Cadillac’s charge into the emerging EV market takes a big step forward with the official debut of its fifth all-electric model, the 2026 Vistiq. The lavishly equipped 3-row SUV slots into a niche between Caddy’s first battery model, the Lyriq, and the flagship Escalade IQ. Here’s more.
The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq is the brand’s fifth EV.
The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq just might be the all-electric option for those who find Caddy’s flashy Escalade IQ a bit too bold.
Like the electric version of the full-size Escalade, Vistiq offers three rows of seats and plenty of upscale features, including a 23-speaker AKG Studio sound system, a 33-inch digital display and the hands-free Super Cruise system.
The fifth battery-powered model in Caddy’s growing line-up makes its official debut today and “will continue to propel us into the EV future,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. “With the addition of VISTIQ, Cadillac will be one of the only brands to offer an EV entry in every luxury SUV segment.”
Caddy electrifies
Vistiq’s twin sunroofs.
While the brand has backed away from plans to go entirely electric by 2030, Cadillac is moving ahead with its aggressive EV rollout which began with the debut of the midsize Lyriq model two years ago.
It has since announced an assortment of additional models, including the entry-lux Optiq, which the brand’s Cadillac marketing chief Brad Franz describes as “the new gateway to the brand.”
At the other extreme, Caddy is bringing out dual flagships: the full-size Escalade IQ, a battery-electric alternative to the conventional, gas-powered model, as well as the $300,000, largely hand-built Celestiq grand tourer.
Vistiq is next in line and provides another, less over-the-top option for those who want to go all-electric. “There’s not a lot of 3-row competition” in the EV market right now and Cadillac hopes that will give it a leg up, said Franz.
What’s new
Vistiq picks up on the Cadillac brand’s vertical lighting signature.
Vistiq is a big beast, measuring 205.6 inches nose-to-tail, about 19 inches shorter than the Escalade IQ, while its wheelbase comes in at 121.8 inches, roughly 14 inches shorter. Vistiq is 79.8 inches wide and stands 71 inches in height, slightly narrower and lower than the Caddy flagship SUV.
Buyers might also think of Vistiq as the electric alternative to the gas-powered Caddy XT6 – though it is a bit longer, taller and wider, noted designer Mark Chrapla.
Though there may be other packages added in the future, the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq debuts in well-equipped form, rather than debuting with a fairly basic package, as was the case with the original version of the midsize Lyriq EV.
The 3-row model comes with standard all-wheel-drive, for one thing, where Lyriq buyers had to wait out a year with only an available rear-drive package.
“From the start, it was our team’s goal to deliver a three-row SUV that provides exhilarating performance and intuitive technology, wrapped in the brand’s iconic design language,” said the program’s chief engineer Jeff MacDonald.
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Design
Vistiq features a 33-inch digital display.
Compared to both Lyriq and Escalade IQ the look of the new Vistiq is relatively tame – at least from the exterior. The design team choose to tone things down a bit from the flagship model, though it retains the distinctive vertical front lighting and backlit grille. One of the more distinctive features is the “Tornado” design of the C-pillars shared with the Escalade IQ.
The Vistiq Sport package is offered with a striking 21-inch wheel design, with 22-inchers on the Premium package. And a 23-inch option will be available at launch. Vistiq offers a dual panoramic sunroof/moonroof features.
The interior has a more flashy look, though the use of distinctive materials and finishes gives the cabin what Chrapla calls “a stately and architectural feel.”
Slipping into the cabin for the first time the most distinctive detail is the 33-inch curved digital display. There are only a handful of conventional controls, including a volume knob.
Useful features include dual wireless phone chargers and lots of storage throughout the cabin.
Powertrain
At launch, Vistiq will use a CCS charger port, switching later to the Tesla CCS port.
Vistiq’s twin motors provide 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of “near-instant” torque. Power is divided between the front and rear axle. Caddy claims the big SUV can launch from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds when operating in Velocity Max mode.
Drive less aggressively and the 102 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack will deliver an estimated 312 miles range – at least that’s the preliminary estimate, with Cadillac waiting for final EPA certification.
While charging times haven’t been released, Vistiq uses the same electronic architecture as the Escalade IQ. That bigger, heavier SUV can add as much as 100 miles additional range in 10 minutes using a 350 kW DC public charger – or 36.5 miles per hour using an optional, upgraded Level 2 240-volt home charger.
At launch, Vistiq will feature a CCS charging port. It will switch to the Tesla-standard NACS port at a later date. Initial buyers who want ask to the Supercharger network will have to purchase a $200 adapter.
Technology
Bigger than the current Cadillac XT6, Vistiq will offer plenty of cargo space.
On the mechanical front, Vistiq offers an optional rear-wheel-steer system that makes the big SUV more nimble than its specs might suggest. That’s useful both for high-speed maneuvering and in-town parking. A standard ride damping control can be upgraded with an optional air suspension package.
There’s also an available road noise cancellation system.
Vistiq features plenty of USB ports for all three rows, along with those dual wireless chargers. The electric SUV comes standard with a 23-speaker AKG Studio audio system with Dolby Atmos.
Hands-free Super Cruise will be offered as a standard feature.
The most controversial feature – or, more accurately, the lack of a feature – is the fact that Vistiq does not offer either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Caddy and parent General Motors are phasing out those systems in favor of a proprietary digital smartphone docking system.
Pricing and availability
Production of the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq begins early next year at the automaker’s Spring Hill, Tennessee assembly plant.
“At launch, VISTIQ will offer three distinctive trims, Luxury, Sport and Premium Luxury. Coming in summer 2025, VISTIQ will launch in Platinum trim,” the automaker noted in a statement.
Pricing will start at $78,790, including delivery fees.
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