Driven: 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Is More Of A Good Thing

The Common Motors Ultium electrical automobile platform is extremely adaptable, underpinning autos starting from the Chevrolet Equinox as much as the GMC Hummer. Cadillac already has three autos on this structure, and a fourth one has simply arrived in the marketplace. The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq is the most recent of the IQ-branded electrical autos; it is a three-row crossover that slots above the Lyriq however beneath the flagship Escalade IQ. Does it seize the very best of the previous with out the cumbersome dimension of the latter?

The 2026 Vistiq serves two essential roles for Cadillac. One, it offers patrons an electrical three-row possibility that is cheaper and simpler to park than the Escalade IQ. Two, it acts as a religious successor to the gas-powered XT6, which has been discontinued without a confirmed replacement. Can this newest IQ mannequin proceed Cadillac’s electric hot streak? DrivingOnRoad could not attend the First Drive occasion, so Cadillac despatched us a Vistiq for per week so we may discover out.

What Is The Vistiq?

The Vistiq is Cadillac’s fourth IQ-branded electrical mannequin; it is greater than a Lyriq however smaller than an Escalade IQ, sharing a battery with the previous. Cadillac solely sells one configuration, a dual-motor producing 615 horsepower. These similar motors will also be used in the upcoming Lyriq-V. Each Vistiq features a 102 kWh battery, the identical one discovered within the Lyriq and the Chevrolet Blazer EV.

Just like the outgoing XT6, the Vistiq comes customary with three rows of seats with room for six or seven individuals, relying on the trim and choices. The Vistiq measures 205.6 inches lengthy with a 121.8-inch wheelbase, which is considerably greater than the previous XT6 (198.5 inches with a 113-inch wheelbase). That elevated dimension makes the Vistiq extra spacious than its gas-powered predecessor.

Exterior Design: Bigger Lyriq

It is apparent the Vistiq shares design language with the smaller Lyriq, which itself is a properly styled crossover. The entrance grille space bears a novel sample with slim higher headlights and tall predominant headlights that kind a novel lighting signature. There may be even a cool animation while you unlock it and the headlights present your battery stage whereas charging. The taillights are additionally a cut up design, which appears to be like a bit funky however not too outrageous. Not everybody will love the Cadillac Mondrian decal on the rear quarter glass, which cannot be deleted. We predict it is an attention-grabbing contact,

21-inch wheels come customary on the Sport and Luxurious trims with totally different finishes obtainable, together with the elective wheels on our tester. The Sport trim will get just a few extra blacked-out accents on the grille and window surrounds. The Premium Luxurious rides on 22-inch wheels with 23-inch wheels obtainable for $1,000, and the identical is true of the Platinum. Talking of the Platinum, it is the one one to get body-colored wheel arches as a substitute of black ones, in addition to a regular black painted roof that prices $600 on different trims.

If you happen to do go for the Platinum, we extremely recommend getting any colour apart from Stellar Black Metallic ($625), because it principally erases the body-colored fenders and black roof. Cadillac provides just a few wonderful colours, together with Emerald Lake Metallic ($625), Celestial Metallic ($625), and our tester’s wonderful however expensive Radiant Purple Tintcoat ($1,225).

Inside: Ellegance Obtained Greater

All Vistiq trims, together with the decrease Luxurious and Sport trims, are principally loaded with options. Customary gear contains heated and ventilated entrance seats with therapeutic massage, heated rear seats, panoramic moonroof with third row glass, AKG 23-speaker audio system, soft-close doorways, twin wi-fi chargers, a digital rearview mirror, and energy third row. The decrease trims supply black or grey decrease interiors; the Luxurious pairs these selections with wooden and the Sport with carbon fiber. Choosing the Premium Luxurious unlocks an upgraded Phantom Blue Nouveauluxe inside, whereas the Platinum will get the identical materials in black or Kona Brown.

Seven seats come customary on the Luxurious and Sport trims, however you possibly can go for captain’s chairs at a worth of $800. The 2 higher trims include six seats as customary. The Vistiq boasts extra legroom than the outgoing XT6 in all three rows, and the second row even will get a touchscreen to manage the local weather and ambient lighting.

We want Cadillac supplied a powered possibility for the second row, which is accessible on the cheaper Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. The third row is absolutely powered, and could be raised or dropped rapidly with a button press. This automobile has extra space for storing than the XT6 in most measurements, however has barely much less quantity behind the second row. There isn’t a entrance trunk, however the Vistiq does have deep under-floor storage.

