Compare the2024 Audi Q8 e-tronVS 2024 Cadillac Lyriq

The Q8 e-tron’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 Q8 e-tron 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 Q8 e-tron. But it costs extra on the Lyriq.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Q8 e-tron has Car-to-X Services, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

Both the Q8 e-tron 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q8 e-tron 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 Q8 e-tron’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Lyriq’s (12 vs. 6 years).

The Q8 e-tron’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 Q8 e-tron’s electric motors produces 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (490 vs. 450) than the Lyriq’s optional electric motors. The SQ8 e-tron’s standard electric motors produces 267 lbs.-ft. more torque (717 vs. 450) than the Lyriq’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi Q8 e-tron (base engine) is faster than the Cadillac Lyriq electric motor:

The Q8 e-tron 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 Q8 e-tron’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Lyriq:

The Q8 e-tron stops much shorter than the Lyriq:

The Q8 e-tron has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Lyriq; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the Q8 e-tron 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 Q8 e-tron 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 Q8 e-tron has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q8 e-tron’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 Q8 e-tron 55 Launch Edition handles at .85 G’s, while the Lyriq pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Q8 e-tron has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Lyriq (8.1 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Q8 e-tron to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Q8 e-tron is 3.7 inches shorter than the Lyriq, making the Q8 e-tron easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q8 e-tron has a larger cargo volume than the Lyriq with its rear seat up (28.5 vs. 28 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Q8 e-tron. The Lyriq doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac Lyriq is limited to 3500 pounds. The Q8 e-tron offers up to a 4000 lbs. towing capacity.

A Service Interval Display is standard on the Q8 e-tron 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Lyriq, the Q8 e-tron 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 Q8 e-tron Prestige has a standard 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 Q8 e-tron 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 Q8 e-tron’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 Q8 e-tron has a standard rear wiper. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q8 e-tron to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Lyriq doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Q8 e-tron 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 Q8 e-tron, based on reliability, safety and performance.