When you think of a calm sense of quiet, of power that lets you soar on the highway, of a self-driving system that will takeover the stressful part of of the road, passengers that are as pampered as you are, a capable suspension and power at each wheel that can conquer gravel, hills and snow and space for all your stuff, you’re dreaming of the ideal SUV. We just got a look at the Cadillac Vistiq at the Chicago Auto Show and it’s sublime.
The Vistiq is a luxury electric 3 row SUV that Cadillac will bring to the market later this year. Priced from about $77,000 to about $93,000, it’s filled with all the tech goodies that make a car fun and capable, but all the necessities, such as 3 comfortable rows of seats, plenty of cargo space and all wheel drive.
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.
The Cadillac Vistiq is a Perfectly Sized Electric 3 Row SUV
With seating for 6 or 7 passengers—six here, with center row captains chairs—and lots of legroom and cargo space, the Cadillac Vistiq will remind you of the Cadillac XT6 for its space and elegance. However, the Vistiq takes all the XT6 does and elevates it, from advanced technology to double the power under the “hood.”
A major feature is the leatherette seating that is designed to cradle passengers, and in the display model we toured, headrests feature speakers that bring sound right to your ears: navigation instructions, phone calls or music play are whispering in your ear.
Read: Cadillac Escalade IQ Electric 3-Row SUV: Innovative Luxury for the Electric Age
The Numbers Add Up Quite Nicely
The Vistiq, which is powered by GM’s Ultium battery and charge system, will deliver 300 miles of range, all wheel drive and 615 horsepower. And that last piece may be the coolest detail of all: 615 HP is standard across all 3 trims—Luxury, Sport and Premium. The difference between trims, which start at $77K for the Luxury trim and top out at $93K for Premium Luxury, comes down to the details, from advanced technology to enhanced features.
Also standard is Super Cruise, Cadillac’s hands-free highway driving system. The system is included for 3 years and then by subscription afterward. And while some people bristle at the idea of a subscription, I kind of like it: Pay for it when you need it but not when you don’t.
Many EV makers offer a lower-priced lower-powered model but sacrifice things like AWD and power. Not Cadillac. Power is a luxury.
Read: The 2025 Cadillac Optiq Is An Invitation To Live The Luxury Life
The Vistiq’s Modern Design Sets This Car Apart
The dual-spoke steering wheel is something we’re seeing more of in design, as well as floating center consoles, integrated air vents and muted metal surfaces that reduce glare and fingerprints. The Cadillac Vistiq incorporates all those ideas. Climb into the cabin and you’ll not just see it, you’ll feel it as you close the door and feel the luxury surround you.
The Digital Screens are Everything
In addition to the wide front screen that houses the multimedia system and driver display, Cadillac added a video rear view mirror —look how clear the images are behind the model we toured!—a head up display and climate screens for both front and second row seats.
The front multimedia screen is equipped with Google Built-in, which includes maps, “Hey Google” voice assistance and the ability to sign in to your Google account. It won’t include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, however.
Was This Console Designed by a Jeweler?
The front center console is deliciously elegant with jewel-like textured metal bezels on the cup holders and media controller. These details are some of the only glowing moments in the Vistiq, which is notable for all its muted surfaces. They add a sweet little wink to the experience and accented by ambient lighting. The textured metal details are also found on the air vents, door panels and radio volume dial.
A Nearly Floating Center Console Adds Storage
This is one of the more beautiful details in the Cadillac Vistiq: the nearly floating (or maybe truly floating?) center console. There’s a cubby behind the climate screen that holds a phone and has USB ports, and underneath there’s a larger space that can hold a small bag or laptop. Both are lighted so you can see what is stowed there, though both may be easier to reach by those with smaller hands; the spaces are tucked between the end of the console and the dashboard.
Iconic Cadillac Design Details Take On a Modern Look
Cadillac took a baseline approach to much of the design in its electric cars, with a modern take on classic elements. Notice the badge on the liftgate (not the lower badge you see here, which is a temporary license plate) is really the framework of the original with the enamel colors replaced by a light for a backlit effect. It also functions as the trunk latch; push it to open the liftgate.
