2025 Cadillac Optiq First Drive Review: Right Size, Right Range, Right Price

When was the last time Cadillac had a crossover that was worth remembering? The brand most well-known in recent decades for the Escalade has had little success bringing that prestige down-market to smaller SUVs. Seriously, who lusts after an XT4? Cadillac desperately needs to flip the scrip in the crossover segment, and now it has just the right tool for the job; say hello to the 2025 Cadillac Optiq.

Cadillac’s gas-powered SUVs (besides the Escalade) have never been hits, but with the current skirmish to steal sales away from Tesla, there is room for the American luxury automaker to reinvent itself in a major way. After a rocky start, the Cadillac Lyriq has emerged as one of the best-selling luxury EVs in the US market, and now it has a smaller sibling, the Optiq. DrivingOnRoad drove the Optiq in San Fransisco, and after a short time with it, we believe this might be Cadillac’s most compelling crossover… possibly ever.

First Drive events provide our initial impressions of a vehicle in a restricted environment under certain time constraints. Keep an eye on DrivingOnRoad for our comprehensive Test Drive review which will follow soon.

What Is The Optiq?

The Optiq arrives as the third and smallest electric vehicle in Cadillac’s lineup, continuing the IQ suffix naming convention that was started by the Lyriq. It’s a compact crossover that sits directly below the Lyriq in Cadillac’s lineup and is based on the same Ultium platform; this one is most closely related to the Chevrolet Equinox EV.

Due to its smaller size, the Optiq will act as the entry point into Cadillac’s electric portfolio. But despite being shorter than the Lyriq by several inches, the Optiq is actually a bit longer (190 inches) than the gas-powered XT5 with a wheelbase that’s 3.5 inches longer (116 inches). Those proportions give the Optiq competitive space compared to similarly-priced rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron, Genesis GV60, and Volvo XC40 Recharge.

Exterior Design: A Fresh Language

You can tell the Optiq exists in the same family as the Lyriq and upcoming Vistiq because Cadillac followed the same design language used on those vehicles. The grille features a unique pattern and the futuristic vertical headlights perform a lighting animation when you unlock the vehicle, a nice touch that adds to the ambiance. Near the back, Cadillac applied an interesting graphic on the rear three-quarter windows, a detail we appreciate, differentiating the Optiq from other EVs.

We like the 20-inch wheels on both the Luxury and Sport trims, and feel no need to upgrade to the 21-inch wheels, which cost $3,995 as part of an Onyx Package. There are $700 Dark Android 21-inch wheels for $700 if 20s simply aren’t big enough for you. Cadillac went pretty bold with the Optiq’s color pallet with hues such as Coastal Blue Metallic ($625) and Monarch Orange ($625), though the former is locked to the Luxury trims and the former to the Sport models. We had a chance to drive a Radiant Red Tricoat example, which is one of our favorite colors, but costs $1,225.

Interior: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

General Motors used to have a bad habit of taking an inexpensive vehicle, tossing in some wood and leather, and rebadging it as a luxury model. Those days are, thankfully, in the past. There’s almost no indication that the Optiq and Equinox share a platform, at least on the interior. Cadillac made clever use of recycled materials, including a cloth-like material on the dash/door cars and old newspaper made to look like wood on the center console. It’s unique, feels premium, and gives this Caddy a more modern take on luxury. We also loved the comfortable heated/ventilated seats, which also get a massage function on the Luxury 2 and Sport 2 trims. As with the exterior, Cadillac offers some fun color choices inside, including Autumn Canyon and Phantom Blue, though they cost $1,100 and only come with certain exterior colors.

Cadillac claims best-in-class rear legroom with 37.8 inches, though it must not consider the Tesla Model Y as a competitor, because it boasts 41.9 inches in the rear. The Optiq does at least have more space in the back than the Q4, GV60, and XC40 Recharge. Cargo space is pretty generous for the segment, with 26 cubic feet behind the second row and 57 cubes with the seats folded, more than most of its luxury competitors (the XC40 has 57.5 cubes). The Mercedes-Benz EQB remains the class leader with 61.8 cubes.

