If you’re cross-shopping the Kia EV9 vs Cadillac Lyriq, you’re already in rare air. Both are among the most sophisticated electric SUVs on sale, but they’re aimed at slightly different buyers: the EV9 is a three-row family workhorse, while the Lyriq leans hard into two-row luxury. This guide breaks down pricing, range, space, charging, and day‑to‑day ownership so you can decide which fits your life, especially if you’re considering a used one from a retailer like Recharged.
At a glance
Kia EV9 vs Cadillac Lyriq: Overview
Kia EV9 vs Cadillac Lyriq: Key Specs
Headline numbers for current U.S. models (2024–2025 model years). Exact figures vary by trim.
| Kia EV9 | Cadillac Lyriq | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle type | Three-row midsize electric SUV | Two-row midsize luxury electric SUV |
| Seating capacity | 6 or 7 | 5 |
| Max EPA range | Up to ~304 miles (Light Long Range RWD) | Up to ~326 miles (RWD) |
| Battery capacity | Up to 99.8 kWh usable | About 102 kWh rated energy |
| Drivetrain | RWD or dual-motor AWD | RWD or dual-motor AWD |
| Max horsepower | Up to ~379 hp (dual-motor trims) | Up to ~515 hp (AWD) |
| Max towing capacity | Up to 5,000 lbs (properly equipped) | Up to 3,500 lbs |
| DC fast-charging rate | Peak around 215 kW on 800‑V architecture | Up to ~190 kW |
| Starting MSRP (new, 2025) | Around mid‑$50,000s | Around high‑$50,000s |
| Primary mission | Family-hauling utility + value | Quiet, upscale electric luxury |
Always confirm exact specs for the specific vehicle you’re buying, especially on the used market.
Note on numbers
Pricing and Value: Which Electric SUV Costs Less to Own?
On paper, the Kia EV9 and Cadillac Lyriq start in a similar neighborhood when new, but they take different paths to get there. The EV9’s 2025 lineup starts around the mid‑$50,000s for the Light trim and climbs into the mid‑$70,000s for a fully loaded GT‑Line. The Lyriq’s 2025 range centers around the high‑$50,000s for a rear‑wheel‑drive Luxury 1 model and pushes into the high‑$60,000s for loaded Luxury 3 and Sport 3 trims.
How value plays out: Kia EV9 vs Cadillac Lyriq
Both are premium buys, but they emphasize different types of value.
Purchase price
Kia EV9: Generally undercuts similarly equipped luxury three‑row EVs and offers a long feature list even on mid trims.
Cadillac Lyriq: Priced competitively versus German luxury SUVs, especially after recent price cuts on 2025 trims.
Feature-per-dollar
EV9 trims tend to bundle a lot of equipment, heated seats, driver aids, and big screens, even before you hit the top models.
Lyriq skews toward materials and refinement over sheer feature count.
Used-market appeal
Early used EV9s and Lyriqs are beginning to hit the market. A platform like Recharged can help you gauge fair pricing, battery health, and whether you’re actually getting a good deal.
Smart move for shoppers
Space, Seating, and Utility: Family Hauler vs Lounge-On-Wheels
Kia EV9: Three-row workhorse
- Seating: 6‑ or 7‑passenger configurations with either a second‑row bench or captain’s chairs.
- Third row: Adult‑usable for shorter trips and perfectly fine for kids. This is one of the EV9’s key advantages over most rivals.
- Cargo space: Boxy roofline and long wheelbase give it real SUV practicality with all rows up or folded.
- Towing: Up to about 5,000 lbs when properly equipped, plenty for a small camper or pair of jet skis.
Cadillac Lyriq: Two-row luxury SUV
- Seating: Strictly a 5‑seater. Rear legroom is generous, but there’s no third row.
- Cargo space: Very good for a two‑row SUV, with a long, flat load floor, but obviously can’t match a three‑row for people+cargo flexibility.
