BMW iX vs Cadillac Lyriq vs Audi Q8 e-tron
Real out-the-door prices, every trim, every spec, and an honest verdict on each.
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The verdict
Photo finish
The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq edges ahead by just 4 points — inside our margin for calling it, so there's no clear winner on the numbers. Let your priorities pick: the cheapest, the most efficient, or the one owners rave about below.
2026 Cadillac Lyriq
60.3
2026 BMW iX
56.3
2026 Audi Q8 e-tron
55.4
How the winner is called: price up to 20 pts, fuel economy up to 15, owner evidence up to 15, editor verdict up to 12, driving impressions up to 10, power up to 8, seats up to 5, safety awards up to 5. A category only counts when every compared car has that data, the category leader always earns its full weight, and a winner is only declared when the lead is 8+ points. Computed live from stored specs and sourced owner quotes — no opinions.
The Scoreboard
No feelings, just receipts — each point below is computed straight from the spec sheet.
2026 Cadillac Lyriq
$59,985 incl. destination — $16,910 less than the runner-up
2026 Cadillac Lyriq
314 mi range
2026 BMW iX
516 hp
The bottom line
Early points to the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq and the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq and the 2026 BMW iX. Start with the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq at $59,985 if the monthly payment decides, then read the spec sheet below — every point above comes straight from it.
Trim-Level Comparison
Pick a specific trim for each model to compare exact equipment and features side-by-side.
Trim Price (incl. dest.)
- iX$112,675
- Lyriq$64,085
- Q8 e-tron$82,295
Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo)
- iX$2,231/mo
- Lyriq$1,269/mo
- Q8 e-tron$1,630/mo
vs. Base Trim
- iX+$24,250
- Lyriq+$4,100
- Q8 e-tron+$5,400
| iX M60 | Lyriq Luxury 1 | Q8 e-tron Premium Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trim Price (incl. dest.) | $112,675 | $64,085 | $82,295 |
| Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo) | $2,231/mo | $1,269/mo | $1,630/mo |
| vs. Base Trim | +$24,250 | +$4,100 | +$5,400 |
13 of 13 features shown
iXLyriqQ8 e-tron
Dual All-Electric Motors
Included Not included Not included
Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof
Included Not included Not included
M Sport Brakes and Suspension
Included Not included Not included
33-inch diagonal advanced LED display
Not included Included Not included
Fixed Glass Roof
Not included Included Not included
Super Cruise
Not included Included Not included
Adaptive Headlamps
Not included Included Not included
Adaptive air suspension
Not included Not included Included
Heated steering wheel
Not included Not included Included
Audi Signature Care
Not included Not included Included
Ventilated front seats
Not included Not included Included
Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system
Not included Not included Included
Second AC charging port
Not included Not included Included
| Dual All-Electric Motors | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof | Included | Not included | Not included |
| M Sport Brakes and Suspension | Included | Not included | Not included |
| 33-inch diagonal advanced LED display | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Fixed Glass Roof | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Super Cruise | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Adaptive Headlamps | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Adaptive air suspension | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Heated steering wheel | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Audi Signature Care | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Ventilated front seats | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Second AC charging port | Not included | Not included | Included |
Feature lists reflect cumulative standard equipment for each trim, a trim includes everything from lower trims plus its own additions. The monthly figure is the trim price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup with $0 down, an estimate for financing through the brand's own financial company. That markup is profit on a cost-plus sale, not the Loan Excess, because the financier owns the car it sells. The 7% is an assumption for illustration, not a rate anyone is quoted.
Cadillac · Luxury Electric SUV
2026 Cadillac Lyriq
“Stunning exterior design and lighting signatures”
See the full reviewFull Spec Sheet
Every detail side by side: pricing, power, efficiency, seating, where each car is built, safety recognition, and the honest verdict on each.
Pricing & Financing
Base MSRP
- iX$87,250
- Lyriq$58,590
- Q8 e-tron$75,600
Est. dealer invoice
- iX$82,015
- Lyriq$55,075
- Q8 e-tron$71,064
Destination fee
- iX$1,175
- Lyriq$1,395
- Q8 e-tron$1,295
Total base price (incl. dest.)