Infotainment: Google Is Good

A 33-inch 9K resolution display comes standard; it’s the same unit in the updated CT5 sedan and XT4. Not only does it look sleek, but it works well thanks to built-in Google technology. Unfortunately, Apple Car Play and Android Auto are not found here, as GM still refuses to include them on new EVs.

Even still, the Optiq feels perfectly modern and luxurious inside. It even comes with. A standard 19-speaker AKG audio system with Dolby Atmos, meaning it can move pieces of your music around the cabin, creating a cool surround-sound effect. It sounds interesting, but random noises in songs (such as sirens) can make it sound like an emergency vehicle is quickly approaching.

Powertrain & Driving: All You need

There is only one way to order an Optiq; a dual-motor with an 85 kWh battery pack. These are the same motors and battery used in the cheaper Equinox EV, but the Optiq gets different inverters that enable a 302-mile driving range (the Chevy is rated at 288 miles). Power remains the same, however, meaning you get 300 horsepower and 352 lb-ft of torque from the two electric motors. Expect a 0-60 mph time in the low six-second range.

DC fast-charging is not the Optiq’s forte with a peak speed of just 150 kW. That should add up to 79 miles per hour when out in public. When charging at home, the Optiq can juice up at 11.5 kW (33 miles per hour) with the included charger or a speedy 19.2 kW (55 mph) with an optional GM Energy PowerShift charger ($1,699), but keep in mind that it will require additional installation costs and not all homes will be capable of this output.

We loved driving the Equinox EV, but we were worried the Optiq might feel too much like its Chevy counterpart from behind the wheel. As with the interior, Cadillac did just enough to make the Optiq its own distinct vehicle. Passive Plus Dampers in the suspension adjust to the road surface, delivering a sporty ride that isn’t too punishing. We’d love some adaptive air suspension, but understand why Cadillac couldn’t do it at this price point.

300 hp feels like plenty, and the Optiq gets up to speed with haste. There are a few drive modes, including a Sport Mode that dials up throttle response to a more immediate level. Cadillac seemingly tuned the throttle to feel lax in Touring Mode, likely to keep occupants from being jostled by a quick burst of acceleration. The steering also tightens up in Sport Mode, making the Optiq pretty fun to toss around in corners. This isn’t meant to be a sporty product, but Thomas Schinderle, the engineer who worked on the Blackwing cars, played a role in its chassis development, and you can feel it.

GM seems to have perfected one-pedal driving. You can set the car to coast to a full stop with regen, and there is a spring-loaded paddle on the steering wheel that can regen-on-demand. If, for example, you need to come to a stop quicker than the normal regen will allow, you can squeeze the paddle to slow the car down. It’s highly intuitive, and should help first-time EV owners get used to one-pedal driving.

Verdict & Pricing: Right Price, Right Time

The 2025 Optiq delivers the features that people want in a luxury EV – 300 hp and 300 miles of range – at the price they demand. You will pay $52,895 for the Luxury 1 trim (excluding $1,495 for destination), more than the entry-level EVs from Audi, Genesis, or Volvo, but none of those vehicles have AWD as standard. The Sport 1 trim is a bit more expensive at $53,495 and might be worth it if you want a minor change in appearance. The Luxury 2 costs $55,095, while the Sport 2 sets you back the most, at $55,595.

Stepping up to a Luxury 2 or Sport 2 for adds niceties like a head-up display, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and cornering lights. We’d say these trims are easily worth the expense over the lesser Luxury 1 and Sport 1. Even if you go nuts with dealer-installed extras, it’s tough to price an Optiq above $60,000. That makes it a nice value in the luxury EV segment. Aside from the mid-tier charging, we found little to complain about with the Optiq. If we were advising someone to purchase an entry-level luxury EV, the Cadillac Optiq would be near the top of our recommendations.