It has been a bit since we heard about the Cadillac Vistiq EV which was supposed to be the proverbial middle child in Cadillac’s EV lineup with the model being slotted between the smaller Lyirq and the flagship Escalade IQ. While the aforementioned Lyriq and Escalade IQ have had their time to shine in the spotlight, the Vistiq has been more camera-shy, with GM’s perfectly crafted press photos being our best glimpse at it beyond occasional sightings out in the wild by observers.
We recently had a chance encounter with the Vistiq ourselves in Metro Detroit and it appears that Cadillac’s focus on styling and lighting will continue to be dominant themes, with the SUV following the Lyriq and Escalade IQ’s lead when it comes to drawing buyers in especially at night.
Vistiq wants you to come into the light
Unlike prior sightings of the Vistiq, our encounter with it occurred at dusk and it allowed us to get a glimpse of the lighting in action for the first time ever. When compared to the concept, it appears that not much has changed with the core shape carrying over. The front end is still a blend of Escalade IQ and Lyriq with the front grille panel getting a defined LED light border with an illuminated Cadillac crest firmly in the center. The stacked LED headlights on either side are complimented by slender daytime running lamps with these pieces being bridged by a large piece of chrome trim that runs along the upper portion of the grille panel.
The side profile of the Vistiq is somewhat reminiscent of the XT6 with the EV getting a square-shaped look that leads out to the blunt rear end. Like the XT6, the rear is our least favorite angle on the Vistiq (an opinion that remains unchanged from the early photos that Cadillac released) with the lighting here showing off similarities to the Lyriq with the large units in the rear being joined by lighting elements that follow the boundary of the rear window with a tidy roof spoiler rounding out the package. The proverbial tightrope that Cadillac is walking here with the Vistiq’s design is obvious but we suspect that the Vistiq will still find plenty of buyers especially those that want more room than what the Lyriq offers but aren’t ready to pay top dollar for an Escalade.
What’s next for Cadillac’s EV plans?
Cadillac is holding key details about the Vistiq close to the vest and curious buyers will have to wait until the model’s official debut to find out what other features the Vistiq has to offer. However, the model will be a key piece in Cadillac’s EV puzzle and it will help fill a hole in Cadillac’s EV lineup as it begins to take shape. The smaller Optiq EV will be the gateway model with the other models forming a defined ladder of luxury, performance, and range as customers work their way up into the bigger EVs.
The Vistiq’s middle-of-the-road approach and placement on this ladder will allow it to appeal to a wider pool of customers with the Vistiq being the next stepping stone for Cadillac buyers after they feel ready to move up from the Lyriq. More importantly, it will also help serve as the bridge towards the Escalade. We also look forward to learning more about the interior and how it too will most likely be a blend of the Lyriq and Escalade’s best attributes.
In the meantime, look for Cadillac’s ICE-powered entries to continue to take top billing in Cadillac’s immediate future. The gasoline-powered version of the Escalade was recently updated and the CT5 sedan was also recently updated with the model actually seeing its sales increase bucking a trend of sales declines in the luxury sedan segment as a whole
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.