Why Model Y Owners Switching to the Cadillac Lyriq Praise the Ride but Miss Two Key Tesla Features

When a Tesla Model Y owner posted in a Facebook group asking if he would regret switching to a Cadillac Lyriq, fellow owners who made the exact same jump responded that the smooth, quiet ride and luxury comfort easily won them over. However, they pointed out two specific Tesla features that are hard to give up: using a phone as a key and seeing an accurate remaining battery percentage upon reaching a destination. The good news for prospective buyers is that General Motors is actively closing both gaps.

The discussion was initiated by Graham Miranda from California, who considered trading in his 2026 Tesla Model Y for a 2026 or 2027 Lyriq. Miranda noted that while the Lyriq’s tech might be underwhelming compared to a Tesla, he does not care about Full Self-Driving and wants a much more refined, comfortable EV, especially since he has Level 2 charging at home.

Owners who replied heavily emphasized comfort as the deciding factor. Dennis Kay, who owned a Model Y for six years before switching to a 2024 Lyriq Sport 3, called it a great decision. Chris Sudler test-drove a Model Y and immediately concluded that while electric vehicles were for him, Tesla was not. He described the Model Y as feeling like a toy car, whereas the Lyriq feels more normal, comfortable, and comparable to an internal combustion engine car. Another owner, Larry Loen, simply advised taking a long test drive, noting that Cadillac’s traditional smooth and quiet ride makes long drives bearable. Comfort can be subjective, however; one new Lyriq owner reported after three weeks and 600 miles that his biggest gripe was the seats.

When it comes to drawbacks, Keisa Monique, owner of a 2024 Lyriq, highlighted what she misses most: using her phone as a key, since she dislikes carrying a physical fob around, and the Tesla feature that tells drivers the exact remaining battery percentage upon arrival at a destination. Despite this, she loves her Lyriq and notes she gets more miles to a charge, meaning fewer charging stops.

Fortunately, GM is addressing these shortcomings. In September 2026, GM began rolling out digital phone keys for 2025 to 2027 Lyriq models, as well as the 2026 to 2027 Optiq and 2027 Vistiq. This digital key operates through Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet, allowing vehicles to automatically unlock upon approach and lock when walking away, with key sharing for up to eight devices. Keisa’s 2024 model, however, was not included in that initial rollout. Regarding arrival battery estimates, Cadillac states that Google built-in allows Google Maps to estimate remaining battery charge at route completion, though it requires a compatible data plan and features can vary by model year.

On paper, the range figures for both vehicles are closely matched. GM lists the 2026 Lyriq with up to 326 miles of EPA-estimated range. The 2026 Model Y ranges between 294 and 357 miles depending on the trim and wheels, with the Premium AWD rated at 327 miles. Real-world efficiency varies based on driving style, weather, and wheel size, with one Lyriq owner hand-calculating an impressive 3.3 miles per kWh over 1,448 miles to Crater Lake and the Oregon Coast.

Public charging reliability sparked debate within the group. Erik Stephens pointed out that GM’s public charging infrastructure is not as robust as Tesla’s, noting that GM contracted to use Tesla Superchargers for this reason. Lyriq owners can indeed access Tesla Superchargers; 2026 models utilize a CCS port and require an adapter, while every 2027 GM electric vehicle, including the Lyriq, transitions to a native NACS port. For owners with Level 2 home charging, daily charging primarily occurs in the garage anyway.

Reliability discussions yielded mixed perspectives. Connor Macomber suggested the Lyriq offers more luxury and a smoother ride, but less reliability and tech. Another member countered that while early Lyriqs had teething issues, Tesla owners frequently complain about suspension rattles, whereas Lyriq owners report piling on huge mileage with minimal trouble, leading to the sentiment that Tesla builds computers while GM builds cars.

Regarding driver assistance, neither Graham nor Chris cared for Full Self-Driving. The Lyriq features GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance on compatible highways, which some owners praise for making extra charging time worthwhile on long-distance trips. Buyers should verify whether Super Cruise is included or requires a subscription on their chosen trim.

Before switching from a Model Y to a Lyriq, owners recommend taking a thorough test drive on rough roads, confirming digital key and smartphone compatibility for the specific model year, testing the Google Maps arrival battery estimate, checking Super Charger adapter requirements, comparing range and trim specifications, gathering multiple trade-in quotes, and securing an insurance quote.