Cadillac thunders into the performance EV wars with all-new 2026 Lyriq-V. Super SUV is quicker than a Blackwing and promises to spearhead new wave of electrified V-Series models.
Cadillac is pumping up its performance aspirations with the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V.
When Cadillac provided a sneak peek of the 2026 Lyriq-V last fall it preferred to let the SUV do much of the talking with a few teaser pictures balancing out a lightly detailed press release that didn’t reveal much of anything other than the SUV itself. The images promised an SUV that would be a noticeable step up from lesser Lyriqs with the performance and range to match.
The brand is now ready to lay all of its cards on the table with the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V and all of the details that come with it. Some say it’s better to wait and based on the new information that Cadillac included in its latest Lyriq-V-related release, the wait was indeed worth it.
The low down on this Lyriq-V
The Lyriq-V is the first V-Series model to be all-electric with this model making 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque which lets it be quicker than a CT5-V Blackwing.
Before we dive into some of the performance changes that make this Lyriq special we might as well talk about the changes Cadillac made to the Lyriq for V-Series duty. Unlike other new models, the bulk of the Lyriq’s styling carries over unchanged with the exception of a few V-Series badges splashed on the exterior. Instead, buyers will have to literally lower their gaze to the bottom portion of the EV to spot the bulk of the changes. Cadillac designers gave the V a new lower front fascia, side rocker panels, and bodycolor-matching trim to help give the Lyriq a more aggressive look that hugs the road better when viewed at a glance. The updated lower half also draws your eye to the large 22-inch wheels that hide 15.35-inch Brembo brakes. The Lyriq-V is also debuting a new paint color called Magnus Metal Frost with the hue being paired with a blacked-out roof.
The interior doesn’t get as many changes but the front seats get power-adjustable bolstering and V-Series exclusive graphics for the large 33.0-inch display screen. V-Series logos are also in abundance in the interior and like other V-Series models, this one gets the V-Mode button which allows the driver to tailor various drive settings to help tailor the V to their particular needs.
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Electrified performance
The 2026 Lyriq-V will go on sale this year in the U.S. and abroad with Australia and New Zealand being two of the first global markets for the Lyriq-V.
Cadillac promised to create a new rung in Lyriq performance and it has delivered the goods with the V-Series bringing 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque to the party. The electric motors provide standard all-wheel drive with the brand saying it can make the sprint to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds which is slightly quicker than what the CT5-V Blackwing and its supercharged V8 can muster when tasked with the same feat.
This is an insane amount of power but it does come with a small penalty in range with the Lyriq-V only getting 285 miles of range between charges with all models getting a 102 kWh battery pack. This performance infusion makes the Cadillac a potent threat against rivals and it will also mark the start of something bigger with more V-Series models expected to receive the EV treatment as Cadillac continues to expand its presence in EVs despite shifting market conditions that are seeing more hybrid and PHEV models being added by automakers to compensate for slowing EV sales.
The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V is slated to begin production this year at GM’s factory in Tennessee before rolling out to showrooms with a base price of $79,990. GM is attempting to make the Lyriq a global player too and in addition to selling the model in Canada and the United States, it will also be selling the model in Australia and New Zealand.
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