Compare the2023 Audi e-tron SportbackVS 2023 Cadillac Lyriq

The e-tron Sportback’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Lyriq doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The e-tron Sportback has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the e-tron Sportback. But it costs extra on the Lyriq.

An active infrared night vision system optional on the e-tron Sportback helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera and near-infrared lights to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the e-tron Sportback and the Lyriq have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the e-tron Sportback its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 89 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Lyriq has not been tested, yet.

The e-tron Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Lyriq’s (12 vs. 6 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 7 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The e-tron Sportback’s standard electric motors produces 62 more horsepower (402 vs. 340) and 165 lbs.-ft. more torque (490 vs. 325) than the Lyriq’s standard electric motor. The e-tron Sportback’s electric motors produces 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (490 vs. 450) than the Lyriq’s optional electric motors. The e-tron Sportback S’ standard electric motors produces 267 lbs.-ft. more torque (717 vs. 450) than the Lyriq’s optional electric motors.

For better stopping power the e-tron Sportback’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Lyriq:

The front and rear suspension of the e-tron Sportback uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Lyriq, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The e-tron Sportback has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Lyriq’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The e-tron Sportback has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The e-tron Sportback’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The e-tron Sportback is 3.7 inches shorter than the Lyriq, making the e-tron Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the e-tron Sportback. The Lyriq doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac Lyriq is limited to 3500 pounds. The e-tron Sportback offers up to a 4000 lbs. towing capacity.

A Service Interval Display is standard on the e-tron Sportback to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Cadillac doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Lyriq.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Lyriq, the e-tron Sportback Prestige has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The e-tron Sportback Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the e-tron Sportback the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Lyriq can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the e-tron Sportback has a standard rear wiper. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the e-tron Sportback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Lyriq doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the e-tron Sportback and the Lyriq have standard heated front seats. The e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Lyriq.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the e-tron Sportback’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Lyriq doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.