As GM Authority pointed out earlier this year, Cadillac is absent from the crossover coupe segment, sticking with the traditional crossover body style over the sleeker coupe design brought to market by the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, and others. That said, one could make the argument that the Cadillac Lyriq is kind of a crossover coupe, which leads us to ask – do you think the Cadillac Lyriq is actually a crossover coupe?
For those drawing a blank, the crossover coupe body style was initially popularized by German automakers with models like the Audi Q8, BMW X6, and Mercedes GLE-Class Coupe, all of which are more rakish variants of more traditional models like the Q7, X5, and “regular” GLE-Class. The crossover coupe space has since expanded with entries from around the industry, including examples like the Q5 Sportback, BMW X4, GLC-Class Coupe, Range Rover Evoque, Porsche Cayenne Coupe, Infiniti QX55, and even the Tesla Model Y and Model X. Even GM has gotten in on the action with the Buick Envista, a model we’ve characterized as the crossover coupe for the masses.
Essentially, the crossover coupe body style leverages a sloping rear roofline, offering a sleeker, more athletic look compared to the more upright roofline of the traditional crossover on which it’s based. The look is typically more appealing to younger buyers, and helps add an air of sportiness to an otherwise utilitarian segment, while also commanding a higher price and therefore a fatter profit margin.
Even so, Cadillac is notably absent from the crossover coupe segment. Or is it?
Looking over the Cadillac Lyriq, in particular the roofline around the rearmost pillar, we see a coupe-like roof treatment that tapers quickly between the upper portion of the tail light (which is technically the running light) and the rearmost point of the hatch. By comparison, the Cadillac Vistiq offers a more traditional roofline, despite sharing quite a few similarities with the Lyriq.
That all said, one could counter the argument by pointing out that the Cadillac Lyriq does not incorporate a deck lid, a feature that is present in notable crossover coupes like the BMW X4 and X6, Mercedes GLC- and GLE- Class, Tesla Model Y, and even the Buick Envista. All of which begs the question – is the Cadillac Lyriq a crossover coupe?
Comments
The Lyriq is a good-looking car, but it ain’t no Coupe !!!
Def not a crossover “coupe.” The dramatic drop of the roofline begins well behind where it does on those German “coupes.” The German “coupes” are hideous, by the way. I have some aesthetic beefs with the Lyriq, but they’re unrelated to its roofline.
If BMW and MB define a crossover coupe then one requirement is that they are very ugly. The LYRIQ is a graceful design with the look of an animal ready to attack. Calling the LYRIQ a crossover coupe would be insulting.
Coupe = 2- doors
And a trunk?
If the Cadillac Lyriq is a four-door coupe, then the GMC Terrain is a fixed-top convertible.
OK, let’s call the Lyriq what it really is. It’s a 5 door hatchback sedan.
We used to call those, wagons.