The Cadillac Vistiq EV

The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq is what happens when you combine high technology with performance and the ability to carry up to seven passengers. But wait! What’s a Vistiq you ask? It’s the latest Electric Sport Utility Vehicle from General Motors. Some think of it as a “baby Escalade” but it’s much more than that. At Napleton News, we are all about the much more! Let’s discuss.

What is the Cadillac Vistiq?

The new 2026 Cadillac Vistiq is the latest example of electrification from the luxury division of General Motors. Able to carry seven passengers depending on configuration, it is also a cargo hauler par excellence. Keeping with tradition, the Vistiq shows a wide Cadillac-ish grille, although this has no opening. That’s because with an electric powertrain, there is no need!

What moves the new Cadillac Vistiq?

Start with a pair of front and rear permanent-magnet motors that combine for up to 615 horsepower and 649 lb-ft of torque. That means Vistiq features instant get-up-and-go as soon as you hit the starter, er step on the brake. Whatchou talking about, Willis? That’s right, this Vistiq has no starter button. As soon as you are seated with foot on the brake, the engine starts up. Vistiq features all-wheel drive throughout the range. This puts it in good company with other members of the Cadillac stable including the Optiq V and Lyriq V. Carrying around all that weight can be a portly proposition but it still ends up fast for a midsized SUV.

The Vistiq’s 102-kWh battery delivers around 305 miles of range. That’s with a full charge, but we honestly think it should be more. Still, using a fast charger will bring 80 miles of range in about 10 minutes. Otherwise, a full charge from a standard outlet home charger should take a week or so. (Kidding).

How does the Vistiq look?

Although not as big as big-brother Escalade, the new Vistiq is big enough. With looks similar to the Cadillac XT6, it follows a style that is both elegant and sporty at the same time. There is just the right amount of bling about it-not too little, not too much.

The elaborate grille-non grille features lots of detail that lights up the night. Angular sheet metal helps impart a feeling of elegance that runs from the front fender, along the side and wrapping around the tail. A two-stage moonroof opens things up above the driver and passengers, not to mention makes the interior more airy.

How about inside?

The Cadillac Vistiq interior is loaded with high-tech accoutrements that continue along the brand’s pathway. These include a curved 33.0-inch LED touchscreen display that takes the place of analog dials, gauges and other controls. There is a redundant BMW iDrive-like dial on the center console to operate the bulk of apps and other controls. We can’t recall using it at all in the car, favoring the touchscreen instead. Below the main screen is a smaller touchscreen to operate climate controls.

Seating is one of the Vistiq’s strong points and didn’t disappoint during around town jaunts. We’re fairly certain it will be the same story on long cross-country trips, too. We can’t speak for those in the second or third row as we spent little time back there. Still, on their face it was a good fit for every person who checked it out.

Everything else is here too: Head up display, carbon fiber accent trim, seating ventilation and more. A stellar 23-speaker AKG stereo system wraps the rest of the interior up. As part of this system, Cadillac, like other General Motors brands, has opted away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of a Google product. We think it’s inferior to CarPlay.

Behind the wheel of the Vistiq.

When we got behind the wheel of the new Vistiq, the first thing we felt was a bit of anxiety caused by range anxiety. 305 miles of range per full charge is a good start but we were honestly hoping for more. A typical day in an electric vehicle puts us in a “have to keep it charged “ frame of mind that finds us seeking the nearest charger as soon as we can get to it. That was then. The new train of thought has us going about our day as normal and finally charging it when we arrive home at night. We don’t have a high-speed charger at home (yet) but never say never.

This doesn’t mean we will be road tripping in the Vistiq, or any other EV for that matter, anytime soon but as charger availability increases, we may give it a try. We are at the point that original Ford Model T owners found themselves nearly 115 years ago. Without a gas station on every corner, trips had to be carefully planned back then. With the Electric Vehicle, history is repeating itself.

2026 Cadillac Vistiq Specifications