2025 Cadillac Optiq Is the Brand's Smallest Electric SUV With Big Dreams

Cadillac isn't pressing pause on its electrification push, not even after unveiling three new models that are solely battery-powered: the Lyriq, the Celestiq, and the Escalade IQ. Joining that trio soon is the 2025 Cadillac Optiq, a comparatively compact EV that's aimed more at the mass market. Sure, it'll still be a luxury product that plugs in instead of fueling up, but it's no $340,000 flagship.

We don't know much about the Optiq, as Cadillac isn't treating us to a full reveal quite yet. The automaker isn't even ready to share images of the SUV's cabin. That said, we can glean a few details from the exterior design, and also hazard a guess or two about what hardware is underneath.

First, the Optiq's styling is clearly informed by the other Cadillac EVs, though it is distinguishable. That's especially true of the front-end design, as it sports a grille that's much shorter from top to bottom than the Lyriq's. The headlamps are also large, single-piece components compared to the Lyriq's that feature a slim upper portion and pronounced lower beam. Out back, the Optiq copies from the Escalade IQ's sketchbook and pastes the taillight design almost exactly. We do at least have the lower roofline and (much) smaller physical footprint to help tell it apart.

Cadillac didn't speak a word about the Optiq's powertrain, but you can bet it'll ride on General Motors' Ultium all-electric platform. It's tough to tell the exact size of the vehicle but it could very well be the size of, say, a Chevy Blazer EV. It'd be no surprise for the two to share similar battery packs and drivetrain configurations, with all-wheel drive being a shoo-in. I'm not sure if Cadillac is interested in giving the Optiq a full 557 horsepower and 648 lb-ft of torque like the Blazer EV SS, but hey, I wouldn't complain.

It's probably best at this point to take the Optiq for what it appears to be: A more affordable entry into the luxury EV space. Of course, affordability is relative, so don't expect this to come in under $40,000. Cadillac may surprise us, but I doubt the deal will be that sweet.

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