There’s One Mannequin That May Significantly Harm The Cadillac Vistiq

I have been residing with the 2025 Cadillac Vistiq this week, and I’ve to say, it feels fairly nice that we now have entry to massive household shuttles that do not require a drop of gas. I used to be wanting ahead to the Vistiq, as a result of it primarily grabs all of the Lyriq and Optiq’s brilliance as premium electrical autos (EV), and wraps all of them up in a spacious and sensible three-row package deal.

Base Trim Engine

Electrical

Base Trim Transmission

Automated

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

615 hp

Base Trim Torque

650 lb-ft

Thus far, it is turning out to be alright, good and plush, the way in which a Cadillac ought to be. It additionally offers various vary, being a GM EV and all. However there’s one elephant within the room every time I drive this factor, one different electrical three-row SUV that would probably have devastating results on this Cadillac’s success. And it does not even come from a luxurious model.

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2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 First Drive: EV Inflection Level

The Ioniq 9’s clean trip and lack of compromise show how shortly EVs have developed in such a brief timeframe.

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy Is A Worthy Rival To The Cadillac Vistiq

It is really fairly attention-grabbing that each Hyundai and Cadillac have been holding their Ioniq 9/Vistiq first drive launch occasions on the identical time, as a result of though they do not precisely reside in the identical house, they’re very a lot rivals.

The rationale I say the Ioniq 9 might harm the Vistiq is as a result of, having pushed each again to again, I have to say that the Hyundai feels costlier than it really prices, whereas the Vistiq feels, properly, the opposite method round. Do not get me mistaken, there’s quite a bit to love concerning the Vistiq, like its child Escalade look, thick, leather-based seats, bitchin’ AKG Dolby Atmos audio system, and customarily lounge-like vibe. It additionally completely wakes up at night time via Detroit-style ambient lighting. So far as creating an ambiance goes, the Cadillac Vistiq wins.

It is the overall construct high quality that I am apprehensive about. It did not take lengthy for me to listen to a cracking sound once I was enjoying with the Vistiq’s air vents, solely to appreciate that the complete plastic slab on the dashboard – the one which mimics brushed aluminum – was the perpetrator, sounding simply as low cost because the supplies in an ’05 Chevy Cobalt. Tapping the remainder of the plastics across the cabin solely revealed extra cost-cutting.

And that is irritating whenever you just lately drove a Hyundai costing a couple of thousand {dollars} much less that did not have any of those points. Hyundai does a implausible job of creating certain all touchpoints – the areas of the cabin that you just contact and see – look, and really feel of nice high quality. I can solely think about how premium-feeling the upcoming Genesis GV90 will really feel subsequent to this Cadillac.

House optimization additionally seems to be higher within the Ioniq 9, the place there’s simply extra space for storing, smarter storage options and a extra spacious feeling within the second and third rows. As we are able to see within the knowledge beneath, that is as a result of the Ioniq 9 presents a tad extra second and third-row legroom.

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs. 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Inside Dimensions

2026 Cadillac Vistiq Provides Aggressive Vary And Charging, However Nonetheless No NACS

After all, I am nitpicking right here, as a result of whenever you fastidiously observe these specs, you shortly understand that each the Vistiq and the Ioniq 9 are about the identical dimension. Additionally they compete fairly intently in vary and charging efficiency, with the Cadillac claiming 300 miles of vary versus 311 miles for an Ioniq 9 Calligraphy. DC fast-charging charges are additionally fairly shut: 190 kW for the Cadillac versus 240 kW for the Ioniq 9. However whereas the Cadillac is appropriate with Tesla Superchargers because of a supplied adapter, the Ioniq 9 comes off the manufacturing unit ground geared up with a North American Charging Normal (NACS) port.

Anyway, apart from a cheap-feeling dashboard, the Vistiq nonetheless presents a variety of neat stuff. Its native infotainment system is proving to be fairly nice when touring lengthy distances, permitting you to know exactly how a lot vary you may have left whenever you arrive at your vacation spot. It additionally finds chargers for you, and even predicts how lengthy it’s essential to keep parked there. That is all I’ve for now. I will proceed residing with this Opulent Blue instance, and I will circle again right here with a last conclusion in my full evaluation.