Home » I Got A Sneak Preview Of The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq 3-Row Electric SUV. Here Are My First Impressions

I Got A Sneak Preview Of The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq 3-Row Electric SUV. Here Are My First Impressions

2026 Cadillac Vistiq First Look
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In spring 2025, Cadillac will be rounding out its lineup of electric utility vehicles when it launches the Vistiq, an upper-midsize three-row SUV. The Vistiq joins the Optiq, Lyriq, and Escalade IQ as an EV, though time in a somewhat similar role to that played by the XT6 in the gasoline lineup. We recently got an early look at the Vistiq in a secret facility north of Detroit and this could prove to be a popular choice for Cadillac buyers as long as GM can avoid some of the stumbles that have afflicted other EV launches for the automaker.

With the Vistiq, Cadillac is replaying a product strategy it first employed almost six years ago with the XT6, its first 3-row crossover.

At that time, the brand took the midsize, 2-row XT5 and put a new longer and taller top hat on it while retaining the same wheelbase. The overhangs grew a bit longer and the boxier rear roofline allowed for a third row that could reasonably accommodate a pair of average-sized adults without hunching over.

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Let’s Look At The Design

My26 Cadilac Vistiq Lux 1ap 2083 V02

2026 Cadillac Vistiq First Look

2026 Cadillac Vistiq First Look

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For Vistiq, the starting point is the two-row Lyriq which already has a surprisingly long 121.8-inch wheelbase and 196.7-inch overall length. The Vistiq body grows to 205.6 inches and the roofline is lifted by almost seven inches to 71.02 inches. Those are similar to the gaps between XT5 and XT6.

2026 Cadillac Vistiq First Look

From a design perspective, the Vistiq shares a similar front-end visage with its other electric Cadillac siblings including fancy signature lighting in the faux grille and the vertical waterfall headlamps that cascade into place as you approach. From the A-pillar back, it bears more of a resemblance to the gargantuan Escalade, including a D-pillar that is thicker at the roofline and tapers inward toward the belt line. Cadillac designers say that appearance is a callback to the dearly departed CTS-V wagon, and while that particular element is true, the rest of the proportions are quite different. That however is the cost of providing a three-row layout with seating for up to seven.

2026 Cadillac Vistiq First Look

The Vistiq does get a neat little design feature that we first saw on the Optiq for the rear quarter windows. Graphic elements that give a hint of motion are integrated between the layers of safety glass. They are visually interesting without obscuring visibility much at all.

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My26 Cadillac Vistiq Sport 1ap 1827 V02

How Big Is It?

Relative to luxury three-row electric competitors, the Vistiq is substantially longer, at about 4, 6, and 7-inches longer than the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Tesla Model X, and Volvo EX90 respectively. It’s even 1.6-inches longer than the GMC Acadia Denali. On the other hand it’s 6-inches and 19-inches shorter than the gas Escalade and electric Escalade IQ.

My26 Cadillac Vistiq Sport 1ap 0961 V02

What’s The Battery Size, Horsepower And Weight?

Down below the top hat, the common wheelbase with the Lyriq means the Vistiq carries the same 12-module battery pack with 102-kWh usable capacity as the two-row utility. The Vistiq does get a fairly significant power upgrade from the Lyriq. In standard, two-motor, AWD form, the current Lyriq produces 500 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. The bigger, heavier Vistiq gets 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. In metric, that torque number equates to 880-Nm which gets rounded up to yield the 900e badge on the tailgate.

Cadillac recently teased a Lyriq-V coming in 2025 as well, and it seems a reasonable bet that vehicle will have similar power and torque figures to the Vistiq.

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My26 Cadillac Vistiq Lux Img6416 V02

The big downside of the extra size and volume is a corresponding increase in mass, which jumps nearly 500 pounds from the all-wheel-drive Lyriq to 6,326 pounds. Cadillac hasn’t yet announced how far the Vistiq will go on a charge, but with the same battery, more power, weight, and frontal area, physics tells us it will be less than the current 319 miles for the 2025 AWD Lyriq.

No doubt, over the coming months between now and the spring launch, Cadillac engineers will be working overtime to try to squeeze at least 300 miles per charge with at least the base 21-inch alloy wheels. Optional rolling stock includes 22-inch or 23-inch alloys. Cadillac is projecting that the Vistiq will get from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds with the Velocity Max mode engaged. If the Lyriq-V gets the same output, it’s lower weight should allow it to hit the low 3-second range if not even in the high twos.

