This is what EV 2.0 will be like! I learned this from a test drive of the new Cadillac Lyriq

Cadillac Lyriq

First right-hand drive American car in a long time

Recently, a heated debate has been raging between Japan and the US over automobile tariffs. Trump has been saying, “Sell more American cars in Japan!” But as a fan of American cars for 30 years, I’ve been daydreaming about what would happen if the American car boom of the 1990s were to return. “Ford re-enters the Japanese market? The Mustang GTD is amazing. I bet the Bronco would sell reasonably well,” “It would be interesting if Chevrolet brought a Trailblazer or Colorado,” “What if Toyota sold something under its own brand like the old Cavalier…?” Whatever they do, it seems like it’ll be difficult to implement unless the yen stabilizes a bit.

 Now, perhaps anticipating this situation, GM has finally launched a model that shows it’s serious about the future. That’s the Cadillac Lyriq crossover EV. This is the first right-hand drive Cadillac in 12 years, since the second-generation CTS. The base price in the US is about $65,000, but it’s strategically priced at 11 million yen. I wondered if it was brought over from China, but it’s actually produced at the Spring Hill plant in Tennessee. In fact, it’s a genuine American car.

 The body size is about 5m in length and 2m in width, which is about the same as the Mercedes GLE and BMW X5. However, the overall height is 1.64m, which is significantly lower than them. With its urban looks, it has a character that makes you want to call it a crossover rather than an SUV.

In fact, a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”

The architecture is “Ultium,” which is widely used in GM EVs, and the motors are mounted on the front and rear axles. While a rear-only RWD version is also available in the UK, the higher-end AWD version was chosen for Japan. Its maximum output and torque are 231 PS/309 Nm at the front and 328 PS/415 Nm at the rear. In other words, the rear is more powerful, which is the same method as Mercedes’ EQ AMG model. This is the result of prioritizing performance, and this is where the Lyriq’s aims become apparent. Incidentally, the system’s total maximum output is 522 PS and maximum torque is 610 Nm.

 My first impression of the Lyriq was that it was an American car no matter how you looked at it. It looked nothing like European or Japanese cars, or even the Asian cars that have been making a rapid rise in the EV world in recent years. I thought it was a clever adaptation of the elegance of classic Cadillacs, and it turns out the L-shaped rear combination lamps on the C-pillars are inspired by the 1967 Eldorado. The use of chrome in the interior creates a calming atmosphere for a long-time car enthusiast like me. While many EVs have an overly futuristic and dry character, perhaps this direction will be a winning strategy for “EVs made by car manufacturers” in the future.

 And that feeling is amplified when you drive it. The motor can deliver maximum torque from the moment you take off, so naturally the dash is sharp. But the acceleration isn’t like a sudden kick in the back, but rather it’s like “a step above a high-performance engine sports car.” Also noteworthy is the re-acceleration from high speeds. It doesn’t appear to be equipped with a two-speed automatic transmission, but the sharpness is already in the realm of high-performance EVs. The sense of warping leaves a stronger impression than the acceleration when starting.

 The handling takes advantage of the low center of gravity achieved by placing the battery under the floor, resulting in brisk movement without stiffening the suspension. The car weighs 2,650 kg, but the front/rear weight distribution is 51:49 (both values ​​as recorded on the vehicle inspection certificate). In fact, the balance is impeccable. The suspension dampers appear to be passive, changing the oil flow path according to input to adjust the damping force, achieving a comfortable ride and agility during sporty driving at a completely satisfactory level. What’s more, the powerful rear motor is utilized to create dynamism as the rear wheels powerfully push off the road and turn. The driving is even sportier than you’d expect from its sophisticated appearance.

 The driving range on a single charge is 510km, which is understandable considering it is a performance EV. As the name “lyrical” suggests, the Lyric is an EV that exudes a sense of vitality.

REPORT / Naohide Ichihara

PHOTO / Satoshi KAMIMURA

MAGAZINE / GENROQ October 2025 issue

 SPECIFICATIONS

Cadillac Lyriq Sport

Body size: Total length 4995, total width 1985, total height 1640mm　

Wheelbase: 3085mm　

Vehicle weight: 2650kg　

Front motor maximum output: 170kW (231PS) / 15500rpm　

Front motor maximum torque: 309Nm (31.5kgm) / 0-1000rpm　

Rear motor maximum output: 241kW (328PS) / 15500rpm　

Rear motor maximum torque: 415Nm (42.3kgm) / 0-1000rpm　

Drive system: AWD　

Suspension type: Front and rear multi-link　

Brakes: Front and rear disc　

Tire size: Front and rear 275/45R21　

Top speed: 210km/h　

0-100km/h acceleration: 5.3 seconds　

Vehicle price: 11 million yen

[Inquiries]

GM Japan Customer Center　

TEL 0120-711-276　
https://www.gmjapan.co.jp/

Related reading

Cadillac unveils the all-electric “Elevated Velocity” crossover, previewing future designs [Video]

At “The Quail” held during Monterey Car Week, Cadillac unveiled the “Elevated Velocity,” a 2+2 fully electric crossover concept. The car condenses the dynamic feel of the V-Series into a crossover style, previewing the future direction of Cadillac design.