Chevy Equinox EV vs Cadillac Lyriq: GM Electric SUV Comparison

You are standing in a GM dealership, keys to two very different futures dangling before you. One costs $34,995 and promises 319 miles of worry-free electric driving. The other demands $60,090 but whispers luxury with every mile. Both share GM’s Ultium platform bones, yet their personalities couldn’t be more different.

Here’s the reality: 68% of EV shoppers feel overwhelmed by the growing choices in electric SUVs. You’re comparing two siblings that share the same DNA but grew up in completely different neighborhoods. I’ll cut through the marketing fluff and show you exactly what your money buys with each choice.

Keynote: Chevy Equinox EV vs Cadillac Lyriq

The Chevy Equinox EV delivers exceptional 319-mile range and advanced tech starting at $34,995, while the Cadillac Lyriq offers luxury performance with 340hp and premium materials from $60,090. Both share GM’s Ultium platform but target different buyers – the Equinox prioritizes value and efficiency, the Lyriq emphasizes power and prestige.

More Than Just Numbers on a Page

You’re standing at the crossroads of practical and premium. I get that flutter of uncertainty when faced with a $25,000 price gap between two vehicles that claim similar capabilities.

Both SUVs share GM’s Ultium bones, but their souls couldn’t be more different. The Equinox EV targets your wallet with impressive efficiency. The Lyriq courts your heart with performance and presence.

I’ll map each strength to your actual daily life, not just shiny spec sheets. No manufacturer talking points here.

By the end, you’ll feel that “aha” moment about which one belongs in your driveway. Let’s dig into what matters most.

The Money Talk: What You’re Actually Signing Up For

Starting Prices That Set Expectations

Equinox EV welcomes you at $34,995. That’s “new car smell” without the guilt of a crushing monthly payment. You get 319 EPA miles of range and modern tech that rivals luxury brands.

Lyriq asks $60,090 for entry into its luxury lounge. That’s Tesla Model Y Performance money for a vehicle that prioritizes comfort over track times.

Both currently snag up to $7,500 federal tax credits if you meet income requirements. Check current eligibility rules because they change frequently.

That $25,000 gap? It buys a lot of family vacations or college tuition payments.

Model	Starting MSRP	After Tax Credit	EPA Range
Equinox EV 1LT	$34,995	$27,495	319 miles
Lyriq Luxury 1	$60,090	$52,590	314 miles

The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions

Insurance hits differently when you’re driving a luxury badge. Lyriq owners report paying $800+ more annually compared to Equinox EV drivers. That’s nearly $70 extra per month.

Home charging installation varies by which battery you’re feeding. Both need Level 2 charging for daily use. The bigger difference comes with optional 19.2kW charging on upper trims.

Warranty differences matter for your peace of mind. Equinox gets GM’s basic 3-year coverage. Lyriq extends that timeline with additional luxury perks.

Maintenance savings are real for both. No more oil changes dancing in your budget every 5,000 miles.

Lease Deals That Flip the Script

Both hover around $350 per month during promotional periods. This temporarily closes that scary price gap for cash-strapped buyers.

Why do Lyriq lease deals make financial sense? Higher residual values mean lower depreciation hits during your lease term.

Residual values reveal the long-term story. Cadillac’s luxury positioning typically holds value better than Chevrolet’s volume approach.

Smart timing on incentives can save thousands. GM cycles through different promotional offers quarterly.

Range Reality: Living Between Charges

EPA Numbers vs Your Morning Commute

Equinox FWD delivers 319 EPA miles. That’s enough for a full week of school runs and grocery trips without plugging in.

Lyriq manages 314 miles with similar rear-wheel equipment. Nearly identical on paper, but weight tells a different story.

Real-world highway testing shows both hitting 260 miles consistently at 70 mph. That’s 18% lower than EPA estimates.

AWD drops both by about 30 miles. Worth it for snow confidence if you live where winter matters.

