Despite being joined at the hip to the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, the 2025 Cadillac Optiq is a hideously expensive battery-electric vehicle. GM expects prospective customers to spend $54,000 at the very least, including destination charge, whereas Chevrolet wants $46,595 for the Equinox EV 2LT eAWD.
Cadillac says that Optiq is the segment's leading electric sport utility vehicle in terms of cargo capacity and second-row spaciousness. The Lyriq-inspired crossover also happens to be much better equipped than its Chevrolet-branded sibling. For starters, General Motors Super Cruise driver assistance technology is standard for three years.
The list continues with a plethora of driver assistance and safety technologies, including Enhanced Automatic Parking, Blind Zone Steering Assist, forward collision alert, plus adaptive cruise control. Also standard is the 19-speaker premium audio system from AKG Acoustics, which is rocking Dolby Atmos surround sound technology.
To enter production this fall, the 2025 Cadillac Optiq will be offered in two distinct flavors: Luxury and Sport. In a similar fashion to the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the Optiq will be assembled at GM's Ramos Arizpe production facility in Mexico. Said plant also produces the Honda Prologue, which is based on the BEV3 platform of the Equinox EV.
The Prologue is twinned with the Blazer EV, for both measure 121.8 inches (3,094 millimeters) between the front and rear axles. The Equinox EV and Optiq, meanwhile, measure 116.3 inches (2,954 millimeters). How does that stack up against the most popular electric utility vehicle of them all?
Photo: Cadillac
Believe it or not, Tesla lists the Model Y at 113.8 inches or 2,890 millimeters for those who prefer the metric system. The soon-to-be-updated Model Y is $47,990 in Long Range AWD specification, which offers up to 310 miles (499 kilometers) of range.
Cadillac estimates the Optiq to be good for 300 miles (483 kilometers) on a full charge of the high-voltage battery, which comprises 10 modules. The usable capacity is 85 kilowatt hours, meaning that it's the very same battery as in the Equinox EV.
The dual-motor Optiq is estimated by General Motors to develop 224 kW and 480 Nm at full chatter, meaning 300 ponies and 354 pound-feet of torque. DC fast charging juices up the battery with 79 miles (127 kilometers) of range in 10 minutes. 20-inch wheels are standard, whereas 21s are optional. Tire dimensions range from 245/50 R20 to 275/40 R21, and both tire choices are all seasons.
Featuring a 400-volt battery architecture rather than 800 volts à la Hyundai, the Optiq features a very interesting – yet hardly surprising – choice of cabin materials. Why interesting? Because Cadillac waxes lyrical about recycled materials for the patterned accent fabric (woven from 100% recycled yarn) and the so-called PaperWood veneer (an equal mix of recycled newspaper and tulip wood).
Tipping the scales at 5,912 pounds (2,355 kilograms), the Optiq can swallow up to 26 cubic feet (744 liters) of stuff behind the second-row seats. Fold them flat, and you're presented with 57 cubic feet (1,603 liters) of cargo capacity. This fellow can tow as well, but you'll be disappointed to learn that the maximum trailering capacity is 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms).
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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