The 2025 Cadillac Optiq EV

The new Cadillac Optiq EV is the brand putting on a new face. In an effort to attract a wider, younger range of customers, Cadillac has pulled out most, if not all the stops. Newly affordable, it is Cadillac’s smallest offering in the company’s electric vehicle range. At Napleton News, we are all about affordability so let’s jump in and take a look.

What is the Cadillac Optiq EV all about?

It’s a value-loaded, competitively-priced electric vehicle in a field that is becoming more crowded as the days get long. Powered by a pair of motors on each axle producing 300 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. It’s a fast moving SUV that looks good even while parked. Which it won’t be for long.

The Optiq shares its platform with the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Cadillac Lyriq EV. We haven’t driven the Lyriq but can attest the Equinox EV, like the Optiq EV are eager to produce and help you get on your way.

How does the Cadillac Optiq EV look?

It’s shorter than the Cadillac Lyric but that shouldn’t dissuade buyers. It may also be narrower but a bit taller than the Lyric for added comfort. But it takes the best of that larger car’s design and adapts it to a smaller scale.

On the point, er, the grille, the Cadillac Optiq features a futuristic look at the Crest Club’s logo moving forward. Long ago, Cadillac ditched the multi-colored logo for the singular cast metal logo that is simpler and more refined. It’s all about the elegance.

And that color! Officially called “Monarch Orange,” Caddy is in search of younger buyers and with a color like this you can bet a few will be buying through.

At the top of it all is a fixed panoramic glass roof. It serves two purposes. One is to add additional headroom, the other to give a feeling of airiness to the cabin. It succeeds on both levels.

What about inside?

The interior of the new Optiq features a look that is short on fussiness and long on function. Utilizing sleek lines, refined leather and simple controls, it has everything you need within an easy reach.

The highlight of the interior, though, is a large, 33-inch wide curved LED screen that is the digital control center for the driver and front seat passenger. It has been Google-ized to feature everything the brand offers, but does nothing to endear itself to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Why, you ask? That’s because neither system of cellular phone mirroring are on board this new Caddy. It’s unfortunate and in our eyes, a major oversight that will turn off many potential buyers.

Behind the wheel of the Optiq.

It’s an odd feeling getting into an Optiq. Our interest was first piqued by the lack of a pushbutton starter, or any starter, for that matter. Instead, the act of putting your buns in the seat is enough to turn the Caddy on. It subtly announces via dashboard indicators that it up and running, ready for its next adventure.

Pull the gear selector stalk towards and up to back the car from the driveway. Pull it towards you and down for forward. And you are off! The first thing we notice is the ride quality is excellent, which is what you would expect from the brand that brags it’s the “Standard of the World.”

Acceleration is almost sudden in natural, thanks to the unlimited torque from the motor generators. The feeling is brisk and gives you the confidence to wend your way through traffic as needed. Electric vehicles drive like traditional vehicles, but they do present options. In our case, the Optiq offers single pedal driving. Using this function, you accelerate as normal but once you lift from the pedal, the car goes into a braking mode. It’s a good thing that helps to reclaim energy for the batteries. The downside: the suddenly applied brakes may cause unaware passengers to lunge forward.

At the end of the drive, just mash the park button on the gear selector stalk. That’s it. Open the door and everything shuts down. Charging on a household current will likely be an all-week affair. For rapid charging, hit up the local utility company’s superchargers instead.

It takes just a little while to get used to the process but the result is a drive that totally engages the driver. Which is what we need more of these days.

Cadillac Optiq EV Specifications