Compare the2024 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Cadillac Lyriq

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-90 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 CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, 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 CX-90. But it costs extra on the Lyriq.

The CX-90’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 CX-90 and the Lyriq have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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.

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Lyriq has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 9 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The CX-90 has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port which lock and unlock with the power locks. The Lyriq doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the CX-90’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Lyriq:

The CX-90 stops much shorter than the Lyriq:

The CX-90 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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-90 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Lyriq.

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .85 G’s, while the Lyriq pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Lyriq’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Lyriq (8 vs. 7 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S’ minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the Lyriq (8.1 vs. 7 inches).

The Mazda CX-90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 850 pounds less than the Cadillac Lyriq.

The CX-90 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Lyriq can only carry 5.

The CX-90 has 36.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Lyriq (141.6 vs. 105.1).

The CX-90 has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and 1.6 inches more rear headroom than the Lyriq.

The CX-90’s cargo area provides more volume than the Lyriq.

The CX-90’s cargo area is larger than the Lyriq’s in almost every dimension:

The CX-90’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Lyriq’s (3500 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac Lyriq is only 3500 pounds. The CX-90 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

A Maintenance Monitor is standard on the CX-90 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and tire rotation based on actual driving conditions. 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 CX-90 offers an optional 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.

The CX-90’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 CX-90 has a standard rear wiper. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Lyriq doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The CX-90 Premium Plus has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Lyriq doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Mazda CX-90 outsold the Cadillac Lyriq by over three to one during 2023.