The 2023 Cadillac Lyriq has certainly come a long way since the luxury marque unveiled the Lyriq show car back in 2020. Now, ahead of the luxury electric crossover’s impending launch, we’re taking a closer look at the subtle differences between the show car and its production-intent sibling.
Starting with the front end, the first noticeable difference lies in the turn signals. The 2023 Lyriq gains a narrow amber turn signal light right beneath the hood line that the show car does not have. There is also a slight difference in the shape of the hood cutout, with the show car’s hood sporting a more gradual slope compared to the production model’s sharper angle. The 2023 Lyriq also has a more prominent black separation between the non-illuminated portion of the grille and the animated lighting surround, something that’s less conspicuous on the show car.
Furthermore, the production model features running lights (the thin horizontal units) that are wider (more stretched out) than those on the show car. It also has a black “winglet” running horizontally across the bezel, creating a more prominent separation between the running lights and the primary headlights (the vertical units). Also note the style lines added to the production model’s silver trim surrounding the vertical lights. The silver trim on the show car’s bumper is smooth by comparison.
The 2023 Lyriq also has an amber marker light mounted just in front of the front wheel, whereas the show car doesn’t have this element whatsoever.
When looking at the driver’s side of both vehicles, we notice the charging port door is much smaller on the production model, the result of being divided from the lower end of the front quarter panel. Both cars have a similar wheel design, but the production model wears 22-inch wheels when compared to the 23-inch units on the show car. In addition, the production model has has exposed lug nuts, while the show car hides them behind a hubcap.
Another key difference is the very thin mirror assemblies mounted on the show car’s front doors. By comparison, the 2023 Lyriq features a larger mirror housing.
Also note that the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq features a chrome greenhouse trim piece that follows the vehicle’s top line, connecting to the upper taillight assembly. In the show car, this top-most trim piece does not come into contact with the tail lights.
The taillights themselves also sport different lighting patterns, with those on the production model featuring a distinct ladder-style pattern as seen from the side, with more negative space than that of the show car.
Additionally, the rear ends of both vehicles also have several differences. The production model has a more prominent body cutline at the rear bumper. The license plate recess on the 2023 Lyriq is taller, designed to accommodate a taller North American plate, while also featuring different surface development. What’s more, the production model wears the Lyriq nameplate and torque-based badge that the show car doesn’t have.
The production-ready Lyriq has a different lower bumper design with horizontally-oriented reflectors, while the show car features a blockier bumper cover with no reflectors. There’s also a strip of black and silver trim outlining the lower taillight assembly on the 2023 Lyriq. This tail light, in fact, carries the same ladder-style lighting pattern as on the upper tail light assembly we mentioned earlier, setting it apart from the show car. Finally, the production car also has a distinct fin-style center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL), which does not appear to be featured on the show car.
Spot any other differences between the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq and the Lyriq show car not covered here? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to subscribe to Cadillac Society for Cadillac Lyriq news and around-the-clock Cadillac news coverage. We also invite you to join the latest discussions in our Cadillac forums.
One of four new colors for the 2025 model year.
And it now represents the best value in its segment.
A curious sighting from a video of the Cadillac design studio.
