Charge d’Affairs Erika Olson has been on post at Canberra’s US Embassy since 2023, initially as deputy under ambassador Caroline Kennedy. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
At one point travelling along the highway between Canberra and Sydney after picking up this week’s test car, there was no-one else on the road save for a Chevrolet Silverado ahead, a Dodge RAM in my rear-view mirror, and me in the middle – in the Cadillac.
And I realised this might be the future.
We often assume the Chinese are coming for the Aussie car market – and it’s true they currently sell about 15 brands here, or more than they did 30 seconds ago. But it’s just as true a rival’s rising in the west.
As much as we like to rib the Americans for their seemingly non-existent knowledge of geography, conversations reaching building-shaking levels of volume, and the cute visions they hold of how Aussies cook “shrimps on barbies”, we are sure lapping up their cars.
It’s reached the point General Motors reckons it can now sell an $120K car here – in the form of our first Cadillac, the Lyriq SUV. And there are already others on the way – the smaller, cheaper Optic and the bigger six-seater Vistiq (we might have to wait for the Escalade though).
Erika Olson has held the title of Chargé d’Affaires (or temporary ambassador, in English) at the US Embassy in Canberra since former ambassador Caroline Kennedy left in January this year – and she has a theory.
“Being in this role in Australia is great because our relationship is so strong,” she tells me.
“Often times, you hear about the security and defence, but it’s strong across all elements. Whether it’s education, culture, American companies, and cars – definitely love of cars.”
Ms Olson is loving Canberra for its “blue sky”, the ability to easily “get outdoors and hike”, and as an American, never tiring of seeing kangaroos.
“And the five-minute commute to work cannot be beat,” she says.
“My middle daughter is 17, and learning to drive. I’m so happy she’s learning to drive here because in comparison to some of the other places we’ve been, particularly in Washington DC, this is just such an easier place.”
But we’re really here to get her official thoughts on Cadillac’s introduction because – being up there on the pointy edge of the pinnacle of US luxury – surely the brand has an ambassadorial role to play.
Case in point: a Lyriq was on display at the embassy grounds during a recent celebration for Independence Day – although the new Corvette E-Ray might have stolen the show.
“I have to be honest, I’m more of a utilitarian when it comes to cars. And as a parent, I’ve always appreciated a good five-seater where you can get your kids, their friends, and all their sporting equipment into one vehicle,” Ms Olson says.
But she still has time for the Cadillac as a “beautiful car”.
“When I first met with GM in early 2024, when they were in the process of bringing the first Lyriqs in, they were really excited to introduce it to the market because they felt like there was going to be a really natural constituency for the car here in Australia. So it’s amazing to see them here now.”
Inside the Lyriq, including the steering-column-mounted shifter for changing between Drive and Reverse. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
And no, there isn’t even a catch coming about how the Lyriq comes from GM’s factory in Shanghai – the right-hand-drive is imported directly from the factory in Tennessee.
Nor do you have to fear another hulking great V8 beast. The Lyriq is powered by two electric motors, and at around-town speeds, GM says it only emits a low humming sound put together from “NASA recordings of sounds from the sun” and “an ancient Australian wind instrument known as a digeridoo”.
The result is definitely quick – Cadillac claims a 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds. But at 2.7 tonnes, it’s also heavy, and even in Sport mode – when the suspension is rattling everything in your cupholders – it’s a cumbersome thing to wield through corners. It’s at its best wafting along gently in Tour mode. My wife said it’s impossible to drive badly, because of how it irons smooth your every input. And even in the passenger seat at this point, I had to agree.
So, all exactly as it should be in a Cadillac.
It has all the hallmarks of Cadillac design too – from the signature wide shield-shaped grille to the steering-column-mounted shifter for changing between Drive and Reverse.
It’s like sitting inside the lobby of the Fontainebleau Hotel, with its milled knobs for the air-conditioning vents, a soft-close, leather-lined tray, wooden trim, and massage seats. Okay, it’s not as refined as something hewn from rock in Germany, but you overlook this for just how damn special it feels.
I’m not sure what’s in the purchase paperwork, but there must be some sort of consent form too. Because rather than annoy everyone in the car with beeping and bonging whenever you look away from the road for too long or get too close to a white line, Cadillac has gone for a more subtle method – by vibrating your seat, and in turn, your bottom.
The Lyriq is not perfect. It was noisier on the highway than I expected, and unlike rivals with fancier, cushier air suspension, Cadillac reckons its Passive-Plus Premium Dampers are up to the task. Mostly they’re right.
At $117,000 for the Luxury model and $119,000 for my Sport – plus driveaway costs – it’s also a lot of money when all is said and imported and done.
But I reckon it’s worth it. And I’m not just saying that from behind the fence at the US Embassy.
The Lyriq comes in $117K Luxury and $119K Sport forms. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
2025 Cadillac Lyriq Sport
- $119,000 (plus driveaway costs)
- Two electric motors, 388 kW / 610 Nm
- Automatic, all-wheel drive (AWD)
- 530 km range (combined cycle)
- 2687 kg
- Not yet tested for safety
Thanks to General Motors Australia and New Zealand (GMANZ) for providing this car for testing. Region has no commercial arrangement with GMANZ.
