Compare the2025 Kia EV9VS 2025 Cadillac Lyriq

The EV9 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Lyriq doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

With its standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, the Kia EV9 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Cadillac Lyriq, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Both the EV9 and the Lyriq have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

The Kia EV9 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Lyriq is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

The EV9 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Lyriq’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV9 4 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 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Lyriq ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 40 percent more Kia dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the EV9’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the EV9’s reliability 37 points higher than the Lyriq.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Cadillac is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 12 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The EV9 GT-Line’s electric motors produces 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 450) than the Lyriq’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the EV9 Land/Wind electric motors is faster than the Cadillac Lyriq electric motor:

As tested in Car and Driver the EV9 GT-Line electric motors is faster than the Cadillac Lyriq (base engine):

The EV9 has a standard locking charge port with a power remote release 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 EV9’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Lyriq:

The EV9 stops much shorter than the Lyriq:

For better traction, the EV9 GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Lyriq (285/45R21 vs. 275/40R22).

The EV9 offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The EV9’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Lyriq doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EV9 is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Lyriq.

The EV9 GT-Line AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Lyriq pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the EV9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Lyriq (7.8 vs. 7 inches), allowing the EV9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Kia EV9 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 500 pounds less than the Cadillac Lyriq.

The EV9 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Lyriq can only carry 5.

The EV9 has 53.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Lyriq (158.8 vs. 105.1).

The EV9 has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom, 3.9 inches more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Lyriq.

The EV9’s cargo area provides more volume than the Lyriq.

The EV9’s cargo area is larger than the Lyriq’s in almost every dimension:

The EV9’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Lyriq’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac Lyriq AWD is only 3500 pounds. The EV9 AWD offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the EV9 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals 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.

The EV9 GT-Line has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the EV9 has a standard rear wiper. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The EV9’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Lyriq’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the EV9 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Lyriq doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The EV9 has standard front air conditioned seats and the EV9 Land/GT-Line also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Lyriq doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia EV9, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac Lyriq isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the EV9 first among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Lyriq isn’t in the top three.

The EV9 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Lyriq has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the EV9 as the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Lyriq has never been chosen.