2026 CADILLAC VISTIQ

CADILLAC EXPANDS ELECTRIC OPTIONS

WITH ADDITION OF VISTIQ SUV FOR 2026

Cadillac continues to expand its fleet of all-electric SUVs with the introduction of the Vistiq for 2026.

Taking over for the gas-powered XT6 in the U.S. market, the Vistiq offers the convenience of six-passenger seating in a package that is both smaller in size and price tag than Cadillac’s massive Escalade.

It joins the entry-level Optiq, Lyriq, Lyriq V, and Escalade IQ and IQL in giving Cadillac not only an impressive portfolio of the latest in technology but also awesome Scrabble scores as well

The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq comes in four trim levels all with a 102-kilowat-hour battery pack that feeds dual motors that provide over 300 miles of driving range.

The Luxury trim serves as the entry level model with a base MSRP of $78,790 including the destination and delivery charge. Next up is Sport ($79,590). This review is based on the Premium Luxury trim with a base price that jumps to $93,190. 

Cadillac also launched a Platinum trim ($98,190) this past summer.

“With the addition of Vistiq, Cadillac will be one of the only brands to offer an EV entry in every luxury SUV segment,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac, in a company release.

Such features as a premium AKG 23-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos, Cadillac’s hands-free driving system Super Cruise, and all-wheel drive are standard across the line.

The dual electric motors deliver 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque and will move the Vistiq’s 3-plus ton curb weight from zero-to-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, according to Cadillac timers.

Selectable driver mode settings (Tour or Normal, Sport, Snow/Ice, and My Mode allow you to customize your experience. As an all-electric vehicle, one-pedal driving for regenerative braking also is available.

Active rear steering and adaptive air-ride suspension are among standard features offered on the Premium Luxury trim of the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq.

Cadillac also relieves you of the burden of pushing a button to start the car. You activate the motor the minute when you get in behind the steering wheel and step on the brake pedal, assuming you haven’t left the key behind. You do have to push a button on the spacious 33-inch display screen to turn off the motor.

The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq also has a hands-free power liftgate that will open if you have the key fob with you. Simply approach the vehicle from a distance of 10 feet and as soon as you get within 3 feet it rises up. It may just have been this my particular vehicle but that system was a bit overly sensitive and opened on its own several times as I simply walked by it.

Standard luxury and convenience features on the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury edition include heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function, a heated steering wheel, wireless charger with dual front pads, seven USB ports, rain-sensing wipers, a rear camera mirror, 6-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof with sunshade, a head-up display and heated second-row seats.

Cadillac’s night vision system that alerts you to pedestrians, animals, or other objects beyond your headlights in low-light conditions also is included in Premium Luxury features.

With second-row bench seats you get seven-passenger capacity as opposed to six with second row captain’s chairs.

Standard safety features in addition to Nigh Vision and HD surround vision include blind spot and side cyclist warning, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, forward collision alert,  rear cross-traffic breaking, enhanced automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian and cyclist braking, and reverse automatic braking.

As noted pricing for the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury edition starts at $93,190. My test model came with special trim 23-inch wheels as the only option, running the final total to $94,290.

What I liked about the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury: The luxurious interior is Cadillac at its best, roomy, quiet, and premium materials. Driving range is over 300 miles and charging times are workable (45 minutes to get from 10 to 80 percent with a fast-charaging outlet). The Vistiq’s size is much more manageable than that of the humongous Escalade IQ EV and much easier on the wallet as well. The third row has enough room to accommodate average size adults at least for short trips. There also is a very usable 15.2 cubic feet of storage space behind that third row expandable to 43 cubic feet with the far back row folded.

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury: I rarely use Android Auto (or Apple CarPlay) but the lack of them is an unforgivable omission in today’s tech-focused generation of buyers. There also is no “frunk” for extra storage up front. Infotainment features are easy enough to operate but you do have find the right button on the touchscreen. Speaking of buttons, I’d prefer push-button start.

Would I buy the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury? Considering the price jump, a look at the Luxury or Sport trims might be the better way to go.