Cadillac’s “IQ” lineup of EV vehicles is attempting to inject more vigor and buyers into the EV segment. While the 2025 Escalade IQ is attempting to win over ultra-wealthy buyers, Cadillac knows that it also has to appeal to other buying segments and some of the lower budgets that often come with them. This is the case with the 2025 Optiq which will be the new gateway model for the EV lineup moving -forward.
But is the Optiq ready to bring the fight to a hotly contested CUV market while also continuing to deliver the tech and performance that buyers expect from a true Cadillac product? We were eager to find out.
Optiq is sharpening Cadillac’s focus
In addition to the Escalade IQ, our time in San Francisco also included some seat time in the new Optiq. With the Escalade going for sheer opulence, the smaller Optiq goes for a sportier motif with the front end getting a small grille panel and aggressively styled headlights. There are some whiffs of the axed XT4 in its design, but while the Optiq does share its platform with the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Cadillac designers did a good job making the Optiq its own distinct offering. The side profile is sporty with the cluttered rear end getting a two-piece lighting treatment. Buyers can choose from either 20 or 21-inch wheels.
For the moment, there are only two trim levels of Optiq (Luxury and Sport) with the Optiq Sport having different styling elements to make it stand out from the Luxury version which gets more brightly colored pieces of chrome trim and other changes. Paint colors will also play a prominent role in the buying experience with the EV debuting a stylish hue called “Monarch Orange” (though some folks will initially confuse it for a shade of red at first glance.)
Sound and tech define Optiq interior
Meanwhile, the interior is made out of recycled materials with some of the trim pieces being made out of recycled Spanish newspapers with some of the letters from these reused papers actually being visible in the swirls of the trim piece if you look closely enough. The front seats of the Optiq have a good amount of bolstering and that was no accident either with Optiq chief engineer John Cockburn revealing over a bite of lunch that the brand wanted to inject some of the prowess that it picked up during testing in Germany into the EV with the seats being one of the results of this in action.
Another highlight is the Dolby Atmos system which is a nifty add-on to the 19-speaker AKG sound system. Cadillac and Dolby worked together in integrating it into the Optiq (other EVs will get it too.) While Atmos is limited to only select songs, it’s compatible with several different streaming services, and some songs are noticeably enhanced when compared to them being played on a traditional sound system. Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s hit Luther has a new perspective when infused with Atmos and even select tracks from classic bands like Kansas also get in on the act. Other songs show off Atmos’s ability to optimize the location of the sound with “Hush” by the Marias having an effect that made it seem like the sounds were rotating above you.
The infotainment system itself benefits from Cadillac’s latest software with the screen doing a good job logically laying out various menus and windows while also delivering crisp screen quality too. Using the screen is easy and in addition to a full touch layout, a large control knob in the center console also provides manual control to occupants. The back seats can feel tight for some occupants but considering that the Optiq comes with a large glass panel, headroom was surprisingly good. Cadillac says the interior is catered to younger buyers and this is apparent in the choice of materials and the customization they will experience when configuring an Optiq for purchase.
Spunky Optiq lacks corner-carving prowess
Performance for all Optiqs comes from a dual-motor electric powertrain with the setup being paired with an 85.0 kWh battery pack which produces a combined system output of 300 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque with the setup also giving the Optiq standard all-wheel drive. Cadillac says the Optiq can get up to 302 miles of range between charges but it’s important to note that the EPA has not released official mileage ratings for this vehicle as of yet.
The dual motors give the Optiq strong acceleration and while wet weather forced us to keep the power down at times, the Optiq proved to be good at accelerating away from stoplights and always having enough juice for occasional passing and lane changes on the freeway. While it may seem like the Optiq has some sporting pedigree, this foundation does begin to erode when the Optiq was tasked with some of the narrow canyon roads that dotted our route outside of San Francisco.
The steering in the Optiq is pretty communicative, but the EV is still porky and you feel the weight in braking and turning with the front nosediving forward under hard braking and the body swaying when going through sharp turns. The wide track also makes placing the EV in an apex hard at times but once you learn to follow the Optiq’s way of doing things, you can easily adapt. The Optiq comes with a full suite of safety systems too but they are ultra-sensitive and there were occasions where they activated when they weren’t needed including in tight city traffic.
Value Quotient
Pricing for the 2025 Cadillac Optiq starts at $56,390 for the base model but as is the case with many other luxury vehicles, options, and trim level will make a difference in this regard with our tester having an as-tested price of just over $60,000 thanks to a strong pool of optional extras. This pricing is on par for the segment and Cadillac is hoping that the pricing ladder will appeal to young buyers, and while Cadillac prefers to call them “Xellenials” this odd term translates into older Millenial buyers as well as other younger buyers who are entering the new vehicle market.
The 2025 Optiq is also foreshadowing Cadillac’s broader ascent into the EV market with the company promising to bring more models into the market. One of them is the Visitiq which will serve as a bridge between the Escalade IQ and the Lyriq. The Celestiq is also continuing its production run and while the sleek four-door tends to fly under the radar, it’s still a potent vehicle, and Cadillac reps we spoke with say the model has performed well with buyers and attendees at select events the brand has done for the model in recent years.
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.