What I'm driving: 2025 Cadillac Optiq
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Cadillac is transitioning to an all-electric brand, and the 2025 Optiq compact SUV, starting around $54,000, is a splendid entry point for the new luxury EV lineup.
The big picture: It's the latest addition to Cadillac's growing EV portfolio, which includes the Lyriq, Escalade IQ, Celestiq and next year, Vistiq.
And before we go any further, they're pronounced with an "ick" sound at the end, not "eek."
- That is, except for the Escalade IQ, because you don't mess with an icon. You just add the letters I and Q to distinguish it from the original luxury behemoth.
The specs: The Optiq's 85 kWh battery pack and standard all-wheel-drive propulsion system offer 300 horsepower and 302 miles of driving range.
- With an adapter, you can charge at a Tesla Supercharger, but soon it will come with a NACS port so an adapter won't be needed.
It's a pretty car, both inside and out.
- I was struck by the innovative materials in the cabin, including fabric door trims made from recycled materials and wood veneer made from tulip wood and recycled newspaper.
- The sound system is exceptional, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG audio with Dolby Atmos, which delivers sounds precisely throughout the cabin.
GM's SuperCruise hands-free highway driving system, which comes free for three years, changes lanes automatically, which allowed me to sit back and relax (while paying attention, of course).
The bottom line: The Optiq packs a lot of features into a $54,000 entry luxury car.
I test-drive vehicles in my role as a juror for the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. Opinions are my own.
