- Cadillac Lyriq vs Tesla Model Y pricing gap narrows to under $2k when incentives are counted.
- Lyriq offers 33-inch curved LED dash, massage seats and 300-mile range; Model Y counters with 303-mile range and faster 0-60.
- Both qualify for federal EV credits; check state rebates to lower monthly lease payments.
Cadillac Lyriq vs Tesla Model Y: The Lease Decision Every Escalade Driver Faces
Your Escalade lease ends soon and the gas pump is no longer on your wish list. Dealers across the country report a surge of full-size SUV owners quietly cross-shopping the Cadillac Lyriq vs Tesla Model Y, hunting for premium electric range without sacrificing cabin comfort. With inventory sitting on lots and federal incentives resetting every quarter, the next three months could deliver the lowest lease payments of the year.
Cadillac Lyriq vs Tesla Model Y pricing in 2026
Sticker shock fades quickly once incentives land. The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq Luxury RWD opens at $58,795 before destination, while the Tesla Model Y Long Range now starts at $56,990. Apply the $7,500 federal clean-vehicle credit—passed directly on most Lyriq leases—and the effective cap cost drops to $51,295, narrowing the gap to roughly $1,700. State perks such as California’s $2,000 CVRP rebate can erase the difference entirely, making the Lyriq the cheaper monthly payment in many zip codes.
Range and charging speed compared
EPA filings show the rear-wheel-drive Lyriq at 314 miles, three more than the entry Model Y. Add dual-motor AWD and the Lyriq still claims 307 miles, while the comparable Model Y Long Range holds 303 miles. On a 190-kW DC fast charger the Lyriq adds 76 miles in ten minutes; Tesla’s 250-kW Supercharger restores 162 miles in the same window, but only from 10-30 % state of charge. Road-trip planners call it a wash: Tesla’s network is denser, yet Cadillac’s 19.2 kW Level-2 home charger delivers 52 miles per hour, twice the speed of Tesla’s optional 11.5 kW wall unit.
Interior tech showdown
Slide into the Lyriq and the 33-inch curved LED display wraps toward the driver like a single sheet of glass. Google Built-in runs native Maps and Assistant, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto appear instantly. Tesla’s 15-inch landscape screen still demands a tether for phone mirroring, but counters with Netflix, Caraoke and an arcade while you wait at chargers. Seat comfort tilts Cadillac: standard 14-way heat, ventilation and lumbar massage up front; Tesla asks $3,000 for its “Premium Package” to add cooled seats.
Cargo and family space
Both SUVs seat five, yet the Lyriq’s 196.7-inch length beats the Model Y by almost ten inches. Clever packaging gives Tesla the win on cubic feet: 76 vs 60.8 behind the first row. Parents note the Lyriq’s lower lift-over height makes stroller loading easier, while the Model Y’s hatch opening swallows bikes without removing wheels.
Performance feel, not just numbers
Cadillac quotes 500 hp for the upcoming Lyriq Sport AWD, good for a projected 4.6-second 0-60 sprint. Today’s rear-drive Lyriq makes 340 hp and feels “effortlessly quick” in rollout tests, but Tesla’s Model Y Performance remains the stop-light king at 3.5 seconds. Ride quality flips the script: the Lyriq’s standard five-link rear and available air suspension filter potholes like a full-size sedan, while the Model Y’s stiff springs still draw complaints on city streets.
Safety systems and driver aids
Super Cruise remains the headline Cadillac trick, enabling hands-free lane changes on 400,000 miles of mapped highways. Tesla’s Autopilot comes standard, but Full Self-Driving costs $12,000 and remains Level-2. Both cars earn five-star NHTSA outlooks; the Lyriq adds a standard 360-degree camera and rear pedestrian alert that beeps before you back over a bike.
Lease rates and residual values
Third-quarter bulletins show 36-month Lyriq Luxury leases at $699 with $4,999 down (10k miles/year) after the $7,500 incentive is applied. Tesla’s comparable Model Y Long Range lease sits at $759 with $4,500 down, reflecting stronger residual forecasts. Yet Cadillac allows 15,000-mile leases without penalty, a perk many Tesla stores no longer offer.
Color and customization choices
Lyriq buyers pick from eight exterior colors, including Satin Steel Metallic and Coastal Blue Metallic, at no extra cost. Tesla charges $1,000-$2,000 for every hue except pearl white. Inside, Cadillac offers Sky Cool Gray or Noir leather with open-pore wood or aluminum trim; Tesla’s black-only vegan interior is standard, with white or cream a $1,000 upcharge.
Which electric SUV leases better today?
If you crave road-trip charging speed and brand recognition, the Tesla Model Y still wins. If you value a massage on the commute, whisper-quiet ride and potentially lower payment after incentives, the Cadillac Lyriq vs Tesla Model Y debate tilts toward Detroit. Ask your dealer to run both quotes; the spreadsheet may surprise you.
Ready to test? Inventory turns weekly and incentive stacks reset each quarter. Lock the rate quote before the calendar flips and you could secure the luxury electric lease deal of 2026.
