AKG in Lyriq is the best sound system I have ever heard in a car in this price range. I absolutely love that neither bass nor treble is exaggerated by design, like most other supposedly high end systems.
I drove both and went with the Blazer EV RS AWD. It felt more buttoned down to me, and there were, surprisingly, far fewer squeaks and rattles in the Chevy vs. the Cadillac. I thought I would miss CarPlay, but I honestly don't miss it at all. The Google system works great.
You're going to miss me when I'm gone, is just an absolutely perfect song to be playing on carplay on the lyric. I don't mention it in every video. But, Alex I want you to know that I watch basically every video and I check every single time. And I really appreciate how awesome your song Choices are for each of your reviews they are just absolutely the best! Naturally, you also provide really great car journalism and opinion but I just want you to know that people notice and appreciate it
Before making a decision I drove both RWD and AWD versions of the Lyriq, as well as the LT and RS versions of the Blazer EV. The deciding factors for me were the seat comfort and the lease deal. I ended up with the Blazer EV RS with the Red with Red/Black interior. The 2 year, 10k miles per year lease was nearly half the amount on the Blazer. I paid $8500 total in a one payment. I find the seats substantially more comfortable on the Blazer. With the RS and color combination I think it looks more sporty. I like the Lyriq but would have gone in a different direction as I did not care for the seats. After driving the Blazer EV for a little over a month I find I can live without CarPlay. I can get all my iPhones music and calls through bluetooth and excellent navigation and maps through Google Maps.
I also was not initially impressed with the EKG stereo on my Lyriq. But then I got into the settings and tweeked some things and now it sounds fantastic.
Thank you for mentioning the HVAC vent differences. The Blazer EV I drove had pretty good airflow front and back, whereas the Lyriq had marginal vents in front that were hard to direct, and laughably inadequate vents in back that couldn't begin to cool that area on a really hot day.
Although im not the biggest proponent of all electric vehicles, GM is absolute killing it with their implementation. Aside from the missing carplay, they have technology, luxury, and design. If i were in the market they would definitely be on the short list.
We have the lyriq sport and really like everything about it especially the AKG sound system. It has 19 speakers with 2 in each head rest. I have had about 20 new chevy cars and trucks with Bose sound system which are good but not as good as the AKG. This is by far the nicest suv we have had. The Buick onclave was quiet but not as quiet as the Lyriq.
I own a Lyriq, it’s a very impressive driving experience. Fortunately we can charge at home. Charging when traveling is a disappointing experience, so we use our ICE cars for that.
Gotta say, I know the blazer is cheaper… but CarPlay REALLY means a lot to me, especially when I’m spending a lot of my hard earned money on a financial decision such as a car
I know I'm in the minority but I generally prefer silence when I drive. Just a nice relaxing time alone with my thoughts. Hence, I don't care about the missing AA.
Alex, I was hoping you would do a comparison between these two. (Actually, I was hoping to have a comparison with these PLUS the Honda Prologue, too! Maybe you can do a separate comparison with the Blazer and the Prologue?) You alway do such a good job with your reviews: clear, concise and practical items mentioned. Thanks!)
14:16 I knew my Sport 2 Lyriq didn’t have the 3-zone climate control and therefore there was a blank area where the controls are. I tested my salesman as to why they’re blank and if I was missing a feature and he said no. LOL. The salesman didn’t deserve the commission he got on the sale. It should have gone to Alex.
Surprisingly the less expensive Blazer and Equinox get double wishbone suspension upfront, and it's all cast aluminum. The Lyriq, meanwhile gets MacPherson struts up front.
Definitely agree the Lyriq's sound system is not great (but I'm also not a crazy audiophile, so it's of no real concern for me). Overall though, I just can't get behind the Blazer's interior. It just looks too toyish to me. Combine that with the awesome horsepower, range, and charging speed of the Lyriq, for not really that large of a price jump, there's no question in my mind what vehicle I choose. The Lyriq is just a more complete package. I also love the under console storage area in the Lyriq.
