2025 Cadillac Optiq EV Broadens the Base: First Drive Review
By Zach Doell
SAN FRANCISCO — When searching for an entry-level luxury SUV, especially an EV, a buyer often expects to sacrifice performance, features, and interior space to achieve a more affordable price. The 2025 Cadillac Optiq aims to challenge that assumption.
The Optiq starts at approximately $53,000, establishing a new entry point into Cadillac’s growing EV lineup. Despite its competitive price, the Optiq provides standard all-wheel drive, a 302-mile range, poised handling, a wealth of tech features, and an airy, well-trimmed cabin that seats five. After driving the Optiq, I found it hard to pinpoint any significant drawbacks.
I traveled to San Francisco for a Cadillac media event, where I tested both the Optiq and the new Escalade IQ. While the Escalade impressed as a top-tier technological marvel with its extensive 460-mile driving range, it was the Optiq that captured my attention. Its value proposition could give rivals like the Genesis GV60, Volvo EX40, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Mercedes-Benz EQB something to worry about.
Pros and Cons
The Cadillac Optiq delivers entry into the luxury electric SUV market without the typical compromises. However, some areas could still be improved, particularly the infotainment system.
Pros:
- Low starting price for a luxury EV
- Ample 302-mile range on a full charge
- Polished driving dynamics
- Roomy, attractively trimmed cabin
- Packed with standard features
Cons:
- No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
- Some key functions are buried in touch-screen menus
- No front trunk (frunk)
Pricing and Trims
Cadillac offers the 2025 Optiq in four trims: Luxury 1, Sport 1, Luxury 2, and Sport 2. The base price is $52,895, excluding a $1,495 destination charge. The primary distinction between the Luxury and Sport trims is styling, with the Luxury featuring bright metallic accents and the Sport employing darker wheels and accents.
- Luxury 1: $52,895
- Sport 1: $53,495
- Luxury 2: $55,095
- Sport 2: $55,595
Despite their entry-level status, the “1” trims are well-equipped, including Super Cruise hands-free driving, a 33-inch curved digital dashboard, heated front seats, a 19-speaker AKG sound system, and a panoramic sunroof. The “2” trims add amenities such as a head-up display, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats.
Optional features include Autumn Canyon (light brown) or Phantom Blue upholstery ($1,100), a black-painted roof ($600), and an Onyx package ($3,995) which includes gloss black 21-inch wheels and black side mirrors. Eight exterior paint colors are available, including Black Raven (no cost), Coastal Blue Metallic, Celestial Metallic, Argent Silver Metallic, Nimbus Metallic, and Monarch Orange ($625), and Radiant Red Tricoat and Crystal White Tricoat ($1,225).
At the time of writing, the Optiq qualifies for the $7,500 Federal Electric Vehicle Tax Credit.
Design and Exterior
At a glance, the Optiq shares design cues with its larger sibling, the Cadillac Lyriq. Both EVs feature graceful, coupe-like rooflines, bold shield grilles, and inverted L-shaped LED headlights that emphasize the SUVs’ strong flanks. However, the Optiq is more compact, measuring 6.7 inches shorter and about 3 inches narrower than the Lyriq. It maintains the brand’s new EV design language with slightly reduced proportions, offering a more nimble appearance.
At the rear, a piano-key pattern flows into two-piece vertical taillights. The rear three-quarter view is arguably the Optiq’s most appealing angle, presenting a powerful and clean-cut look.
Interior Experience
The interior offers a significant upgrade compared to the Cadillac XT4. The Optiq’s cabin justifies its luxury billing, with numerous soft-touch and leatherette-wrapped surfaces, accented with chrome and gloss-black trim. Cadillac has thoughtfully incorporated eco-friendly materials, such as woven fabric made from recycled plastic across the dashboard and door panels, and sleek woodgrain trim on the center console, which is a mix of tulipwood and recycled newspaper. It’s a sophisticated touch that elevates the interior.