My26 Cadilac Vistiq Lux Surround View V02

How Quickly Can It Charge?

Like the rest of GM’s current EV lineup, the Vistiq has a nominal 400V electrical system. Even the full-size trucks and utilities operate at 400V although they use a clever trick with their giant dual-layer batteries to enable charging at 800V. In this case, a voltage splitter is used to feed 400V to each layer, essentially treating it as two batteries charging in parallel for an equivalent of 350-kW.

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Like the Lyriq and other GM EVs with a single-layer battery, the Vistiq can charge at about 200 kW with a suitable and functional DC fast charger. On AC charging, the standard setup will charge at 11.5-kW which will add roughly 28.5 miles per hour of charging. The Vistiq is also available with an optional 19.2-kW AC onboard charger that increases that to 46.7 miles per charging hour. The Vistiq also has support for bidirectional charging that can be utilized with the GM Energy vehicle to home bundle when the power goes out.

What Does The Inside Look Light?

My26 Cadilac Vistiq Sport Pillartopillar V02 Disclaimer

In the front row of the cabin, there is a lot of visual similarity to the Lyriq and Optiq with the same steering wheel and 33-inch curved LCD display. A small touch area on the left end lets the driver switch display modes for the instrument cluster between standard, augmented reality, and night vision. On the right in the center section is the same Android Automotive-based infotainment with Google services found on all other new GM models. As with other new GM EVs, those who prefer their Apple Carplay or Android Auto smartphone projection interfaces are out of luck.

However, I’ve personally found that I don’t actually miss it, and would just as soon use the built-in system with apps running directly on the vehicle and never lose connection to my phone. Of course, I’m an Android user so I have most of the same apps on my phone and media apps automatically sync to the same place I left off on the phone. Most of the apps in the Google Play store in vehicles are also available for iOS such as PocketCasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, Hoopla, and many others. However, if you are using Apple Music or Messages, you’ll have to rely on a Bluetooth connection to the phone. If you are a Carplay diehard though, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

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One notable interface change from the Lyriq and Optiq is the addition of a touchscreen that angles up from the front edge of the center console, which provides access to climate control functions. This is similar to the layout on the Escalade and Celestiq, and while physical controls are preferable, at least elements like temperature are easily controlled by voice with Google Assistant. Thankfully, Cadillac has not followed the terrible pattern set by Tesla and repeated by Rivian and Lincoln with digital vent controls. Driver and passengers can just reach out, grab a little handle, and point the airflow wherever they want.

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As with other Cadillac models in recent years, the premium audio system on the Vistiq is provided by AKG and features up to 23 speakers including some in the front headrests but this setup comes standard on all trim levels. Hands-free Super Cruise driving assist will be standard on all trim levels of the Vistiq with three years of service included in the price.

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The base Luxury trim level gets a bench seat in the second row while Sport and Premium Luxury get captains chairs. A button on the back of those seats allows one-touch slide forward and tip up for relatively easy access to the third row. Like the similar second-row seats in other models like the Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60, a child seat in the second row can be left in place when doing this although the kids should be removed first.

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2026 Cadillac Vistiq First Look

The added height and length mean the third row is surprisingly roomy and my 5-foot-10-inch frame fit without issue back there. The higher floor necessitated by the battery means the seating position is a bit more knees up than you’ll get in the XT6, but unlike the EQS, Model X, and EX90, I could easily sit back there without whinging too much. The feeling of roominess in the back is augmented by the standard fixed moonroof over the third row. A sliding glass roof covers the first two rows.

My26 Cadillac Vistiq Lux 1ap 4402 V02

Adding a third row with a relatively modest overall increase in length means that something has to give and that is rear cargo space. The 28 cubic feet in the Lyriq shrinks to 15.2 cubic feet in the Vistiq including a nice deep well under the floor in the back. Like the rest of GM’s non-truck EVs, there is no front trunk in the Vistiq. With the third row folded down, cargo volume expands to 43 cubic feet, and with the second row seats folded it maxes out at 80.2 cubic feet with a flat load floor.

2026 Cadillac Vistiq First Look

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How Much Can It Tow?