19:51 The problem with in-built google maps on the center cluster (as opposed to the infotainment screen) is that it doesn’t show miles to destination or time to destination or ETA. Just the route.
That is simply not true. Using the built-in Google maps not only shows you all of that, but it also shows you what percentage your vehicle will be at upon arrival as well.
Good video. A few thoughts. While this is Ultium it's very different from the trucks. Both of these are long wheelbase BEV3 unibody vehicles while the Ultium trucks are body frame integral BT1 vehicles. Technically the 85KWh (10 module) and 102KWh (12 module) batteries take the same time to charge. Each module charges at a peak of about 30VDC - 500 amps (15KW). So the time to charge from X to Y% SOC on either battery should be roughly the same pending any thermal considerations given the layout of the packs.
9:43 Wait a damn second. The roller style cargo cover is standard? I didn’t get one with my purchase of a new Lyriq. I guess I have to call the dealership.
I've been reading that the audio issues might have something to do with the noise canceling system, also that's one of the most complained about things about it so one could cross their fingers for a software update to improve things. I know an early complaint had to do with the HVAC not getting cold enough and they pushed a software update to crank it up so hopefully they come through on the audio portion of that as well.
Team Blazer for sure. I like a lot of what the Lyriq offers but at the same time the Blazer has almost everything I want and nothing I don't, it's more my style, and it better fits what I want to spend on a car. I just wish I could get the non-SS AWD with the bigger battery pack. Nice comparison.
I'd choose the Lyriq ...only because I currently drive an XT5 and am a happy Cadillac owner (but not all the time). If I didn't have my current resources, the Blazer seems like a nice EV option.
I find I like the Blazer dashboard better than the Lyric. The Lyric's just looks unfinished to me or too empty, I think its the vents. I really like the Blazer "turbine" vents. Also, I'm interested that you think the Blazer seats are more comfortable. I'm more drawn to the Blazer anyway, but I'll see when i actually sit in them next spring when my current lease is up. Thanks for the great comparison, Alex!
It's a shame that Texas charges sales tax on the entire cost of the car, not just the lease cost. Some of those Blazer lease deals that the rest of y'all get are insane.
Do you happen to remember what you thought of the Bose system in the Ariya? Coming from my Tesla it was a definite downgrade when I got my Ariya. It seems to be lacking in the higher frequencies. Sounds like the AKG system in the Lyric is not so great either. 😢
@@MikeHawkNBahlzI test drove the Blazer and the Prologue and much preferred the Prologue mostly because of the fact I can get everything I want on the Prologue Elite and I can’t on the Blazer AWD models. I can’t get over the Hearse effect of the back of the ZDX. The Lyriq look is nice in person at least when I’ve seen it driving down the road.
22:16 if the reason GM continues to give CarPlay on Lyriq and doesn’t do so on Equinox EV or Blazer EV is to push buyers to purchase the more expensive car, then their strategy certainly worked on me. 😢
You have to connect to a 350kw charger to get 190 out of the Lyriq. The 200 kw units don’t have the current capacity to charge at the max rate. We are going to do a video on this and more soon
That's sad because I had to upgrade the Bose in my Bolt EUV because it was too boomy and muddy sounding. The Infinity speakers I swapped out sound amazing in comparison. If I got the Blazer the sound system is easily upgraded. I don't dare swap out parts on the AKG system though.
I have a Tesla charger at home and have been waiting for GM to make NACS standard. I don't want to use an adapter. They keep putting it off, so I will not buy one until they do.
I think you can’t go wrong with either the Chevy Blazer or Cadillac Lyriq for several reasons. They’re amongst the best in their respective categories in design alone but then you’re also going to love the way that they drive compared to other EV if you’ve matured enough and prefer a more comfortable spirited journey. I’m not too excited about the Acura ZDX or Prologue in comparison and I think that’s why Honda backed out of the deal. These two are going to kill the rebadged jobs that Honda is trying to sell their customers. I say it all of the time but the lack of originality of other manufacturers and the fact that *gm* is thriving while being so unique truly is impressive especially nowadays when so many just copy what’s popular.
