Cadillac Optiq electric SUV ready to compete with Teslas and Audis

The Cadillac Optiq battery-electric premium compact SUV will go on sale this fall after first being seen late last year. The Optiq complements the company’s electric SUV lineup, which also includes the larger Lyriq and Vistiq, as well as the flagship Escalade IQ.

The company promises to keep its family of internal combustion SUVs alive in parallel, at least until 2030.

The company says it is monitoring the EV compact SUV segment as it wants to set a new standard in the space. He also noted that all safety equipment, including Super Cruise hands-free driving, is standard.

The 2025 Cadillac Optiq, with a base price of $54,000, will be the least expensive electric vehicle in the brand’s electric portfolio, beating out the larger Lyriq ($57,195) and the three-row Vistiq, which is priced n has not yet been officially determined.

The Optiq, Cadillac says, will be the entry point for many into its luxury electric vehicle lineup.

Analysts don’t consider Cadillac to have too many electric vehicles, although questions arise about their coexistence at the same dealership.

“While the new Optiq appears to have a lot going for it, it also sits about $5,000 away from the larger Lyriq, which could be a confusing proposition for buyers. To resolve this issue, I would expect GM is rolling out aggressive incentives on the Optiq in the short term, as they did for the Lyriq And frankly, Cadillac’s gas-powered compact crossovers (the XT4 and XT5) have never been particularly compelling. Focusing on its EV crossover lineup could be a good way to get ahead of its rival brands,” said David Undercoffler, editor-in-chief of Autolist; News week.

The Volvo C40 Recharge, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Mercedes-Benz EQB have a similar base price but less range. America’s current small SUV, the Tesla Model Y, is much cheaper, starting at $31,490. The Audi Q4 E-Tron, poorly received by American buyers and reviewers, costs a little more.

Like the rest of the Cadillac EV range, it will be offered in two trim levels, Luxury and Sport.

The Optiq has a low profile with a glass roof that transitions to sheet metal, a new black crystal grille that incorporates Cadillac’s vertical lighting, and a laser-etched pattern like the Lyriq.

“Nevertheless, Cadillac has also toned down the styling here, compared to the Lyriq, helping to appeal to a broader range of buyers who aren’t necessarily looking for their vehicle to make a statement like the Lyriq does,” Undercoffler said. .

The rear quarter stands out from the observer with another graphic pattern and acoustic windows. Cadillac says the design is based on the Mondrian Cadillac badge.

Like many electric vehicles and luxury SUVs, the Optiq features a signature lighting choreography when the driver enters or exits the vehicle.

The Optiq has an 85 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery with two motors and all-wheel drive. The combination offers 300 horsepower (hp) and 354 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque.

The included dual-level charger cord plugs into a four-prong appliance-style outlet, with professional installation, or into a standard three-prong outlet if a GM home charger is not installed.

Cadillac estimates the SUV will have a range of 300 miles. The company claims that on a DC fast charger, the Optiq can regain 79 miles of range in 10 minutes.

Other features include on-demand regeneration, which allows the driver to use a steering wheel paddle to brake and recharge the vehicle’s battery while slowing down. Alternatively, the Optiq also has a one-pedal driving function that will bring the vehicle to a complete stop when the accelerator is released.

Like much of the range, the latest Cadillac offers driving modes including Tour, used for daily driving; Sport; Snow/Ice and My Mode allow drivers to adjust brake, throttle and steering feel.

The cabin follows the Lyriq with leather and metal accents as well as new materials like a patterned accent fabric woven from yarn made from recycled materials. Its PaperWood veneer is made from tulip wood and recycled newspaper, the latter of which is visible in the doors.

The Optiq has a 33-inch LED screen with 9K resolution. The box includes the central touchscreen infotainment system and the digital instrument cluster.

Super Cruise with radar, camera and ultrasonic sensors keeps drivers safe on the road, alongside adaptive cruise control, dead zone warning, automatic parking, emergency braking and some other safety and driving assistance systems.

Google built-in is also standard and includes Google Maps and Google Assistant, but not Apple CarPlay.

Optiq also comes with a 19-speaker Dolby and AKG premium audio system that Cadillac says provides a more immersive sound experience.

The 2025 Cadillac Optiq ($54,000) will offer a selection of small electric SUVs to compete with, including the wildly popular and revolutionary Tesla Model Y ($42,990), as well as the upcoming Polestar 4, Mercedes-Benz EQB ($53,050). ) and the Audi Q4 e-tron ($49,800).

“Being a new face in the segment always helps, especially when the Tesla Model Y is getting old at this point and a refresh is expected in the near future. Much of the Optiq’s competitiveness will depend on its price, even though it is a luxury vehicle. “Cadillac has already offered incentives on the Lyriq and I would bet they will do it again on the Optiq,” Undercoffler said.

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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.