Fully Electric 2026 Cadillac Vistiq is Bad News for Gas-Powered XT6
The all-new 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, which was first announced late last year, will become the luxury brand’s fifth EV when it goes on sale in the spring of 2025. And we can now tell you more about it.
The Vistiq will initially be available in three trim levels including Luxury, Sport and Premium Luxury, with a fourth one—called Platinum—to follow at some point in the summer.
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Filling a Gap
Cadillac’s electric SUV lineup already includes a compact model (Optiq), a two-row midsize model (Lyriq) and a full-size model (Escalade IQ), so the only thing missing is a three-row midsize SUV. Enters the Vistiq, which compares to the gas-powered XT6 in terms of size and positioning. The latter is probably not long for this world, although an official announcement has yet to be made.
The exterior design makes a strong statement, with lead designer Zhou Fang likening it to the Mandolorian’s helmet from Star Wars. Each trim level sports a unique front fascia complete with an illuminated grille. The top-line Platinum further stands out with huge 23-inch wheels, while lesser models ride on 21- or 22-inch alloys. Elsewhere, the Cadillac Mondrian pattern graphic within the third-row windows creates a sense of motion while providing privacy for passengers.
Some will be disappointed by the lack of a frunk under the hood, but the company believes there is ample cargo space inside the Vistiq to satisfy most families. More specifically, the cargo area expands from 431 litres to 2,272 litres depending on the configuration of the rear seats, which beats the aforementioned XT6.
Putting on a Show
The interior of the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq is highlighted by a 33-inch HD touchscreen that we’ve seen before in other Cadillac vehicles—not the 55-inch, pillar-to-pillar display that you’ll find in the 2025 Escalade models (gas or electric). It’s paired with a 23-speaker AKG Dolby Atmos premium sound system featuring a geometric speaker grille pattern that’s unique to this SUV.
Obviously, comfort is a big part of what the Vistiq is about. Cadillac insists on the fact that third-row occupants enjoy convenience and style generally reserved for first- and second-row seats including padded armrests, dedicated climate controls, smartphone storage, cupholders and USB chargers.
Maximizing Power and Velocity
Performance is definitely not a concern, especially when compared with the XT6. The dual-motor Vistiq delivers a total of 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, enabling 0-100 km/h sprints in less than four seconds with Velocity Max mode engaged.
The motors are fed by a 102kWh (useable capacity) lithium-ion battery. Cadillac claims the latter will regain up to 127 km of range in 10 minutes when plugged into a DC fast charger, or 75 km in an hour when using a 240V AC charger at home or at work. Maximum range is estimated at 483 km, but we’ll have to wait for the official rating from Natural Resources Canada.
What else? Super Cruise hands-free driving technology comes standard, while Active Rear Steer, Air Ride Adaptive suspension and Night Vision are available on select models.
Canadian pricing for the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq will be announced closer to launch in 2025.