We recently completed testing on the 2020 Cadillac CT4 luxury sedan, and we discuss how it compares to the Audi A4, Genesis G70, and its sister sedan, the Cadillac CT5. Staying with the Cadillac, the GM’s luxury brand recently made headlines with the unveiling of its all-electric Lyriq concept SUV; we talk about the rocky history of electric cars at General Motors, the interesting platform the Lyriq will be based on, and how this car will compete with Tesla’s offerings. We also answer questions about fun alternatives to the Hyundai Palisade, how electric truck maker Rivian is stepping up the battery game, tips for snowbirds to maintain their Mazda Miata and Mazda3, and whether it is a good idea to use a padded seat belt cover.
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SHOW NOTES
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00:00 – Introduction
01:41 – 2023 Cadillac Lyriq First Look
06:15 – 2020 Cadillac CT5 Test Results
13:48 – Question #1: Is Rivian moving towards the 800-volt battery technology, and is it worth the wait?
17:23 – Question #2: Are padded set belt covers safe?
19:55 – Question #3: Is it bad for cars to be garaged for long periods of time, and how should they be maintained?
24:51 – Questions #4: What are some fun alternatives to the Hyundai Palisade?
Coronavirus Resource Hub
Preview: Cadillac Lyriq Shows GM’s Commitment to Electric Cars
First Drive: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Both Thrills and Disappoints
First Drive: 2020 Cadillac CT5 Blends Comfort and Sport
All-Electric Rivian Pickup and SUV Take Charge
4K Review: 2016 Mazda CX-9 Quick Drive
2017 Audi A4 Quick Drive
2019 Genesis G70 Quick Drive
4K Review: 2018 Kia Stinger
2:44 Beautiful 💋💋love u💋💋
Are you loving the car or Gabe? Gabe had a nice head of hair on him for sure.
Jennifer, Mike, and Gabe: Thank you so much for answering my question about leaving a car behind in a garage for months! You guys are the BEST!!!!
Maryann & Karl Valois You guys get two thumbs up for being a Mazda family!
Holly, Don’t be ‘twisted’. You very sensibly keep your cars for a long time so get yourself a highly rational Highlander Hybrid. The CX-9 will burn twice as much gas as the Highlander.
The Highlander Hybrid is also costly, especially considering the CX-9 in Grand Touring trim(all the features of the Signature minus the fancier materials). A Platinum Hybrid hits $50,000; A GT CX-9 is $43,000) According to CR’s own data the CX-9 has had Toyota level reliability. The CX-9 is also matured while the Highlander is in its first model year.(even Toyota isn’t perfect with first model years) Overall, it’s just going to depend on what Holly values.
@ezekiel1hen XLE trim level would be more than sufficient on the Highlander. Choosing a family car that burns nearly twice as much gas is not a rational choice in 2020.
Jen always sounds like she just came off a 3 day bender , was woke up and and someone said ” you’re on…in 3,2 1 …go “
I wouldn’t have put it that way, but yes, dry throat vocal cords to the max. Not the most appealing audio tone. But I respect her knowledge and opinions.
GM always seems to get handling right
Joe Wilder, this is one of the truly great achievements that John Delorian pushed through when he was the head of the Chevrolet Division!
All GM vehicles today handle really well.
Cadillac is digging their own grave. Especially in China without a long wheelbase version sedan with proper rear legroom.
The CT6 is the same length as a BMW 7 series.
The Cadillac CT6 was 2nd in sales behind the S-class.
Cadillac has really gone down the gutter. Their interiors have really shown awful design and quality caused by the penny-pinchers at GM. Cadillac should steal interior designers from Lincoln and MB.
Did you see the Lyriq’s interior? There is a photo out there of a production intent interior. It’s almost identical to the concept.
Have you seen Platinum version of XTS, CT6, or Escalade?
Cadillac is screwing up so badly by not putting Super Cruise on all of their cars. It’s been around 3 years since the CT6 with Super Cruise came out and it’s still not available on their other cars. Classic GM move
Unlike Tesla Autopilot who has killed people, GM’s motto going forward is zero crashes.
On the last question, how about the Toyota RAV4? Sounds like it would fit the bill and I’d like to see you guys recommend hybrids even to people who didn’t specifically inquire about them. Furthermore, if you choose the CX9 don’t be surprised to see yourself everywhere. Everyone seems to be driving them.
The vehicles referenced in the question are all midsize SUVs. The RAV4 is a compact SUV and you’d see at least 10x the RAV4 everywhere compared to the CX-9.
GM does not have a skateboard platform. It’s a battery system that they will be using in unibody (Lyriq) and body on frame (Hummer) vehicles.
General Motors North America president Steve Carlisle has said the Lyriq will start under $60,000 per Automotive News. “This car will need to be priced similar to how the industry prices midsize lux SUVs today, maybe a slight premium at the outset. It’s a price that won’t be high five digits. It won’t start with a seven and it won’t start with a six.”
Correction: A GM spokesperson said the Lyriq would start under $60k
Regarding non-standard AEB. Why not simply stop testing cars that force you to pay extra for fundamental safety features? Especially as it has a negative impact on the safety of everybody else on the road
I notice Gabe has a copy of the FC “RX-7” book by Jack Yamaguchi at R & T on his bookshelf. Great publication from 1986.
I am a subscriber and would be happy to answer your surveys, but every tome one is sent to me, you ask how many kilometres are on my car and what my litres/100k are. Wrong spellings for the US. I live in North Carolina, not in Canada. I have replied several times to the people who send the survey, but I still get automated reminders with the wrong units. This is VERY sloppy for a consumer advocate organization. I may not renew my subscription when it is due next May.
Gabe needs to learn how to pronounce Porsche.
So they tested a smaller car, but then complained about the smaller interior? It’s not a full size car……. And of course they always have to divert to talking up foreign makes……
Try sit straight in the back seat of an Audi A3!
You talked me into it. I signed up for a monthly donation to Talking Cars
The Cadillac Lyric will start un $60K, not $80K. That is less than a Genesis GV80!
But is it better than the Cadillac ATS which it replaces?