I love my iPhone and its reliability as far as software updates are concerned. I don’t trust GM with OTA updates of the Android software. I will stick to cars with CarPlay, thanks.
CarPlay is overrated. I have a Luxury 3 Lyriq with CP and it really is inferior to the native OS. This is most notable in navigation and sound quality. Some reviewers question the sound quality on the Lyriq. That’s because of the obsession with CarPlay. Stream music with the native OS and the sound quality is profoundly superior. The native google maps is also much better than CarPlay maps. More detailed with more information and it uses all the screen’s real estate.
My Lyriq got delivered today in Nimbus Metallic Color. AWD with 500 horses, man it is such an amazing car to drive.
Congrats! That Nimbus is a beautiful blue.
AKG in Lyriq is the best sound system I have ever heard in a car in this price range. I absolutely love that neither bass nor treble is exaggerated by design, like most other supposedly high end systems.
Absolutely love my Lyriq without question. Here in Canada the difference between Blazer and Lyriq was only $8,000... The decision was very very easy
I drove both and went with the Blazer EV RS AWD. It felt more buttoned down to me, and there were, surprisingly, far fewer squeaks and rattles in the Chevy vs. the Cadillac. I thought I would miss CarPlay, but I honestly don't miss it at all. The Google system works great.
You're going to miss me when I'm gone, is just an absolutely perfect song to be playing on carplay on the lyric. I don't mention it in every video. But, Alex I want you to know that I watch basically every video and I check every single time. And I really appreciate how awesome your song Choices are for each of your reviews they are just absolutely the best! Naturally, you also provide really great car journalism and opinion but I just want you to know that people notice and appreciate it
Before making a decision I drove both RWD and AWD versions of the Lyriq, as well as the LT and RS versions of the Blazer EV. The deciding factors for me were the seat comfort and the lease deal. I ended up with the Blazer EV RS with the Red with Red/Black interior. The 2 year, 10k miles per year lease was nearly half the amount on the Blazer. I paid $8500 total in a one payment. I find the seats substantially more comfortable on the Blazer. With the RS and color combination I think it looks more sporty. I like the Lyriq but would have gone in a different direction as I did not care for the seats. After driving the Blazer EV for a little over a month I find I can live without CarPlay. I can get all my iPhones music and calls through bluetooth and excellent navigation and maps through Google Maps.
You don't have to pay $77,000 for a Lyriq. I paid $55,000 and it's amazing
I also was not initially impressed with the EKG stereo on my Lyriq. But then I got into the settings and tweeked some things and now it sounds fantastic.
What did you change in the settings? I have tried everything but it still sounds terrible
@@babyboomer17112haha. My dads Lyriq akg sounds pretty terrible too. But he’s losing his hearing so it doesn’t bother him.
Thank you for mentioning the HVAC vent differences. The Blazer EV I drove had pretty good airflow front and back, whereas the Lyriq had marginal vents in front that were hard to direct, and laughably inadequate vents in back that couldn't begin to cool that area on a really hot day.
Although im not the biggest proponent of all electric vehicles, GM is absolute killing it with their implementation. Aside from the missing carplay, they have technology, luxury, and design. If i were in the market they would definitely be on the short list.
I want a lyriq luxury in emerald green, opulent blue or nimbus metallic.
Alex, You might also ask -which Ultium is more ultimate? 😉
We have the lyriq sport and really like everything about it especially the AKG sound system. It has 19 speakers with 2 in each head rest. I have had about 20 new chevy cars and trucks with Bose sound system which are good but not as good as the AKG. This is by far the nicest suv we have had. The Buick onclave was quiet but not as quiet as the Lyriq.
we just got a CT4V and AKG is much better sounds than the Bose in our CTS
Both vehicles are superb. And so is the Equinox EV. Loving mine! Love that t-shirt, Alex. Exciting times for EV's, no doubt.
