Compare the2023 Volkswagen ID.4VS 2023 Cadillac Lyriq

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen ID.4 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac Lyriq doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The ID.4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Lyriq doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The ID.4 has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The ID.4’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the ID.4 and the Lyriq have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ID.4 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Lyriq has not been tested, yet.

Volkswagen’s powertrain warranty covers the ID.4 2 years and 30,000 miles longer than Cadillac covers the Lyriq. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Lyriq ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

The ID.4’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Lyriq’s (7 vs. 6 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the ID.4 for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Lyriq.

There are over 13 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the ID.4’s warranty.

The ID.4’s optional electric motors produces 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (339 vs. 325) than the Lyriq’s standard electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen ID.4 electric motors is faster than the Cadillac Lyriq electric motor:

On the EPA test cycle the ID.4 gets better mileage than the Lyriq:

The ID.4 has a standard locking charge port with a remote release located convenient to the driver. The Lyriq doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the ID.4’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Lyriq:

The ID.4 handles at .85 G’s, while the Lyriq pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the ID.4’s turning circle is 8.2 feet tighter than the Lyriq’s (31.5 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The ID.4 AWD’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Lyriq’s (36.42 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Volkswagen ID.4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1300 pounds less than the Cadillac Lyriq.

The ID.4 is 1 foot, 4.2 inches shorter than the Lyriq, making the ID.4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The ID.4 has 2 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the Lyriq.

The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Lyriq with its rear seat up (30.3 vs. 28 cubic feet). The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Lyriq with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 60.8 cubic feet).

The ID.4’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Lyriq’s (2200 vs. 0 pounds).

A Service Interval Display is standard on the ID.4 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspections, vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Cadillac doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Lyriq.

If the windows are left open on the ID.4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Lyriq can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the ID.4 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Lyriq doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the ID.4 has a standard rear wiper. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Both the ID.4 and the Lyriq have standard heated front seats. The ID.4 Pro S Plus also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Lyriq.

The Volkswagen ID.4 outsold the Cadillac Lyriq by over 168 to one during 2022.