Today’s consumers prefer vehicles with loads of infotainment features. After all, taking phone calls with Bluetooth or controlling music using Apple CarPlay is convenient. In some modern cars, like Tesla models, the center touchscreen controls every in-vehicle function. But it’s ridiculous that even climate controls and audio volume levels hide under layers of digital menu selections. It makes us less excited about new vehicles like the all-electric 2023 Cadillac Lyriq.

This luxury SUV continues that worrying trend: Using a touchscreen is the only way you can open the Cadillac Lyriq’s glovebox.

Overview of the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq

The 2023 Cadillac Lyric is a fully electric midsize SUV seating five. It offers two drivetrain options: Rear-wheel-drive models produce 340 hp, and all-wheel-drive versions harness 500 hp. Both come with a direct-drive transmission, and you can experience one-pedal driving thanks to the Lyriq’s regenerative braking technology.

RWD Cadillac Lyric models are more efficient, getting 312 miles of range on a fully charged battery. According to GM Authority, AWD versions likely have a range of 287 miles. Car and Driver says a DC fast charger can juice the battery in one hour.

C/D’s reviewers weren’t impressed with the FWD Cadillac Lyriq’s performance during testing but acknowledged its stable handling. Unfortunately, the steering wheel and brake pedal failed to provide enough feedback. Still, C/D says the Lyriq is decently quick, and the interior remains quiet on highway drives.

Both C/D and J.D. Power also like the Lyriq’s interior quality. The cabin is thoughtfully designed with premium building materials, the seats are comfortable, and access is easy all around. 

The standard Smart System safety suite includes 13 advanced driver’s aids, including Super Cruise. The 2023 Cadillac Lyriq starts at $62,990.

So, what’s the deal with the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq’s glovebox?

The 2023 Cadillac Lyriq’s glovebox doesn’t have a physical handle. To access the glove compartment, you must open the controls menu on the center touchscreen and select Glove Box Release. Fortunately, the touchscreen’s graphics are clear, and the text is large enough to read easily.

According to The Verge, the Cadillac Lyriq’screen measures 33 inches long. It integrates the center touchscreen and the gauge cluster into one display. As for the picture quality, Cadillac boasts this screen can display more than a billion colors.

Even with the infotainment display’s impressive size, the automaker was thoughtful enough to leave some physical knobs and buttons. There’s even a pull-out storage drawer in front of the cupholders.

That’s why it seems strange that users must use the touchscreen to access the glovebox. Lyriq buyers are rightfully frustrated — some have even posted memes on Twitter expressing their distaste for this design choice.

Other touchscreen problems in the Lyriq

The Cadillac Lyriq already faces a recall due to the touchscreen. Drivers report the screen blacks out if something interrupts the shutdown or booting process. An estimated 186 Lyriq touchscreens have this defect and must be serviced by a Cadillac dealer.

The automaker says it will determine which vehicles were affected by November 7. Until then, drivers are advised to restart the SUV if the screen goes black. That should allow it to reboot normally.

Although some drivers might not have issues with excessive touch-operated functions, this setup suffers from a fundamental problem. If the touchscreen stops working, users will lose access to every feature it controls. The Cadillac Lyriq is brand-new, so the overall reliability of its infotainment system remains to be seen.