{"id":5629,"date":"2025-05-20T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/?p=5629"},"modified":"2025-05-27T11:59:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T11:59:44","slug":"is-cadillacs-new-vistiq-the-baby-escalade-youve-been-waiting-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/2025\/05\/20\/is-cadillacs-new-vistiq-the-baby-escalade-youve-been-waiting-for\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Cadillac\u2019s New Vistiq The Baby Escalade You\u2019ve Been Waiting For?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PROS \u203a\u203a <\/span> Powerful dual-motor AWD system, upscale interior, comfortable ride<\/span>CONS \u203a\u203a <\/span> Too high-tech for its own good, expensive, not an Escalade <\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Cadillac\u2019s electric revolution is well underway, and it got off to a fantastic start with the Lyriq<\/a>. Launched in 2022, the model has become the best-selling luxury EV in America and now accounts for roughly 20% of Cadillac sales. It\u2019s also introducing new people to the brand as it has an impressive conquest rate of 80%.<\/p>\n

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While the Lyriq was the tip of the spear, the battle is now raging on all fronts as the company\u2019s electric lineup has grown to include five models. One of the latest is the 2026 Vistiq<\/a>, which is the de facto successor to the XT6. It\u2019s a huge leap forward, although it falls a little short of being a \u2018baby\u2019 Escalade.<\/p>\n

QUICK FACTS<\/h5>\n
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\u203a Model:<\/td>\n2026 Cadillac Vistiq<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u203a Dimensions:<\/td>\n205.6 inches Long<\/p>\n

86.7 inches Wide<\/p>\n

71.0 inches Tall<\/p>\n

121.8 inch Wheelbase<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u203a Battery:<\/td>\n102 kWh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u203a Output:<\/td>\n615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u203a Performance:<\/td>\n0\u201360 mph in 3.7 seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u203a Curb Weight:<\/td>\n6,326 lbs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u203a Range:<\/td>\n305 Miles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u203a Price: <\/td>\n$79,090 including destination<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u203a On Sale:<\/td>\nNow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n
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SWIPE<\/span><\/p>\n

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Iconiq Looks<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Large and imposing, the Vistiq follows in the footsteps of the Lyriq and Escalade IQ as it adopts an illuminated Black Crystal Shield grille, flanked by split lighting units. They immediately tell onlookers this isn\u2019t just any electric vehicle, it\u2019s a Cadillac EV.<\/p>\n

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The boldness gives way to an understated design further back as the flanks have streamlined bodywork and flush-mounted door handles. They\u2019re joined by a long, sloping roof that can be painted in contrasting black.<\/p>\n

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Michael Gauthier<\/h4>\n

More notably, there\u2019s a Mondrian graphic on the third quarter glass, which could likely prove divisive. Cadillac<\/a> says it\u2019s there to provide a sense of motion as well as privacy for third-row occupants, but it\u2019s not my cup of tea. On the bright side, the pattern doesn\u2019t have much of an impact on the otherwise excellent visibility from inside.<\/p>\n

While the window treatment is a bit garish, the sleek bodywork enables the crossover to have a drag coefficient of 0.29. That trails the Mercedes EQS SUV by a small margin, but it\u2019s pretty impressive for a vehicle that measures 205.6 inches (5,222 mm) long, 86.7 inches (2,203 mm) wide, and 71 inches (1,804 mm) tall. For those wondering, that\u2019s 7.1 inches (180 mm) longer than the XT6, but 18.7 inches (475 mm) shorter than the Escalade IQ.<\/p>\n

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121.8 inches (3,094 mm) separate the wheels, which are available in a variety of sizes and designs. 21-inchers come standard, although higher-end trims sport 22-inchers with 23-inch kicks being optional.<\/p>\n

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That brings us to the rear end, which is fairly conservative when compared to the more adventurous Lyriq. It sports split taillights as well as a power liftgate, which is activated by touching the Cadillac emblem.<\/p>\n

A Beautiful Cabin With Three Roomy Rows<\/strong><\/p>\n

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There\u2019s a saying that \u2018It\u2019s what\u2019s on the inside that counts\u2019, and the Vistiq didn\u2019t disappoint as our Premium Luxury tester was a sight to behold. The Phantom Blue seats immediately stand out thanks to their eye-catching color and premium design, which incorporates quilted accents as well as contrast piping.<\/p>\n

The comfy chairs feature heating, ventilation, and a massage function that can be operated from either the door panel or the 8-inch command center. The seats also feature 8-way power adjustment as well as a memory function on both sides.<\/p>\n

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While the blue seats grab your attention, they\u2019re not the only standout feature, as there\u2019s beautiful Lumen open-pore wood trim as well as microfiber upholstery. Other highlights include stylized speaker grilles, metallic accents, and Cadillac-specific switchgear.<\/p>\n

