Compare the2024 Audi Q4 e-tron SportbackVS 2024 Cadillac Lyriq

The Q4 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q4 e-tron Sportback. But it costs extra on the Lyriq.

Both the Q4 e-tron Sportback and the Lyriq have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Lyriq has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Lyriq’s (12 vs. 6 years).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors produces 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (339 vs. 325) than the Lyriq’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron Sportback gets better mileage than the Lyriq:

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Lyriq doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Lyriq:

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s 255/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Lyriq’s standard 50 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Lyriq’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 950 pounds less than the Cadillac Lyriq.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback is 1 foot, 4 inches shorter than the Lyriq, making the Q4 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback. The Lyriq doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Lyriq’s (2646 vs. 0 pounds).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Q4 e-tron Sportback to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspections, 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.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 Q4 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.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Lyriq’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Q4 e-tron Sportback has a standard rear wiper. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q4 e-tron Sportback Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Lyriq doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Lyriq Luxury/Sport.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Audi Q4 e-tron outsold the Cadillac Lyriq by 17% during 2023.