“Wow, this is really nice,” my husband remarked as he got into the Cadillac Optiq electric SUV for quick ride downtown. He wasn’t alone; my daughters, both recent college graduates, thought the same as they stretched out in the Optiq on an afternoon of errand-running.
My father-in-law was a life-long Cadillac driver, so my husband had expectations, which the Optiq, priced from about $53K, surpassed. He really liked the graphics, the lights and the comfortable seats. My daughters assumed the Optiq would be nice—it’s a Cadillac, after all—but they were surprised by the details and the posh feeling the car exudes. They were drawn to the tech, the floating center console and, like their dad, the seating.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
A New Era Of Cadillac: Designed to Court, and Win, Younger Buyers
Getting the attention of younger buyers who are more brand neutral, powertrain-agnostic, EV curious or even drawn to brands that are passionate about lifestyle is the goal of many car makers as older buyers stick to their comfort zone. Younger buyers are also drawn to tech and modern design, the hallmark of the Cadillac Optiq.
And it’s clearly working; the brand is succeeding with both shoppers and buyers, more than 75% of whom are new to Cadillac.
Convincing entry-level luxury EV buyers that Cadillac is the brand for you isn’t easy. But it’s one that Cadillac took seriously; the brand is not producing EVs simply to keep up with the industry; the company intends to lead and that shows in the drive experience and through its design and interiors.
Read: How the 2025 Cadillac Lyriq Defines Cadillac’s Future-And What Makes This SUV So Luxe
Optic Is a Fun-to-Drive EV That’ll Spoil You Quickly
Even though the Cadillac Optiq is considered an entry level Cadillac EV and priced accordingly, starting at about $55K, it doesn’t underdeliver on power or performance. Delivering 302 miles of range, 300 HP, 354 lb.-ft of torque and one-pedal driving—set regenerative braking to ‘high’—instant acceleration is easy and smooth, and driving is effortless, as an EV should be. As we zipped around town it was easy to simply lift off the accelerator to slow to a stop, to ease around a corner and to ebb and flow with traffic. You learn quickly that not braking is an underrated effort; I truly love not using the brake and only using my right foot to control a car’s speed.
Read: Genesis Electrified GV70 – A Stunning Electric SUV with Stats to Boot
The Next Era Optiq is On the Horizon Soon: Optiq V
I have to wonder, with a lot more speed underfoot will I need to use the brake more in the Cadillac Optiq V? The brand announced the V series version of the Optiq, a 519 HP/650 lb.-ft. of torque sports edition that promises to be much faster, much more powerful and will be notable by sounds of velocity that you can hear inside and outside the car.
The V series, which will start at about $68K and have a 275 mile range, will also have enhanced suspension, launch mode for added instant acceleration, unique brakes and carbon fiber details for lighter weight and better performance.
Read: Chevy Blazer EV Super Sport: This Midsize EV Is Also a Muscle Car, So We Went For a Spin
Everything in the Optiq Feels Technical and Advanced
The Cadillac Optiq has a very technical feel; even the soft woven surfaces and glossy wood trim on the center console have a modern and innovative feel. Seating and surfaces are covered by leatherette—ours was Autumn Canyon, my least favorite of the four choices—which looks and feels like leather.
The center console is covered in a glossy surface that looks like wood grain trim but is actually repurposed newsprint, and dash and door panels are covered in a woven wool-like fabric, which is a nice departure from the usual and mundane.
The multimedia screen and Google built-in system is a core feature in all of Cadillac’s EVs, even in the entry-level Optiq. The wide touch screen that spans the dashboard and delivers both touch and voice-activated features, from navigation to radio, climate and system settings.
Read: 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron First Drive: This Porsche-Inflected SUV is Audi’s Best EV Yet
Posh Details Define This Entry Level EV
This is sort of a surprise. In addition to the wide screen on the dashboard, the Cadillac Optiq includes a number of standard features that might be assumed to be an added option on a base model car. They include:
- Super Cruise hands-free driving
- Digital rear view mirror
- Wireless phone charging
- Heated seats and steering wheel
- Leatherette upholstery
- Massaging front seats
- AKG premium sound
- Illuminated sill plates
- Customizable ambient lighting
Read More: I Reviewed — Then Leased — The Chevy Equinox EV. Here’s My Verdict After 8 Months.
Driving With Super Cruise
This is one of the best parts of any car from Cadillac: Super Cruise is included free for three years and by subscription afterward. This system known for its stellar and reliable function, making adaptive cruise control a lovely, relaxing experience.
It’s pretty fast to get used to thanks to its confidence-inducing performance. At first, I poised with my foot over the brake and my hands ready to hold the wheel; as I logged more time with Super Cruise, though, I became more confident and found, sort of like with one-pedal driving, driving, Super Cruise driving becomes even more effortless.
Super Cruise has clear and easy to read prompts and green lights on the dashboard and on the steering wheel let you know it’s working. It prompts you when road conditions change and it can’t work any longer so you can take over.
Related: The Best EV Charger is Portable, Cheap and Easy to Use At Home
What We Loved about the Cadillac Optiq
There is a lot to love in this well-priced, high-range powerful SUV — 302 miles of range is very good for an EV, and 300 HP is a commendable amount of power. Here’s what else I liked:
- The floating center console that is the perfect place for a handbag
- The technical finishes and details; the cabin looks and feels modern
- Google Built-in, though navigation was not working during my test drive
- It’s Tesla-compatible with a North American Charge Standard, or NACS, adapter and works at most Tesla Supercharger stations
- It’s fast-charging, adding 100 miles in 10 minutes at a DC fast charger
- The ambient lighting and light signature are simply beautiful; it was one of my favorite details
What You Need to Know
The Cadillac Optiq is a 5-passenger four door SUV with standard AWD. Here’s what else you need to know:
- You’ll have to use the Cadillac app to find compatible Tesla Supercharger stations
- Optiq comes with a standard J1772 power port, though the Tesla-style NACS port will become standard starting with the Optiq V
- Entry-level trims come with two options of leatherette, an additional two are available on higher trims
- Not all front lights are standard; the more advanced are part of the level 2 trim package
- Cadillac does not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
What This Car Costs
I drove the Luxury 2 trim, a slightly more luxe-filled model than the base model. Here’s how pricing shakes out:
- Luxury 1 trim starts at $54,390 and includes all the features mentioned above;
- Luxury 2 starts at $56,590 and adds additional LED headlights, head up display, vented front seats and heated rear seats
- Sport 1 and Sport 2 adds $600 ands additional exterior options
- Our Luxury 2 test model added the Onyx package and crystal white paint for an MSRP of $63,510
Optiq is a Great Way to Enter the Cadillac Life
In many ways, the Cadillac Optiq is a much more posh car than the smaller and more affordable XT4 (starting price about $44K). However, for the added price you get a lot more, from the digital rear view mirror to effortless driving and the reduced fuss and price of charging at home.
One thing to consider, though, is the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. During my test drive the Optiq’s build-in navigation was not working properly; I could tap in directions on the keyboard but couldn’t use voice-promoted navigation. I expected it to work, so I began driving, knowing generally where I was going and only needing directions for that last mile or so. Since the system wasn’t functioning—most likely a wifi malfunction that needed a reset—I had to pull up Google maps on my phone and use the audio prompts, sort of an old school work-around.
So far, I’ve been fine without Apple CarPlay in GM’s EVs, but this one hiccup shows the value of having it as a backup when the main system isn’t working.
Other than that one issue it was a great week in the Cadillac Optiq. Especially watching the opinion re-set of my husband and the delight of my daughters who all now have a different opinion of Cadillac.