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Michael Gauthier<\/h4>\n

It\u2019s also impossible to ignore the curved 33-inch display that functions as a digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. It\u2019s clean and bright, although not completely intuitive.<\/p>\n

A prime example of this is hidden settings for the augmented reality heads-up display, which Cadillac made a big fuss about. The display was positioned out of my sightline, but I couldn\u2019t find the menu to move it. It was only later that someone else discovered you had to swipe sideways on the far left section of the 33-inch display to get to a menu screen to access HUD settings.<\/p>\n

That isn\u2019t the only issue, as the steering wheel can block your view of the display. This isn\u2019t much of a problem most of the time, but it can hide messages related to Super Cruise and automated lane changes.<\/p>\n

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The second-row captain\u2019s chairs feel like first-class accommodations as they\u2019re comfortable, supportive, and have a heating function as standard. They also slide and recline, making it easy to get situated.<\/p>\n

Once settled in, passengers can fine-tune their environment on the 8-inch rear command center. This comes in handy as the Vistiq has a five-zone climate control system, so everyone can tailor settings to their liking.<\/p>\n

The first two rows are covered by a dual-pane panoramic sunroof with a power-retractable sunshade. It\u2019s accompanied by a fixed glass roof above the third row, which helps to make the rear seat feel open and airy.<\/p>\n

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Speaking of which, Cadillac officials called the rear seats a \u201cno compromise\u201d third row. That certainly seems to be the case as they have the same stylish Nouveauluxe upholstery as those up front. This is notable as some companies cut corners on the third row by using cheaper materials or by eschewing embellishments.<\/p>\n

Rear seaters will find plenty of amenities, including padded armrests, cup holders, and air vents. They\u2019re joined by USB-C charging ports and a decent amount of legroom. With the second row slid all the way back, this 6\u20192\u201d scribe could be comfortable enough for a short trip in the third row. However, if second-row passengers slide their seats forward a bit, the third row becomes truly adult-friendly.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth noting there\u2019s plenty of headroom in back, while entry and egress is good. However, it wasn\u2019t perfect as our tester had a glitchy release for the second-row passenger seat. This forced us to hit the button while also pushing the seat forward in order to get it to move.<\/p>\n

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When it comes to hauling cargo, the second- and third-row seats have a power folding function that opens up 80.2 cubic feet (2,271 liters) of space. There\u2019s also 43 cubic feet (1,218 liters) behind the second-row and 15.2 cubic feet (430 liters) behind the third-row.<\/p>\n

While many entry-level models skimp on equipment, the Vistiq Luxury boasts a long list of standard fare. This includes a heated power steering wheel as well as heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. They\u2019re joined by heated rear seats, a dual wireless smartphone charger, and a 23-speaker AKG Studio Audio system with Dolby Atmos. Buyers will also find alloy pedals, illuminated door sill plates, a rear camera mirror, ambient lighting, and Google built-in. The latter provides access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play store.<\/p>\n

305 Miles Of Range And V-Series Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The heart of the Vistiq is a 102 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing 615 hp (459 kW \/ 624 PS) and 650 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque. The powertrain is shared with the 2026 Lyriq-V<\/a> and enables a 0-60 mph (0-96 km\/h) time of 3.7 seconds as well as towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg).<\/p>\n

Needless to say, the Vistiq is impressively quick, leaving the Mercedes EQS SUV in the dust. The model also outguns the similarly priced Volvo EX90, which offers up to 510 hp (380 kW \/ 517 PS) in Performance guise.<\/p>\n

Despite the impressive performance, the Vistiq can go the distance thanks to a range of up to 305 miles (491 km). That\u2019s 5 miles (8 km) less than the Volvo, 7 miles (11 km) less than the EQS SUV 450 4MATIC, and 24 miles (39 km) less than the Tesla Model X.<\/p>\n

Speaking of Tesla<\/a>, the Vistiq has a Combined Charging System (CCS) port, meaning you\u2019ll need to use an NACS adapter at Superchargers. That\u2019s unfortunate, but the crossover\u2019s 190 kW DC fast-charging capability can deliver up to 80 miles (129 km) of range in approximately 10 minutes.<\/p>\n

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The model comes standard with a dual-level charge cord, which can connect to an \u201cappliance-style, four-prong outlet\u201d to get up to 20.9 miles (33.6 km) of range per hour. If all you have is a traditional household outlet, you\u2019ll only get up to 3.7 miles (6 km) of range per hour.<\/p>\n

However, the Vistiq also supports 11.5 and 19.2 kW Level 2 charging. The former provides about 29 miles (46.7 km) of range per hour, while the latter boosts that to nearly 47 miles (75.6 km).<\/p>\n

