Driven: 2025 Cadillac Optiq EV Is Ready for a Fight
Seeing is believing, but sometimes, you need to experience something firsthand. That’s the case with the new 2025 Cadillac Optiq, a small luxury EV that, for reasons best known to Cadillac, has been saddled with a suffix pronounced “ick.” However, after spending some time with it, there’s nothing unpleasant about this new Cadillac EV. In fact, it might be a hit.
Size Wise
It starts with the design, which is well-proportioned and uncluttered. The hood is slightly shorter than most in the segment, the windshield is more steeply raked, and the rear window is subtly laid back. This results in an uncommon length, with a 116.3-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 189.8 inches. Consider that the Audi Q4 e-tron has a 108.7-inch wheelbase and is 180.6 inches long. The Mercedes-Benz EQB has a 111.4-inch wheelbase and measures 184.4 inches. Meanwhile, the Genesis GV60 is only a few inches shorter in wheelbase but is a foot shorter overall. This stretched wheelbase doesn’t just create a sleek profile; it accommodates an 85.0-kWh battery, the largest in this group. This contributes to the longest range, an impressive EPA-estimated 302 miles, a substantial advantage over the EQB (207 miles), the Q4 (258 miles), or the GV60 (264 miles).
Driving Dynamics
Two electric motors power the Optiq, one at each axle. The front motor is a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PSM) that’s always engaged, while the rear is an induction motor that provides extra power when needed, including during acceleration. The use of a single induction motor is acceptable, as it eliminates the need for a clutch to disengage. The Mercedes and Audi, though, position their PSM at the rear and induction motor at the front, which seems counterintuitive. The Cadillac puts the primary PSM where it should be, in the front, for the stabilizing effects of regeneration. The Cadillac generates 300 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Although not quite as powerful as the Audi, it places it squarely in the middle of the pack. While a 0-60 mph sprint time wasn’t available during the review, the vehicle feels like it can manage it in roughly 5.2 seconds.
On the braking front, the Cadillac provides a smooth, linear feel when applying the left pedal. Regeneration works well, with limits high enough for most driving situations. However, you may occasionally need to supplement with friction braking, as it’s not as predictable as in some other systems. Even so, navigating a tricky winding descent using only regenerative braking was effortless.
The Optiq provides excellent steering feedback. When driving straight, it delivers the subtle feel needed to keep the car on course. Turning in results in a nice increase in effort. In a word, it’s faultless.
While a height-adjustable air suspension and adaptive dampers aren’t expected at this price point, the Optiq’s passive setup is expertly tuned. Cadillac’s Passive Plus dampers have a second internal valve, making the response frequency-dependent. This means the damper stays firmer at the low speeds of cornering but opens to soften impacts over bumps. All dampers aim to do this, but the second valve gives engineers a precise tool for fine-tuning the suspension. And it works, because the ride was sporty in corners, yet comfortable on rough surfaces.
Cabin Comfort and Features
The long wheelbase makes the Optiq’s cabin spacious. Both rows offer plenty of room, and the interior appointments are impressive. The standout is the coarse-weave fabric on the doors and dash, which looks luxurious and is made from recycled materials. This fabric contrasts with stitched faux-leather armrests and seats. A 33-inch screen, similar to the one in the larger Lyriq, is featured, with manually adjustable climate vents elegantly located below. One drawback of the elongated design is that the sloping rear roofline slightly reduces cargo space. However, 26 cubic feet is respectable in this segment, and Cadillac placed the charge port on the front fender to maximize rear cargo space, sacrificing a frunk in the process.
Audio and Tech
The AKG Studio system with Dolby Atmos is a major highlight. It includes 19 speakers housed behind stainless-steel grilles throughout the cabin. Atmos allows Dolby engineers to pinpoint the placement of instruments in 3-D space, and they’ve remixed thousands of albums available on several streaming services. But to get the full experience, you need to play music through the infotainment’s built-in apps. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
Features and Pricing
Cadillac has priced and equipped the Optiq competitively. All active safety features are standard, along with Super Cruise, massaging seats, and the AKG Dolby Atmos system. You can choose between Luxury or Sport themes, with Luxury 1 starting at $54,390 (with chrome trim) or Sport 1 at $54,990 (body-color trim and different wheels). You can upgrade to Luxury 2 or Sport 2 for $56,590 or $57,090, respectively.
The jump from equipment level 1 to 2 adds a considerable bundle: For an extra $2100 or $2200 (depending on trim), you get a color head-up display, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, eight-way power seats (vs. six-way), fancier LED headlights and taillights, an air-quality sensor, and a cargo-area cover. Standalone options include a faster 19.2-kW Level 2 onboard charger (the 11.5 kW is standard), 21-inch wheels instead of 20s, and unique interior and exterior colors. And this all comes at a lower price than similarly equipped versions of the Audi Q4, Mercedes-Benz EQB, and Genesis GV60. As previously noted, Cadillac seems to have a winner on its hands. Despite the unfortunate naming scheme, the 2025 Optiq is anything but icky.