Infotainment: Good, However May Be Excellent

If you happen to’ve been in a Lyriq, a brand new CT5, or XT4, you’ll be acquainted with the Vistiq’s 33-inch curved LED show. The one notable change here’s a decrease touchscreen to manage local weather features which can be dealt with by buttons in different Cadillac autos. It is not our favourite addition, but it surely’s simple sufficient to make use of with out being too distracting. The Google-powered infotainment system is superb, however GM’s full dismissal of Apple Carplay and Android Auto stays a irritating determination. Some features, like enjoying music via streaming providers, are on-par with telephone mirroring. Others, like responding to texts, are gradual and cumbersome. On the plus facet, the usual 23-speaker AKG audio system packs a punch.

Powertrain & Driving: V-Lite

The Vistiq is extremely easy as a result of each trim comes with the identical powertrain. Two electrical motors produce 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft, although you’ll want to click on the Velocity Max button on the steering wheel to unlock the total output. Cadillac says this setup will propel the Vistiq as much as 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. A 102 kWh battery allows a good 300 miles of vary.

Vary and Battery

A 190 kW peak cost velocity is not too spectacular by at present’s requirements, including 79 miles in 10 minutes of charging. On the plus facet, Cadillac does supply blazing quick 19.2 kW AC charging speeds, although the charging module solely comes customary on the 2 higher trims. If you wish to cost that rapidly on a Luxurious or Sport, it requires a $1,480 improve plus $1,699 for the GM Power PowerShift Charger, which can be elective on the Premium Luxurious and Platinum. This may even require upgrading your electrical panel at residence to 100 amps, which comes at a better set up price than the usual charger that may do 11.5 kW speeds.

In case you are well-off sufficient to afford it, the 19.2 kW module may tremendously scale back your charging occasions at residence. 11.5 kW provides 28.5 miles of vary per hour, whereas 19.2 kw provides 46.7 mph. You might theoretically scale back your session from 10.5 hours all the way down to underneath 6.5.

Driving and Efficiency Impressions

We couldn’t match Cadillac’s estimated 0-60 mph time in our testing (claimed 3.7 seconds with Velocity Max), hitting 60 in a still-impressive 4.18 seconds. The Vistiq’s drive modes change how rapidly the automobile responds to throttle inputs, starting from lackadaisical to fast. In Sport mode, the steering weights up a bit, however not overwhelmingly so. All Vistiqs get Chassis Damping Management customary, which delivers a easy and managed journey.

The Premium Luxurious and Platinum add adaptive air journey suspension to additional enhance consolation, however we did not have an opportunity to pattern it. These trims additionally get rear-wheel steering to enhance the turning radius. We did check out the most recent Tremendous Cruise model, which may now observe your route steering via Google Maps, that means it is aware of to maneuver over earlier than you’ll want to exit a freeway. The system lastly provides hands-on help when hands-free just isn’t obtainable; it was beforehand an all-or-nothing strategy.

Verdict & Pricing: Bridging A Hole

Relying on the way you cross-shop, the Vistiq is both super worth or barely exorbitant. The Luxurious trim prices $77,395 excluding vacation spot, and the Sport is barely $500 extra. These costs are much like the fully-loaded Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy Design, which arguably provides a nicer second row, extra inside quantity, quicker DC charging speeds, and a much bigger battery with extra vary, however a much less fascinating badge, barely much less premium inside, and lesser efficiency. If you happen to aren’t a badge snob, the Hyundai and its sister automobile, the Kia EV9, are each nice values.

On the higher finish, the Premium Luxurious prices $91,895 and could possibly be definitely worth the improve for the nicer inside, air suspension, rear-steering, quicker charging module, and different options like Evening Imaginative and prescient and an augmented actuality head-up show, however the Luxurious and Sport trims are so properly outfitted at an enormous low cost, we do not see the necessity. Ditto for the Platinum, which primarily provides the painted fenders, black roof, and Brembo brakes at an enormous premium of $96,495. Since these higher trims are above the $80,000 worth cap, they do not qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit score. Simply keep on with a Luxurious or Sport; they’re a lot premium. Have in mind, any choices that push the Vistiq above $80,000 will make you lose out on $7,500.

The three-row EV section remains to be in its infancy, with the one different luxurious choices being the rugged Rivian R1S, trendy Volvo EX90, opulent (however ugly) Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and the getting old Tesla Mannequin X. Cadillac has taken every part we liked concerning the Lyriq and made it greater, making a extremely compelling three-row luxurious EV. We want the DC charging speeds have been a bit larger and the battery was barely bigger to facilitate a barely longer vary. However regardless of these minor complaints, the Vistiq stacks up as a stellar EV it is best to contemplate for your loved ones.