2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V Review: Snowstorm Testing a High Performance EV
Cadillac, the luxury manufacturer known for supercharged V8s and big SUVs, has another side. A sensible, more modern, electric side. But don’t get it twisted: just because its electric and modern, doesn’t mean it’s softer. To prove this fact, the American luxury manufacturer is relying on a single letter: V.
For over two decades, Cadillac’s hottest, sportiest models have fallen under the V-Series sub-brand, and this year, the same treatment is being applied to the brand’s electric SUVs. Combining sporty ground thumpers like the CT5-V Blackwing and Escalade-V with all-electric rockets like the Lyriq-V and Optiq-V makes perfect sense, especially now.
Cadillac is on the precipice of the brand’s first ever foray into the world of Formula 1. Not only is it a new era for the manufacturer, but it’s also a new era for the sport. The 2026 season sees new regulations in F1, with cars featuring a drivetrain comprised of an even split between internal combustion and electric propulsion. So, a manufacturer knowing how to maximize electrons as much as petrol is uber important. We know how great Cadillac’s Blackwing lineup of cars are, but now it’s time to sample an all-electric V-model. Our first taste comes from the 2026 Lyriq-V.
Quick Take
Formula 1 isn’t the only new frontier Cadillac is entering this year; the brand is also dipping its corporate toe into the world of high-performance electric vehicles. Falling under the familiar V-Series sub-brand, the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V takes the manufacturer’s already excellent electric mid-size SUV and ups the performance.
With an extra 100 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, the Lyriq-V offers serious acceleration, hitting 60 mph from a standstill in just over three seconds, and it feels every bit that quick. Snarled by the largest snowstorm of the year, our week of performance testing transitioned from maximizing g-forces, to deep snow sliding and range testing.
What’s New for 2026:
This year the Lyriq sees a pair of new trims added to the lineup, the Lyriq-V and the Lyriq-V Premium. Building on the previously top-of-the-line Lyriq Sport Premium AWD, the new trims add more power and other performance upgrades as well as unique bits to the exterior and interior.
Exterior Style:
The Cadillac Lyriq has been on sale for a few years now, and at least in our parts, we’re starting to see a lot of them on the road. We’d say it has been somewhat of a hit for the brand, as far as all-electric luxury SUVs go.
Measuring 197-inches in length (5,004 mm) and 64.1-inchs tall (1,634 mm), the Lyriq features a mix between wagon-like and traditional SUV styling. The new V-Series takes the vehicle’s distinct looks and adds more individualization with a black painted roof, unique chin spoiler and rocker panels, V-pattern mesh on the front lower grille, body colored lower trim, and of course V-Series badging.
Although carbon fiber accents can be added to the SUV’s exterior, our tester skipped that option but did include the upgraded 22-inch wheels with red accents. Adding a little flair to the exterior of the Lyriq-V’s exterior are integrated light animations that display when a driver approaches with the key fob.
Powertrain and Acceleration:
The headline-stealing upgrade that separates the Lyriq-V from regular models are the dual motors. In this application, they combine to make 615 hp and 650 lb-ft. of torque. That’s an increase of 100 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque over other Lyriq AWD models. It’s enough to induce 0 to 60 mph runs in the 3.3 second range when using launch control.
Even with winter tires installed, on salt-stained roads, the Lyriq-V still launches violently from a dead stop making Cadillac’s acceleration claims wholly believable. Maximum power is only achieved when the vehicle is in the Velocity drive mode which is selectable from a V-button on the sport steering wheel. All other drive modes have an undisclosed reduction in power and are less responsive when the accelerator is depressed. Regardless of drive mode, power does noticeably taper off at freeway speeds. Power is still plentiful for acceleration and passing maneuvers, it’s just not as manic as it is at city speeds.
Like a lot of performance EVs, the Lyriq-V can produce simulated engine sounds, including the ability to rev in park or neutral. A welcome option is the ability to set the amount of simulated sound a driver wants, regardless of drive mode. In fact, even in the sporty Velocity mode, it’s possible to the keep the vehicle completely silent inside by selecting stealth mode, which turns off all simulated sound generation.
Battery and Range:
The Lyriq-V utilizes the same 102 kWh battery pack as other trim levels. With the upgraded power, Cadillac claims this is good for 285 miles (459 km) of range on a single charge in optimal conditions. During our week with the vehicle, we took it on a trip that was the trifecta of worst-possible scenarios for an electric vehicle in terms of range. Wearing high resistance winter tires, we drove for hours at inefficient freeway speeds in below freezing temperatures.
On these stints we were seeing a real world range around 210 miles (340 km), which is a big drop off, but again, these are the upmost worst possible conditions. When back in the city, range hovered around the 250 mile (402 km) range. We were fine with these figures as reductions in ultimate range during winter months is expected for an EV and guess what, gas-powered cars suffer the same fate.
Our bigger issue had to do with the vehicle’s range-remaining gauge. Regardless of previous and/or current driving conditions, the range remaining always shows the ultimate capability according to battery charge. Unlike most other EVs, it didn’t adjust according to recent history. Maybe there was a setting to change this, but we couldn’t find it. Every time we fully charged the vehicle it showed 459 km (285 miles) of available range, despite the set-up and conditions mentioned above. This caught us off-guard on our first lengthy highway jaunt as we thought we were fine range-wise when departing, only to see our remaining miles reduce at an exponentially fast rate. It involved an emergency charge along our route.
When the battery does need a recharge, it can regain up to 75 miles every 10 minutes on the vehicle’s absolute DC fast charging limit.