As a note, ‘25 Blazer EV AWD now officially 283 miles EPA, 300 HP and 355 lb-ft.
I own a Lyriq, it’s a very impressive driving experience. Fortunately we can charge at home. Charging when traveling is a disappointing experience, so we use our ICE cars for that.
Alex, did you lose weight? You look great!
Bro Alex is handsome just a bit over weight/ now he looks great..!!
Gotta say, I know the blazer is cheaper… but CarPlay REALLY means a lot to me, especially when I’m spending a lot of my hard earned money on a financial decision such as a car
8:00 My biggest complaint against my otherwise excellent Lyriq. The driver’s seat base is so much worse than my much cheaper Bolt EUV
Too bad they stopped making the Bolt
One u was talking about how to get around not having Car Play in the GM EV's. Can u explain it again please 🙏?
I know I'm in the minority but I generally prefer silence when I drive. Just a nice relaxing time alone with my thoughts.
Hence, I don't care about the missing AA.
Keep us updated on that Blazer SS, Alex !
Android Auto is very important to me.
Alex, I was hoping you would do a comparison between these two. (Actually, I was hoping to have a comparison with these PLUS the Honda Prologue, too! Maybe you can do a separate comparison with the Blazer and the Prologue?) You alway do such a good job with your reviews: clear, concise and practical items mentioned. Thanks!)
14:16 I knew my Sport 2 Lyriq didn’t have the 3-zone climate control and therefore there was a blank area where the controls are. I tested my salesman as to why they’re blank and if I was missing a feature and he said no. LOL. The salesman didn’t deserve the commission he got on the sale. It should have gone to Alex.
Surprisingly the less expensive Blazer and Equinox get double wishbone suspension upfront, and it's all cast aluminum. The Lyriq, meanwhile gets MacPherson struts up front.
Definitely agree the Lyriq's sound system is not great (but I'm also not a crazy audiophile, so it's of no real concern for me).
Overall though, I just can't get behind the Blazer's interior. It just looks too toyish to me. Combine that with the awesome horsepower, range, and charging speed of the Lyriq, for not really that large of a price jump, there's no question in my mind what vehicle I choose. The Lyriq is just a more complete package.
I also love the under console storage area in the Lyriq.
19:51 The problem with in-built google maps on the center cluster (as opposed to the infotainment screen) is that it doesn’t show miles to destination or time to destination or ETA. Just the route.
Really? That's a shame
That is simply not true. Using the built-in Google maps not only shows you all of that, but it also shows you what percentage your vehicle will be at upon arrival as well.
@@chudson4500 on the center gauge cluster?
@@chudson4500 I’m talking not just about the in-built google maps not in-built google maps when projected onto the center cluster
Why are you using carplay and not just the Blazer UI?
Because CarPlay is more intuitive and more feature rich
Good video. A few thoughts. While this is Ultium it's very different from the trucks. Both of these are long wheelbase BEV3 unibody vehicles while the Ultium trucks are body frame integral BT1 vehicles.
Technically the 85KWh (10 module) and 102KWh (12 module) batteries take the same time to charge. Each module charges at a peak of about 30VDC - 500 amps (15KW). So the time to charge from X to Y% SOC on either battery should be roughly the same pending any thermal considerations given the layout of the packs.
There are so many things I love and hate about the Lyriq. Between the two, I would go with the Blazer for sure. It’s too good of a value
Can you guys start including the equinox ev in comparisons please?
More deal coming end of the month. There are lots of blazer and equinox evs in dealership lots
Nice video. I was waiting for the comparison video
9:43 Wait a damn second. The roller style cargo cover is standard? I didn’t get one with my purchase of a new Lyriq. I guess I have to call the dealership.
Only standard on level 3. I have a lux 2 and ordered a nice one on Amazon that was very inexpensive.
That’s a LT TRIM BLAZER. You should have picked a 3RS Trim Blazer. I have a 3RS with a full panoramic moonroof and red interior.
