Early order guides have revealed pricing for the 2025 Cadillac Optiq, the intersection in the lineup below the Lyriq to become Cadillac’s entry-level battery-electric offering. Introduced in May, the automaker said it would start at around $54,000 and come standard with dual-motor all-wheel drive. The initial numbers appear right after the $1,495 destination charge, and the four trim levels and their MSRPs start at:
- Luxury 1: $54,390
- Sports 1: $54,990
- Luxury 2: $56,590
- Sports 2: $57,090
Each Optiq comes with an 85 kWh battery spinning engines with a combined output of 300 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Range is estimated at 300 miles on a full charge. Cadillac still hasn’t put a figure on the maximum charging speed, but says drivers should get about 79 miles for every 10 minutes they’re plugged into a DC juicer.
Those who’ve been keeping track of Lyriq pricing may be thinking the Optiq is surprisingly close to its big brother; a 2024 Lyriq in the Tech trim starts at $58,590 after destination, a $4,200 difference. Lyriq ordering guides show the Tech trim will be retired in 2025. The Lyriq Luxury 1 trim becomes the entry-level trim next year and starts at $59,990 after destination. Assuming that shows up on window stickers later this year, that means the 2025 Lyriq is up $1,400 from the 2024 and will be $5,600 more expensive than the Optiq Luxury 1. The base Lyriq comes with rear-wheel drive, however. The 2025 Lyriq Luxury 1 AWD starts at $63,490, a $9,100 increase over the base Optiq. And don’t be surprised if the final difference is even greater, as these Lyriq prices calculated with a given destination of $1,395, which is $100 less than the Optiq’s destination charge. We have a feeling that will change.
Cadillac says buyers can claim the full $7,500 tax deduction as the Optiq goes into production on from GM Ramos Arizpe factory in Mexico. The affordable trims are coming late, so be prepared to pay for the Luxury 2 and Sport 2 grades if you want to buy them before the end of the year.
The Optiq doesn’t sacrifice any brand pillars to be cheaper. It’s decidedly upscale, with an illuminated black crystal grille greeting the owner much like the Lyriq does. Flush-mounted door handles and a laminated glass rear panel with a pattern reminiscent of Cadillac’s Mondrian-style emblem line the flanks. In back, vertical light bars frame the taillamps, with another set below them on the lower tailgate. It doesn’t have a rear wiper, but does have spoilers above and below the glass.
Inside, the dashboard is dominated by a 33-inch, 9k-resolution LED screen that serves as both infotainment and instrument cluster. It uses Google Built-In technology, with integrated Google Assistant and Google Maps (Apple CarPlay is no longer available, but standalone iPhone apps will be built into the Google Built-In system). A light bar atop the steering wheel provides information from the standard Super Cruise hands-free highway driving assist. For music, there’s a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with Dolby Atmos capability.
A cantilevered center console is covered in a woven fabric made from recycled yarn, a material found throughout the cabin. The interior’s “PaperWood” veneer is made from tulipwood and recycled newspaper. There are plentiful (and softly lit) storage areas, covered in a soft, nonwoven “Tide” fabric made from reclaimed materials. As for space, the floor feels a little high — not unusual in most electric vehicles with the battery under the floor — but legroom is ample in both rows. Headroom in the second row, however, is a little lacking. Behind the second row is a generous 26 cubic feet of cargo space, for this segment, and some additional storage space under the load floor. Cargo capacity expands to 57 cubic feet with the second row folded down.
Every Optiq also comes with a well-stocked list of safety equipment, including pedestrian and cyclist safety equipment. brakesautomatic braking function when reversing, automatic high beam function, steering assistance for blind spots and braking for rear crossing traffic.