2025 Cadillac Optiq First Look: Great Optics, No Illusion

MotorTrend

The Optiq is Cadillac's entry-level electric SUV and boasts cool materials

Transcript

00:00 (upbeat music)

00:02 This is the all new 2025 Cadillac Optic,

00:10 Cadillac's entry-level EV.

00:13 It has up to 300 miles of range

00:15 and can charge 70 miles in 10 minutes

00:17 using a 350 kilowatt hour charger.

00:20 But there are many other cool things to talk about it,

00:22 so let's go check it out.

00:24 (upbeat music)

00:27 The Optic is one of four electric SUVs in Cadillac's lineup,

00:31 which also includes the Lyric, Vistec, and Escalade IQ.

00:35 There will only be one powertrain available in the Optic,

00:39 a dual motor all-wheel drive setup

00:41 that makes 288 horsepower and 333 pound feet of torque

00:46 that's shared with the Chevy Equinox EV all-wheel drive.

00:50 The good news is that the 300 mile range

00:52 is standard across the board,

00:54 as is the 85 kilowatt hour battery pack

00:57 that is the only one offered in the Optic.

01:00 No word yet on whether there will be a rear drive version.

01:03 Like other General Motors EVs,

01:05 the Optic is based on the Ultium platform.

01:08 Also standard in the Optic is Super Cruise,

01:11 General Motors version of hands-free driving.

01:14 Every Optic will get Super Cruise free

01:17 with three years of service

01:18 and the latest active and passive safety gear,

01:21 which is a long list that includes enhanced

01:23 automatic parking and blind spot steering assist.

01:27 So despite the Optic sharing the same platform

01:30 and powertrain with the Equinox EV,

01:32 outside it's a complete new vehicle.

01:34 Let's start here with the front

01:36 with Cadillac's signature grill.

01:38 It's illuminated and we have these vertical headlamps,

01:42 very similar to what we've seen in the Lyric.

01:44 But moving over to the side of the vehicle, the profile,

01:47 we have a very high beltline,

01:49 giving it a very sporty look.

01:50 And then we have this rear quarter panel

01:53 with multiple layers of glass

01:55 and this inlet design that's built into it.

01:58 Very cool, very attractive,

02:00 and it also follows kind of like the Cadillac logo design.

02:03 And back here we have two spoilers,

02:04 one in the top and one in the bottom.

02:06 That is to help with aerodynamics and improve range.

02:10 But it's inside where the Optic brings its best game.

02:13 The 33-inch 9K curved display takes center stage

02:17 and it looks modern, premium, and avant-garde.

02:21 This is where the Optic stands out,

02:23 not only between its Chevy sibling,

02:25 but also between the competition,

02:27 which includes the Mercedes-Benz EQB and Audi Q4.

02:31 The quality of materials was top-notch

02:34 and we were pretty happy with interior space

02:36 in the second row.

02:38 While the screen looks sophisticated,

02:40 the bad news is that the infotainment system

02:42 isn't compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

02:45 Instead, there are phone mirroring apps

02:48 and a Google-based infotainment system.

02:50 Thankfully, the 19-speaker AKG premium audio system

02:54 with Dolby Atmos will make sure your tunes

02:57 sound crisp and mighty.

02:59 With all these differences,

03:00 no one will confuse the Optic for an Equinox EV.

03:04 The Optic will start at around $54,000

03:06 once it comes out later this year.

03:08 And while that's in line with the competition,

03:11 it will qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit.

03:14 So that will put it actually below

03:17 the average transaction price of today's EVs.

03:20 We can't wait to drive it.

03:21 It will come out later this year.

03:23 And all things considered, it is a pretty attractive SUV.

03:26 [MUSIC PLAYING]

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