Handling and Drivability:
The Lyriq-V suspension consists of a 5-link independent set-up with continuous damping control (CDC) advanced adaptive valve-based damper technology. Coupled with continuously variable electric power steering (EPS) and meaty 15.35-inch Brembo front brake rotors, the EV has the goods to handle as well as it accelerates.
But, as mentioned earlier, we got a month’s worth of snow during our week with the Lyriq-V which hindered any sort of high-speed handling evaluations. This might have worked in our favor though, as the Lyriq-V was wearing 275/40R22 winter tires in place of the usual summer set-up.
The fresh powdery snow allowed us to explore the chassis dynamics and suspension set-up of the 5,980 pound (2,713 kg) performance SUV at lower speeds. Overall, the Lyriq-V rotates fairly neutral, neither prone to understeer when pushed too hard or wanting to rotate the rear end under hard acceleration. In the Competitive Mode setting within the V (Velocity Max) drive mode, stability and traction control intervention are reduced. A free-wheeling drift machine this is not though, as both systems are prone to kick-in early, preventing any sort of sideways sliding action, even if the driver is intending to do so.
Competitors
- Audi Q8 e-tron
- BMW iX
- Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV
Ride Quality and Comfort:
Despite the V-badge on the exterior, the sportiest of Lyriqs has not degraded in terms of ride quality. When not in V Mode, the ride comfort is quite nice and befitting of a luxury SUV. It’s controlled, solid feeling, and absorbs bumps well enough.
Up front, passengers get 38.6-inches (980 mm) of headroom and 44.3-inches (1,124 mm) of legroom. Those in the rear receive 37.7-inches (957 mm) of headroom and 39.6-inches (1,006 mm) of legroom. For both rows, the headroom figures may seem low, but in our rear-world testing, we never felt the roof pinched down on our craniums.
Being a two row SUV, there is plenty of cargo capacity in the Lyriq-V. Behind the rear seats is 28.0 cu ft (793 L) of storage space which grows to 60.8 cu ft (1,722 L) with the seats folded.
Interior Style and Quality:
The inside of the Lyriq-V is everything we’ve always loved about the regular versions of the Cadillac’s mid-size EV SUV. The materials, fit and finish, as well as design, all exude luxury and quality. For the V-model specifically, there is an added performance steering wheel as well as unique seats with V badging.
Other interior bits and pieces that are exclusive to the V model includes power-adjustable front seat bolsters for the seatbacks and seat cushions, unique infotainment screens and menus, as well as V-Series illuminated sill plates.
Tech and Safety:
Since we have the Lyriq-V Premium, our tester came loaded with technology. Included is a panoramic fixed glass roof, a 23 speaker AKG9 Studio audio system with Dolby Atmos, a 33-inch-diagonal display screen, dual-plane augmented reality head-up display, heated and ventilated front seats, and much more.
As with most Cadillac products, our absolute favorite feature is the hands-free Super Cruise highway assist driving feature which came in handy during our long stints on the freeway (until the snow started to really come down).
Value Dollars and Sense:
As the new top trim in the Lyriq lineup, the V comes with a price premium. Compared to the next most expensive model, the Premium Sport AWD, the Lyriq-V commands about a $7,000 price increase. The V Premium like we tested here, adds roughly $5,000 more to the sticker price. That means, as tested, our 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V Premium came it at $91,605 after destination charges.
In Canada, the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V Premium rings in at $108,640, once again including destination charges.
Final Thoughts:
The V Series may not be the most practical member of the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq family, but sporty specials rarely are. Despite a few shortcomings, like limited range, the V adds a halo model to the Lyriq lineup. It's not as much of a complete transformation like the Blackwing V-Series vehicles, but this is a regular V-Series, and it's a good first attempt.
More importantly, it shows what Cadillac can do when the brand employs the V-Series treatment to an electric vehicle. It’s the EV Ying to the interal combustion Yangs, coexisting within the V-Series portfolio. We look forward to seeing if the American luxury manufacturer can apply the same principles to the upcoming Formula 1 effort.
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2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V: All the Details
Category | 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V Premium |
|---|---|
Powertrain | 8 / 10 |
Efficiency | 6 / 10 |
Handling and Drivability | 8 / 10 |
Passenger Comfort | 8 / 10 |
Ride Quality | 4 / 5 |
Exterior Style | 4.5 / 5 |
Interior Style and Quality | 9 / 10 |
Infotainment | 8 / 10 |
Cargo Capacity and Towing | 3.5 / 5 |
Safety | 5 / 5 |
Value | 7.5 / 10 |
Emotional Appeal | 8.5 / 10 |
TOTAL | 80 / 100 |
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
Style Inside and Out | Winter Range |
Acceleration | Range Readout |
Driving Feel | Acceleration Tapers Off at Freeway Speeds |
FAQs
- Q: How much horsepower does the 2026 Cadillac LYRIQ-V-Series have?
- A: The V-Series bumps horsepower to 615 hp and torque to 650 lb-ft.
- Q: What is the difference between Cadillac Lyriq and Lyriq-V?
- A: Besides extra power, the Lyriq-V has unique styling inside and out, a sportier suspension, bigger brakes, and summer tires to name a few differences.
- Q: How much is the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V?
- A: In our test, the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V Premium came it at $91,605 after destination charges.
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine/Motor | Dual motor |
Output: | 615 hp, 650 lb-ft |
Drivetrain: | AWD |
Transmission: | Single-Speed Automatic |
Range: | 258 miles (459 km) |
0-60 MPH: | 3.3 seconds |
As Tested Price USA: | $91,605 (incl dest) |
As Tested Price Canada: | $108,640 (incl dest) |
A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
More by Mike Schlee
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