2025 Cadillac Optiq Review: Luxury EV Value You Didn’t See Coming

When Cadillac first revealed the Optiq, I figured it would be a stylish new entry in the luxury EV space — but I didn’t expect it to feel this good. After a week behind the wheel of the 2025 Optiq Luxury 2, I can honestly say this is one of the best Cadillacs I’ve driven in a while — and maybe the most Cadillac Cadillac GM has built in years. It’s smooth, refined, packed with useful tech, and priced well below what I expected. In a market full of expensive and sometimes gimmicky EVs, the Optiq delivers real value with a true luxury experience. Let’s take a closer look.

The Cadillac EV that feels like a Cadillac

The Optiq is Cadillac’s new entry point into its growing all-electric lineup — sitting beneath the larger Lyriq and the ultra-luxury Escalade IQ. Riding on GM’s Ultium platform, it shares some DNA with the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Honda Prologue, but Cadillac has done a commendable job giving this model its own character and flair.

At first glance, the Optiq strikes a perfect balance between youthful style and brand heritage. Up front, the Black Crystal grille, laser-etched and flanked by Cadillac’s vertical LED signature lighting, gives it an unmistakable look day or night. The Crystal White Tricoat paint on my test vehicle looked fantastic against the contrasting Black Roof and Vader Chrome mirror caps — tasteful touches that elevate the visual appeal.

The fastback-influenced side profile and subtly flared haunches convey athleticism without losing SUV practicality. Around back, the sculpted rear diffuser and integrated rear spoiler improve aerodynamics while keeping the design clean. And small design details, like the Mondrian-inspired pattern etched into the rear-quarter glass, reinforce that this is a thoughtfully executed vehicle.

Cabin comfort: bold, bright, and a bit busy

Step inside the Optiq, and the first thing that grabs you is the expansive 33-inch curved LED display spanning the dash. With 9K resolution and the ability to project over a billion colors, it sets the tone for a thoroughly modern cabin experience. The Google built-in interface is smooth and intuitive, offering deep integration of Google Maps and Assistant — and if you’ve driven recent GM EVs, you’ll feel right at home here.

My test vehicle featured the Autumn Canyon interior — a warm, earthy tone that played well against the clean white exterior. Cadillac has gone bold with materials here, using a mix of patterned recycled fabric, PaperWood veneer made from tulipwood and newspaper, and metal accents. It all works, mostly — though I’ll admit that at times, the layered mix feels a little busy. Still, it’s distinct, luxurious, and feels appropriate for a Cadillac.

The 19-speaker AKG audio system with Dolby Atmos is a genuine highlight, delivering immersive sound whether you’re streaming music or enjoying your favorite podcast. Wireless phone charging, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and heated second-row outboard seats all add to the comfort factor.

Rear seat space and cargo practicality

Cadillac claims segment-best second-row legroom, and after spending time back there myself, I believe it. The second row offers 37.8 inches of legroom, and the seating position and cushioning are excellent. The fixed glass roof adds an airy feel without compromising headroom, and the flat floor makes it easy to carry three passengers across if needed.

Cargo space is equally impressive for the class. With the rear seats up, you get 26 cubic feet of cargo volume — among the best in this segment. Fold the seats down, and that expands to 57 cubic feet. The power liftgate opens wide, and the low load floor makes it easy to slide in heavy items. Whether you’re loading up for a weekend getaway or hauling everyday gear, the Optiq delivers.

Smooth, quiet, and composed on every road

Driving the Optiq is where this EV really won me over. On rural Texas highways, the dual-motor AWD system’s 300 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque make the Optiq feel effortlessly capable. There’s instant, linear acceleration that makes passing a breeze, and the ride quality remains composed even on rougher pavement.

The chassis tuning clearly prioritizes comfort, with Cadillac aiming for an isolated and refined driving experience. The result is a vehicle that feels planted and confident, soaking up expansion joints and bumps without transmitting harshness into the cabin. The steering, while light in normal driving, can be firmed up slightly in Sport mode or through My Mode customization — though personally, I still wanted a touch more weight.

In city driving, the Optiq is a great companion. Its compact footprint and excellent visibility make it easy to maneuver through tight streets and parking decks. The instant torque makes stop-and-go traffic feel less tedious, and the Regen On Demand paddle allows for smooth deceleration with minimal brake use. One-Pedal Driving is available and works well, especially in urban scenarios where it reduces fatigue.

Even when I took the Optiq down some dirt and gravel backroads outside the city, it held its composure nicely. No, this isn’t a hardcore off-roader, but for the kind of unpaved roads Texans often encounter, the AWD system provides reassuring traction and stability.

Highway hero: Super Cruise still leads the pack

Where the Optiq truly excels is on the highway — thanks to Cadillac’s excellent Super Cruise system. I spent a long stretch of I-20 with Super Cruise engaged, and it handled everything from lane centering to gentle curves with ease. The system uses precision GPS mapping, radar, cameras, and a driver attention monitor to enable true hands-free driving on compatible highways.

I especially appreciate Cadillac’s transparency about the system’s limits — and its overall smoothness. The turn signal-activated lane change feature works perfectly, giving me control while still reducing fatigue. I did find that the automatic lane change setting can be a bit eager to jump lanes, so I typically disabled that and used manual prompts instead.

For long Texas road trips, Super Cruise adds genuine value. It’s one of the few ADAS systems that truly makes driving less tiring without sacrificing safety or control.

Charging made easy

Range anxiety? Not here. The Optiq’s 302-mile EPA estimate is plenty for typical driving, and I had no issues maintaining that in mixed use. Charging was equally painless — and using Cadillac’s Tesla adapter allowed me to access Superchargers with ease.

On a DC fast charger, the Optiq can add up to 79 miles in about 10 minutes (150 kW peak). At home, Level 2 charging with a 19.2 kW setup can add up to 55 miles of range per hour. Cadillac also includes a dual-level charge cord for flexibility. Overall, this is a road-trip-capable EV that won’t leave you hunting for a charger.

Value that surprises

Here’s what really impressed me: the price. Going into this review, I expected the Optiq to land somewhere north of $75-80K. After all, this is a Cadillac EV packed with tech and style. But my Luxury 2 test vehicle — with Super Cruise, AWD, 302 miles of range, and a loaded interior — stickered at just over $61,000. That’s a tremendous value compared to European rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX, and Mercedes EQB — all of which cost more and often offer less range.

Even the segment leader, the Tesla Model Y, faces strong competition here. The Optiq brings a level of luxury, refinement, and driver-assistance tech that many buyers will prefer over the Tesla’s minimalist, sometimes spartan feel.

Final thoughts

After a week with the 2025 Cadillac Optiq, I came away impressed — and honestly a little surprised. This is one of the best-driving, most well-rounded Cadillacs I’ve experienced in a while. It’s a genuine luxury vehicle with smooth power, standout tech like Super Cruise, and a price point that makes it one of the better values in today’s premium EV market.

No, it’s not perfect — the interior design might be a bit busy for some, and the steering feel could use a little more weight. But overall, Cadillac has nailed the formula here. If you’re shopping for a luxury EV and want something that feels distinctively Cadillac without the six-figure price tag, the Optiq deserves a serious look.

For even more visual context — including how it looks on Texas roads and a full walkaround — be sure to check out my full video review on the TXGarage YouTube channel.