Compare the2024 Volvo XC40 RechargeVS 2024 Cadillac Lyriq

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC40 Recharge have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac Lyriq doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The XC40 Recharge’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 XC40 Recharge has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply 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.

The XC40 Recharge’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XC40 Recharge and the Lyriq have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC40 Recharge the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 207 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Lyriq has not been tested, yet.

The XC40 Recharge’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Lyriq’s (12 vs. 6 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC40 Recharge for 4 years and 40,000 miles. Volvo will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Lyriq.

The XC40 Recharge Twin Motor’s optional electric motors produces 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (494 vs. 450) than the Lyriq’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Motor Trend the XC40 Recharge Twin Motor electric motors is faster than the Cadillac Lyriq electric motors:

On the EPA test cycle the XC40 Recharge gets better mileage than the Lyriq:

The XC40 Recharge 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 XC40 Recharge’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Lyriq:

The XC40 Recharge stops much shorter than the Lyriq:

The XC40 Recharge’s standard 255/45R19 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.

The XC40 Recharge AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Lyriq pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the XC40 Recharge’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Lyriq’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Volvo XC40 Recharge may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1150 pounds less than the Cadillac Lyriq.

The XC40 Recharge is 1 foot, 10.5 inches shorter than the Lyriq, making the XC40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC40 Recharge has .6 inches more rear headroom and .6 inches more rear hip room than the Lyriq.

The front step up height for the XC40 Recharge is 1.5 inches lower than the Lyriq (17.7” vs. 19.2”). The XC40 Recharge’s rear step up height is 1 inches lower than the Lyriq’s (18.2” vs. 19.2”).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XC40 Recharge. The Lyriq doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The XC40 Recharge’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Lyriq’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the XC40 Recharge to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals 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.

If the windows are left open on the XC40 Recharge 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 also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Lyriq can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The XC40 Recharge’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Lyriq doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC40 Recharge 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 XC40 Recharge offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Lyriq doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Volvo XC40 outsold the Cadillac Lyriq by over three to one during 2023.