Australian Cadillac Lyriq pricing revealed
BY COBEY BARTELS | 4th Oct 2024
LUXURY car brand Cadillac is preparing to open the local order books this month for its Lyriq electric large SUV with a $117,000 (before on-road costs) starting price that undercuts European rivals like the Audi Q8 E-Tron, BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Cadillac has flat-out undercut the German trio, offering a US-built luxury SUV that presents a compelling alternative to the German ‘big three’ on paper.
An Audi Q8 E-Tron starts at $140,600 + ORC, the least-expensive BMW iX is $130,900 + ORC and Mercedes opens EQE proceedings at $134,900 + ORC.
Initially, the Lyriq will be offered in Luxury and Sport trim levels. The Luxury is priced from $117,000 and the Sport is priced at $119,000, both before on-road costs.
Both share a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain producing 373kW/610Nm, underpinned by a 102kWh battery for a claimed WLTP range of 530km. According to Cadillac, DC fast-charging at the maximum rate of 190kW will provide an additional 128km in just 10 minutes.
For comparison an Audi E-Tron 50 Quattro develops 250kW/664Nm with AWD, the BMW iX xDrive40 sends 240kW/630Nm to all four wheels and the EQE 300 SUV’s relatively weedy 180kW/550Nm goes to the rear wheels only.
Despite its power and torque advantage, the Cadillac does not, however, offer the dealer footprint of its European rivals and it was disclosed earlier this year that the brand will adopt a direct-to-consumer model – similar to the approach taken by Genesis and Tesla – with orders placed on its website or at ‘experience centres’ in Sydney and Melbourne.
Beyond its limited retail presence, Cadillac has outlined plans to open certified service centres in major cities around Australia – also suggesting mobile servicing for customers unable to make it to a brick-and-mortar location.
During a media roundtable earlier this year, GM Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala said Cadillac will compete with European luxury brands when it arrives Down Under.
“We’re targeting those tier-one European luxury brands,” she said, speaking to a presentation slide that cited Land Rover, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volvo.
"We are targeting the European luxury brands and our price will be right in the realm of where their entries, or equivalent entries are.”
The two Lyriq variants are separated by aesthetic features, for the most part, with the Sport model offering darker trim and more ‘performance oriented’ styling. At their core, though, the two models share the same features.
Both grades feature a premium exterior finish with features like a glass roof that extends to a spoiler at the rear, and a high-gloss ‘black crystal’ grille up front with prominent Cadillac badging. Both models score 21-inch alloy wheels, although the Sport gets a unique design.
Inside, an enormous 33-inch diagonal advanced LED display spans the length of the dash, while an AKG Studio 19-speaker system – which includes speakers in the headrests – provides premium audio and it also features next-generation active noise cancellation.
The Lyriq’s ‘Inteluxe’ synthetic seat trim is available in various colours, but Cadillac also offers a Nappa leather package as an option – also available in a couple of different colours.
While other North American arrivals across the pick-up segment – like the Chevrolet Silverado, Ram pick-ups and Ford F-150 – are remanufactured into right-hand drive locally, the Lyriq is built in RHD at Cadillac’s manufacturing plant in Tennessee, USA.
“Lyriq sets the standard for the future of Cadillac in the region, and we are thrilled to be officially taking customer orders this month,” said Ms Bala.
“This is a significant milestone for the launch of Cadillac in Australia and New Zealand with customers able to order their new Cadillac Lyriq online.
“The Lyriq is the perfect vehicle to launch the Cadillac brand in Australia and New Zealand. It delivers a uniquely Cadillac experience, with the refined luxury and technology that the brand is famous for around the world.”
The Lyriq is yet to obtain an ANCAP safety rating or NHTSA rating in the US, but it features an array of active and passive safety features and airbags throughout.
Cadillac covers Lyriq models with a five-year/unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty, eight-year/160,000km battery warranty, and will include five years of roadside assist. The first five annual services are also free.
The Cadillac Lyriq is expected to arrive Down Under before the end of the year, with the website currently stating ‘orders opening soon’.