I've been reading that the audio issues might have something to do with the noise canceling system, also that's one of the most complained about things about it so one could cross their fingers for a software update to improve things. I know an early complaint had to do with the HVAC not getting cold enough and they pushed a software update to crank it up so hopefully they come through on the audio portion of that as well.
There are plenty of noise cancelling systems that sound fine…
@@AAutoBuyersGuide Oh I know, I'm not saying it isn't Lyriq specific lol
I’m waiting on the Lyriq’s baby brother, the Optiq. Wish I knew when it was coming out?
Production starts next month with deliveries in Nov/Dec.
Same here. I am truly torn between the Optiq and the Blazer EV RS RWD.
@@dane9193 I’m running out of time, but the Lyriq and Blazer are too big for me and my wife
@@dane9193I’m going with the Optiq because it’s a little smaller than the Blazer for me and my wife.
The Lyriq audio system is broken up into front or rear bias. I am not a fan of that however, more volume seems to help.
23:04 Care to elaborate on how you use CarPlay in your Blazer?
We will have a video on that soon
Team Blazer for sure. I like a lot of what the Lyriq offers but at the same time the Blazer has almost everything I want and nothing I don't, it's more my style, and it better fits what I want to spend on a car. I just wish I could get the non-SS AWD with the bigger battery pack.
Nice comparison.
I'd choose the Lyriq ...only because I currently drive an XT5 and am a happy Cadillac owner (but not all the time). If I didn't have my current resources, the Blazer seems like a nice EV option.
I find I like the Blazer dashboard better than the Lyric. The Lyric's just looks unfinished to me or too empty, I think its the vents. I really like the Blazer "turbine" vents. Also, I'm interested that you think the Blazer seats are more comfortable. I'm more drawn to the Blazer anyway, but I'll see when i actually sit in them next spring when my current lease is up. Thanks for the great comparison, Alex!
It's a shame that Texas charges sales tax on the entire cost of the car, not just the lease cost. Some of those Blazer lease deals that the rest of y'all get are insane.
I agree about the Cadillacs sound system in the Lyriq. The Bose performance series sounds better in the other models
So it looks like the Lyriq and the Ioniq5 have the same style of doorhandles, but in reverse direction. Do you notice a preference?
I’m already sold on the Cadillac Optiq and it hasn’t been built in the U.S. yet, only in China. Let’s get it going Cadillac.
Do you happen to remember what you thought of the Bose system in the Ariya? Coming from my Tesla it was a definite downgrade when I got my Ariya. It seems to be lacking in the higher frequencies. Sounds like the AKG system in the Lyric is not so great either. 😢
I think the genesis audio system sounds great
DM Sound gave the Ariya a B- for the base sound system, which is really good for a non-branded system
2:40 I wish my Lyriq came with the back windshield wiper. It’s not given on any trim level. Even the ones without the visor camera
Love the shirt!!
Road noise difference between the two?
15:39 If the 2025 Lyriq has the CarPlay, doesn’t that mean potential buyers have about a year until a refresh?
I think the Lyriq is the best-looking SUV out there.
versus Honda Prologue
Good call!
We need a part 2 where the Prologue and ZDX are compared against the GM twins.
@@MikeHawkNBahlzI test drove the Blazer and the Prologue and much preferred the Prologue mostly because of the fact I can get everything I want on the Prologue Elite and I can’t on the Blazer AWD models. I can’t get over the Hearse effect of the back of the ZDX. The Lyriq look is nice in person at least when I’ve seen it driving down the road.
22:16 if the reason GM continues to give CarPlay on Lyriq and doesn’t do so on Equinox EV or Blazer EV is to push buyers to purchase the more expensive car, then their strategy certainly worked on me. 😢
Adaptive cruise is optional on a luxury model? Good lord.
Does anyone think the Lyriq will have an HUD or an Augment Reality HUD in the near future?
Do they have the nacs connector for 25?
No, this may happen for the 2026 model year
Hey Alex, just wanted to ask how are the insurance premiums for the car's you have been leasing?
