2026 Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq electric SUVs confirmed for Australia
03/06/2025 11:00 PM
American luxury car brand Cadillac will expand its electric vehicle range in Australia in 2026 with the smaller Optiq and seven-seat Vistiq, joining the Lyriq and Lyriq-V.
Cadillac has confirmed an expansion of its electric-car line-up in Australia, with two new factory-built right-hand drive models – the Optiq and Vistiq SUVs – locked-in for a 2026 launch.
The five-seat Cadillac Optiq large SUV and seven-seat Cadillac Vistiq upper-large SUV will arrive in local showrooms next year, joining the Lyriq on sale now and the Lyriq-V performance model also due in 2026.
General Motors (GM) said the confirmation of the Optiq and Vistiq for Australia, New Zealand and Japan “highlights Cadillac’s commitment to global right-hand drive markets” after it announced electric cars with the steering wheel on the right in 2023, joining the mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette C8 as GM’s only factory-built right-hand drive vehicles since 2020 when the Holden brand was axed.
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Local details for the Optiq and Vistiq, including pricing and specifications, will be announced closer to their 2026 launches, but the Optiq could start from under $100,000 before on-road costs as a rival to the BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz EQB, Audi Q4 e-tron and Genesis GV60.
The current Cadillac Lyriq, which is limited to high-level all-wheel-drive Luxury and Sport variants in Australia, starts from $117,000 – almost level with the Audi Q6 e-tron and Polestar 3, and less than its BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV competitors.
General Motors Australia managing director Jess Bala told Australian media, including Drive, it is too early to talk about local pricing for the Optiq, with economic and market factors – along with specification differences between the United States and Australia – making it difficult to estimate based on a direct conversion from the US.
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For context, the Optiq starts from $US54,895 ($AU86,500) with all-wheel drive while the Lyriq opens at $US59,990 ($AU94,500) with rear-wheel drive – though the all-wheel-drive Lyriq variants sold in the US which are most equivalent to Australia are priced at around $US70,000 ($AU110,500).
Dimensionally, the Optiq is 176mm shorter (4820mm) and 81mm narrower (2126mm) than the Lyriq, but 21mm taller (1644mm), with a 150mm shorter wheelbase (2954mm).
It is manufactured in Mexico alongside the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Blazer EV – not the United States, where the Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq are built – while China receives a locally-built version.
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The right-hand drive model is likely to be sourced from Mexico, from the same Ramos Arizpe factory which once built the internal-combustion Holden Equinox mid-size SUV for Australia.
Cadillac global vice-president John Roth said the Optiq will act as a “gateway” model for luxury electric vehicle customers looking to purchase one of its cars.
“[The] Optiq will be that bookend that we’re looking for in the portfolio to really truly enhance the brand,” Roth said.
As standard, the Optiq has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system delivering 221kW and 480Nm with an 85kWh battery pack for an estimated 486-kilometre driving range on the US EPA standard.
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It supports a maximum direct-current (DC) fast charging speed of 150kW, which is claimed to add around 127 kilometres of range in 10 minutes.
Available features in the US include a 33-inch combined instrument and infotainment display, a 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system with Dolby Atmos support, 126-colour configurable ambient lighting, 21-inch alloy wheels, an illuminated front grille, and Super Cruise hands-free highway driving support.
Meanwhile, the Cadillac Vistiq – nicknamed a “baby Escalade” – is likely to become the largest electric SUV available in Australia when it launches in 2026 with longer dimensions than the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV (5125mm), Volvo EX90 (5037mm), and Kia EV9 (5015mm).
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It is also larger than the Zeekr 009 (5209mm), Mercedes-Benz EQV (5140mm), and Volkswagen ID. Buzz (4962mm) electric people movers – but not the LDV Mifa 9 (5270mm) – along with the combustion-engined Mercedes-Benz GLS (5215mm) and BMW X7 (5180mm).
Measuring 5222mm long, 2203mm wide and 1804mm tall with a 3095mm wheelbase, the seven-seat Vistiq is 217mm longer, 226mm wider and 184mm taller than the Lyriq, with an identical wheelbase.
It starts from $US78,790 ($AU124,500) in the United States – about US$10,000 ($AU16,000) more than an equivalent Lyriq – suggesting it could be priced closer to $150,000 when it arrives in Australia.
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While the Vistiq shares a lot in common with the Lyriq, it adds a larger 102kWh battery pack for a 482km EPA range rating, a more-powerful 459kW/880Nm dual-motor all-wheel-drive system shared with the Lyriq-V, optional rear-wheel steering, and available 23-inch alloy wheels.
“Our expanded and impressive four car line-up means that we have a Cadillac for every customer that is sure to exceed their expectations of what a luxury vehicle truly can be,” added Bala.
“We know that customers are coming to Cadillac from other luxury EV brands deciding to buy a Cadillac after having another luxury EV at the top of their shopping list.”
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Bala said Cadillac Australia is not concerned about the “relatively flat” growth of the electric vehicle market in 2024 due to its premium positioning, though the brand will keep its local sales information “pretty close to the chest.”
“We’re playing in the luxury EV space, it’s a little bit different [to the mainstream] and that’s where you do tend to see a little bit more of the [sales] growth.”
More details on the 2026 Cadillac Optiq large SUV and 2026 Cadillac Vistiq upper-large SUV will be confirmed closer to their Australian launches next year, along with the more-powerful 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V performance model.
The post 2026 Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq electric SUVs confirmed for Australia appeared first on Drive.