Along with passenger capacity, the Vistiq also has improved towing capacity compared to the Lyriq with the ability to haul 5,000 lbs vs 3,500 for the 2-row model. The usual caveat applies here when towing with an EV, or any other propulsion system. A large trailer can cause energy consumption to double or more, in turn slashing the driving range. That 5,000-lb capacity means you’re not going to be pulling a giant camper trailer as you might with a truck, so anything that fits that constraint is also more likely to fit within the aerodynamic wake of the Vistiq, thus having somewhat less impact. Internal combustion vehicles have the same problem of range degradation with a trailer, but they are obviously easier to refuel.

How Much Will The Vistiq Cost, And When Does It Go On Sale?

My26 Cadilac Vistiq Sport Vb Raw 1.26.1 V02

The Vistiq will be going on sale in spring 2025 as a 2026 model with a starting price of $78,790 including destination. That’s a jump of nearly $19,000 from the base rear-wheel-drive Lyriq. At that price, it also gets a lot of the optional equipment from the two-row model such as the AKG Studio audio and Super Cruise as standard equipment. You would have to step up to the $68,490 Luxury 2 trim on the Lyriq to get those. It’s also more than $50,000 less than the entry price of an Escalade IQ. On the other hand, that starting price is from nearly $2,000 to more than $20,000 less than the price of the Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, or Volvo, and at the base price, it is still eligible for the IRA tax credits assuming those haven’t been repealed by the time the Vistiq goes on sale in the spring. The Vistiq will be built at GM’s Spring Hill, Tennessee assembly plant alongside the Lyriq, XT5, XT6 and Acura ZDX.

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Boulevard_Yachtsman
Boulevard_Yachtsman
24 days ago

Wait a sec… are they trying to pull off a S3XY naming naming convention that they want everyone to Lyriq Optiq Vistiq Escalade (IQ)?

Urban Runabout
Urban Runabout
23 days ago

I’m looking forward to the next one, which I hear will be named after Arnold Palmer:
Bigdiq

Last edited 23 days ago by Urban Runabout
Freelivin2713
Freelivin2713
23 days ago

Similar to Chevy LUV…ha ha

Commercial Cook
Commercial Cook
24 days ago

I can feel depreciation on this already

Manwich Sandwich
Manwich Sandwich
24 days ago

Quick question… does it come with a NACS plug and access to the Tesla Supercharger network?

Livinglavidadidas
Livinglavidadidas
24 days ago

Isn’t everything going to NACS (in the US) as of 2025MY?

Manwich Sandwich
Manwich Sandwich
24 days ago

One would hope… but I think there are still a few stragglers.

Also note that having the plug and actually having access to the Supercharger network are technically two different things even though you’d think they’d go hand-in-hand.

Best not to assume and instead, get a clear answer.

Livinglavidadidas
Livinglavidadidas
23 days ago

Yea the access is certainly not guaranteed. But I really hope the plugs gets consolidated to a single standard and those stragglers get updated

My Skoda is the Most Superb
My Skoda is the Most Superb
24 days ago

Nope, it will launch with CSS. GM did of course say that all models will be shipped with native NACS support starting in 2025 but it looks like it’ll be a rolling change with the Vistiq.

The Mark
The Mark
24 days ago

The picture with the second-row seat slid forward is atrocious. They actually just put mouse-fur on the back of the seat? And it looks decidedly unfinished. Let’s hope that’s just a preproduction issue.

Also, those plastic caps (are they tweeters?) at the base of the windshield are going to cause reflection/glare issues. You want to use a dark material for the dash top. GM has smart engineers that should know this.

The World of Vee
The World of Vee
24 days ago

I just got my wife a Sport 2 Lyriq, $365/mo, $0 down, 24 months/12k miles so expect after the initial rush to find similar deals on this too. I still think for big 3 row SUVs, a PHEV is the way to go but considering how ungodly expensive the Escalade IQ is this is going to be a real winner. I’ve been quite impressed with the Lyriq in testing, not “fast” but extremely comfortable and considering it’s a commuter vehicle and not one of my sports cars that makes perfect sense.

Eventually I’m sure we’ll see Cadillac put PHEV drivetrains in their vehicles (GMT T1 is an obvious platform for that) but good to see that at least the styling and fit and finish continue to get better.

Last edited 24 days ago by The World of Vee
Willin58
Willin58
24 days ago

That’s a great deal, what state are you in?

