Key Highlights – 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V
⚡ Power: 615 hp, 650 lb-ft torque, 0–60 in 3.3 sec
🔋 Range: 285 miles per charge (EPA estimated)
⚡ Charging: 75 miles in 10 min DC fast charging
🚙 Design: Subtle V-Series styling with carbon fiber accents available
💺 Tech: 33-inch display, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, Super Cruise
💰 Price: From MSRP $80,090, V-Series Premium tested at MSRP $85,290
What It’s Like to Drive
Electric motors make gobs of instant, wheel-spinning torque, something I quickly discovered during my first drive in the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V. Picture this: a kid in a Mustang GT revving his big V8 in the lane next to me. I couldn't resist stomping on the throttle when the light turned green. The last I saw of him was in my rearview mirror, his face frozen in shock, as I blasted down Woodward Avenue.
The Lyriq was Cadillac's first EV when it landed in U.S. showrooms in May 2022. Since then, the automaker has rolled out four others, from the entry-level Optiq to the hand-built, MSRP $400,000 Celestiq. The Lyriq-V is the first to get the V-Series treatment, arriving just after the 20th anniversary of the V sub-brand, and it brings the heat in an entirely new way.
A Jekyll-and-Hyde Personality
After nearly a week behind the wheel, I realized this SUV has a split personality: Sport mode unleashes its fury; Normal mode tames the beast. Simply switching drive modes transforms the vehicle more than any other V-Series models I've driven, adjusting the feel of steering, braking, and acceleration.
In its sportiest setting, it’s ready to take on the world. Sure, there are faster EVs, like a Tesla in Plaid Mode or the Lucid Air Sapphire, but this Caddy will put most other muscle and sports cars to shame. With 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, it launches from 0-60 in a mere 3.3 seconds, outperforming even the brutal CT5-V Blackwing.
Switch back to one of the gentler settings, and you get the Cadillac you'd traditionally expect: smooth, comfortable, and easygoing. Pretty impressive for a nearly 6,000-pound SUV. A big reason for this adaptability is the new Continuous Damping Control suspension. Unlike the setup used in the rest of the Lyriq lineup, each of its four shock absorbers responds individually to how you're driving and the conditions of the road you're on.
EV Thrills
One of my favorite features was one-pedal driving. Just tap the digital toggle on the touchscreen, and you can choose from two levels of regenerative braking. You can speed up or slow down by adjusting how much you press the accelerator. I found myself using the brake pedal half as often when it was activated. Not your style? No worries: you can turn it off or dial it back for a less intrusive feel.
One feature that might divide people is the simulated audio track. Like most new EVs, the Lyriq-V pipes in artificial sound to simulate internal combustion engines. I went with one of the milder options, as it provided just enough useful feedback to get a sense of how the EV was driving without sounding like I was on a theme park ride.
Filling Up at the Electron Bar
The V’s bigger motors do drain the battery faster than the standard-issue Lyriq. Even so, it still boasts a solid 285 miles per charge — a figure that, of course, depends on just how often you pin the pedal to the floor.
The 102-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery charges up quickly at public DC fast chargers: up to 75 miles of range in 10 minutes, or about 10 to 80 percent in around 41 minutes. The standard 7.7-kilowatt charger on all Lyriq models adds about 19 miles per hour at a Level 2, 240-volt system, while the upgraded 11.5 kW charger bumps that to a maximum 27 miles per hour.
A “Sleeper” Design
Unlike Mercedes' AMG or BMW's M, which adopt in-your-face designs meant to intimidate just by looking at them, the Lyriq-V is surprisingly subtle. It strays only slightly from the standard all-wheel-drive model, with a unique fascia, side rockers, and lower trim, but it still has plenty of visual energy. There's also an optional carbon-fiber accent package for those who want to stand out a little more.
The midsize crossover has a slightly more wagon-like look than many comparable EVs, with a striking front end that takes a modern approach to Caddy’s classic vertical lighting. There are also aggressive vents below the bumper to help keep the battery pack and motors cool during spirited driving.
Interior space benefits from a skateboard-style platform that puts the battery and motors beneath the load floor. With no engine to package, there's more room for passengers and cargo: 28 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, plus plenty of shoulder, head, and legroom.
Tech Talk
The cabin is anchored by a seamless 33-inch display that handles both instrument cluster and infotainment duties. The system is reasonably easy to learn and operate. I was glad to see Caddy steered away from some of the choices made by luxury competitors that require drivers to use the touchscreen to set things like mirror and steering wheel position. That said, Cadillac, why do I need to use the touchscreen to open the glovebox?
The good news is that the Lyriq-V keeps wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, despite GM phasing them out in favor of their own smartphone integration system in newer EVs like the Escalade IQ, Optiq, and Vistiq.
Add wireless smartphone charging, plenty of USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and GM's now-familiar OnStar system to the list. Lyriq models also feature over-the-air updates that keep the software current and can add new features over time.
Smart Safety
The crossover comes with an array of advanced driver assistance systems, including useful features such as Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring, Front Cross Traffic Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. It also gets General Motors’ Super Cruise, the brand's hands-free driving system.
Activating Super Cruise takes little more than a tap on the steering wheel-mounted button. From there, you can relax and go along for the ride, though you're still required to keep your eyes on the road and be ready to retake control in an emergency. If that happens, Super Cruise provides plenty of warning.
Other manufacturers, including Ford and Stellantis, offer similar hands-off technology, but in my experience, Super Cruise is the most capable, keeping the vehicle safely planted in its lane at all times. The Lyriq-V, meanwhile, is fitted with the latest software, allowing you to change lanes simply by lightly tapping the turn signal. It can even initiate the maneuver on its own when approaching a slower vehicle, executing the pass and then returning to your original lane. I found myself routinely using Super Cruise as it eased the stress of long drives.
An EV Ready to Impress
Cadillac’s push into electric power seems to be paying off. Demand for products like the Lyriq, Optiq, and Escalade IQ continues to grow, and after a week with the Lyriq-V, I can see why. It's clear this model adds a crucial dimension to Cadillac's EV family that will click with performance buyers ready to go electric.
The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V is available now in U.S. showrooms. MSRP starts at $80,090, including delivery fees of $1,495. The V-Series Premium I tested starts at $85,290.
💎 More Cadillac EV Insights
- 2024 Cadillac Lyriq Road Test
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Read More ➜ - 2025 Cadillac Optiq Full Details and Pricing
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Read More ➜ - The Cadillac Escalade IQ Is Here
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