Has the cost gone exponential with EV vehicles?
Insurance on the Blazer EV is only 1% higher than an ICE Blazer.
Interesting and informative
Want something in-between with carplay? Get a Mach e
This t shirt and pants look so much better than a shirt in a jeans!
16:46 Apparently this was an OTA update after the 2023 owners complained about it.
So they updated it and made it worse?
There's a strange homogeny in EVs ...
5:20 190 kW?? I wish. I charged at EVGo 200 kW charger twice since I bought my Lyriq 1 week ago and the best I got was 80 kW even when I plugged in at
You have to connect to a 350kw charger to get 190 out of the Lyriq. The 200 kw units don’t have the current capacity to charge at the max rate. We are going to do a video on this and more soon
8:41 Again something the Bolt does better than the Lyriq. My Bolt’s Bose sounds so much better than the Lyriq’s AKG
That's sad because I had to upgrade the Bose in my Bolt EUV because it was too boomy and muddy sounding. The Infinity speakers I swapped out sound amazing in comparison. If I got the Blazer the sound system is easily upgraded. I don't dare swap out parts on the AKG system though.
Why AWD?
I prefer the Cadillac Lyric because it has more luxury than the Chevy Blazer.
How tall is Alex?
I have a Tesla charger at home and have been waiting for GM to make NACS standard. I don't want to use an adapter. They keep putting it off, so I will not buy one until they do.
2025? Your vid says 2024 at just a few seconds in. Which is it?
I think you can’t go wrong with either the Chevy Blazer or Cadillac Lyriq for several reasons. They’re amongst the best in their respective categories in design alone but then you’re also going to love the way that they drive compared to other EV if you’ve matured enough and prefer a more comfortable spirited journey. I’m not too excited about the Acura ZDX or Prologue in comparison and I think that’s why Honda backed out of the deal. These two are going to kill the rebadged jobs that Honda is trying to sell their customers. I say it all of the time but the lack of originality of other manufacturers and the fact that *gm* is thriving while being so unique truly is impressive especially nowadays when so many just copy what’s popular.
It's Like Škoda Name. Kodiaq, Enyaq, Karoq, and Cadillac Lyriq
Never like the shifter on a stalk on GM vehicles. It's too easy to be bumped.
Acura and Honda clones bring next time do all 4 together
I love my iPhone and its reliability as far as software updates are concerned. I don’t trust GM with OTA updates of the Android software. I will stick to cars with CarPlay, thanks.
Ohhh, he said station wagon.....😮😮😮😅😅
Call a spade a spade…
@@AAutoBuyersGuide got one in my garage. I think it all the time. Just never say it out loud. 😁
There seems to be no point in buying the Lyric. There's no difference.
I can't get past the blinking brake lights. And the Lyriq has THE ugliest rear end, ever because of the light design/layout.
I dunno, looking at Edmunds, 30% of the owner reviews give it 1 star. 17% for the eBlazer. Great review as always.
The Cadillac is a bizarre-looking vehicle.
I actually think the Blazer looks better.
The BART train was the prettiest vehicle in this video, when are you going to review that?
CarPlay is overrated. I have a Luxury 3 Lyriq with CP and it really is inferior to the native OS. This is most notable in navigation and sound quality. Some reviewers question the sound quality on the Lyriq. That’s because of the obsession with CarPlay. Stream music with the native OS and the sound quality is profoundly superior. The native google maps is also much better than CarPlay maps. More detailed with more information and it uses all the screen’s real estate.
Calling 20k miles long term is insulting.
Unfortunately, neither one is the ultimate. They’re both General Motors products.
Lyric has a very unpractical design in the rear.
The rear design is for aerodynamics
@@karenvitale9774 Not my cup of tea. I like Chevrolet Blazer rear design better.
It’s a huge hatchback, we love ours.
@@NomenClature-o8s I like the design of Blazer rear business end...
Both trash EVs. Nothing else to say. EVs are not good for humans of the planet.
23:10 This is fixed in 2025, the storage is much deeper