Compare the2026 Lincoln AviatorVS 2025 Cadillac Lyriq

The Aviator has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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 Aviator and the Lyriq have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the Cadillac Lyriq:

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the Cadillac Lyriq:

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

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 Aviator’s reliability 17 points higher than the Lyriq.

The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 35 more horsepower (400 vs. 365) and 90 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 325) than the Lyriq’s standard electric motor.

For better stopping power the Aviator’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Lyriq:

The Aviator stops shorter than the Lyriq:

The Aviator offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Lyriq; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Aviator has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Lyriq’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Aviator Reserve/Black Label has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Aviator’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Lyriq doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Aviator’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Lyriq doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Aviator Reserve AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Lyriq Luxury AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Aviator has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Lyriq (8.7 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Aviator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Lincoln Aviator may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 1000 pounds less than the Cadillac Lyriq.

The Aviator offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Lyriq can only carry 5.

The Aviator has 35.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Lyriq (140.6 vs. 105.1).

The Aviator has 2.9 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front hip room, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear hip room and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Lyriq.

The Aviator’s cargo area provides more volume than the Lyriq.

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Aviator. The Lyriq doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Aviator’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Lyriq’s (5000 vs. 0 pounds).

The Aviator offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, certain gauge, warning, turn signal and navigation instruction 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 Aviator the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Lyriq can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Aviator’s exterior PIN entry system. The Lyriq doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Aviator 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 Aviator’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Lyriq’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

The Lyriq’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Aviator (except Premiere)’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Aviator to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Lyriq doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the Aviator’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Lyriq doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Lincoln Aviator retains 45.62% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 28.08% resale value of the 2025 Cadillac Lyriq after five years, which can save the Lincoln’s owner up to $10692.8067 in depreciation.