Configuration	EPA Range	Real-World Highway	Winter Range
Equinox EV FWD	319 miles	260 miles	236 miles
Equinox EV AWD	285 miles	235 miles	211 miles
Lyriq RWD	314 miles	258 miles	226 miles
Lyriq AWD	308 miles	253 miles	220 miles

Winter Performance Truth Bomb

Equinox loses 26% range when temperatures plummet below 20°F. That 319-mile promise becomes 236 miles of anxious driving.

Lyriq drops 28% despite its fancy heat pump system. The extra weight hurts efficiency more than the heat pump helps.

Both trail Tesla significantly in cold-weather resilience. Model Y retains 87% of its range in identical conditions.

Owner forums confirm this reality. Pack extra patience for winter road trips with either GM Ultium SUV.

Charging Speed: Your Time Is Money

Equinox peaks at 150kW DC fast charging. That adds 70 miles in 10 minutes under ideal conditions.

Lyriq pushes 190kW and gains 86 miles in the same coffee break. Faster charging means shorter stops on long trips.

Home overnight charging handles 95% of your actual needs. Most owners rarely use public DC fast charging except for road trips.

Lyriq’s available 19.2kW home charging beats Equinox’s 11.5kW for speed demons who want full overnight charging.

Space and Comfort: Where Life Actually Happens

Front Seat Sanctuary

Lyriq pampers with 44.3 inches of stretch-out legroom. You can actually cross your legs comfortably while driving.

Equinox surprises with generous 40.9 inches. No knee bumping here, even for six-foot drivers.

Both offer that commanding SUV view you’re craving. Seat height positions you perfectly for traffic visibility.

Materials tell the story immediately. Lyriq’s leather whispers luxury. Equinox’s cloth shouts practicality but wears well.

Back Seat Reality Check

Both seat five humans comfortably. Sorry, no third row option if you need to haul seven people regularly.

Car seats click in easily with LATCH systems. Both pass the parent test for installation simplicity.

Teen approval factor runs surprisingly close. Teens care more about USB ports and Wi-Fi than leather seats.

Rear legroom stays generous enough for adult friends on wine tours. Nobody complains about cramped knees.

Cargo Chronicles

Equinox offers 26.4 cubic feet behind seats and 57.2 max. Your Costco runs stay covered without seat folding.

Lyriq provides 28 cubic feet up and 60.8 folded. Slightly more breathing room for large items.

Real talk: both swallow strollers, sports gear, and spontaneous IKEA hauls without complaint.

The difference equals about one extra carry-on suitcase. Not dealbreaker territory for most families.

Tech That Works (And What Frustrates)

Screen Time: Daily Digital Life

Equinox goes all-in on Google built-in systems. No Apple CarPlay option, which frustrates iPhone users daily.

Lyriq keeps everyone happy with both Google and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Choice becomes a luxury feature.

That massive 33-inch Lyriq display impresses visitors but can feel overwhelming during simple tasks like adjusting climate.

Voice commands work differently between systems. Test both thoroughly before committing your muscle memory.

Driver Assistance: Your Electronic Co-Pilot

Super Cruise becomes available on both vehicles. This hands-free highway system works like magic on mapped roads.

Equinox requires pricey package upgrade for the good stuff. Base models miss out on advanced safety features.

Lyriq owners report occasional phantom braking events. GM continues improving this through over-the-air updates.

Both handle stop-and-go traffic like patient saints. No more ankle cramps in construction zones.

Feature	Equinox EV	Lyriq
Super Cruise	Optional ($2,500)	Standard on Luxury 2+
Apple CarPlay	Not Available	Wireless Standard
Screen Size	11″ + 17.7″	33″ Curved
Premium Audio	Bose (opt)	AKG 19-speaker

The Little Things That Matter Daily

Wireless phone charging can be finicky in both vehicles. Your phone might slide around during turns.

Climate controls reveal philosophy differences. Lyriq’s physical buttons beat Equinox’s screen-only approach for muscle memory.

Sound systems create different experiences. Lyriq’s premium audio makes commutes feel like concerts.

Software updates happen overnight for both. Your vehicle literally improves while you sleep.

