Cadillac continues its EV push with the introduction of a new, family sized electric SUV: the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq. The second largest Cadillac EV and the fifth overall electric model for the brand, the SUV comes across as a refreshed, more handsome version of the gas-powered XT6 but there are major design differences if you look closely.
Up front, the Vistiq wears a fake grille that’s similar to the Lyriq and Escalade IQ, with illuminated pinstripes running along the side. Keeping in step with Cadillac’s EV design language, thin LED lights and vertically stacked headlights flank the grille.
The Vistiq is rides on a 121-inch wheelbase with a 205-inch overall length with the same wheelbase as a standard length Escalade in a vehicle that’s six and a half inches longer than an XT6. It’ll be pretty tall too with standard 21-inch wheels with 22-inch and 23-inch wheel optional. One of the most interesting aspects of the design is the rear sail panel where the designers drew inspiration from it from a surprising place: the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon. Ahead of that, the window for third row passengers gets a Cadillac Mondrian pattern graphic that Cadillac says creates exterior motion while looking out and provides passenger privacy. At the rear, it gets a similar vertical tail light setup as the Lyriq.
Inside, the Vistiq gets one of Cadillac’s best looking interiors yet. Aside from the massive 33-inch OLED screen that spans across the dash there’s ambient LED lighting lights up the lower console, dash and along the panoramic roof. And in a nod to my constant calls for more interior colored interiors, Premium Luxury trims of the Vistq get an available all-blue interior color called Phantom Blue.
All the luxury and tech features you’d expect are there, including five-zone climate control, 23-speaker AKG Dolby Atmos sound system, road noise cancellation and a pano roof with third row skylight.
Performance is sports car rivaling, an impressive feat given that this is a 6,326 pound luxury electric family hauler. A 102-kWh battery pack and a dual motor, all-wheel drive setup give the Vistiq 615 horsepower and 649 pounds-feet of torque. Cadillac says that’s enough to, when using the Velocity Max mode which I assume is similar to the GMC Hummer EV’s cringy Watts To Freedom (WTF) mode, hustle the Vistiq to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds a scary impressive number.
As long as you don’t constantly drive around like that, Cadillac says the Vistiq should get an estimated 300 miles of range on a full charge. When it comes time to charge, the Vistiq will have V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) bi-directional charging. Most importantly, it will be capable of DC fast charging; it can get 79 miles of range in just 10 minutes. With an available 19.2 kW charger, it can get 46.7 miles of range with 240 V2.
Aside from other impressive standard features like Super Cruise and one pedal driving with regen on demand, there are other features that make it seem as if Cadillac thinks the Vistiq will be on the radar of some sport sedan buyers. There’s available chassis damping control, an adaptive air suspension (that also lowers the Vistiq for better aerodynamics ) and most surprisingly, Brembo brakes and an available active rear steering setup. When equipped, the system will be able to turn the rear wheels up to three degrees.
A couple of downsides might annoy some buyers: GM continues to double down on Google Built-in for it’s infotainment systems which means there’s no Apple Car Play or Android Auto, and there’s no frunk though you do get up to 80 cubic feet of cargo room with all the rows folded.
Interested buyers will have to wait until next year to get their hands on the Vistiq as it won’t hit dealers until Summer 2025. Even then, every trim won’t be available at first. The Vistiq will be available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport and Platinum trims. The Vistiq Platinum will arrive at dealers first while the other trims will come at a later date.
