The latest Cadillac battery-electric SUV to be revealed is its last in a sequence of models designed to push the brand, and its customer base, into a new age of premium transportation.
The new Vistiq three-row SUV is one of five -iq electric vehicles the company has on sale or on the way. Others include the Optiq and Lyriq two-row models, Celestiq large sedan and Escalade IQ (an all-electric Escalade SUV).
Vistiq is designed to be one of Cadillac's quickest models, with two electric motors and all-wheel drive. It will have around 300 miles of electric range from a 102-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery.
Cadillac is pushing its enthusiast credentials with Vistiq, espousing its virtues both on the racetrack and on slipper surfaces at a preview event for media that Newsweek attended. Like the GMC Hummer EV, it has a full power mode (called Velocity Max), that mode delivers all 615 horsepower (hp) and 650 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque available from a standstill, giving the SUV a 0 to 60 mile per hour time of just 3.7 seconds.
"I don't think we've ever spun the tires on this vehicle. You're planted and you go, and again, we're anchored here with our 102-kWh battery pack within the portfolio," Jeff MacDonald, North America Chief Engineer Cadillac told the assembled group of reporters in Metro Detroit. "So again, uncompromised performance, but it's more than just the numbers."
The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, on sale in the second quarter of 2025, takes much of its shape from the three-row, gasoline-powered XT6, but keeps the company's new design for electric vehicle (EV) front ends. Designers wrapped the facia around the corners to emphasize the width while giving the black crystal grille a more upright appearance. As with Cadillac's other electrics, the Vistiq's grille design was done by laser.
"A hallmark of Cadillac EVs is the sleek header with sequential turn signal that smoothly draws the viewer's eyes across the front, around the corner and to the body sides, and if you pay attention, the hood, the header, the grill and the body color," Zhou Fang, Cadillac exterior design manager said during the same event.
"We actually have a nickname for the Vistiq, we call it the Mandalorian, not only because it resembled the look of the Mandalorian helmet, but also for the stability and visual impact it represents," he said.
There are two light patterns for the front, one for the sport model and one for the luxury. Nine vertically stacked LED projectors combine the high and low beam function while the vertical portion wraps around the sides of the SUV.
To slightly diminish the boxy silhouette, the design features a gradually dropping daylight opening (window) molding paired with a slowly rising lower character line so the sides seem to taper to the back. Cadillac says this ensures functionality without compromising the vehicle's dynamic proportion.
"The Vistiq is the next stage in Cadillac's EV onslaught; with the Vistiq, Cadillac will have about as many internal combustion engine options as EV options. EV sales growth in 2025 and 2026 will be supported by increased product availability, such as the Vistiq and other upcoming Cadillac entries. The three-row space is an important one for families who are willing to spend more to get the space they need," Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at S&P Global told Newsweek.
The SUV features three sunroofs over the seats letting light into every row. Premium Luxury trims add night vision and an augmented reality head-up display. That trim level also comes with air suspension, 19.2-kilowatt charger and 22- or 23-inch wheels; base models come with 21-inch wheels. The Platinum has 23-inch wheels in dark chrome like the Sport model.
The cabin also features a 23-speaker Dolby Atmos sounds system with several modes for listening. A 33-inch curved screen features a central touchscreen infotainment and a digital driver cluster. Second-row passengers get their own climate screen, part of the five-zone system. Two wireless chargers sit behind climate screen.
In addition to the main display, there's an 8-inch forward command center to control the HVAC in the front row. The company says it wanted to artfully integrate things like the center channel speaker that is hidden behind a textural pattern. It also wanted to make sure there was enough storage for three rows, so it added additional phone storage in the rear, side storage pockets for sunglasses and wallets and a pass-through storage for bags or larger items.
Cadillac expects buyers to come from all walks of life, but most will be juggling a career, family, social and personal obligations. It will do battle with the other large three-row EVs like the Tesla Model X, Rivian R1S, and Mercedes EQS SUV.
"GM's initial stages of the Ultium platform progress are also coming into execution with the Vistiq, along with other Cadillac EVs and Chevrolet products. Cadillac and GM will have a robust EV range in 2025, ready for consumers. The question will be whether consumers are quite ready, or if we're still in the chasm between innovative adopters and early mainstream. Though Vistiq and others will help continue increasing EV sales, the industry will likely need to still have some patience in 2025 and 2026 as consumer demand for EVs is far from maturing," said Brinley.
Pricing for the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq has not been revealed. It will be built at the company's Spring Hill manufacturing facility in Tennessee. Production will start in early 2025.
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