The question isn’t whether buyers will love Cadillac’s six-passenger 2026 Vistiq electric luxury SUV. They will.
The question is why it took Cadillac decades to build this baby Escalade ― easier than the massive original to park and helm through city traffic, but still packing the luxury, technology and sheer presence that’s made the Escalade an icon; arguably the most successful and important vehicle in Cadillac’s 122-year history.
Infusing the Escalade’s essence into a vehicle in the higher-volume midsize SUV segment seems obvious in retrospect, but Cadillac never tried. It built smaller SUVs, some very good, but none approached the Escalade’s status and swagger.
Honestly, though, who cares? The Vistiq rolling into Cadillac dealers now is such a natural fit for the brand that asking what took so long is the cheapest Monday morning quarterbacking. If you didn’t have the idea, you don’t get to call other people slow for not thinking of it sooner.
What matters is that the Vistiq has arrived, with the bravado, power and sheer heft that make the Escalade ― and the new Escalade IQ EV ― impossible to ignore in a market crowded with luxury and electric SUVs.
Built in Spring Hill, Tennessee, the Vistiq is on sale now. Prices run from $77,395 to $96,495, excluding a $1,695 destination charge.
2026 Cadillac Vistiq trim levels and prices
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Sport: $77,395
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Luxury: $77,895
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Premium Luxury: $91,895
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Platinum: $96,495
Source: Cadillac
Prices exclude $1,695 destination charge.
What makes the Vistiq special?
Cadillac has bet big on EVs. They account for 23% of sales so far this year, with a target of 35% by year end.
The Vistiq’s calling cards are:
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Road presence
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Advanced features
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Comfort
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Style
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Room
Big battery, good range, poor charging transparency
A midsize three-row SUV with six or seven seats, the Vistiq plays in one of the most popular vehicle segments.
All-wheel drive from a pair of electric motors is standard. They produce 615 hp and 650 pound-feet of torque that blast the SUV to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
A 102 kWh battery provides up to 305 miles range.
Cadillac continues GM’s refusal to quantify DC charging speed by the commonly used and easily understood, “xx minutes from 10%-80%” of battery capacity, but the Vistiq’s battery can accept 190kW current, adding “up to 79 miles in about 10 minutes.”
In case you missed it: Cadillac ends XT6 early to extend XT5 model, adds new EV at Tennessee plant
On the possibly naive assumption that GM’s acting in good faith, simple math suggests 10%-80% could be achieved in less than 30 minutes ― fast enough there’s no reason not to announce it.
Top 2026 Cadillac Vistiq features
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Six or seven passengers
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0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds
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Up to 615 hp and 650 pound-feet of torque
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305-mile range
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Dual sunroofs with sunshades
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Full-time all-wheel drive
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Dolby Atmos audio
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23-speaker AKG audio
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Augmented reality display for navigation and alerts
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Night vision
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Five-zone climate control
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102 kWh battery
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Up to 190 kW charging speed
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21-, 22- and 23-inch wheels
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Available all-wheel drive
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Available air suspension
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Real-time, adaptive route-planning with charging stops
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Available NACS adapter for Tesla chargers
When reality just isn’t good enough
An advanced new augmented reality system projects navigation information ― including arrows floating in front of the Vistiq to indicate turns ― and alerts. New optics make the display, which appears to be projected in space 10 meters in front of the Vistiq, clearer and more effective than earlier AR systems.
The Vistiq is one of a handful of vehicles that uses active noise cancellation to reduce road noise from the tires and suspension. That’s particularly welcome given that its electric drivetrain eliminates many sounds and vibrations that mask those noises in internal combustion vehicles.
2026 Cadillac Vistiq competitors
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BMW X7 M601
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Infiniti QX80
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Jeep Wagoneer
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Land Rover Range Rover
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Lexus LX 700h
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Lincoln Aviator
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Lucid Gravity
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Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic
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Rivian R1S
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Tesla X
Driving impressions
The Vistiq drives like a smaller vehicle. That’s a very good thing, particularly for a vehicle that can haul six or seven adults in comfort. The optional four-wheel steering tightens its running radius and enables quick, stable maneuvers at highway speed. An air suspension that’s packaged with the 4WS (four-wheel steering) smooths rough surfaces and virtually eliminates body roll, squat and dive in enthusiastic driving.
And it’s hard not to drive enthusiastically in a vehicle that combines inherently quiet EV operation with active road-noise cancellation and plenty of acoustic insulation.
The Vistiq’s smooth, quiet progress makes it easy to underestimate your speed. GM’s advanced Super Cruise hands-free driving system becomes appealing not just for driver comfort, but also because it maintains the speed you choose ― regardless of how quiet and smooth the Vistiq is at high speeds.
Elegant, advanced interior
The interior is roomy and comfortable, with materials including carbon fiber, open-pore wood. Highlights include metal inlays in wood trim, ambient lighting and woven accent fabric made from recycled feedstock. The 23-speaker audio system has jewel-pattern metal grilles.
The instrument panel has 33 inches of continuous screen for displays and controls ― and eventually to stream videos when parked and charging. A separate touch screen handles climate, infotainment and other features, including apps from the Google Play store.
There’s useful luggage and cargo room. The third row of seats provides adult legroom when the second row is moved forward.
EVs coming from Cadillac this year
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Optiq
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Optiq-V
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Lyriq-V
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Vistiq
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Escalade IQ
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Escalade IQL
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Celestiq
What could be better?
The touch screen is not responsive enough for some functions, including adjusting lumber support and other seat features.
Polarized sunglasses significantly reduce the augmented reality display’s visibility.
While GM makes third-party apps available through its Google operating system and adopts other Android smart phone features, the automaker’s EVs don’t allow Apple CarPlay, complicating some drivers’ accustomed smart phone use.
Why buy a 2026 Cadillac Vistiq?
The Vistiq’s broad stance, vertical lights and illuminated badges stand out. Like the Escalade ― like all Cadillacs should ― the SUV announces your arrival. It’s responsive on the road and in parking lots, thanks to well-tuned steering and suspension. The interior is elegant, roomy and easy to use, with contemporary touches like metal-inlaid wood, fabric from recycled materials, and large and legible displays.
Advanced technologies improve everything from driving to enjoying music and flowing navigation instructions.
2026 Cadillac Vistiq at a glance
All-wheel drive six- or seven-seat midsize electric SUV
Base price: $77,395 (All prices exclude import tariffs and $1,695 destination charge.)
On sale now
Price as tested: $91,895
Power: One electric motor on each axle
Output: 615 hp, 650 pound-feet of torque
Transmission: Single-speed direct drive
Battery: 102 kWh lithium-ion
EPA estimated range on a charge: 300-305 miles, depending on model
Maximum charging speed: 190 kW DC; 19.2 kW 240v AC
Charging time: 79 miles in 10 minutes w/190kWDC; up to 46.7 miles per hour @ 240v
Wheelbase: 121.8 inches
Length: 205.6 inches
Width: 79.8 inches without mirrors (86.7 including mirrors)
Height: 71 inches
Ground clearance: NA
Passenger volume: 136.6 cubic feet (estimated)
Cargo volume: 15.2 cubic feet behind rear seat; 43 behind second row; 80.2 behind front seats
Curb weight: 6,326 pounds.
Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds
Assembled in Spring Hill, Tennessee
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Reasons buyers will love Cadillac’s 2026 Vistiq electric luxury SUV
