All-New Electric Three-Row Premium Midsize SUV
The all-new, all-electric 2026 Cadillac Vistiq (pronounced “Vis-tick) is scheduled to hit showrooms in summer 2025. When it does it will be the second three row all-electric SUV from Cadillac, preceded by the 2025 Escalade IQ.
Cadillac invited members of the automotive media to a reveal in Culver City, California. There was no driving of the Vistiq, but we did get a pretty thorough introduction by several members of the design, product and engineering teams. This is a quick look at this premium midsize electric SUV.
Three-Row, Midsize Electric Cadillac
The 2026 Vistiq will fill a void between the full-size Escalade IQ and the smaller Lyriq and Optiq EVs. The key for the Vistiq is it will be a midsize three-row SUV to provide seating for up to seven adults. This offers extra passenger space when needed, additional cargo space with the third row folded flat, and a vehicle that should handle smaller than its size if equipped with the optional rear wheel steering.
This is what we know so far. Clean Fleet Report will write a more detailed story once we drive the Vistiq sometime in 2025.
- Three trims: Luxury, Sport and Premium Luxury
- All-wheel drive – Standard
- Rear Steering – Optional
- Dual motors
- 617 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque
- Driving Range: 300 miles (Cadillac estimate)
- 0-60: 3.7 seconds
- 102 kWh battery
- Air Ride suspension – Optional
- Curb Weight: 6,326 pounds
- 23” wheels optional. 21” and 22” wheels standard
- Tires: All-season, self-sealing
- Seating for 6 (with Captain’s Chairs) or 7 with the second row bench
Charging
The Vistiq is charged through a CCS plug-in port. Tesla’s NACS network can be used with an adapter that is available for purchase at the dealer. These are the all-electric driving ranges that can be added at different charge levels in an hour:
- 240V Level 2 @ 7 kw: 20.5 miles
- 240V Level 2 @ 11.5 kw: 28.5 miles
- 240V @ 19.2 kW: 46.7 miles
- DC Fast Charge: 79 miles in 10 minutes
The Vistiq comes equipped with available vehicle-to-home (V2H) bi-directional charging that, when paired with the GM Energy home bundles, allows for the transfer of energy between the vehicle and a properly equipped home.
Additional charging will be through regenerative braking that converts kinetic energy into electricity when braking or coasting. Driving around town, stuck in stop-and-go rush hour freeway traffic or coasting down hills will recharge the battery.
Cadillac Design
The Vistiq’s lighting accentuates the exterior design. When approaching and departing, the digital key launches a choreographed LED lighting sequence, front to rear.
Starting up front, you are welcomed by the unmistakable black crystal shield and its hundreds of LED lights that produce a different effect for the Luxury and Sport trims. The front grille is a polycarbonate panel that is painted black on the backside, then a laser is used to etch out the black paint into different patterns, which is then backlit. Cadillac says it can easily change the pattern simply by reprogramming the laser.
The Cadillac Crest emblem glows, as do the turn signals and vertical daytime running lights. The door handles and puddle lights illuminate, as do the taillights that dramatically wrap back-and-up onto the rear pillars. The high brake light is vertically mounted in the roof spoiler.
The side view features smooth sides with gloss-black mirror caps that include turn signals and cameras, gloss-black running the full length of the door bottoms, and a flat roof with rack rails. The body color shark fin antenna finishes off the roof at the small spoiler that shades the hands-free power lift gate.
When gently pressed, the lighted Cadillac emblem opens the lift gate. It is joined by a simple V-I-S-T-I-Q badge and, something Cadillac has been doing for a few years, a badge showing the newton-meter torque rating, which in this case is 900E4. The exterior color of the reveal Vistiq was Opulent Blue Metallic.
Clean and Simple Interior
The first thing that hits you when sliding behind the driver’s seat is the one-piece, curved glass, 33-inch diagonal LED touchscreen. Extending more than half of the dash, it integrates the driver information center, navigation and infotainment systems. The sleek dash is devoid of buttons, knobs and switches, meaning a combination of voice commands, touches and swipes are used to interact with the systems, features and functions. Some controls can be found on the steering wheel and the command wheel on the center console.
The attention to detail is obvious in the Vistiq interior. The seams between panels are tight, the look is sleek and very modern, including the jewel-like, geometric-design speaker grille pattern. The use of soft materials are joined by, depending on the trim, Lumen open pore or Black Ash wood, carbon fiber or gloss black trim.
The seats are covered in soft and supple synthetic leather, offered in three color options depending on the trim. In the Premium Luxury trim, patterned accent fabric woven from 100% recycled materials is available.
The front seats were supportive and power-everything including massage, with the rear seating area offering plenty of leg, head and shoulder room for three adults in the bench configuration. Third row access is made easier by the sliding second row seat. The beauty of an electric vehicle is the flat floor, making for exceptional leg and head room for the rear passengers. For extra comfort there is a five-zone climate system.
The large fixed glass roof panel has a power shade for diffused light, and the rear 60:40 seat power-folds down to expand the cargo area. Interior storage is found in the doors, under the cargo area floor, and the center cantilevered console has been designed so a purse or large bag can be conveniently stored in the lower tray.
Cargo area, in cubic-feet, behind the:
3rd row seats: 15.2
2nd row seats: 43
Front seats: 80.2
Interior Technology
The AKG Studio audio system with Dolby Atmos is controlled on the futuristic 33-inch display screen by touch, the controller wheel on the center console, voice or steering wheel-mounted switches. With 23 speakers, including in the front seat headrests, this system, with road noise cancellation, delivers full and lush sounds in a 3D experience.
The ambient LED lighting options can be set for dual levels with other appreciated features including the digital rear view mirror, wireless phone charging, USB C and B ports and OnStar. Super Cruise, the hands-free driver assist system is slated to be on all trim levels.
Pricing
The 2026 Vistiq will be sold in all 50 states. The MSRP of $78,790 includes the $1,395 destination freight charge.
Observations: 2026 Cadillac Vistiq EV
The Vistiq will draw attention from those wanting a premium SUV powered by electricity.
Jim Hunter, marketing product manager, told us: “The significance of the Vistiq is it will fill in the void in Cadilac’s EV portfolio. Walking from (smallest-to-largest) the Optiq, Lyriq, Vistiq, and the Escalade IQ, the Vistiq offers three-row luxury in a midsize electric SUV.” He went on to say “the Vistiq shopper is the CEO of everything they do, whether it be an active lifestyle or family responsibilities of going to the country club or dropping off the kids at soccer. It is a person that needs three-row functionality, but demands luxury and craftsmanship, done in their style.”
Built in Spring Hill, Tennessee, the Vistiq is first being released in North America in 2025 and then in select markets throughout the world.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Cadillac.
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