The Lyriq is 180 mm (7 inches) longer and 74 mm (2.9 inches) wider than the mainstream Cadillac XT5. It is powered by a 102 kWh nickel-cobalt-manganes-aluminum battey pack, which GM claims uses 70 percent less cobalt than previous battery technology. The rear-wheel drive version of the Lyriq is rated at 350 horsepower, with the dual-motor all-wheel drive variant said to be 500 horsepower. Recharge times are unknown with GM unable to provide details when requested.

The Lyriq’s massive grille is flanked by thin, vertically-arrayed lighting, under which are the triangular front fascia piercings which are seemingly obligatory styling features in our time. Like the Range Rover Evoque, the rising beltline adds a sense of dynamism to the side profile of the car, it leads to small windows, which impairs outward visibility. The rear window is very shallow. The “fastback” rear styling looks sporty but does diminish cargo capacity.

Like a number of newer designs, Cadillac has passed on creating a traditional dashboard in favour of a wide and shallow computer tablet. Whereas gauges and dash shape used to be a key style differentiator, with luxury cars having more elegant gauges, for example, the trend toward the computer tablet is making all cabins look the same with luxury cars having dashboards that look no different than humble cars like the Nissan Kicks. The driver faces car-operation-related readouts, with infotainment functions reflected in the right side of the tablet.

The climate is controlled by a series of small buttons located under the right side of the tablet. The cabin design is modern, sober and elegant. The long wheelbase of the Lyriq allows for substantial rear legroom.

Though nobody buys a rear-wheel drive Lyriq, GM, in a tone-deaf move, offers that configuration in six trims. Bizarre. The all-wheel drive system adds $4500 to the price of the six available Lyriq models. Two streams, Luxury and Sport, are offered at the same price. The base Luxury 1 trim, with a forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, junction turn intervention, blind spot, rear cross traffic and lane departure warnings, rear auto braking, active cruise control, a lane keeping system, a power tailgate, power front seats, heated front seats and heated steering wheel, is comprehensive equipped. The Luxury 2 adds a hands-free feature to the tailgate, a rear camera washer, an AKG-branded audio system, power-fold rear seats, ventilated front seats and GM’s Super Cruise limited self driving apparatus. The Luxury 3 trim includes power fold door mirrors, a cargo blind, heated rear seats and three-zone climate controls. The Luxury 2 and Sport 2 trims are the ones that Cadillac is concentrating on. About 60 percent of buyers finance and the balance lease. Very few Lyriq buyers pay cash. The Lyriq is now available from dealer inventories with no waiting needed unless the buyer is looking for a unique specification. The Lyriq is too expensive to qualify for any government rebates.

New, low-volume car with insufficient data on reliability to make a determination. Below average reliability expected.