The Vistiq is smaller than the Escalade, but is the only other three-row SUV in Cadillac's lineup.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Revealed in 2022, the half-million-dollar Cadillac Celestiq electric sedan was intended to usher in the brand’s rebirth as the “standard of the world,” a slogan Cadillac hasn’t used in four decades.
But three years later, the hand-built Celestiq’s long-awaited launch has been delayed again, the first ones not expected until summer. However, the company has released four battery-electric vehicles, all descendants of the Celestiq. The latest is the Vistiq, a three-row luxury SUV.
Cadillac’s lineup is fresh, one of the youngest in the industry. The Lyriq arrived in 2022 and the range-topping Escalade IQ and entry-level Optiq came in 2024. The Vistiq slides in under the Escalade; not nearly as big, but with room for up to seven passengers and the only other three-row vehicle in the lineup.
The Celestiq shares its LED-encrusted fascia – now a signature of Cadillac’s EVs – that illuminates with a choreographed light show as you approach. Vertical lighting elements and pencil-thin turn signals create a distinctive look. Modern but still classy. The Vistiq applies this to a traditional SUV silhouette and is referred to internally as a “baby Escalade.”
The Vistiq has 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
For nearly three decades, the Escalade has been Cadillac’s breadwinner. It was rushed to production to steal Lincoln Navigator customers in the late 1990s. The Escalade quickly gained status as a pop culture icon, giving the brand a new, more youthful identity. But the company failed to replicate the same success again, regardless of whether the vehicles it released were good or not. The XT4 and XT6 were the latest victims to get the axe, proving that even in a market infatuated with SUVs, customer loyalty can be elusive.
The growth of the EV market presented Cadillac with an opportunity to rebrand itself. If it couldn’t capture business with luxury crossovers, maybe it could with a lineup of cutting-edge luxury electric vehicles spun off GM’s Ultium electric chassis.
The Lyriq has already proven it has what it takes to win over new customers, with the company reporting nearly 80 per cent of its buyers have come from other brands. In 2024, Lyriq accounted for 22 per cent of total sales volume for Cadillac Canada as the brand posted its best sales year in history with the upward trajectory continuing into 2025.
Cadillac has carved out a slice of the market with its quartet of luxury electric SUVs, bringing with them drastically improved interior quality and the latest infotainment and driver-assist tech.
A screen dedicated to climate and seat settings near the cup holders replaces the Lyriq’s strip of buttons.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The Vistiq’s cabin features open-pore wood, brushed metal and textured fabrics. A screen dedicated to climate and seat settings replaces the Lyriq’s strip of buttons. The second row can be ordered with a bench for three or dual captain’s chairs. The Vistiq isn’t nearly as big as an Escalade and that means a third row that’s better for kids but will work for adults, provided the destination isn’t too far. Or just fold them in with the push of a button and double your cargo space.
A Google-based infotainment system comes with access to a library of apps from the Play Store and built-in Google Maps navigation. Android users can sign in directly and access their emails and messages, but there’s no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. In itself, that’s not a big deal because taking a break from your phone when you drive is a good thing. But after three years, the OnStar service that enables all these connected features expires, unless you pay for it. For those who lease, this isn’t potentially an issue, but second-hand owners might not be thrilled with another subscription.
The view with the back two rows folded.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Driving the Vistiq around Ann Arbor, Mich., it feels better to drive than an Escalade and easier to handle around corners. The standard adaptive dampers iron out the roughest roads, delivering a comfortable ride, and active road noise cancellation enables a whisper-quiet cabin. You could opt to pay extra for the height-adjustable air suspension, which includes four-wheel steering, but the base kit is so good, I’d stick with that.
There’s 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, but the Vistiq doesn’t feel overpowered. The accelerator mapping is linear and you have to push the pedal past 50 per cent to get into the bulk of the power. If you want to get pinned back in your seat with the full force, there’s Velocity Max mode accessed by a button on the steering wheel, but warn your passengers first.
The third row is a good size for kids and suitable for adults for short trips.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Those big power numbers come from dual electric motors bookending a 102-kilowatt-hour battery. Fully charged, you’ll get up to 483 kilometres of range, provided you don’t consistently explore the power reserves.
A starting price of $96,433 is a big jump over the Lyriq, but there aren’t a lot of options, and there is some value here provided you don’t climb further up the trim ladder. The top version retails for more than $125,000, but the best stuff, such as the 23-speaker sound system, hands-free driving system and the powerful motors, are already standard.
Cadillac needed a three-row SUV to fill the gap with the XT6 out of the picture and no direct replacement announced. Something to rival the Lincoln Aviator and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The XT6 felt outdated when it was new and the Vistiq is a cutting-edge replacement that channels the best bits of the Celestiq. Even better, you can take delivery right away.
The Vistiq is assembled at GM’s Spring Hill assembly plant in Tennessee and is in dealers now. Current pricing hasn’t been affected by tariffs, according to the company.
The trunk space with all three rows up.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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