Cadillac Optiq muscles up, gains smarts for 2026

Cadillac has posted some new details about its upcoming Optiq facelift. The electric SUV only went in production in late 2024, but the automaker found it necessary to review its powertrain options and ADAS features.

Right now, the only Optiq you can get packs two electric motors jointly rated at 304 PS (300 hp / 224 kW) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque. This version will be ditched in the next model year in favor of a superior single-motor setup. It will be sending 319 PS (315 hp / 235 kW) to the rear wheels along with 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque, Cadillac says.

Those looking for an AWD Optiq will still be able to get one, but with superior motors. They will be outputting a combined 446 PS (440 hp / 328 kW) and 674 Nm (497 lb-ft) of torque to the wheels.

The 85-kWh battery pack stays the same for the time being, so the maximum range goes down a bit just as the power climbs up. Cadillac reckons that the RWD Optiq will now be making 482 km (300 miles) per charge instead of 486 km (302 miles), a negligible difference. On the upside, all SUVs will come equipped with NACS-standard charging ports compatible with the Tesla Supercharger network.

Last but not least, the Super Cruise assist package is undergoing a major overhaul right now, the company says. Among other things, the new Optiq will benefit from automatic lane change and speed-limit-aware adaptive cruise control features.

The sales are expected to start in late 2025, with all pricing details still pending.