- iX$88,425
- Lyriq$59,985
- Q8 e-tron$76,895
Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo)
- iX$1,751/mo
- Lyriq$1,188/mo
- Q8 e-tron$1,523/mo
Trims offered
- iX2 (from $87,250)
- Lyriq3 (from $58,590)
- Q8 e-tron3 (from $75,600)
Powertrain & Efficiency
Powertrain options
- iXDual Motor AWD
- LyriqElectric RWD, Electric AWD
- Q8 e-tron114 kWh Battery Dual-Motor
Horsepower
- iX516 hp
- Lyriq340 hp
- Q8 e-tron402 hp
Fuel economy
- iX307 mi range
- Lyriq314 mi range
- Q8 e-tron285 mi range
Seating
- iX5 seats
- Lyriq5 seats
- Q8 e-tron5 seats
Build & Safety
Body type
- iXMid-Size SUV
- LyriqLuxury Electric SUV
- Q8 e-tronMid-Size SUV
Assembly location
- iXDingolfing, Germany
- LyriqSpring Hill, TN, USA
- Q8 e-tronBrussels, Belgium
Safety awards & ratings
- iXIIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2024)
- LyriqIIHS Top Safety Pick+ (rating year unverified)
- Q8 e-tronIIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026)
Honest Verdict
Recommended trim
- iXxDrive50
- LyriqLuxury 1
- Q8 e-tronPremium Plus
Trim to skip
- iXM60
- LyriqTech
- Q8 e-tronPrestige
Key rivals
- iXAudi Q8 e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Tesla Model X
- LyriqAudi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX, Tesla Model X
- Q8 e-tronBMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, Cadillac LYRIQ
| |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Financing | |||
| Base MSRP | $87,250 | $58,590 | $75,600 |
| Est. dealer invoice | $82,015 | $55,075 | $71,064 |
| Destination fee | $1,175 | $1,395 | $1,295 |
| Total base price (incl. dest.) | $88,425 | $59,985 | $76,895 |
| Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo) | $1,751/mo | $1,188/mo | $1,523/mo |
| Trims offered | 2 (from $87,250) | 3 (from $58,590) | 3 (from $75,600) |
| Powertrain & Efficiency | |||
| Powertrain options | Dual Motor AWD | Electric RWD, Electric AWD | 114 kWh Battery Dual-Motor |
| Horsepower | 516 hp | 340 hp | 402 hp |
| Fuel economy | 307 mi range | 314 mi range | 285 mi range |
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Build & Safety | |||
| Body type | Mid-Size SUV | Luxury Electric SUV | Mid-Size SUV |
| Assembly location | Dingolfing, Germany | Spring Hill, TN, USA | Brussels, Belgium |
| Safety awards & ratings | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2024) | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (rating year unverified) | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026) |
| Honest Verdict | |||
| Recommended trim | xDrive50 | Luxury 1 | Premium Plus |
| Trim to skip | M60 | Tech | Prestige |
| Key rivals | Audi Q8 e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Tesla Model X | Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX, Tesla Model X | BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, Cadillac LYRIQ |
Dealer invoice is an estimate from MSRP minus typical brand holdback and advertising fees when the exact figure isn't published. Monthly is the total base price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup, $0 down — an illustration for financing through the brand's own financial company, not a quoted rate.
Audi · Mid-Size SUV
2026 Audi Q8 e-tron
“World-class cabin quietness and build quality”
See the full reviewPros & Cons at a Glance
Honest verdicts side by side to help you decide.
BMW iX
Mid-Size SUV
Pros
- World-class interior materials and design
- Competitive 307-mile electric range
- Quiet and refined driving dynamics
Cons
- Polarizing exterior styling
- Expensive options list can quickly inflate the price
Cadillac Lyriq
Luxury Electric SUV
Pros
- Stunning exterior design and lighting signatures
- Generous 314-mile estimated range
- High-quality 33-inch curved LED interior display
Cons
- Heavier curb weight affects agility
- Base Tech trim feels sparse compared to upper levels
Audi Q8 e-tron
Mid-Size SUV
Pros
- World-class cabin quietness and build quality
- Intuitive MMI Touch Response dual-screen interface
- Sophisticated and conservative exterior styling
Cons
- Overall range of 285 miles trails some newer competitors
- Significant price jump for the Prestige trim level
How They Drive
Real driving impressions: what each car does well and where it falls short.
BMW iX
Performance
- Effortless 516 hp delivery
- Dual-motor AWD provides excellent all-weather traction
- Substantial curb weight is noticeable under heavy braking
Handling
- Low center of gravity reduces body roll
- Light and accurate steering for urban maneuvering
- Steering lacks the mechanical feedback of traditional BMWs
Comfort
- Exceptional sound insulation creates a silent cabin
- Lounge-like seating offers great long-distance support
- Large wheel options can make the ride slightly busy over sharp bumps
Cadillac Lyriq
Performance
- Linear and smooth power delivery from the 340 hp motor
- Instant torque makes city merging effortless
- Excellent regenerative braking calibration
- Weight is noticeable during sudden acceleration changes
- Top-end power fades compared to performance-oriented rivals
Handling
- Low center of gravity provides a planted feel
- Steering is well-weighted and predictable
- Solid grip levels for a large SUV
- Noticeable body roll during spirited cornering
- Brake pedal feel can be slightly wooden
Comfort
- Exceptional sound insulation and cabin quietness
- High-quality seat cushioning for long-distance travel
- Supple ride quality over rough pavement
- Rear visibility is limited by the thick pillars
- Rear headroom is slightly tight for very tall adults
Audi Q8 e-tron
Performance
- Seamless power delivery from the dual-motor setup
- Refined 402 hp output that feels effortless at highway speeds
- Lacks the aggressive acceleration found in performance-oriented rivals
Handling
- Standard air suspension provides a composed and stable ride
- Predictable steering weight that inspires confidence
- Heavy curb weight is noticeable during quick direction changes
Comfort
- Exceptional sound isolation creates a library-quiet cabin
- High-quality interior materials and supportive seating for five
- Rear center seat is slightly narrow for long-distance adult comfort
Straight Answers
The questions everyone asks about these three — answered from the numbers, not the brochure.
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