Cadillac unveils Optiq, mid-size electric SUV bound for Europe

Almost a year after the Chinese government first showed pictures of the upcoming Cadillac Optiq, the American manufacturer unveiled the mid-size electric SUV. The Optiq slots in below the Lyriq in Cadillac’s electric line-up and is also coming to Europe, likely in 2025.

The Cadillac Optiq is a mid-size SUV with a length of 4.83 meters, a width of 2.13 meters (including mirrors), and a height of 1.65 meters on a 2.95-meter wheelbase. That puts it up against the Tesla Model Y, but seeing as Cadillac takes a more premium approach, a more likely competitor is the recent Audi Q6 e-tron and the Jeep Wagoneer S.

300 hp, 85 kWh

Contrary to the Model Y and Q6 e-tron, Cadillac offers dual-motor all-wheel drive as standard. With a 300 hp drivetrain and an 85 kWh battery, it offers around 300 miles (483 km) of range on the American EPA test cycle. The European WLTP figures should exceed 500 km. Charging is limited to 150 kW, compared to 250 kW for the Model Y and 270 kW for the Q6 e-tron.

On the inside, the Cadillac Optiq offers a roomy 5-seat interior, with creature comforts such as a large panoramic sunroof, a standard-fitted 19-speaker AKG sound system, 126-color mood lighting, and a large 33-inch 9K display on the dashboard. Cadillac has also used some sustainable materials for the interior, such as recycled woven fabric on the center console and PaperWood veneer made from recycled newspaper.

Coming to Europe in 2025?

The Cadillac Optiq will enter production in late fall, with two trims available for customers: Luxury and Sport. Pricing starts from around $54,000 in the US. The Optiq is also coming to Europe, likely in early 2025. Including transport costs, import fees, and VAT, a European starting price of around €65,000 would line it up against the Q6 e-tron, which starts from €69,300.

That would make the Optiq Cadillac’s second electric model available in Europe, after the larger Lyriq, which went on sale on this side of the pond earlier this year. Not every European market is being supplied yet, however, with Switzerland being the first, followed by Sweden and France, and three more markets in the next couple of years.