Driving Feel: Personality on Pavement

Power Delivery Philosophy

Equinox FWD’s 213hp feels perfectly adequate for merging and passing. Smooth, sensible, and stress-free acceleration.

Lyriq RWD’s 340hp adds confident passing power that makes highway driving more relaxing.

AWD Lyriq jumps to 500hp. Honestly, it’s addictive fun that you’ll never need but always want.

Most drivers won’t miss extra power in daily grinding. The Equinox handles real-world driving confidently.

Ride Quality That Matters

Lyriq floats over rough patches like a magic carpet. Its five-link suspension setup smooths out road imperfections beautifully.

Equinox stays surprisingly refined for its price point. Not luxury smooth, but definitely not economy car harsh.

Road noise stays impressively hushed at highway speeds in both vehicles. Electric powertrains eliminate engine drone.

Wind noise gets slightly better control in Lyriq’s sleeker shape. Marginal difference during normal driving.

One-Pedal Driving Delight

Both offer adjustable regenerative braking through steering wheel paddles. You control how much the car slows when lifting off.

Learning curve takes about three days to feel natural. After that, you’ll miss it in gasoline vehicles.

City efficiency boost becomes noticeable in stop-and-go traffic. Range stretches further with aggressive regen settings.

Your passengers won’t get seasick. Both tune regenerative braking smoothly enough for sensitive stomachs.

Real Owner Experiences: The Unfiltered Truth

Reliability Reality Check

Lyriq’s first year brought software hiccups that mostly resolved through updates. Early adopter pain points decreased significantly.

Equinox stays too new for long-term data, but simpler tech typically means fewer gremlins lurking.

Dealer service readiness varies wildly by location. Call ahead to confirm EV-trained technicians before issues arise.

Parts availability improves steadily but still lags behind Toyota-level convenience. Plan accordingly for repairs.

Common Complaints and Praises

Lyriq owners love the dramatic styling but report occasional infotainment freezes. Camera clarity issues persist in some units.

Both vehicles share heat pump whining in extreme cold. It’s annoying but doesn’t affect function.

Equinox frustrates iPhone devotees with Google-only ecosystem limitations. Android users adapt more easily.

Pleasant surprise: both over-deliver on promised range in mild weather. Summer efficiency exceeds EPA estimates.

Making Your Choice: The Heart of the Matter

Choose Equinox EV If You Value:

Maximum electric bang for your buck takes priority over brand prestige. Save $25,000 for other life priorities.

Simplicity over luxury complexity appeals to your practical nature. Fewer features mean fewer things breaking.

Lower insurance and operating costs matter more than premium materials. Every dollar saved counts toward your goals.

Proven Google ecosystem integration fits your digital lifestyle. Android users adapt seamlessly.

Choose Lyriq If You Crave:

Genuine luxury materials surrounding you daily justify the premium price. You’ve earned those heated massaging seats.

That “I’ve made it” feeling in parking lots matters for your self-image. Brand perception carries real value.

Power to spare for confident highway merging reduces driving stress. 500hp never gets old.

Traditional infotainment flexibility keeps everyone happy. Apple CarPlay support ends family arguments.

The Test Drive Reality

Drive identical routes including rough roads, highway merging, and tight parking situations. Compare how each handles your reality.

Bring your tallest friend and smallest car seat. Test real-world scenarios, not dealer lot perfection.

Test tech features with your actual phone and favorite apps. Compatibility matters more than specifications.

Note energy usage on your typical commute route. Real-world efficiency affects your daily costs.

Conclusion: Trust Your Gut (And Your Wallet)

There’s no wrong answer here, only what feels right rolling into your garage each night. Both vehicles deliver on the electric promise differently.

The Equinox rewards practical wisdom with surprising satisfaction and financial peace. The Lyriq delivers daily doses of “I deserve this” luxury with performance to match.

Remember: the best EV is the one that makes you smile on Monday mornings. Take that test drive, sleep on it, then follow that feeling in your chest. You’ll know which one belongs in your driveway.

Equinox EV vs Lyriq (FAQs)