Compare the2026 Audi Q4 e-tronVS 2026 Cadillac Lyriq

The Q4 e-tron’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 Q4 e-tron has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, 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.

Both the Q4 e-tron and the Lyriq have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q4 e-tron is safer than the Cadillac Lyriq:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Q4 e-tron’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Lyriq’s (12 vs. 6 years).

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Q4 e-tron for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Audi will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Lyriq.

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 Q4 e-tron’s reliability 43 points higher than the Lyriq.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 14 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

As tested in Motor Trend the Q4 55 e-tron electric motors is faster than the Cadillac Lyriq electric motors:

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron gets better mileage than the Lyriq:

The Q4 e-tron has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Lyriq doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the Q4 e-tron’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Lyriq:

The Q4 e-tron Quattro handles at .84 G’s, while the Lyriq pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Q4 e-tron 45’s turning circle is 6.1 feet tighter than the Lyriq’s (33.5 feet vs. 39.6 feet). The Q4 e-tron 55’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Lyriq’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.6 feet).

The Audi Q4 e-tron may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 to 1150 pounds less than the Cadillac Lyriq.

The Q4 45 e-tron is 1 foot, 4.1 inches shorter than the Lyriq, making the Q4 e-tron easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Q4 e-tron. The Lyriq doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Q4 e-tron’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Lyriq’s (2200 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac Lyriq AWD is only 3500 pounds. The Q4 e-tron offers up to a 2650 lbs. towing capacity.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Q4 e-tron 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.

The Q4 e-tron Premium Plus offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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.

If the windows are left open on the Q4 e-tron the driver can close all of them 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 Q4 e-tron 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 Q4 e-tron 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 Q4 e-tron’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Lyriq’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q4 e-tron Premium Plus offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Lyriq doesn’t offer headlight washers.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron retains 30.3% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 28.08% resale value of the 2025 Cadillac Lyriq after five years, which can save the Audi’s owner up to $7426.99857 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q4 e-tron, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac Lyriq isn't recommended.