The World of Vee
The World of Vee
23 days ago
Reply to  Willin58

New York

DadBod
DadBod
24 days ago

sweet deal! I drove a Blazer EV, it was pretty sweet and the dealer practically begged me to lease it

The World of Vee
The World of Vee
23 days ago
Reply to  DadBod

Yeah between the conquest cash, lease cash, costco cash, and amex cash it just kept going down to the point where I almost felt like I was losing money if I didn’t lease this car.

Redapple
Redapple
23 days ago

Dirt cheap. Good for you. Too bad about the looks of the LyricMedusa.

The World of Vee
The World of Vee
23 days ago
Reply to  Redapple

I know I’m definitely in the minority here, but I very much like the way the Lyriq looks. The Optiq is too stubby, but the Lyriq is longish and rakish and as a wagon owner it felt not dissimilar. The only thing I don’t like is the CHML, it should have been integrated into the tailgate and not been a shark fin, but I also assume that’s where the rear view mirror camera is so I’m not going to hark on it too much.

Rafael
Rafael
24 days ago

[snarky comment on the name]
[angry comment on prevalence of SUVs]
[lament on the reliance on touchscreen controls]

With that out of the way, I kind of like the style, and am glad it has three rows 🙂

Fuzzyweis
Fuzzyweis
24 days ago

Ugh that center console touch screen, piano black and can already see the dust on it, have to look way down at the console just to change the temp, horrible.

Also dumb name, everything has to end in tiq? Shame they couldn’t steal Mercury’s Mystique..

The World of Vee
The World of Vee
24 days ago
Reply to  Fuzzyweis

technically IQ, but yes it’s dumb enough for sure.

The center touch is silly, the lyriq avoids this and has nice normal hvac buttons that are much nicer to use.

Manwich Sandwich
Manwich Sandwich
24 days ago
Reply to  Fuzzyweis

Just get a member of your staff or your personal lackey to clean it for you daily and the piano-black won’t be a problem!

Fuzzyweis
Fuzzyweis
24 days ago

Ah yes, I won’t be seeing it anyways from the back seat as I gaze out at the wonderful 90s graphics on the back window. I guess cocaine is back in style at Cadillac HQ? Or maybe it never went out of style.

Redapple
Redapple
23 days ago
Reply to  Fuzzyweis

Well, it s cool in Detroit. You dont understand. DTW is an insular world. The car is Rubbish on so many levels.

Squirrelmaster
Squirrelmaster
24 days ago

It’s fine. I don’t mind Cadillac’s current design language, though I will say the rear end is far better than the Lyriq which just looks odd and unfinished.

Is it just me, or do the 19″ wheels on the blue one in the photos above look ripped straight off of a 2017 Nissan Armada SL?

getstoney VII
getstoney VII
24 days ago

Man, the Microfiber Cloth Cartel is doing backflips over that center console screen.

Other than the facts that it’s almost too big to be a commuter/city car, and the range is not enough to be a real road tripper, it should still sell enough to make a profit some point. Has the potential to be a really nice Uber Black to the airport.

Citrus
Citrus
24 days ago

I will say that it’s actually a lot nicer than the Lyriq because of the normal ass instead of the weird ass with the hockey stick.

However, what the hell is a “Vistiq?” All I can think of is someone saying “viscous” after dental surgery.

Anders
Anders
24 days ago

The graphics on the rear quarter (at least in images) looks cheap as hell. My first impression (rather than “that’s nice”) is “what are they trying to hide”?. Ford just did the same thing on the Explorer, adding graphics to add some character and identity to an otherwise rather bland design, but I don’t think it’s needed here.

James Colangelo
James Colangelo
24 days ago

What a stupid, stupid name for a car. Why can’t Cadillac get this right? First it was the weird ATS, AT4, AT… CTS, CT4? What? Who cares… now it’s all LyriQ, MystiQ, MoniQe, UniQue, BarfiQ..

Come on.. do better.

Last edited 24 days ago by James Colangelo
V10omous
V10omous
24 days ago

Would you say it was a mistaiq?

James Colangelo
James Colangelo
24 days ago
Reply to  V10omous

Will you be my best friend

Speedway Sammy
Speedway Sammy
24 days ago

Does Caddy employ the same consultants who make up names for high priced pharmaceuticals?