- Towing: Rated up to about 3,500 lbs, adequate for a small trailer but not as capable as the EV9.
- Feel: Prioritizes a quiet, cocooned experience rather than max utility.
Clear winner for families
Range, Battery, and Efficiency
Headline range and battery numbers
In pure range terms, the Cadillac Lyriq has the edge at its most efficient, with EPA figures around the mid‑300‑mile mark for the rear‑wheel‑drive version. The Kia EV9 tops out around the low‑300‑mile range in its Light Long Range RWD trim. Once you add all‑wheel drive and larger wheels, both SUVs settle into more realistic real‑world ranges in the mid‑200‑mile band for many owners.
Real-world range reality
- If you prioritize maximum single‑charge range and mostly drive with just 1–2 people on board, the Lyriq RWD is appealing.
- If you need range plus three rows, the EV9’s Long Range battery is one of the most capable family‑sized EV setups on sale.
- Either way, you’ll want to look at your typical daily mileage and access to home or workplace charging before you overweight headline range figures.
Performance, Ride, and Driving Feel
Both of these SUVs are quick by traditional family‑SUV standards, and neither feels slow even in base rear‑drive form. The Kia EV9 offers a wide spread of personalities, from relaxed and efficient in the Light trims to legitimately brisk in the dual‑motor Wind, Land, and GT‑Line. The Cadillac Lyriq, especially with dual motors, delivers a more traditionally luxury‑SUV feel: quiet, linear power with an emphasis on smoothness.
Driving character: Kia EV9 vs Cadillac Lyriq
Same idea, electric SUV, but different tuning priorities.
Kia EV9 character
- Dual‑motor trims can hit 60 mph in the mid‑4‑second range.
- Steering and suspension tuned more like a mainstream SUV, confident and secure, with a slightly firmer edge on larger wheels.
- Standard and available drive modes let you dial things from eco‑conscious to sporty.
Cadillac Lyriq character
- Strong, seamless torque, especially in dual‑motor form, delivers effortless highway passing.
- Ride prioritizes quiet, composed isolation; think gliding, not hustling.
- Optional rear‑wheel steering and adaptive dampers (depending on trim) enhance low‑speed maneuverability and highway stability.
Test-drive both if you can
Charging Experience and Road Trips
For road trips, charging speed and charging network access can make or break ownership. The Kia EV9 and Cadillac Lyriq use different electrical architectures and are at slightly different stages in their Tesla Supercharger story, but both have become much easier to road‑trip than early EVs.
Charging comparison: Kia EV9 vs Cadillac Lyriq
Key DC fast‑charging and connector details U.S. shoppers should know.
| Kia EV9 | Cadillac Lyriq | |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 800‑V E‑GMP platform | 400‑V Ultium platform |
| Peak DC fast‑charge rate | Around 215 kW | Around 190 kW |
| 0–80% DC fast‑charge time | Roughly 25–30 minutes under ideal conditions | Roughly 30+ minutes under ideal conditions |
| Home AC charging | Up to ~11 kW on Level 2 | Up to ~19.2 kW on higher trims |
| Connector / networks | CCS1 port, access to CCS networks; support for Tesla Superchargers via NACS adapter and network integration depending on model year | CCS1 port with adapter support for Tesla Superchargers and access to growing Ultium Charge 360 partner networks |
Exact charging performance varies by temperature, state of charge, and station quality.
Supercharger access keeps evolving
Road‑tripping either SUV: key checks
1. Confirm adapter situation
Ask whether the vehicle includes an official NACS adapter and whether it’s compatible with your model year. Replacements can be expensive or back‑ordered.
2. Look up your frequent routes
Use public‑charging apps to map out CCS and Tesla locations on your typical road‑trip paths. The more redundancy you have, the less stressful charging becomes.
3. Check onboard charger speed
If you rely mostly on home Level 2 charging, the Lyriq’s available 19.2‑kW onboard charger can refill overnight especially quickly, if your home electrical service supports it.
