Cadillac is expanding its electric lineup rapidly over the next few years, but its vehicle names aren’t getting any easier to type. The Lyriq came first, followed by the ultra-expensive Celestiq, and both still show up as misspelled, despite reprogramming my spellcheck. At least the Escalade IQ kept a mostly traditional name. The automaker also confirmed the entry-level 2025 Optiq last month, but now there’s a new model to generate little red squiggles all over the place: The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq.
Spelling jokes aside, the brand’s EV catalog is becoming one of the more impressive offerings in the industry. General Motors’ Ultium electric platform underpins all of them, bringing solid range estimates and fast charging capabilities. The flexible architecture supports a huge range of vehicle sizes and types, from the GMC Hummer EV to the Chevy Equinox EV, which is due soon and expected to share its drivetrain configurations with the Vistiq. If that’s the case, expect a 300-plus-mile range, available Super Cruise technology, and single- and dual-motor drivetrain options. The 600 E4 badge on the release photos denotes a powertrain similar, if not identical, to the Lyriq, possibly pushing close to 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque.
We don’t have pricing or release date details yet, but Cadillac said it would give out more info next year. The SUV will likely land somewhere in the mid-to-high-$40,000 range to start, but we wouldn’t bet against a sizeable price hike before its release. Automakers have a bad habit of overpromising affordability with EVs, and very few have actually pulled it off.
Cadillac’s “IQ” EVs don’t have the most sensible names, but they compete against a slew of other models with equally silly branding. Mercedes has its EQ line that follows its traditional “Class” naming structure, while BMW has just been slapping an “i” in front of its electric models. Chevy’s on the opposite end of the spectrum, as it designates electric models only with “EV” added to the end.
