Cadillac Getting Large Model Enhance From Its EVs

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As I’ve been reporting for some time, Cadillac has grow to be one of many actual leaders in electrification amongst legacy automakers. At its peak final quarter, almost 40% of its gross sales got here from electrical autos. Even earlier than that peak quarter, almost 27% of Cadillac’s gross sales in Q2 had been electrics. So, whereas it’s nonetheless simple to bash legacy automakers for dragging their toes on EVs, that doesn’t appear to suit with Cadillac, and the model even appears to be thriving because of EVs.

This was highlighted this week twice by Motor Development. Initially, the Cadillac Escalade IQ received the 2026 MotorTrend SUV of the 12 months award. No small feat contemplating how a lot SUVs dominate the market. Did it win as a result of it’s tremendous huge and tremendous fancy? Most likely to some extent, however that’s not all. The IQ additionally received for innovating in a helpful manner. Right here’s a snippet of Motor Development’s article explaining why the Escalade IQ received:

“Hiding beneath the Escalade IQ’s beautiful mile-long traces are engineering improvements that remedy in the present day’s issues whereas additionally getting ready for the longer term—the most recent in a protracted line of nice Cadillacs to take action.

“Again in 1949, we awarded our first ever Automobile of the 12 months award to Cadillac, partly as a result of its new overhead-valve engine allowed for each extra energy than current L-head engines and since the brand new valve expertise was ‘a particular should for getting essentially the most potential benefit from higher-octane fuels—supplied, in fact, that such fuels grow to be accessible at economical costs.’ In different phrases, this expertise made the Cadillac a automobile for each 1949’s gasoline and the longer term developments in gasoline to return.

“That very same precept exists 76 years later within the Escalade IQ. Its large 205-kWh battery pack is successfully two 400-volt Cadillac Lyriq battery packs wired collectively in parallel. The pack operates as two separate batteries when operating the Escalade IQ’s front- and rear-mounted permanent-magnet motors, which produce as much as 750 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque. When plugged into widespread however more and more outdated DC quick chargers comparable to Tesla’s V3 Superchargers, this method permits the Escalade IQ to maximise the charger’s peak 250-kW output rapidly and experience it for a protracted interval, minimizing the charging time. What occurs on extra trendy 350-kW (and better) chargers is much more spectacular, because the Escalade IQ’s battery pack operates in sequence, displaying the charger 800 volts and permitting it to cost at peak charges of as much as 352 kW in our testing.”

However then Motor Development had a separate article on the Cadillac VISTIQ. The VISTIQ is a superb addition to Cadillac’s lineup. Cadillac first introduced out the LYRIQ, a automobile within the sort of customary SUV dimension. It’s a flowery Cadillac that’s a bit longer than very talked-about XT5 however related in size to the XT6. Nevertheless, it’s additionally notably costlier than the XT5 and even the XT6. Then the model introduced out the OPTIQ, which is far more corresponding to and aggressive with the XT5. These fashions are doing nicely, however the halo Cadillac is the Escalade. As famous above, Cadillac now has an electrical model of the Escalade that’s tremendous luxurious and superior, and costly. Naturally many consumers of the lower-end Cadillacs dream of coasting round city within the Escalade. Maybe they will improve their salaries a bit and get near that, but it surely’s an enormous leap from the XT5 to the Escalade.

Enter the VISTIQ. The VISTIQ is just like the Escalade on a food regimen, a sleeker and healthier model of the Escalade. What’s to not love! And it’s a bit cheaper as nicely. Now we’ve obtained a brand new aspirational automobile for Cadillac lovers. It presents Escalade-like goals however doesn’t look so bloated and Tahoe like. It’s costlier than the LYRIQ and the OPTIQ, but it surely’s price it! I do know a “Cadillac household,” and I can let you know, that is how the VISTIQ is being seen. Reasonably than competing immediately in opposition to different fashions, the VISTIQ opened up an entire new avenue, and Cadillac is prone to reap some rewards for that, when it comes to each gross sales and revenue margins.

Motor Development is on board with the brand new gemstone within the Cadillac household as nicely. “The Cadillac Vistiq Proves Caddy’s Again If You Can Reside With Its Important Flaw,” the outlet titled one other current piece. “Normal Motors has lastly allowed Cadillac to outline itself as a luxurious benchmark for in the present day. The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq is powerful proof that was a sensible transfer, and it’s so compelling we named the brand new three-row a finalist in our 2026 SUV of the 12 months competitors.” Be aware: that’s the award the Escalade IQ received.

“The Vistiq excels when it comes to development in design, one the six standards we use to evaluate our SUV of the 12 months program. The outside is daring and cohesive, with large on-road presence and distinctive lighting. Along with having a beautiful stance, the Vistiq’s etched Mondrian glass is a signature factor that says this SUV’s heritage.”

“That is my thought of what a luxurious SUV should be,” senior editor Aaron Gold mentioned. “It’s very quiet, and the experience is ridiculously clean, similar to a basic outdated Cadillac.”

Total, it’s a big however not ginormous luxurious SUV. Folks like these. The one huge subject the Motor Development staff had with the automobile was disappointing freeway vary. Personally, I feel they had been being overly involved, but it surely’s an vital word for individuals who plan to drive a number of hundred miles at a time on highway journeys frequently. (They really useful wanting on the bigger, costlier Escalade IQ for that, however we don’t all have Shaq’s wage.)

Naturally, this isn’t the marketplace for most of us. I feel the VISTIQ is a superb, enticing, luxurious automobile — however I’m by no means shopping for one. However not everybody goes to purchase a Tesla, a Kia EV6, a Hyundai IONIQ 5, a Ford Mustang Mach-E, or a Chevy Equinox EV. We’d like EV fashions of all kinds which can be going to attraction to new consumers. That’s one of many issues I like essentially the most in regards to the VISTIQ. I feel it can pull in lots of new EV consumers.

It appears like Cadillac is nailing it. How lengthy till it may possibly attain the large milestone of fifty% of its gross sales being electrical?