2024 Cadillac Celestiq Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
Remember when Cadillac was the standard of the world? Probably not; that moniker hasn't aptly described the American luxury brand for decades. That could change with the Celestiq, a stunning new electric flagship hand-built in Michigan to compete with Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
What's New
- GM's Ultium EV platform
- Dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup
- Four-wheel steering
- Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control 4.0
- Active Roll Control
- Active rear spoiler
- A 111-kWh battery pack
- DC fast charging at 200-kW rate
- Ultra Cruise hands-free driving
- A total of 55 inches of screens under a glass display (instrument cluster, central infotainment, and a front passenger display)
- An 11.0-inch touchscreen control panel on the center console
- An 8.0-inch rear seat touchscreen control panel
- Dual 12.6-inch-rear-seat entertainment displays
What We Think
We're properly excited about the Celestiq. Cadillac hasn't had a real blank-check flagship since the 1958 Series 70 Eldorado Brougham and it's thrilling to see what that looks like from today's EV-focused Cadillac. When we drove the American luxury automaker's first EV, the Lyriq, we called it the best mainstream Cadillac in some time and said it spoke to what Cadillac is capable of. Applying that formula to a gorgeous hand-built supersedan seems like a recipe for success.
Riding in a preproduction validation model, we experienced firsthand the opulence the Celestiq delivers. It drives serenely thanks to a combination of magnetorheological shocks, active anti-roll bars, and model-specific Pirelli P Zero tires with self-sealant and sound-absorbing foam inside. A super-wide screen, 38 speakers, wireless phone charger for each passenger, and glass roof with electrochromic tinting contribute to the car's modern and high-tech interior vibe. With sumptuous leather, crafted wood trim, massaging seats, and power-closing doors, the Celestiq is as lavish as some of the best luxury cars available today. We look forward to putting one through our instrumented testing.
Performance and Driving Range
The Celestiq will ride on a version of General Motors' electric Ultium platform that so far has underpinned the Cadillac Lyriq, GMC Hummer EV, and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Cadillac estimates that the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup will produce approximately 600 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac claims that 0-60 mph should arrive in about 3.8 seconds.
A 111-kW battery will power the Celestiq, which GM estimates will be good for 300 miles of range. Cadillac says the Celestiq's 200-kW DC fast charging compatibility will allow 78 miles of range to be replenished in 10 minutes. The Celestiq is equipped with GM's Regen on Demand Braking system and One-Pedal driving.
Ultra Cruise Autonomous Driving
General Motors' Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system debuted on the CT6 full-size sedan (no longer offered in the U.S.) and we've consistently described it as more effective and safer than Tesla's Autopilot. Only problem with Super Cruise is that it's only available on sections of highway already mapped by GM. Ultra Cruise represents the next generation of hands-free driving, expanding the "look mom no hands" trick beyond the freeway, and the tech will benefit from over-the-air updates. GM will debut the new tech on the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq.
Hand-Built, Limited Production
The Celestiq is so special, it can't be built on the same assembly line as a CT6 or Escalade. Cadillac invested $81 million in a boutique manufacturing facility at its tech center in Warren, Michigan, and the Celestiq will be the new shop's first product. Cadillac is aiming for 400 units per year, matching the production of its last hand-built product, the Series 70 Eldorado Brougham. The Celestiq will also use 115 unique 3D-printed parts.
Technology
The new Celestiq flagship will house a colossal 55 inches of curved LCD displays that spans across the entire dash. There's a screen for the driver, a central infotainment screen, and another screen in front of the passenger. A crystal knob with metal accents controls the massive screen real estate. A "digital blind" can obscure the imagery on the passenger side so the driver can focus on the road.
There are plenty of other displays in the cabin. The Celestiq is also equipped with an 11.0-inch touchscreen control panel, an 8.0-inch rear seat touchscreen control panel, and dual 12.6-inch-rear-seat entertainment displays.
Cadillac equips Google Built-In that runs applications such as Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. The Celestiq carries a 38-speaker AKG premium sound system, noise cancellation, and a 3-speaker exterior sound system. Other cool features include acoustic glass, a heated backlight, glass-embedded antennae, and a smart glass roof that can control how much light enters the cabin.
Release Date and an Eye-Watering Price
Cadillac is claiming Celestiq production will start in late 2023. It also says a year of production is already been spoken for, with deliveries starting in 2024. In terms of price, don't expect the average Escalade owner to be able to add Caddy's new flagship to the garage without stretching their budget. Cadillac's last "standard of the world" Eldorado Brougham cost the equivalent of $136,500, and Cadillac reportedly lost $10,000 on each one. We're estimating the Celestiq will carry an MSRP above $300,000.