4. Understand towing impact
Towing with either EV will significantly cut range. If you plan to tow with an EV9 or Lyriq, build more frequent DC fast‑charge stops into your plans.
Tech, Safety, and Driver Assistance
Both SUVs play at the tech-forward end of the market, but they emphasize different things. The Kia EV9 leans into a clean, futuristic layout with dual widescreen displays, physical controls where they matter, and an interface that feels familiar to anyone who’s driven a recent Kia. The Cadillac Lyriq wraps its tech in more drama: a sweeping curved display, intricate ambient lighting, and available Super Cruise hands‑free driving on compatible highways.
Technology highlights
Where each SUV stands out on the tech front.
Infotainment
EV9: Wide dual screens, intuitive menus, strong smartphone integration, and plenty of physical controls for climate and key functions.
Lyriq: Massive curved display that blends gauge cluster and center screen; looks stunning, with a slightly steeper learning curve.
Safety + driver aids
Both offer the usual modern suite: adaptive cruise, lane centering, blind‑spot monitoring, parking aids, and more.
Availability varies by trim, especially on early model years, important on the used market.
Hands‑free driving
The Lyriq’s available Super Cruise is a standout if you frequently drive mapped highways. It allows hands‑free driving and automatic lane changes where the system is supported.
The EV9 offers competent lane‑centering and smart cruise systems, but not the same level of hands‑off capability (at least for U.S. models today).
Used buyer caution
Ownership, Warranty, and Resale on the Used Market
Because both the Kia EV9 and Cadillac Lyriq are still relatively new nameplates, long‑term real‑world data is limited. But there are clear patterns based on their underlying brands and warranty coverage.
Ownership picture: Kia EV9 vs Cadillac Lyriq
Warranties, service, and used‑market dynamics.
Warranty coverage
- Kia EV9: Kia is known for long warranties, including lengthy battery and powertrain coverage on EVs, which can still transfer to second owners depending on age and mileage.
- Cadillac Lyriq: Backed by GM’s EV battery warranty and Cadillac’s bumper‑to‑bumper coverage. Luxury parts and repairs can be pricier out of warranty.
Resale and depreciation
- Early EVs often see faster initial depreciation than comparable gas models, but desirable trims with strong range and charging performance tend to hold up better.
- Because the EV9 and Lyriq are still fresh, used examples can present excellent value if you’re comfortable letting someone else take that first‑owner hit.
How Recharged fits in
Kia EV9 vs Cadillac Lyriq: Which One Is Right for You?
Choose your path: EV9 vs Lyriq
Pick the Kia EV9 if…
You routinely carry more than four people and need real three‑row seating.
You plan to tow a camper, boat, or trailer up to about 5,000 lbs.
You value a strong warranty and mainstream‑brand service network.
You see the EV9 as a true replacement for a gas three‑row SUV like a Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot.
You want a good balance of range, fast charging, and family‑friendly interior design.
Pick the Cadillac Lyriq if…
You rarely need more than two adults and maybe a couple kids on board.
You prioritize a <strong>quiet, luxurious</strong> cabin and dramatic design over max seating capacity.
You drive a lot of highway miles on mapped routes where Super Cruise can shine.
You want segment‑leading range in rear‑wheel‑drive form and don’t need three rows.
You’re cross‑shopping with gas luxury SUVs from BMW, Audi, Mercedes, or Lexus.
Seen through a dealership lens, the Kia EV9 and Cadillac Lyriq aren’t really rivals so much as neighbors on the same street. Both deliver serious electric capability, but they speak to different buyers. The EV9 is the pragmatic choice if you need space, towing, and family flexibility; the Lyriq is the indulgent choice if you want your EV to feel like a rolling luxury lounge. On the used market, where pricing gaps can narrow, the best move is to compare specific vehicles side by side, battery health, features, and actual out‑the‑door cost. A platform like Recharged is built to make that comparison transparent so you can buy the right electric SUV with confidence.
