Cadillac may seem a little too traditional to hang its cap on EVs. And yet, that hasn’t stopped the GM brand from releasing — or at least showing off — four all-electric vehicle models starting in 2022.
The latest is the Optiq 2025, a midsize crossover that could finally capture the young, hipster customers Cadillac has been coveting. With a base price of $54,000, it’s the cheapest in the EV lineup, and its design has enough special touches to set it apart from the rest of its portfolio.
In other words, the Optiq is designed and is billed as a gateway drug for the Cadillac brand. And pronounced Opticknot Opteekso don’t shy away from Cadillac suits like I did.
Nuts and bolts
Today, there is only one fully electric Cadillac – the Lyriq – on sale. The Escalade IQ is coming later this year, and the stunning (and large) Celestiq is offered to customers only by request.
Set to go into production this fall and sitting below the Lyriq electric crossover, the Optiq is small enough to be considered a compact SUV.
Built on GM’s Ultium platform, it has an 85 kWh battery that Cadillac says is good for 300 miles of range. However, the 400 volt system can only charge at 150 kW. That’s faster than the Mercedes-Benz EQB, but the brand’s Lyriq can top out at 190kW, and even low-end options like the Kia EV6 can hit speeds in excess of 200kW. Regardless, Cadillac says the Optiq can add 79 miles to a charge in 10 minutes and go from 20% to 80% state of charge in 26 minutes. Not bad, but there are faster options out there.
Charging at home, however, should be quite fast. The standard on-board charger is 11.5 kW and buyers can opt for a massive 19.2 kW on-board charger. Keep in mind, though, that the big charger needs 80 amps to push all that juice, so you’ll need a pretty sturdy electrical panel.
Cadillac Optiq is designed to increase sales
One thing is certain, the Optiq is a look. I love the Monarch Orange of this demo model, and Cadillac says it will also come in bold blue and red, as well as the more traditional exterior colors of white, black and gray. The roof of this demo model is black, but the Optiq will come standard with a body-colored top.
Designers added some cool texture to the quarter-panel rear window by printing a series of horizontal design lines onto two panes of glass and laminating them together. The effect echoes the look of the LED taillights and brings some interesting visual dynamics to the rear of the vehicle.
Speaking of lighting, Cadillac really hits the nail on the head when developing its aesthetic here. Sure, it all has a vertical, upright stance, but the taillights are actually perfectly aligned with the slight camber of the rear wheels, and both the front and rear lights do a bit of a choreographed dance as drivers approach or move away from the car. It’s a neat touch.
The innovations continue inside with the use of 100% recyclable materials covering part of the dashboard and center console. It’s a unique choice to use fiber in the console rather than some kind of plastic or metal, but it really works. It’s great to have a soft material where it’s least expected.
Additionally, the console’s horizontal surface is covered in a clear, glossy finish, protecting the console and making my ears happy as I tap my fingernails across its surface. This is an ASMR lover’s dream.
Cadillac Optiq storage and technology
There’s plenty of storage, here including an area under the center console, but what surprises me is a small box under the row of HVAC controls, right in front of the center console, but not connected to it. Its mood lighting can be changed according to whims and it’s just a neat little detail that I didn’t expect. Ambient lighting continues in a laser-etched decorative panel just above the HVAC buttons.
This entry-level demo model is also equipped with a panoramic glass roof and a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with Dolby Atmos. I didn’t get to try out tunes, but the immersive audio experience should provide high-quality, distortion-free listening, no matter what your involvement is.
The large 33-inch diagonal screen houses the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster.
There are some GM quirks here. First, there is no physical headlight switch. Instead, you have to tap icons on the screen. Luckily they’re on the far left of the screen and always visible, so you don’t need to root in the menus. Second, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available. The good news is that the system uses Google built-in, which includes Maps and Assistant. I haven’t tested Google Assistant for hands-free messaging, but Google Maps can access the Optiq’s charge status, predict range at the end of a trip, and recommend charging stations.
Every Optiq comes with a robust suite of safety features, including blind spot steering assist, automatic parking, forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. GM’s hands-free/eyes-up Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving assistant with lane change assist is free for the first three years of ownership.
I’ve only seen the Optiq as a static demo, but I’m more than excited to get this EV out on the road. Cadillac enlisted the folks who developed the chassis of the excellent CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing sedans as well as the Escalade V to hopefully bring an element of driving fun to the all-wheel-drive Optiq.
The car manages to squeeze a Cadillac-estimated 300 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque from its twin engines. That’s a decent amount, but keep in mind that EVs are heavy, and the Optiq tips the scales at 5,192 pounds. I don’t expect it to be a rocket ship in a straight line, but hopefully it can carve a corner or two.
GM’s excellent Magnetic Ride Control isn’t available on the Optiq, much to my dismay, but Cadillac says the passive dampers provide a controlled ride through corners while reacting quickly to mitigate high-frequency events like broken pavement or bumps in the road . There’s a Sport mode, and the company also says the Continental Cross Contact dual-compound all-season tires have a stiff sidewall and a tread that splits the difference between reach and grip. There are three levels of brake regeneration, the strongest providing 0.4Gs of deceleration, bringing the Optiq to a complete stop. Drivers can also use a paddle on the left side of the steering wheel to activate regenerative braking.
At first glance it appears to be a welcome addition to Cadillac’s electric lineup with great looks, great interior design and potentially a lively driving experience.
