2026 Cadillac Vistiq Review

The 2026 Vistiq impresses with its EV brawn, practical range, and three-row seating.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Oct 3, 2025 | 7 min read

Benjamin Hunting

Cadillac has made a substantial investment in electric models and, with the arrival of the new-for-2026 Vistiq three-row SUV, offers a robust line of EVs. The Vistiq rides on a stretched version of the EV platform also used for the smaller Optiq and Lyriq models. That accounts for the family resemblance between the models, inside and out, as well as their shared technologies and features.

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About the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq

The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq comes in Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury, and Platinum trim levels with base prices that start in the low $80,000s and climb just past $100,000. That includes the destination charge to transport the SUV from its Spring Hill, Tennessee, assembly plant to a dealership. Federal EV income tax credits are scheduled to expire for the Vistiq at the end of September.

For this Vistiq review, Cadillac provided me with a test vehicle in the Sport trim level. I drove it on Montreal's traffic-choked streets as well as the open two-lane roads of Quebec's Eastern Townships. The only options were its Opulent Blue Metallic paint and a set of second-row captain's chairs, which increased the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $81,015, including the $1,695 destination charge.

Benjamin Hunting

The Vistiq Is Imposing but Not Overwhelming

Cadillac's EV design language works well on a large canvas such as the Vistiq. There are numerous nods to the somehow even longer Escalade iQ, and that resemblance is no doubt intentional. While the Vistiq might not be quite as imposing as its sibling, I still think it conveys a stately grandeur befitting its price point.

Inside, the Vistiq has more in common with the smaller Cadillac Lyriq, at least in terms of its presentation and materials. The two share a similar curved infotainment screen that dominates the dashboard but doesn't mirror the Escalade's edge-to-edge setup. Additionally, the Vistiq and Lyriq have similar-quality leather, carbon fiber-look trim, and piano-black detailing on the steering wheel. As a bonus, the Vistiq cribs the Escalade's console-mounted LCD touch panel, through which you can access the climate and seat controls.

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The Vistiq's front seats offer heating, ventilation, and massage, along with plenty of room to stretch out. My test vehicle swapped its second-row bench seat for a pair of captain's chairs, which delivered excellent leg and headroom. The split setup offers a second way to access the SUV's third row by walking through the middle. Otherwise, you must use the single-button tilt-and-slide feature and slip between the second-row seat and the roof pillar.

The third-row accommodations place passengers relatively low to the floor. Still, they feature better headroom than I recalled experiencing in the larger Escalade iQ, which falls short due to its more pronounced roof angle. There's also a fixed glass panel above the third-row seat riders, which helps reduce the sensation of being trapped on longer trips. Still, taller folks will want to wrestle for the right to occupy the second row.

There's not a lot of cargo room available with every seat in use. Behind the third row, the SUV offers just 15.2 cubic-feet of cargo space. There's no front trunk (frunk) to pick up the slack, either. Power-fold the third row using the buttons in the cargo compartment, and that frees up a more useful 43 cu-ft of volume. All-out hauling space checks in at 80.2 cu-ft, and, thanks to the Cadillac's fold-flat captain's chairs, it's easy to access.

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Super Cruise Is Impressive Tech

Cadillac goes above and beyond most advanced driver-assistance systems with its Super Cruise technology, which allows for hands-free driving on specific highways. In my opinion, it's the best technology of its kind.

Super Cruise requires the least intervention by the driver, and even changes lanes automatically to pass slower traffic. While it works well on major highways as well as approved rural routes, I don't think the latter are the best fit for a model the size of the Vistiq — especially in the summer months when cyclists are sharing the road.

I should mention that the Cadillac's collision-warning and automatic emergency-braking systems failed to detect a flock of turkeys intent on crossing the road despite the SUV hurtling toward them at 55 mph. Super Cruise was inactive at the time, and I was able to stop the vehicle safely, but each of these birds was about the same size as a toddler. The situation was a good reminder that paying attention is paramount behind the wheel, no matter how many safety features are riding shotgun.

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The Cadillac Vistiq's 33.0-inch curved digital instrumentation and infotainment display is easy enough to use, save for one ergonomic oversight.

My Vistiq Sport test vehicle did not have the head-up display available with other trim levels, which meant I had to rely on the driver display to track my speed. Cadillac offers several different data-display themes, but only one worked for me. It was the layout showing the map, which placed the speedometer reading in a location where it wasn't blocked from view by the steering wheel rim with the driver's seat in my preferred position.

In a curious move, the Vistiq doesn't offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay functionality.

Benjamin Hunting

Big Power to Hustle the Vistiq's Equally Big Bones

The Cadillac Vistiq features a pair of electric motors that create a standard all-wheel-drive system. It delivers a maximum of 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque when using the Velocity Max drive mode, which results in a zero-to-60 acceleration time of 3.7 seconds. When properly equipped, the Vistiq can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Cadillac advertises an estimated driving range of 305 miles from a 102-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, which can add 80 miles of range with about 10 minutes of plug time on a DC fast charger.

The Vistiq's range isn't class leading, as similarly priced Rivian R1S models surpass it. However, it's still reasonable and close to other three-row luxury EVs, such as the Volvo EX90. During the sweltering summer heat, my test vehicle consumed energy at an average rate of 40 kWh per 100 miles. That's slightly less efficient than the official figure of 39 kWh per 100 miles, but considerably more efficient than the larger Escalade iQ, which consumes energy at a rate of 55.5 kWh per 100 miles of driving.

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Velocity Max is the kind of whiz-bang feature often baked into luxury vehicles. While its acceleration is sufficiently scary in the hefty Vistiq, there's little call for it in the real world. I found the acceleration in both the Touring and Sport drive modes to be more than enough to tackle any driving situation I encountered.

Braking wasn't quite as impressive. Although the stoppers worked well enough during my turkey-avoidance incident, at very low speeds — such as in a parking lot or when crawling through traffic — they clunked noisily. That happened whether under manual control or when using Super Cruise, causing me to suspect something was amiss with their calibration, or that perhaps the discs had accumulated corrosion due to disuse. I mention it because I experienced similar untoward front-end noises from an early-build Cadillac Lyriq. There may still be some bugs to work out.

Otherwise, the Cadillac Vistiq handles itself admirably given its size, and as long as the road doesn't have too many heaves or bumps, its suspension nicely dials out its substantial weight. Stay within a reasonable distance of the speed limit, and this Cadillac will pamper you.

Benjamin Hunting

Is the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq a Good Electric Vehicle?

I think the Cadillac Vistiq is a more compelling model than the gas-powered Cadillac XT6 it effectively replaces, with significant road presence, considerably more power, and a much nicer and more comfortable interior. Additionally, Super Cruise is Cadillac's not-so-secret weapon in the luxury technology wars.

There aren't many other three-row luxury EVs available, but the Vistiq deserves a test drive alongside the previously mentioned Rivian R1S, Tesla Model X, and Volvo EX90.

Benjamin Hunting

Nearly two decades into his career as an automotive journalist, Benjamin has had his hands greasy, his hair blown back, and his heart broken by more than one project car. In addition to his work at Capital One, he has contributed features and reviews to Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, Driving Line, Inside Hook, Super Street, European Car, Roadkill Magazine, Motor 1, The Drive, the Toronto Star, the National Post, Business Insider, NAPA, Autoblog, Automotive News Canada, and AutoGuide. He is also cohost of the Unnamed Automotive Podcast and cocreator of the Code 45 and Dead Air graphic novels. In his spare time, he's a friend to vinyl and enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days.