Cadillac Introduces the Lyriq-V SUV as Part of Its Luxury EV Expansion

General Motors (GM) has unveiled a new performance-focused version of its all-electric Cadillac Lyriq, priced at $80,000. This move is part of the automaker's strategy to position Cadillac as the top luxury electric vehicle (EV) brand in the United States by 2025. The company aims to achieve this goal with a growing lineup of EVs, including the Lyriq-V, the Escalade IQ, and the upcoming Optiq crossover.

During a media briefing, John Roth, Vice President of Cadillac, emphasized the brand’s ambitions: “We are going to position Cadillac to be the bestselling luxury EV nameplate in the U.S. for 2025.” However, the definition of "luxury" within the EV market remains a topic of discussion, with Cadillac excluding Tesla as a competitor in this space. A Cadillac spokesperson clarified that its main competitors are brands such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

While Tesla dominates the EV market overall, Cadillac has made significant progress. According to Cox Automotive, Cadillac sold nearly 30,000 EVs in the U.S. last year, trailing behind BMW, which sold approximately 51,000 units. Tesla, in comparison, sold an estimated 633,000 EVs, capturing nearly half of the U.S. market. Cadillac's pricing strategy positions its EVs between $54,000 for the entry-level Optiq and more than $150,000 for the Escalade IQ, with a bespoke Celestiq model exceeding $300,000.

The newly announced Lyriq-V offers impressive specifications, including 615 horsepower, 650 foot-pounds of torque, and a driving range of 285 miles on a full charge. The SUV is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, making it the first EV to join Cadillac’s performance-focused V-Series lineup. It retains much of the design and functionality of the standard Lyriq but adds unique badging and performance enhancements.

Production of the Lyriq-V will begin in early 2025 at GM's Spring Hill Manufacturing plant in Tennessee. The model will be available in the U.S., Canada, and other markets.

This expansion reflects Cadillac's commitment to competing with legacy luxury brands in the EV segment. With five electric models expected to be available by the end of the year, Cadillac is gearing up to establish itself as a leader in the luxury EV market.