Cadillac Optiq vs. Lyriq vs. Vistiq: What’s the Difference?
Here’s what to know about Cadillac’s compact, midsize, and three-row electric luxury SUVs.
Cadillac aims to have an all-electric lineup by 2030, and the American automaker is rolling out new models to support that charge. Aside from the hyper-luxurious hand-built Celestiq sedan, every Cadillac EV seen so far has been an SUV. Cadillac uses the “-iq” suffix to designate its electric vehicles, resulting in some confusing names that will take some getting used to, as they don’t convey a model’s size or hierarchy within the lineup. We'll help you understand the differences between the Lyriq, Optiq, and Vistiq by comparing essential details between the three electric SUVs.
Cadillac Optiq vs. Lyriq vs. Vistiq: Size and Segment
Following an extensive teaser campaign, the Lyriq midsize SUV arrived for the 2023 model year as Cadillac’s first EV. Next, the brand unveiled the Optiq, a compact crossover set to serve as the base of Cadillac’s electric SUV lineup from 2025. Shortly after that, the Vistiq all-electric three-row SUV made its debut, set to go on sale for model year 2026. Basically, think of the Optiq, Lyriq, and Vistiq as small, medium, and large, respectively—and the 2025 Escalade IQ as extra-large.
Cadillac Optiq vs. Lyriq vs. Vistiq: Seats and Passenger Space
Crucially, the Vistiq has three rows of seats, while the Lyriq and Optiq have two. The Vistiq offers six- or seven-passenger seating capacity; a three-across bench or individual captain’s chairs will be available for the second row, and the third row has two seat belts. The Lyriq and Optiq both have five-passenger capacity.
Cadillac Optiq vs. Lyriq vs. Vistiq: Cargo Space
Given it’s a larger vehicle, the Lyriq having more cargo space than the Optiq isn’t really a surprise—perhaps the surprise is how close cargo measurements are between the two. Given that it’s larger than the Optiq or Lyriq, the Vistiq provides still more cargo capacity. None of these EVs has a frunk under their hood.
Cadillac Optiq vs. Lyriq vs. Vistiq: Battery, Range, and Charging
All of Cadillac’s EVs are built on the General Motors Ultium vehicle architecture, which gives the Lyriq, Optiq, and Vistiq similarities around their battery and charging capabilities.
The Optiq has an 85-kWh battery pack that’s estimated to provide up to 300 miles of range on a full charge. It can recharge at up to 150 kW, which Cadillac says can add 79 miles of range in about 10 minutes provided ideal conditions with a Level 3 DC fast charger. Level 2 charging can deliver up to 55 miles of range per hour.
The Lyriq has a 102-kWh battery pack which can provide 303 to 326 miles of driving range on a full charge, depending on configuration. Maximum recharging is 190 kW, making it possible to add 86 miles of range in about 10 minutes on a Level 3 fast charger. On a Level 2 charger, up to 51 miles of range can be added in an hour.
Like the Lyriq, the Vistiq uses a 102-kWh battery. Cadillac estimates the Vistiq's range at 300 miles, likely for models with 21-inch wheels. Maximum recharging should also be 190 kW, allowing the battery to gain up to 79 miles of range in 10 minutes on a Level 3 charger. Using Level 2 charging can add up to 47 miles of range in an hour.
Cadillac Optiq vs. Lyriq vs. Vistiq: Motors, Power, and Performance
For 2025, the Optiq will be equipped with a dual-motor AWD powertrain designated by a 450E4 badge. This setup produces 300 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac estimates a 0–60-mph time of 5.9 seconds for the Optiq AWD. It’s likely that a single-motor FWD powertrain configuration, providing more range at a lower price, will become available in the future.
The Lyriq launched in a single-motor RWD configuration indicated by a 450E badge. That motor produces 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, which propelled the Lyriq to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds in MotorTrend testing. Later, a dual-motor AWD powertrain marked by a 600E4 badge became available, taking output to 500 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque and reducing the 0–60-mph time to 4.8 seconds. An even higher-performance Lyriq V is joining the lineup.
Every 2026 Vistiq will have a strong standard powertrain. Its 900E4 dual-motor AWD system can produce up to 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque when the Velocity Max drive mode is activated. Using Velocity Max also enables an estimated 3.7-second 0-60 mph time.
Cadillac Optiq vs. Lyriq vs. Vistiq: Technology
A 33.0-inch digital dashboard display is standard on the Optiq, Lyriq, and Vistiq. It uses an infotainment interface designed by Google to handle navigation, phone connectivity, and more; the Lyriq have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but the Optiq and Vistiq do not. Over-the-air update capability can add new software wirelessly. A wireless charging pad and multiple USB ports can keep devices powered up. A premium audio system from AKG is added on higher-end trim levels of the Optiq and Lyriq, while the Vistiq includes one as standard.
Cadillac Optiq vs. Lyriq vs. Vistiq: Safety Features
As standard, the Optiq, Lyriq, and Vistiq come equipped with many driver assist and active safety features. Among these are front and rear automatic emergency braking, intersection collision avoidance, side and rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
General Motors’ Super Cruise system allows for hands-free driving on pre-mapped stretches of road across the United States and Canada. This semi-autonomous system is offered on the Optiq and Lyriq, but is standard on the Vistiq.
Cadillac Optiq vs. Lyriq vs. Vistiq: Price
Pricing for the Optiq starts at about $54,000. That’s for the 2025 Optiq Luxury 450E4 AWD; a less expensive single-motor model might arrive in a year or two.
The Lyriq starts at slightly less than $59,000 for the Tech 450E RWD model and tops out at more than $80,000 in Sport 6004E AWD specification when options are added.
Starting price for the Vistiq is approximately $79,000 for the entry-level Luxury trim. The high-end Vistiq Platinum could nudge $100,000.
Tax rebates and factory incentives of up to $7,500 can be available for Cadillac’s electric SUVs, making them more attainable.
Cadillac Optiq vs. Lyriq vs. Vistiq: Key Differences
- Smallest: Optiq
- Largest: Vistiq
- Most seats: Vistiq
- Least Expensive: Optiq
- Most Expensive: Vistiq
- Over 300 Miles of Range: Lyriq
Alex's earliest memory is of a teal 1993 Ford Aspire, the car that sparked his automotive obsession. He's never driven that tiny hatchback—at six feet, 10 inches tall, he likely wouldn't fit—but has assessed hundreds of other vehicles, sharing his insights on MotorTrend as a writer and video host.
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