2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V: Review, Prices, and Specs

Text by Tom Appel

2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V Premium

Specs

Class: Premium Midsize Crossover

Country of Manufacture: U.S.

Color: Radiant Red

Miles driven: 176

Battery capacity: 102 kWh

EPA-estimate MPGe: 80 

EPA-estimated driving range: 285

Maximum Charge Rate: 190 kW

Consumer Guide range estimate (ideal conditions): 300+ miles

Charge Port Location: Front driver-side fender

Charging Standard: CCS

Frunk Capacity: N/A

Base price: $83,795 (not including $1495 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle:  Special paint ($1225), red brake calipers ($595), all-season tires ($100)

Price as tested: $87,210

Snow Performance

Poor  Fair  Good Very-Good  Excellent

Audio-System Brand

Audio-System Quality

Poor  Fair  Good Very-Good  Excellent

Pros and Cons

The great: stunning acceleration, sporty character 

The good: Roomy, quiet and comfortable cabin

The not so good: Less exciting to drive than some shoppers may expect

Review

You might think that, given Cadillac’s dedication to battery-powered vehicles, that luxury carmaker might make more hay of the Lyriq-V, that fastest Caddy in history.

Cadillac EV Lineup

But no, oddly, Cadillac is leaving the hyperbole to the social-media set, while it continues to expand its EV lineup. For 2026, Cadillac retails five electric models. Here’s a breakdown:

• Optiq (compact crossover)
• Lyriq (midsize 2-row crossover)
• Vistiq (midsize 3-row crossover)
• Escalade and Escalade IQ and IQL (large SUV, and long-wheelbase large SUV)
• Celestiq (boutique ultra-premium sedan)

And, depending on how you count models, add to the above list the Optiq-V and Lyriq-V, the latter of which we will discuss in detail here today.

Lyriq Came First

The all-electric Lyriq made its debut for the 2023 model year. Cadillac’s first EV, the Lyriq sold well—for an EV—out of the chute, and was met with generally positive reviews. You can read Consumer Guide’s take here.

The high-performance V is new for the 2026 model year, and sits atop the Lyriq hierarchy in terms of price and performance.

Though non-V Lyriqs are little changed for 2026—save for new trim levels and trim-level names, the V itself represents a significant upgrade and in power and performance over less examples of Caddy’s midsize electric crossover.

Lyriq-V Features

Most-notable enhancements include:

• Standard AWD and a bump from 515 horsepower (AWD models) to 615
• Unique gearing for improve acceleration
• Sport suspension
• 22-inch wheels
• Uprade Brembo-brand brakes
• Unique interior and exterior trim

Lyriq-V Acceleration

Buff-book tests consistently put the Lyriq-V’s 0-60 acceleration times around 3.1 seconds, making the EV not only the fastest Cadillac of all time, but likely one of the fastest General Motors products ever—save for a few special Corvettes.

But listing for $10,000 more than the next most expensive Lyriq, is the V worth added money? Instead of answering that question directly—at least not immediately, we’d like to answer a few more specific questions first. Read on…

Test Car

Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2026 Lyriq-V Premium in extra-cost Radiant Red Tintcoat. Including destination charge, our test car came to $87,210.

Premium Package

As for the Premium Package, the $5200 upgrade over the standard Lyriq-V includes such niceties as:

• Faster level-2 charging (from 11.5 kW to 19.2 kW)
• Power “Skyglass” sunroof (base unit is fixed)
• Nappa leather seating and cabin trim
• Open-pore wood trim
• Aluminum-accented pedals

The quicker home charging is nice, provided your residence can provided the additional wattage.

Lyriq-V Questions

Is the Lyriq-V much faster than the standard Lyriq?

Yes

While the conventional Lyriq feels plenty quick, the V is substantially quicker. As we noted above, the Lyriq-V will reach 60 mph from a stop in just a little over 3.0 seconds. Most testing suggests that the standard Lyriq requires nearly twice that time. Note: We have not evaluated the base rear-wheel-drive Lyriq with its single engine—which would be slower, still.

Is the Lyriq-V nice to drive?

Yes

Cadillac’s 2-row midsize electric crossover is great to drive, even in high-performance V trim. Though sporty, the V’s suspension isn’t tuned for track-style driving, instead the ride and handling are best described as buttoned down—sporty, but not aggressively so.

Otherwise, the cabin is quiet, and highway ride composed and comfortable.

Is the Lyriq-V a good highway-trip vehicle?

Yes*

The Lyriq-V serves up plenty of long trip comfort. The spacious cabin and quiet and comfortable ride make for relaxed long-haul adventures. However—note asterisks above—the Lyriq-V will require more-frequent stops for charging than the standard AWD Lyriq. Per the EPA, the V will travel 285 miles on a full  charge, versus 303 for an AWD non-V model. That’s about a five-percent range hit, which may matter depending on your travel plans.

Also, the excellent AKS sound systems goes a long way towards easing the passing of miles on an extended adventure.

What is the downside of upgrading to the Lyriq-V?

There isn’t much not to like about the Lyriq-V, it’s even reasonably priced relative to other maker’s sporty crossover offerings. That said, the V lists for at least $10,000 more than the next most expensive Lyriq trim level, which is a lot of cash if you’re not going to fully enjoy what the V brings to the table. That said, the V will bring more value come trade-in time, which makes the cost of choosing one a little less painful.

Should I buy a Lyriq-V?

Maybe

If you have the money, and enjoy the Lyriq-V’s unique blend of extreme performance and extreme comfort, we say check it out.

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