On the topic of power, the Vistiq has a bidirectional charging capability. When paired with a $7,299 GM Energy V2H Bundle, the crossover can power your home during a blackout.<\/p>\n

A Smooth Operator With Standard Super Cruise<\/strong><\/p>\n

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If you\u2019ve driven a Lyriq, the Vistiq should feel pretty familiar, hardly a surprise given the similarities between the two models. Both ride on the BEV3 Ultium platform and put an emphasis on comfort.<\/p>\n

This pays dividends for drivers as the Vistiq has a refined ride quality that is silky smooth, but not disconnected. Credit goes to a multi-link front and five-link rear suspension with semi-active dampers. However, our Premium Luxury tester is notable for featuring an Air Ride Adaptive suspension, which was remarkably comfortable even on dirt roads and broken pavement.<\/p>\n

Despite a relaxed attitude, the Vistiq can hustle on back roads. The three-row luxury crossover felt planted and secure when chucked into corners at speed, although its hefty curb weight becomes apparent when you try to make it dance. It\u2019s not bad, but you can\u2019t ignore the rules of physics.<\/p>\n

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Michael Gauthier<\/h4>\n

Given this is a family-friendly crossover, it\u2019s not surprising that the electric power steering isn\u2019t overly engaging. It\u2019s direct and predictable, but even putting the crossover into Sport mode left me wishing for extra heft and a livelier experience.<\/p>\n

Sticking with that theme, the Premium Luxury is notable for having an active rear steering system. It turns the rear wheels up to 3.5 degrees to improve maneuverability at low speeds and stability at high speeds. This is a welcome addition as it helps the Vistiq to drive much smaller than it is, especially in tight parking lots.<\/p>\n

To give you some perspective, the model has a turning diameter as tight as 38.2 feet (11.6 meters). That\u2019s half a foot (152 mm) less than the smaller XT5 and XT6<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Michael Gauthier<\/h4>\n

When it\u2019s time to bring the action to a halt, customers can depend on a pair of capable brakes that measure 13.5 inches (343 mm) front and 13.6 inches (345 mm) rear. They\u2019re certainly up to the task, but the range-topping Platinum trim is notable for adding six-piston Brembo front brakes measuring 16.1 inches (410 mm).<\/p>\n

While we didn\u2019t get a chance to try out the Brembos, the standard brakes work well and had no problem bringing the hefty crossover to a safe and predictable stop. However, they\u2019re not the only way to slow the vehicle, as the Vistiq has a steering wheel-mounted Regen On Demand paddle. Pull it, and the regenerative brakes kick in to slow the luxury crossover. The model also offers a one-pedal driving mode, which is an acquired taste that may or may not be to your liking.<\/p>\n

One of the most welcome things about the Vistiq is how quiet the interior can be. This can be chalked up to laminated glass, extensive sound deadening, and road noise cancellation technology. When traveling on dirt roads, the vehicle was impressively hushed, and the same was true at highway speeds.<\/p>\n

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Aiding the experience is a full complement of standard driver assistance systems. This includes an upgraded version of Super Cruise, which features more hands-on functionality, route-related lane changes, and automatic reengagement.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll discuss the system a bit more in a later article, but the Vistiq also has Automatic Emergency Braking, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Braking. They\u2019re joined by Forward Collision Alert, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, an HD Surround Vision system, and OnStar.<\/p>\n

A Solid, But Pricey Crossover Bound To Live In The Escalade\u2019s Shadow<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Cadillac appears to have another winner on their hands as the Vistiq offers an impressive blend of luxury, performance, and capability. It\u2019s also a \u2018proper\u2019 three-row crossover, unlike the Tesla Model X and Mercedes EQS SUV. This alone helps the model to stand out, as there isn\u2019t much direct competition besides the Volvo EX90<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Aside from filling a gap in the market, the Vistiq offers Blackwing levels of power and acceleration. Despite this, the crossover has a comfortable and refined ride as well as 305 miles (491 km) of range. While a few minor details detract from the experience, the model builds on the Lyriq and pushes the bar even higher.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, pricing is steep as the model starts at $77,395 before a $1,695 destination fee. Moving up to a Premium Luxury trim like our tester would set you back $93,590.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a far cry from the 2025 XT6, which begins at $52,690 in AWD guise. However, the Vistiq undercuts the Volvo EX90 and is only a few thousand dollars more than the range-topping Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy. This makes it a pretty compelling three-row luxury EV, even if it has to live in the shadow of the Escalade IQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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PROS \u203a\u203a Powerful dual-motor AWD system, upscale interior, comfortable rideCONS \u203a\u203a Too high-tech for its own good, expensive, not an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5631,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5629"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5629"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5629\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5632,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5629\/revisions\/5632"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5629"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5629"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5629"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}