Freelivin2713
Freelivin2713
23 days ago
Reply to  Speedway Sammy

“Ask your doctor to find out if Vistiq or Stellantis is right for you”

Fuzzyweis
Fuzzyweis
24 days ago

I find it funny that the car they kept with a real name, the Escalade, they had to add an “IQ” at the end, so is it Escalade-ique or Escalade IQ like Scion IQ? And why not just leave that Escalade? Is -IQ the new -ville? Like Deville, Seville….cimmaron…

Also Mystique is Mercury but over 20 years old so maybe they can swipe it, better than Vistiq, all I can think of is vestigial tails, which are neat but not luxury suv neat.

Freelivin2713
Freelivin2713
23 days ago
Reply to  Fuzzyweis

Either way, I guess whoever names these doesn’t need to have a high IQ

Manwich Sandwich
Manwich Sandwich
24 days ago

Moniq and Uniq… those are great ideas for names! Thanks!

-Cadillac’s Marketing Team

TurdSandwhich
TurdSandwhich
24 days ago

When they were at ATS, CTS and STS, it made sense. Then that doofus from Infiniti had to ruin it all. But yeah, even in that three-letter-era, the SUVs never had a naming scheme I could remember.

Chronometric
Chronometric
24 days ago

Overall, it is a good effort in an expensive market space. But what is with the flying edges of the dashboard screen? That seems fragile.

Derek Miller
Derek Miller
24 days ago

Not sure about the back window “motion” design. From a distance and low-light shots it looks like a bad window tint job.

Banana Stand Money
Banana Stand Money
24 days ago

I came here for the Throttle House “Vistiq” jokes. Love those guys!

Protodite
Protodite
24 days ago

I noticed as well on the close up images of the infotainment that some song with the name “Firemist” is playing… which is just a fun little Easter egg. Ideally that hints that firemist colors are coming back, but I’ll hold my breath there. At least Cadillac is finally starting to offer really great exterior and especially interior colors again, with blues and greens on the menu for the newer models. More of that please!

Musicman27
Musicman27
24 days ago

“What does the inside look light”?
It looks well lit.

I like the taillights on it.

MATTinMKE
MATTinMKE
24 days ago
Reply to  Musicman27

Agree, the taillight design here looks way better than on the other one (you know, the somethingorotheriq)

PlugInPA
PlugInPA
24 days ago

Are there air vents for the third row? The XC90 (and Mazda CX90) have them; the EQS (almost always) does not and the Model X’s apparently don’t do anything.

Paul B
Paul B
24 days ago
Reply to  PlugInPA

Knowing GM, it will have a tri-zone system. Individual temperature for the driver, passenger and rear. The rear will have it’s own fan control as well. Vents for the 3rd row as well.

That’s how it was on my old Acadia.

My Skoda is the Most Superb
My Skoda is the Most Superb
24 days ago
Reply to  PlugInPA

The Vistiq has a 5-zone auto climate system, I believe a first for a GM product? So yes, third row has its own climate vents.

PlugInPA
PlugInPA
24 days ago

Ooh, nice. Now if only we didn’t have this upcoming recession promised by the President-Elect.

TheDrunkenWrench
TheDrunkenWrench
24 days ago

I’m a big fan of the Cadillac EV design language.

I got a see/sit in a Lyriq recently. That thing is a goddamn spaceship. Cadillac finally feels like a Cadillac again.

Redapple
Redapple
23 days ago

You live in Ferndale right?

TheDrunkenWrench
TheDrunkenWrench
23 days ago
Reply to  Redapple

Ferndale, Ontario?
No. I’m about 270 miles, as the crow flies, from there.

Harvey Firebirdman
Harvey Firebirdman
24 days ago

I think this looks decent needs more buttons and less screens but it doesn’t scream “hey look I am an EV” I think the manufactures are finally getting it just because it is a hybrid or a EV it does not mean it needs to look different haha.

Mr. Frick
Mr. Frick
24 days ago

Well, it does cost less than a Grand Wagoneer and weigh 100lbs less.

Angrycat Meowmeow
Angrycat Meowmeow
24 days ago

I think it looks pretty damn good. The old school Cadillac script and the wreaths on the cupholders are a neat touch. That blank area just below the center A/C vent would have been a perfect place to put some real switches for volume, heated/cooled seats, drive modes, etc. so they could get rid of that big knob and make something useful out of that area. I also think that hard looking plastic on the dash should be a nice fabric. It’s got some visually interesting touches like that quarter glass and the rear moonroof. They’re cool without screaming “LOOK AT ALL MY TECHNO SQUIGGLES” like a Kia/Hyundai.

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