What I notably loved about my time with the 2025 Cadillac Optiq, was how younger and refreshing it felt, particularly coming from a model like Cadillac. Eager to rejuvenate its model picture for years in hopes of attracting a brand new technology of patrons into its showrooms, Cadillac lastly met its transitional second within the electrical car (EV) area, with fashionable and succesful fashions such because the Lyriq and the upcoming Vistiq. The Optiq is the right manifestation of that gestation course of, because it comes via as one of the crucial hip premium EVs I’ve pushed this yr.
It subsequently comes as no shock to seek out out that Cadillac will quickly give it the high-performance V therapy. What might be one of many business’s worst-kept secrets and techniques, the 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V may give Cadillac’s most inexpensive EV the efficiency edge it wants as a way to be taken critically by fanatics alike.
2025 Cadillac Optiq
The OPTIQ is Cadillac’s newest electrical crossover, but additionally the model’s most inexpensive EV. Closely based mostly on the Chevrolet Equinox EV, it positions itself as a way more fashionable and premium possession expertise, all whereas preserving all of GM’s glorious EV know-how.
Associated
Why The Entry-Degree 2025 Cadillac Optiq Is Not Truly Small
Whereas Cadillac qualifies the 2025 Optiq as its entry stage electrical crossover, it is really bigger than an XT5, rating extra as a midsize. Why?
2026 Cadillac Optiq-V Will Be Absolutely Revealed In June 2025
For now, Cadillac is barely teasing us with the upcoming Optiq-V via two leaked photos and a really imprecise assertion to verify its arrival. We subsequently nonetheless know nothing about its technical specs, its acceleration, vary, charging or value. However we are able to make assumptions that it will inherit a few of the Lyriq-V‘s parts, and by extension, the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS‘s {hardware} as properly.
If that is so, then we may count on Cadillac’s child EV to push out north of 600 horsepower due to a 102-kWh battery, full the 0 to 60 MPH run in below 3.5 seconds and hit the quarter mile within the 11-second timeframe. From Cadillac’s press launch:
Cadillac has confirmed the OPTIQ has earned the V-Collection badge. The 2026 OPTIQ-V might be a part of Cadillac’s fifth technology of the V-Collection portfolio, elevating the model’s efficiency providing. Constructing on OPTIQ’s agile drive, Cadillac engineers delivered a novel bundle prioritizing precision, a dynamic suspension and tight steering for an exhilarating driving expertise!
There isn’t any actual launch date simply but, however Cadillac did invite us to a digital backgrounder on June 2nd the place we’ll be capable of see the car in its entirety. The official reveal will almost definitely occur per week later. My assumption is that we’ll see the primary Optiq-Vs on our roads across the finish of this yr. Hopefully, we’ll get to drive one by then.
Can The Optiq-V Persuade CT4-V Consumers To Go Electrical?
As of now, the mannequin that is in command of conquesting new, youthful patrons in direction of the Cadillac model is the subcompact CT4 sedan. For these in search of one thing a little bit sportier, alongside the traces of an Acura Integra Kind S, an Audi S3/RS 3 or BMW M240i/M2, Cadillac will lengthen the CT4 to V and V Blackwing specs. Sadly, sedans aren’t precisely what individuals are shopping for nowadays, and EVs are quickly gaining floor with the youthful demographics. Can the Optiq fill the CT4’s footwear?
- The Optiq-V may share its parts with the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS.
- It may make north of 600 horsepower.
- The car might be revealed in June 2025.
After all, somebody who at the moment owns a CT4-V Blackwing outfitted with a twin-turbocharged V6 and a handbook transmission most likely could not care much less a couple of absolutely electrical Optiq-V. And there is already a rumor going round that the CT4 and CT5 sedans may quickly get replaced by a next-generation EV. However there’s nonetheless a enterprise case right here round making Cadillac’s most inexpensive EV crossover even cooler via the coveted V therapy.
One space the place the Optiq actually impressed me was in the best way its inside was designed with a intelligent mixture of colours and supplies. It additionally wears some quirky exterior design cues that assist drive the purpose residence that it is the most enjoyable and rebellious member of Cadillac’s electrical choices.
Here is to hoping Cadillac will proceed in that course with the Optiq-V. Make it foolish, make it loud via pumped-in audio and, in fact, make it quick and deal with like stink. We’ll circle again right here in June as soon as we all know extra about Cadillac’s newest high-performance EV.
