Cadillac teased the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V in late October, not only (finally) confirming the upcoming performance variant of the battery electric crossover, while also giving us glimpses of the car’s exterior and interior. And while the luxury marque didn’t share any specs or performance features, the exterior photos and footage seem to make it fairly obvious that the Lyriq-V rides a lot lower than “regular Lyriqs, making us wonder just how will the Cadillac Lyriq-V accomplish its lower ride height?
We explore exactly this one the latest episode of the Cadillac Society podcast. Feel free to hit the play button on the video below and mull along with us.
A lower ride height can be accomplished in a number of ways, with two being relatively obvious to Cadillac Society executive editor, Alex Luft. The first is an adjustment (essentially a drop) of a fixed suspension setup. The second is a fitment of an advanced, adjustable air suspension system. Both options have unique benefits, but for now, all signs point to Cadillac opting for the latter. Why?
For starters, the Cadillac Lyriq, and the hot Lyriq-V performance variant, ride on the BEV3 platform that’s designed to support a range of suspension technologies, including adjustable air suspension. This would allow the Lyriq-V to provide an adjustable ride height, enabling the driver to increase or decrease the vehicle’s ground clearance. While air suspension would handle the up/down movement, Cadillac’s signature Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) damper technology could handle the damping, enhancing handling while maintaining Cadillac’s signature ride quality. Alternatively, Cadillac could use Continuous Damping Control (CDC) in place of MRC. While both damping technologies provide similar benefits, CDC is less advanced and doesn’t react as quickly to changes in road conditions as MRC.
2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V
It’s worth noting that the all-electric Acura ZDX crossover, which shares the Lyriq’s version of the BEV3 platform and is built alongside it at the Spring Hill plant in Tennessee, offers height-adjustable air suspension and performance-tuned CDC adaptive dampers in the ZDX Type S, possibly indicating what the Lyriq-V can use.
For its part, Cadillac still hasn’t released any specs, including horsepower and torque numbers, for the upcoming Cadillac Lyriq-V. For now, the yet-to-launch performance variant of another Lyriq platform mate, the Chevy Blazer EV in high-performance SS guise – provides some clues. Once launched, this model will be rated at 595 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, likely making it a safe bet when it comes to minimum Lyriq-V figures. Beyond more power, torque, and a sportier suspension, the Lyriq-V will feature a more sporty exterior appearance than “regular” Lyriq models. We went over how the body will differ in the podcast embedded above.
A formal debut of the Lyriq-V will take place place in early 2025.
Mike
It looks so much better lowered. Harley Earl pushed for low-slung cars back in the 1930s. Like my ol’ Pappy used to say; “you can lower a wheelbarrow and it’ll look better.”
Raymond J Ramirez
A lowered ride may look better and reduce drag at high speeds. But on real city streets and most rural roads, the lower ride will increase suspension damage. I live in a medium sized city and I drive GM anf Ford vehicles on badly maintained conditions. So I am one of the many who wear out tires and struts. A lower ride would be a financial disaster.