Cadillac’s Next EV Is a Compact SUV Aimed at Tesla

Cadillac is going smaller with its next EV.

The Detroit automaker has just fully unveiled a new battery-powered SUV called the Optiq. The brand’s latest model is smaller than its other EVs but still packs the opulent details and solid performance people have come to expect from the brand’s electric offerings.

The Optiq will be Cadillac’s third EV when it launches later this year, following behind the Lyriq SUV and made-to-order Celestiq flagship (the electric Escalade IQ is all expected to arrive in 2024). Cadillac doesn’t explicitly call the vehicle a compact, but it’s easily the smallest of its battery-powered models with a wheelbase that’s a half-foot shorter than that of the mid-size Lyriq. Most people associate the Cadillac brand with large, commanding vehicles, but the move to something smaller could open a new market for the company.

The SUV’s styling will look immediately familiar to anyone who’s seen the Lyriq. Both vehicles have a similar front fascia, light package, and softly curved body panels. The bigger SUV is an attractive vehicle, but the design language really works at a smaller size. The Optiq is downright sporty, especially when outfitted with the larger 21-inch wheels, which is a description that has rarely applied to any non-Blackwing Cadillac, let alone one of its SUVs.

The Optiq’s exterior may be athletic, but its interior has a much more elegant air, making it clear that it is a luxury vehicle. The clean and airy space has a large, but not overbearing 33-inch curved touchscreen that combines the instrument panel and infotainment system, as well as a healthy amount of physical controls. Many of the interior’s surfaces, including the seats, are covered in fabric, but it has a fresh and modern look that just works. There’s also a glass roof, a 19-speaker AKG sound system, and, because it is an SUV, a decent amount of storage room.

The Optiq will be available with a single powertrain option, at least initially. The setup includes two electric motors that combine to produce 300 hp and 354 ft lbs of torque. Neither number is anything to write home about, but that’s more than enough output for almost all of us. The powertrain gets its juice from an 85-kWh battery pack that the automaker claims will be good for 300 miles of range. If you’re running low on the battery, Cadillac says you’ll be able to add around 80 miles of range within 10 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger.

But the Optiq’s most surprising feature just might be its price. It’s clear that Cadillac is viewing it as an entry-level EV and has priced it accordingly. Because of this, the SUV will start at around $54,000 when it goes on sale later this fall.

Click here for more photos of the all-electric Cadillac Optiq SUV.