Cadillac Lyriq

The Lyriq carries a 102 kWh lithium-ion NCMA (nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminium) battery in a skateboard configuration beneath the cabin floor. The Ultium platform uses a 400V architecture with a 96S 3P cell layout across 12 modules. RWD variants produce 340–365 hp; AWD models deliver 515 hp and 610 Nm through dual motors.

WLTP range spans approximately 460–530 km depending on drivetrain. In UAE summer conditions with constant AC at 45°C, expect a 15–25% reduction — placing realistic range at 375–450 km. Highway driving at 120–140 km/h on the E11 or Sheikh Zayed Road will pull range toward the lower end. Mild winter months should recover 475–510 km comfortably.

A 22 kW three-phase Type 2 charger is included with every UAE Lyriq purchase — a rare inclusion at this price point. At 22 kW, a full charge takes approximately 5.5 hours. On a standard 11 kW villa wall box, expect around 10.5 hours. At DEWA's residential rate of AED 0.23/kWh, a full 102 kWh charge costs approximately AED 23.50. In Abu Dhabi at the expatriate rate of AED 0.27/kWh, the cost is approximately AED 27.50.

DC fast charging peaks at 150 kW via CCS2, with 10–80% taking approximately 35–40 minutes. Compatible UAE networks include DEWA Green Charger, E2GO (including the E11 Saih Shuaib mega hub), UAEV across the Northern Emirates, and GreenParking. The 150 kW rate is competitive but falls short of 800V platforms like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (240 kW) or Porsche Taycan (270 kW). 2025 Cadillac Lyriq — Battery & Charging

The cabin is trimmed in Nappa leather with Oxford Stone or Juniper colour options. Rear legroom is generous given the 3,094 mm wheelbase. Heated seats are fitted front and rear, with massage and ventilation for front occupants. A panoramic fixed glass roof with a power shade opens the cabin visually. Door pockets and a deep centre console provide ample storage.

The 33-inch curved LED display dominates the cockpit with 9K resolution and over one billion colours. A rotary controller with jog functionality sits on the centre console for eyes-off input. The electric steering column adjusts for rake and reach. Memory driver seats and a heated steering wheel are standard across all trims.

Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard. Remote pre-cooling through the MyCadillac app allows cabin conditioning before entry — essential during UAE summer months. Ventilated front seats assist in 45°C+ conditions. Rear passengers have dedicated vents but no seat ventilation. UV tint film for the panoramic glass roof is recommended to reduce solar heat gain.

Boot space measures 793 litres with all seats upright — competitive with the BMW iX (500 L) and Mercedes EQE SUV (520 L). Folding the rear seats expands capacity to 1,722 litres. No frunk is fitted; the front houses the electric motor and Ultium battery management hardware. A hands-free power liftgate is standard.

Google Built-in powers the infotainment, providing Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play Store access natively. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Arabic language support is available through the system interface. The AKG Studio 19-speaker system with front headrest speakers delivers concert-hall audio quality. Over-the-air updates keep the system current.

The ADAS suite includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-zone steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and HD Surround Vision (360-degree camera). Front and rear park assist, intersection AEB, and a safety alert seat (vibration warnings) are standard. Euro NCAP testing has not been completed; NHTSA awards a five-star overall rating. Dual-stage frontal, side-impact, knee, and head-curtain airbags protect all outboard positions.

The Lyriq delivers a smooth, composed driving experience suited to UAE highway cruising. Forward visibility is excellent from the elevated driving position. Laminated acoustic glass suppresses wind noise effectively at motorway speeds. The near 50/50 weight distribution from the Ultium skateboard platform provides planted stability.

AWD variants dispatch 0–100 km/h in 4.6–4.8 seconds — rapid for a vehicle weighing 2,774 kg. Overtaking on the E11 at 120 km/h is decisive and effortless. RWD models at 6.0 seconds are adequate but less urgent. Brembo front brakes with 390 mm rotors provide strong stopping power under repeated high-speed use.

Regenerative braking is available with one-pedal driving capability, bringing the Lyriq to a near-complete stop without the brake pedal. Regen intensity is adjustable through the paddle shifters. The transition between regenerative and friction braking is seamless at all speeds.

Super Cruise hardware is fitted but currently inactive in the UAE — GM is completing LiDAR road mapping across the Gulf region with activation expected for the 2026 model year. Standard adaptive cruise with stop-and-go and lane centring performs reliably on well-marked UAE motorways. No Level 3 autonomous driving is offered.

Five-link independent suspension at all four corners manages body roll competently through motorway curves. The 12.1 m turning circle and park assist sensors simplify mall parking. At 5,005 mm in length, multi-storey car parks with standard 2.1 m height clearance are accessible. Flush door handles and a clean side profile reduce the visual bulk.

Passive Premium-Plus dampers provide a comfortable, well-controlled ride over UAE's predominantly smooth urban roads. Expansion joints and speed bumps are absorbed without harshness. The Lyriq does not offer air or adaptive suspension — an omission at this price that the BMW iX addresses with optional air springs.

Al Ghandi Auto is the official Cadillac distributor for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, with service centres in Dubai (Ras Al Khor and Sheikh Zayed Road), Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. Vehicle warranty covers four years or 100,000 km. The EV battery is warranted for eight years or 160,000 km. A five-year Cadillac Premium Care maintenance package is included.

North American-spec Lyriq imports use CCS1 charging connectors incompatible with UAE CCS2 infrastructure without an adapter. Software calibration, navigation mapping, and Arabic language support may be absent. Insurance loading is 15–25% higher for grey imports. Government incentives — free Salik tag, green parking bays, and reduced registration fees — apply to official agency vehicles only.

At AED 320,000–349,000, the Lyriq undercuts the BMW iX xDrive50 (from AED 585,000) and Mercedes EQE SUV (from AED 463,900) substantially while matching or exceeding their battery capacity and range. For a buyer covering 20,000 km per year with a home 22 kW charger, annual electricity cost is approximately AED 1,100 at DEWA rates — versus AED 7,000–10,000 for a comparable petrol SUV. Insurance estimates through official UAE channels range from AED 12,000 to AED 18,000 annually. EV servicing is approximately AED 2,000–3,000 per year with no engine oil, filters, or transmission fluid. Government incentives include a free Salik tag (toll charges of AED 4–6 per gate still apply), green parking bay access with a four-hour session limit, and reduced RTA registration fees. Depreciation risk is moderate to high. The Lyriq is Cadillac's first EV in the UAE, and resale data does not yet exist. GM's global commitment to Ultium and Al Ghandi's expanding service footprint provide some reassurance. NCMA chemistry is less heat-resilient than LFP over time — buyers in consistently hot climates should monitor battery health reports. Three-year residual value is estimated at 50–60% of purchase price, below the BMW iX benchmark of 55–65%. 2025 Cadillac Lyriq — Standard Equipment