Reviewed: GM’s Cadillac and GMC EVs deliver luxury and range that challenge Tesla’s lead

General Motors’ newest electric SUVs and pickup deliver luxury finishes, long range and performance that in several respects outmatch Tesla’s lineup, though size, weight and premium pricing complicate the value proposition for many buyers.

In road tests conducted by a reviewer who ran each vehicle for a week, GM’s Cadillac Lyriq crossover, GMC Sierra Denali EV pickup and three‑row Cadillac Escalade IQ stood out for their refined cabins, acceleration and battery range. The Escalade IQ and Sierra Denali EV, in particular, rely on very large battery packs that yield estimated ranges of about 450 and 460 miles, respectively — figures that exceed Tesla’s longest‑range dual‑motor Model S by roughly 50 miles in the Escalade’s case.

The Escalade IQ is the largest of the three and the most opulent. Cadillac converted its iconic Escalade into an all‑electric flagship that tips the scales at roughly 9,000 pounds and stretches about 18.6 feet from bumper to bumper. The reviewer praised its lavish interior, which features a width‑spanning digital display that serves as the gauge cluster, infotainment interface and a passenger entertainment panel. A large front trunk adds cargo flexibility, and an available rear‑steering system improves low‑speed maneuverability. Despite the luxurious front cabin, the second and third rows were described as surprisingly tight for a vehicle of this size. Cadillac’s flagship carries a roughly $130,000 starting price.

The GMC Sierra Denali EV presents a more traditional truck silhouette than rivals such as Tesla’s Cybertruck. GMC’s upscale pickup is priced near $100,000 in Denali trim and weighs about 8,800 pounds. The Denali EV mixes premium materials — open‑pore wood and leather — with practical features, including a removable wall between the cabin and bed that allows the truck to carry long items with the rear seats folded. The truck accelerated briskly in the reviewer’s testing, reaching 60 mph in just over four seconds. GMC’s long range comes largely from a very large battery pack mounted beneath the truck, a packaging approach the reviewer said sacrifices design elegance in favor of sheer capacity. The Sierra lacks some conveniences in its infotainment implementation, and the absence of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on certain setups drew criticism.

By contrast, Cadillac’s Lyriq is a smaller, quieter and more efficiency‑oriented product. Priced from about $65,000, the Lyriq offers an estimated 326 miles of range and aims for a softer, more serene driving character than many performance‑oriented EVs. The Lyriq’s exterior and interior design were singled out for distinctive styling: an LED‑accented faux grille that animates when the key fob approaches, door‑handle lighting projections and a sweeping curved digital display. The base Lyriq accelerates to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, while a high‑performance dual‑motor Lyriq trim delivers about 615 horsepower for buyers seeking added pace.

Tesla’s earlier dominance shaped consumer and media expectations for electric vehicles. The company accounted for about 80 percent of new EV sales in the U.S. in 2020, and its Model Y became the world’s best‑selling vehicle in 2023. That market leadership turned Tesla into the benchmark many reviewers and buyers use to evaluate new EVs. But the GM vehicles tested do not pursue Tesla’s stylistic provocations or novelty touches; instead, they emphasize traditional luxury cues, refined materials and straight‑forward tech.

The reviewer noted two recurring tradeoffs in GM’s approach. First, the very large battery packs that enable long advertised ranges add substantial mass. That mass can complicate off‑road or worksite use — the Sierra’s near‑9,000‑pound weight raises the risk of sinking on soft ground — and heavy loads or towing materially reduce range, an important consideration for truck buyers. Second, as prices climb into the high‑five‑figure and six‑figure ranges, competition from other luxury EV startups such as Rivian and Lucid grows more intense; those competitors already challenge Tesla in the premium brackets and, in some cases, aim to deliver comparable refinement with more efficient packaging.

Practical considerations also shape how GM’s vehicles stack up. New Lyriq models include compatibility with Tesla’s Supercharger network, a move that could ease one of the principal advantages Tesla has offered buyers: charging convenience and network reach. Still, the reviewer cautioned that the Sierra’s and Escalade’s curb weights and packaging choices make them less practical as everyday drivers for some buyers, even as they deliver impressive headline figures for range and performance.

The reviewer’s assessments were based on week‑long loaner tests provided by the automaker; the company covered tolls and the first charge, while the reviewer retained editorial control over the verdict. Across the three vehicles tested, the Lyriq was described as the most coherent and complete product, balancing design, comfort and efficiency. The larger Escalade IQ and Sierra Denali EV demonstrated that legacy automakers can produce EVs that meet or exceed Tesla in several technical metrics, but their sheer size, weight and high prices make them a different proposition than Tesla’s mainstream offerings.

GM’s latest EV entries underscore how established automakers are competing on luxury, range and craftsmanship rather than relying on shock value or gimmicks. Whether those attributes will persuade significant numbers of buyers to shift away from Tesla’s brand cachet and charging ecosystem will depend on factors beyond vehicle specs, including pricing, aftersales support and broader charging infrastructure developments.