The Cadillac Lyriq formally launched for the 2023 model year as the luxury brand’s very first entry into the all-electric vehicle market. Though offered without a formal refresh for 2025, the latest model year differs quite a bit from the initial 2023 model year. Indeed, while Cadillac didn’t officially announce a mid-cycle refresh for the 2025 Cadillac Lyriq, when we factor in all of the changes and updates, it sure looks like a mid-cycle refresh.
Visually, the crossover’s exterior design in 2025 remains more or less identical to what was presented for the 2023 model year. Nevertheless, the changes we’re referring to are more than skin deep.
Among the most impactful changes is the elimination of the base Tech trim level, as well as a substantial reduction in the parts content in the 2025 Lyriq as compared to earlier models, with 24 percent fewer components used in production, to be precise. This streamlining aligns with GM’s cost efficiency and supply chain optimization goals, as outlined in its Winning with Simplicity corporate strategy. Interestingly, parts sourcing has shifted as well, with the 2025 Lyriq relying more heavily on parts from Mexico and South Korea, and less from the U.S. / Canada and China.
| Model Year | U.S. / Canada | Mexico | South Korea | China | Final Assembly | Engine | Transmission / Drive Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 46 | - | 21 | - | USA | USA | USA |
| 2024 | 62 | - | - | 18 | USA | China | China |
| 2025 | 12 | 46 | 20 | - | USA | Mexico | Mexico |
On the features front, Cadillac has been quietly refining the Lyriq in a variety of ways. For example, the 2025 model year introduces front passenger position memory, a range increase, ambient lighting with 100 new color options, and aesthetic packages with accents like blue, bronze, and red. Performance has also seen an enhancement, with increased horsepower ratings to stay competitive in the growing EV segment. Even Cadillac’s decision to drop the underhood beauty cover, which may seem relatively minor, is yet another change to add to the list.
Of course, while Cadillac has yet to label this collection of changes as a formal refresh, the crossover certainly feels more refined than it did a few years ago. As well it should, especially in the face of strong competition from rival automakers. Now, with the forthcoming launch of the new Lyriq-V, it looks like that trend isn’t going to slow down any time soon.
Comments
The under hood beauty cover will be missed by mice and the privacy it afforded them perhaps? Do dealers report the problems that rural customers suffer back to improve designs?
Jonathan:
What makes the 2025 Lyriq “feel more refined”?
Is it, as you mentioned, the lack of the under hood beauty cover so you see all the wiring? Or the removal of the puddle lamps? Or did GM also finally delete the SD card socket for the surround recording that was never made functional but originally promised that Teslas have? Or perhaps it is restoring the OTA updates that haven’t function for over a year (a major part of the Tesla experience) and making the MyCadillac app actually work as well as the MyBuick app?
To actually be on a par with the segments “strong competition” fixing the software so that owners don’t have major issues with the car bricking due to completely discharged 12V batteries.
Adding 100 colors to the interior lighting or unlocking a few extra horsepower that will only cause a reduction in range if used, isn’t going to do it.
I hope you see my point. Rather than spending precious engineering time making the car slowly descend into a Chevy, spend that time fulfilling the promises made to buyers of the original car.
MY26 out in a few months is the real refresh the 25 was just the last of the prerefresh Lyriqs.
OTA updates are sorta back, other Ultium vehicles are getting them and the Lyriq just got 2 OTA updates, one for a Brake fix and the other to resolve OTA issues and prepare for future updates.
The myCadillac app seems to be far more responsive for people recently for version 7.30
Well…., I’m not sure how this vehicle is caddy best selling model, other than escalade, because as far as looks….ehhhhh, it’s not terrible, but it’s nothing special….., is it?
I mean….., it looks like a shooting brake…., why not just call it so? Because all american manufactures, have abandon the wagon, and as sales have proven…., apparently no one wants a wagon anymore…., tell that to the europeans. Also, like my caddy CT4…, there is a backlog of parts needed for these GM vehicles to repair. My CT4 has been in the dealers shop for 3 months now. Apparently it’s the same for the Lyric as well. It seems to be having issue sourcing repair parts…, specifically body parts. There were 3 Lyrics in the shop waiting on, bumpers, and trim pieces to come in. The shop manager said it was a nation wide thing, and they were not expecting to get those parts in until the beginning of March. Apparently some silverados are have similar issues as well. sooooo, yeah…., hope you don’t have to have parts for your GM vehicle, or you will be waiting for a while. They tell me supply chain issues…., I thought we were done with covid? ; )
With only 12 percent US content for the Lyriq, apparently very few actual parts are made in the US so when replacements are needed, they will likely have to come from far away too. When they tell you there are “supply chain issues” it likely really means the parts are literally coming “on a slow boat from China”.
Its clear to me that Lucid currently has the best EV motors in the market. Best due to power output for size of motor.
And one of the lowest sales volumes. Any company can engineer something that is super small and efficient, but at what cost.
Interesting sourcing table. Would like to see the same for the Equinox EV, Blazer EV and Silverado EV.
Nobody noticed because nobody cares.
Wow. Only 12 percent US parts now, down from 46 in 2023, and the “engine” and “transmission/drive unit” are now sourced in Mexico too. I don’t see how this qualifies as an American car but I guess the government subsidies are going away now anyway so maybe that doesn’t matter anymore.
These changes don’t strike me as a refresh at all. Rather they all look like good old-fashioned cost cutting with GM likely trying to get closer to a point of profitability with this product. In all likelihood, the sourcing changes were due to GM trying to qualify for government subsidies once the Inflation Reduction Act went into effect. I think that Act had rules relating to where the parts, and specifically the battery, came from so GM may have moved production around to stay in compliance with the law.
With the impending loss of those subsidies, it may have all been for nothing and now even more cutting will probably be necessary.
Did you forget that Mexico is an American nation as part of North America with several other nations? The Lyriq is American.
In no way is this a refresh in any way. lol. Zero cosmetic changes and removing parts is not a refresh. Try harder. lol
Prologue sells in greater numbers and is more well regarded. GM, especially Cadillac, keeps missing the boat.
Beautiful design but I’ve never seen one on the street. XT4 must be more profitable yet, along with Malibu, is being cancelled. I understand volume is key to profitability but this is quite a gamble. Pity Honda didn’t officially form an Ultium joint venture. The Hyandai deal’s quality is of concern
The Lyriq is the 2nd best selling Cadillac behind the Escalade.
Prologue is Honda’s only EV vs GM having several in similar segments.
Also, if you want an Ultium EV but also want CarPlay the Prologue or ZDX are your only options.
Lyriq and Hummer also offer Carplay.
assemble the Revised XT5 in the STATES GM do something right for a change
Ah yes, the good ol’ unintelligble Lyriq. I remember now. They’re still making these?
“All in all you’re just a… nother brick in the wall”
2nd best selling Cadillac in the US. Yes they are still making these. The Lyriq is very popular.
Good to see them making incremental improvements. The auto industry is changing rapidly and the days of riding out the exact same model for 7-8 years is over. If you aren’t making small improvements every year or two, you are going to get passed by the competition.