General Motors launched the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq luxury crossover for the 2023 model year as the luxury marque’s very first production EV, with the latest 2026 Cadillac Lyriq set to usher in a variety of important updates. These include changes to the trim level cadence, a new stereo upgrade, and the launch of the high-performance Lyriq-V. That said, the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq will keep one critical infotainment system feature that GM is dropping from its other EV models.
For those that may have missed it, GM has decided to phase out Apple CarPlay and Android from its future EV models, instead pivoting to a proprietary infotainment platform built with Google. Luckily for fans of the popular smartphone mirroring systems, the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq won’t be among those EVs dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Meanwhile, several other new GM EVs, including the 2026 Silverado EV WT and the 2026 GMC Hummer EV, will drop CarPlay and Android Auto.
GM has publicly committed to replacing the phone mirroring with a native system that allows for deeper data integration, enabling insights into user behavior and creating new revenue channels through subscription-based services. Yet, for the 2026 Lyriq, GM is making an exception, at least for now.
In a GM Authority poll conducted last year, 87 percent of poll respondents said that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were critical features, while 13 percent said they were not.
Beyond infotainment, the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq introduces several updates. For example, the trim level structure has been revised from a number-based cadence (Luxury 1, Luxury 2, Luxury 3, Sport 1, Sport 2, and Sport 3) to a more word-specific cadence (Luxury, Premium Luxury, Signature Luxury, Sport, Premium Sport, Signature Sport).
Cadillac is also updating the Lyriq’s exterior color palette, with Crystal White Tricoat (color code G1W) replaced by a new paint option called Vibrant White Tricoat (color code G4J).
Under the skin, the Lyriq rides on the GM BEV3 platform, while vehicle production takes place at the GM Spring Hill plant in Tennessee. The start of regular production for the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq is set to kick off on July 28th, 2025.
Comments
Due to a really great lease offer (being a Bolt owner at the time), I leased a 2025 Equinox EV about 3 months ago. Very nice vehicle overall, but I would NOT get another one. Why?
1. I absolutely hate the stupid powered door handles.
2. No Apply CarPlay.
There’s a couple other things I’m not crazy about, but can easily live with them. But the lack of CarPlay and normal door pulls is a future deal breaker for me. For anyone who tries to sell you on the notion that the Google built in system is just as good and does about everything the CarPlay does, walk away from them fast. It’s a total lie.
Absolutely stupid and first world issues not to get another one…
No one needs carplay, and powered door handle issues are soo minor.
It’s not a total lie either, you seem like someone who doesn’t want to learn how to use the system and explore the available apps.
And you sound like someone who, well let’s not go there. I’ll be nice.
You put out a hot take that is a matter of pure opinion, and then get uptight when you’re called out on it? That’s narcissistic at best.
GM’s decision not to offer CarPlay has been discussed ad nauseum on multiple sites. I’m sure it will continue to be discussed ad nauseum. You offer nothing of substance here… just an opinion that you think we should care about.
Sure, decide whether you like a car for whatever reason you want. But if you can’t offer anything other than “me me me”, you really shouldn’t br surprised to get a reaction like the one you got from Lul.
Really, power door handles are your line in the sand? A lot of people would roll their eyes at that, if not give you an outright “Whatever, dude.” I just laughed at the silliness… if you’re lucky, your next car will have crank window openers too.
crank. DYAC.
So how long have you worked for GM? There are no apps that come close to being a replacement for CarPlay/Android Auto. With the requirement to use Google Maps/Waze, not only does Google get your data, now GM gets it also (who have proven they are not responsible enough to be trusted with any of our data). That, with the requirement to subscribe to cOnstar for data (unless you are willing to jump through the phone tethering hoops every time you start your vehicle), really taints the experience. Admonishing someone for calling out deficiencies in the car discovered after purchase is just lame.