Performance
The 2025 Optiq is powered by an 85-kWh battery pack and two electric motors, generating 300 horsepower and enabling all-wheel drive.
Like many new EVs, the Optiq offers brisk acceleration. It sprints off the line with enthusiasm, and its electric motors provide strong pulling power, even at highway speeds. While it may not deliver the immediate punch found in rivals like the Tesla Model Y, the Optiq will outpace the average crossover SUV with ease. During testing on the winding roads of Highway 1 near Stinson Beach north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Optiq’s powertrain always felt more than capable. Power delivery is smooth and linear, making the Optiq easy to manage in San Francisco’s challenging stop-and-go traffic.
Shifting from the default Tour drive mode into Sport enhances throttle response and acceleration. There’s also a dedicated Snow/Ice mode and a customizable My Mode.
Ride and Handling
The Optiq weighs approximately 5,200 pounds, making it substantial for a compact SUV. However, its weight is well-managed and concentrated low in the battery pack. This results in a sure-footed and nimble feel on winding roads, with responsive steering and well-controlled body motions. The Optiq is not a sports car, but it’s enjoyable to drive. It’s easy to maneuver in and out of parking spaces and navigate through traffic.
The suspension uses frequency-selective dampers, enhancing ride comfort while maintaining the Optiq’s agility. I spent the day driving, and rode comfortably, without the harshness sometimes associated with EVs.
The regenerative braking system also performs well. In its Normal and High settings, the Optiq can come to a complete stop when you lift off the throttle, allowing for one-pedal driving. Many will prefer the relaxed feel of the Normal mode. The driver can also use the Regen On Demand paddle on the left side of the steering wheel for deceleration, or disable it entirely.
Range, Charging, and Fuel Economy
The Cadillac Optiq has an estimated 302-mile driving range on a full charge. While some luxury electric SUVs offer similar or greater ranges, few can match the Optiq’s $53,000 price point, particularly when including all-wheel drive.
Competitors like the Volvo EX40, Genesis GV60, and Mercedes-Benz EQB offer ranges of 296, 294, and 250 miles, respectively, in two-wheel-drive configurations. These figures decrease to 260, 264, and 205 miles with optional all-wheel drive. The Tesla Model Y is another option, currently priced at just under $60,000 for the Long Range AWD model and offering 327 miles of range.
The Optiq achieves an EPA-estimated 103 mpg-equivalent in combined city and highway driving, which aligns with its rivals. When connected to a 150-kW DC fast-charging station, the Optiq can add up to 79 miles of range in 10 minutes. Charging via a 240-volt outlet or a Level 2 charging station takes approximately 9.5 hours for a full charge, adding between 24 and 55 miles of range per hour.
Interior
The Optiq’s interior design is modern and sleek, featuring a wide 33-inch screen for the infotainment and instrument displays. Most of the cabin surfaces are soft-touch or visually appealing. I particularly liked the light brown Autumn Canyon upholstery in my test vehicle, along with the combination of light gray leatherette and fabric on the dash and doors, hints of piano-black plastic, and a glossy woodgrain panel on the center console.
The Optiq minimizes wind and road noise effectively, though it can be easily overcome by the 19-speaker AKG stereo system. This system supports Dolby Atmos surround sound and provides exceptional audio clarity for a vehicle under $100,000.
Interior Space and Comfort
The Cadillac Optiq is a two-row SUV with five seats. Standard features include synthetic leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Upgrades include ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.
The front seats are comfortable and supportive, though the bottom cushion could be longer. At 6-foot-2, I found plenty of headroom, elbowroom, and legroom in the front. The second row offers slightly less legroom, but still provides a comfortable experience for kids and shorter adults. The panoramic sunroof enhances the cabin’s sense of space.
The Optiq’s large windshield allows for excellent visibility to the front and sides, though the rear sightlines are limited due to the thick roof pillars.
