trim, but very close to its output at 601 hp and 641 lb-ft of torque.

As with all EVs, torque is immediate, and the Lyriq-V will push you into your seat at any speed, whether from a stop or during highway passing. A maximum-velocity setting creates peak acceleration, which is when you get that 3.5-second or so sprint to 100 km/h. But it’s also an everyday commuter around town, and never a handful as it glides smoothly through traffic.

Driving Feel: 7/10

Compared to the regular Lyriq, the V has quicker steering and performance suspension tuning. There isn’t as much steering feel as I’d like, and while it responds well, it has to move around 2,713 kg (5,980 lb) of vehicle. There’s much more of a luxury feel than raw, twisting-road performance to this vehicle. It’s not going to put a big grin on the face of a fan of pure driving pleasure; rather, it’s a serious upgrade for those who want a quicker Cadillac.

There’s more travel to the brake pedal than expected, although the Brembos do an excellent job of stopping the Lyriq once they bite. The V also comes with artificial sound, and while most of these systems mimic a gas engine, the Lyriq sings as a flat-out electric motor, which is generally odd rather than enthralling. The bottom line is that the Lyriq-V is good but not truly thrilling, and it targets a specific audience that isn’t all about track days.

Fuel Economy: 8/10

Both Lyriq-V trims use a 102-kWh battery and are rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 459 km on a full charge. Of course, real-world numbers will vary, depending on driving style, ambient temperature, and how many times you use that Velocity Max button. With the Premium’s 19.2-kW onboard charger, it adds up to 70 km of range per hour on a 240-volt charger. At a DC fast-charger, the 10-to-80 per cent boost takes about 41 minutes in ideal conditions. Cadillac offers an adapter for connecting to Tesla’s chargers.

Value: 7/10

With trims starting at $94,099 and $100,199, the Lyriq-V isn’t inexpensive, given that the 515-hp Lyriq AWD is $77,699 to $87,299; but it’s actually at the lower end among some of its higher-powered rivals. The 510-hp Tesla Model Y tops out at $74,990, but the 650-hp BMW iX M70 starts at $132,855; the 563-hp Porsche Macan GTS Electric at $125,050; and the 630-hp Macan Turbo Electric at $133,950. The 601-hp Hyundai Ioniq N is $80,249, but without the Cadillac’s premium status.

The Lyriq doesn’t get the strongest reliability ratings from J.D. Power or Consumer Reports — I experienced some electrical gremlins during my time with it — and an extended warranty might not be a bad idea for those buying instead of leasing.

The Verdict

Cadillac has improved the power and performance of the V over the regular Lyriq, but it still remains more of a straight-line strategist than a canyon carver. That isn’t a bad thing, but be aware it’s not an electric version of a Blackwing. It might be the right EV for you, but test-drive it thoroughly to be sure.

Specification

Trim Tested

2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V Premium

Base Price

$97,399

Options

$8,610 — Red Accent package, $6,965; Stellar Black Metallic paint, $900; Red brake calipers, $745

A/C Tax

$100

Destination

$2,800

Price as Tested

$108,909

Cylinder Count/Configuration

Dual electric motors

Horsepower

615 hp

Torque

650 lb-ft

Fuel Economy

2.7 / 3.3 / 3.0 Le/100 km city/hwy/cmb, 24.0 / 29.2 / 26.3 kWh/100 km; 459 km est. range

Cargo Space

793 / 1,722 L seats up/down