America takes on Germany with two new EVs

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Cadillac has introduced two electric SUVs to sit either side of the $95,000 drive-away Lyriq medium-large SUV, expanding the American brand’s local offerings to three distinct vehicles.

Serving as Cadillac’s entry-level model, the Optiq small-medium SUV will start from $80,000 before on-road costs (for now offered in sole ‘Sport’ trim grade), to serve as a half-size larger rival to the $84,900 Audi Q4 e-tron, $80,600 BMW iX1 and $86,300 Mercedes-Benz EQB.

The Optiq features a 75kWh Lithium-ion battery, dual electric motors, and a peak combined output of 224kW/480Nm. Driving range is quoted as 425km, with a claimed efficiency of 19.9kWh/100km. Both figures are WLTP.

The between-sizes Optiq drives on a 2954mm wheelbase, and measures 4820mm long, 1912mm wide, and 1644mm tall— about the same as an Audi Q6 eTron.

At the other end of Cadillac’s model range sits the $116,000 Vistiq, a six-seat SUV flagship which in Platinum guise rivals fellow three-row SUVs $124,990 Volvo EX90 and $119,750 Hyundai Ioniq 9, as well as the $142,900 five-seat BMW iX. 

The larger Vistiq features a 91kWh Lithium-ion battery (11kWh smaller than the cheaper Lyriq), dual electric motors, and a combined output of 459kW/880Nm. Driving range is quoted as 461km, with a claimed consumption of 22kWh/100km. Both figures are WLTP.

The Vistiq measures 5233mm long, 2026mm wide, and 1799mm tall, driving on a 3094mm wheelbase. It is similar in size to the Nissan Y62 Patrol. 

Both of Cadillac’s new electric vehicles, like the Lyriq, are built on the General Motors Ultium battery vehicle platform. The platform uses 400V architecture and supports 110kW peak DC charging for Optiq and 130kW for Vistiq. European market figures shown.

The range-opening Optiq can charge from 10-80 percent in 37 minutes, whereas the Vistiq’s larger battery takes 40 minutes. The Lyriq, which features Caddy’s largest battery, has an improved DC charge peak of 190kW resulting in the shortest 10-80 charge time of 27 minutes.

Standard equipment on the Optiq Sport small SUV includes:

• Selectable drive modes, including Tour, Snow/Ice, Sport and MyMode
• 21-inch “Dark Android” painted alloy wheels 
• Brembo front brakes
• Panoramic glass roof
• LED brightwork
• 33-inch combination driver instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen 
• Wireless device charger
• 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system
• Heated, ventilated, and massaging power-adjust front seats
• Heated rear seats

While the Vistiq flagship large SUV Platinum adds or improves over Vistiq:

• Air Ride adaptive suspension with chassis damping control
• Active rear steering
• Brembo performance front brakes
• 22-inch ‘Reverse Rim’ alloy wheels 
• 23-speaker AKG Studio sound system 
• Dual front wireless device chargers
• Second row captain’s chairs
• Panoramic dual-pane sunroof 
• Heated, ventilated, and massaging seats