Cargo Space
The Cadillac Optiq provides 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 57 cubic feet with the seats folded. This maximum measurement aligns with luxury electric SUV rivals like the Genesis GV60, Volvo EX40, Mercedes-Benz EQB, and Lexus RZ. There’s ample room for groceries, carry-on luggage, or bulkier items. A power liftgate is standard.
Unlike some EVs, the Optiq doesn’t have a front trunk (frunk). Instead, many of the electric powertrain components are located under the hood.
The Optiq can tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped.
Interior Technology
Cadillac equips the Optiq with a curved 33-inch digital display, which integrates an infotainment touch screen, an instrument cluster, and a small touch screen for essential vehicle controls. The climate control settings can be easily adjusted using toggle switches below the infotainment screen.
I appreciate this tech configuration. The graphics are crisp, responses are prompt, and the system is highly configurable, enabling you to customize the instrument cluster and pin frequently used icons to the shortcut bar. The virtual assistant, activated by saying “Hey Google,” also simplifies adjusting settings.
Some functions require too many on-screen taps, and the popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto apps are not supported. However, other features, like the crisp graphics, prompt response times, and highly configurable settings, increase the likelihood that owners can easily adapt to this system.
Driver-Assistance and Safety Technology
The Optiq prioritizes advanced safety features, with nearly all driver-assist technologies included as standard. This includes Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous highway driving mode. Super Cruise performed reliably during testing on both primary and secondary freeways, even in heavy rain. The vehicle transitions control back to the driver with a series of warnings if conditions become unsafe.
Standard driver-assistance features include:
- Super Cruise (hands-free highway driving on specific roads)
- Adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist
- Forward collision warning
- Forward and reverse automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicyclist detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Surround-view camera system
- Rear-camera mirror (streams a view of what’s behind the vehicle to the rearview mirror)
- Traffic-sign recognition
- Driver-attention monitoring
- Safety alert seat (a driver’s seat that vibrates to warn of potential hazards)
- Automatic high-beam headlights
Available driver-assistance features:
- Head-up display (shows driving and navigation information directly on the windshield)
2025 Cadillac Optiq Versus the Competition
Competing with the Audi Q4 e-tron, Genesis GV60, Mercedes-Benz EQB, and Volvo EX40, the Cadillac Optiq emerges as a strong contender. Following my test drive, I would rank the Optiq high among its rivals. It delivers on the promise of an entry-level luxury EV with few compromises, offering an impressive 302-mile range, standard all-wheel drive, a premium cabin, and extensive driver-assistance features.
Why Is the 2025 Cadillac Optiq Important?
The Optiq is arguably the most important EV in Cadillac’s lineup. The brand’s first EV, the Lyriq, has been a success, contributing to Cadillac’s best sales year since 2016. While the new $128,000 Escalade IQ and the concept-like $340,000 Celestiq will likely have limited sales numbers, both reinforce the brand’s mission of creating luxurious vehicles.
With this in mind, the entry-level Optiq and the upcoming Vistiq three-row SUV are positioned to grow the brand and attract buyers from other EV manufacturers. I believe the Optiq has what it takes: it’s well-equipped, reasonably priced, and enjoyable to drive. It may be time for Cadillac to revive its “Standard of the World” slogan.
The Basics
- Vehicle type: two-row luxury electric SUV
- Starting price: $52,895
- Powertrain: dual electric motors
- Transmission: single-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: all-wheel drive
- Power: 300 horsepower
- Torque: 354 pound-feet
- Battery capacity: 85-kWh
- Battery type: lithium-ion nickel cobalt manganese aluminum (NCMA)
- Driving range: 302 miles
- Charging speed: up to 79 miles in 10 minutes (150-kW DC fast-charging)
- Seating capacity: five
- Cargo capacity: 26 / 57 cubic feet (behind second row / second row folded)
- Towing capacity: 1,500 pounds
- Overall length: 190 inches
- Width: 84 inches (including mirrors)
- Height: 65 inches
- Wheelbase: 116 inches
- Ground clearance: 6 inches
- Curb weight: 5,192 pounds
- Final assembly: Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
- Availability: currently on sale
