2025 Cadillac Optiq First Drive: Surprise, Surprise, It’s a Refreshing Entry-Level Caddy

Cadillac is developing an electric SUV. GM’s luxury arm introduced the Lyriq mid-size SUV a few years ago (though it had some issues with the Ultium platform) and then went silent for what seemed like forever. That bygone era is over, as Cadillac just introduced the seriously cool Escalade IQ and the compact Optiq, which we’re about to dive into. Both the three-row, seven-passenger Vistiq and the $300,000-plus ultra-luxury Celestiq will be on the road by the end of 2025. As for the 2025 Cadillac Optiq? It’s a relatively compact all-electric SUV, although with Cadillac claiming a curb weight of 5,200 pounds, calling it compact is a stretch. But that’s simply an EV reality today. Cadillac invited us to rainy San Francisco to experience the new 2025 Optiq in bustling city environments as well as on the majestic coastal roads just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. So, should you be interested in another leather-wrapped Tesla Model Y-sized EV crossover? We certainly think so.

What Is It?

The Cadillac Optiq has been on sale since late 2023—in China, where it is manufactured by SAIC-GM, a 50/50 joint venture between General Motors and Chinese manufacturer SAIC. However, the Optiq we drove here, and the one Americans can buy, is made by General Motors de Mexico at the Ramos Arizpe Assembly plant along with several models, including its siblings, the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Honda Prologue. Optiqs destined for the North American market have an 85 kWh UBE (usable battery energy) NMC battery and are only available in all-wheel drive form. Chinese-made Optiqs have a choice of three smaller battery packs and can be configured as front-wheel drive models. Our Optiq’s twin motors produce a combined 300 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, and the EPA says the Optiq can travel 302 miles on a single charge.

To understand how good the new 2025 Cadillac Optiq is, it’s necessary to acknowledge how forgotten the Cadillac XT4 is. Oh, is it still for sale? Ouch. That’s a harsh description, but when was the last time you or anyone you know cross-shopped it, heard someone mention it, or even thought about it? Be honest, especially if you’re a Cadillac employee thinking of writing to us. When we mentioned this point during a dinner conversation, a fellow journalist said, “Hey, it’s better than the XT6.” Fair. One of the under-the-radar attributes of electric vehicles, especially smaller ones, is that simply replacing the powertrain often makes the vehicle better. Power and torque typically increase, while slow-shifting, rev-hanging FWD transmissions disappear. This makes the EV version faster, and although it is heavier, the center of gravity is reduced by a foot while weight distribution is more even between the axles. Thanks to that, road grip and sportiness tend to improve.

Now imagine all of the above, and then consider that the engineer in charge of all the mechanical parts races 900-horsepower circle track cars in his spare time. Plus, Cadillac is doing more than just electrifying an old product. This is a clean-sheet design, in the best way possible.

Many Good Things

Forget the Optiq’s handsome sheet metal for a moment (we’ll come back to it) and its plush, comfortable interior—pay attention to how cool this little (though not exactly small) Cadillac is. It’s quick enough, with a claimed 0–60 mph sprint in around five seconds, but its road-holding and confident handling are what really stand out. Most electric vehicles are usually equipped with low-rolling-resistance tires that improve efficiency but compromise driving feel. Since Cadillac wanted to offer a sporty small crossover, it teamed up with Continental to create dual-compound tires. The result is a setup that keeps you moving efficiently in a straight line but remains firmly planted when turning the Optiq’s steering wheel.

The suspension system is also quite good. Bearing the unfortunate name of “passive damper plus,” these units provide a firm yet sporty ride unless a sudden impact is detected (based on the damper’s internal shaft speed), at which point fluid is routed to a secondary valve to smooth and soften things up. No need for a computer—this is simple and effective. The key question is whether this cost-saving passive-plus technology works. Certainly, we’d love to see an optional Magneride damper setup, which could stiffen itself when needed. And we probably will if Cadillac builds an Optiq V. But for most customers, the Passive-Plus performs well, even on the optional 21-inch wheels (20-inch wheels are standard). Also standard is GM’s industry-leading hands-free driving system, Super Cruise.

Turn Up the Sound

Do you like music? If you do, it might be the most compelling reason to buy a 2025 Cadillac Optiq all-electric SUV. Cadillac previously announced that all its electric vehicles would come standard with Dolby Atmos sound, and the Optiq is the first to get the audio giant’s amazing high-end technology. And guess what? The Optiq is the first car designed from the ground up with Dolby Atmos. Yes, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, and Rivian all offer Atmos software (though not all use true Dolby 7.1.4 systems), but the little Caddy is the first to come with the right hardware. How crazy did Cadillac go? The passenger grab handle is oddly placed on the A-pillar because Cadillac placed a speaker on the roof where it should have been. We listened, and the Atmos installation delivers listening-room-quality sound for audiophiles. Plus, there’s no droning 2.0-liter turbo to ruin the experience.

Details Inside

Speaking of the interior, it’s quite nice. Cadillac is rapidly improving from the days when carbon fiber was randomly stacked on leather and, for some reason, on aluminum. Now, it makes the cabin quieter and richer. Discussions about sustainable interior materials tend to blur together, but at least some of the surfaces are made from recycled fishing nets—a positive outcome. Most notable is the 33-inch curved dashboard screen. GM is not using Apple CarPlay, and Google’s native software works quite well. Sure, you might have difficulty with Google Assistant, but that’s just the nature of voice commands today. For what it’s worth, Siri has the same issues. One fight you can probably avoid is over who gets to sit in front; the Optiq’s long wheelbase (116 inches, compared to the Tesla Model Y’s 113 inches) means there’s plenty of room in the back seat. There’s also good storage space behind the rear seats.

Road Presence

Finally, back to the exterior—like all electric Cadillacs, it’s stunning. With the exception of the Celestiq, which has yet to be fully judged, the Optiq, Lyriq, Vistiq, and Escalade IQ are all beautiful SUV designs. Initially, you might think Cadillac just shrank the Lyriq to create the Optiq. But a closer look reveals that the Optiq’s windshield and D-pillars are both quite steep—Cadillac calls them “fast”—to appeal to younger buyers and exude sportiness. It all works, as does the etched body cladding between the C- and D-pillars, meant to resemble the stylized Cadillac badge. No one will blame you if you buy an Optiq purely for its looks.

Job Well Done

Overall, we were very impressed. From its handsome looks to its premium interior, excellent standard technology (Atmos, Google, and Super Cruise), solid range, good performance, and surprising handling, the 2025 Cadillac Optiq is a step in the right direction. Its $54,390 starting price might seem high, but for what you get, it’s perfectly in line with today’s premium segment. Cadillac has resisted the temptation to offer a stripped-down Optiq, and we applaud the strategy. After all, Cadillac is considered the world’s standard.

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