Other modernized iconic details are on the front end, which keeps its bold look with lighting instead of a grille, and the rear “tail fin” lights that maintain the brand’s visual heritage.
Yes, It’s Tesla Super Charger Compatible
For the 2026 model and perhaps for a few years following, the Cadillac Vistiq will carry the current standard charge port, a J1772—yes, a name that rolls off the tongue. At some point Cadillac will update the charge port to the NACS, or North American Charge Standard—certainly a better name—which is what we know as the Tesla charge style.
In the meantime, buyers will be able to use an adapter to charge at Tesla Super Charger stations, which means that Cadillac’s software systems are compatible with Tesla as well as any other public charger.
The Interior is Designed to Be Elegant But Not Flashy
It starts with the soft leather-like surfaces that Cadillac uses in its EVs — the company developed its own leatherette, which is more sustainable and environmentally responsible, as well as lighter weight—to muted metals that are glare and won’t show finger prints, to ambient lighting that adds an architectural feel, sort of like a lovely salon. The overall effect is low-key but high luxury.
More Elegant Details Surround Passengers
There are more elegant details everywhere you look: Ambient lighting highlights the wood panels on the door, where you’ll also find seat controls, as well as functions and areas that can be a dark hole at night. Soft metals with smooth or textured surfaces call out controls and add shape to the interior. Soft surfaces are everywhere you might touch something—the arm rest, door panels, the steering wheel.
This Is a Smartly Outfitted Second Row
Cadillac did all the smart things with the second row. There’s a bench option for those who really want or need it, however our display model was shown with captains chairs. Here’s what else is smart about the second row:
- Seats slide and tilt for 3rd row access; they are operated by a button on the lower portion of the seat
- Seats slide forward and back to accommodate kids car seats or 3rd row passengers
- Seat
- The center pass-through makes it easy to reach the 3rd row
- A climate screen allows center row passengers to change the settings
- A button on the seat back allows 3rd row passengers to slide the center seat forward
- The panoramic sunroof extends over the center row
- Fold-down arm rests give passengers a place to rest their elbows
- A cup holder folds out from the center console just under the climate screen
Cadillac Simply Went Ahead and Added a Smart Console to the Rear Seat
Center row passengers will find two USB C ports and a household outlet just under the climate control panel. They can also adjust air settings for 3rd row passengers; isn’t that a nice detail?
The 3rd Row Is Plenty Comfy
I climbed into the 3rd row and found it easy to get in and out both through the pass-through and via the slide and tilt seats. 3rd row passengers will find uphostered arm rests —a truly elegant detail!—USB ports, cup holders, air vents and a sunroof.
Getting Into the 3rd Row Is Easy
Access to the 3rd row is plenty good, via slide and tilt seats or the center pass-through. And legroom in the 3rd row is good, but better for shorter passengers. I won’t call this a convenience 3rd row; it’s fine for every day use. But I had to push the center row seat forward to fit (I’m 5’8″). Once in the 3rd row, the seats were comfortable and I really liked the upholstered arm rests, which were a very luxe delight.
There’s a TON of Cargo Space
This was a delightful surprise: The Cadillac Vistiq has quite a lot of cargo space. Not just behind the 3rd row, which is stellar, but also UNDER the cargo floor. The cargo well is quite deep and can hold a lot of things. It’s impressive.
The Cadillac Vistiq Adds to the Electric 3 Row SUV Competition
The competition to get families to go electric is heating up and Cadillac just made the race even hotter. The Vistiq, a smaller SUV than the Cadillac Escalade IQ, will compete with the Volvo EX90, the Lucid Gravity and even the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, both of which notch up to a similar price levels when you add features and perks. The Vistiq’s 300 mile range and 615 HP puts it squarely in the luxury category with the Volvo and Lucid electric 3 row SUVs, besting its competitors on some details.
The Vistiq will start to roll off the production line in Spring or Summer 2025. Until then, you can see it on Cadillac’s site or at an auto show near you. And if you can see it, I recommend taking a look. Climb in, shut the door and feel the luxury surround you. You’ll want to stay there all day.
