Cadillac is moving towards an all-electric future and it is evolving its styling direction to match, with new models like the Escalade IQ and Optiq showing off the latest and greatest Caddy design cues. Notably, the taillight design on these two new models appears to be moving away from a horizontal layout to a more vertical layout. Which raises an important question – is Cadillac moving away from horizontal taillamps?
Cadillac Celestiq
Escalade IQ
For those readers still scratching their heads, here’s what we’re talking about – while the new Lyriq and Celestiq both appear to have large, horizontal styling elements, models like the Escalade IQ and Optiq look as though they are moving away from the horizontally positioned taillamps / boomerang-shaped taillamps seen on the Lyriq and Celestiq. Rather, these latter two all-electric Caddies incorporate a two-tiered rear lighting layout with large L-shaped rear lighting signatures.
The Escalade IQ is a good example of this styling element. The rear end on the Escalade IQ includes vertically oriented lighting elements running down the sides of the all-electric luxury vehicle, including wider lower lighting elements that spread out into the rear fenders. The Optiq shows a similar design approach, with two-tiered vertical lights and wider lower lighting elements. Interestingly, the upcoming three-row, above-Lyriq electric crossover is expected to incorporate a similar lighting design.
One quick note here – the 2024 XT4 and 2025 CT5 are excluded from this particular discussion, as both models are considered mid-cycle refreshes, rather than all-new designs like those presented by the Escalade IQ, Optiq, and upcoming three-row above-Lyriq all-electric crossover.
With Cadillac planning to go fully electric by 2030, it makes sense that the luxury marque is changing up its styling. That said, we want to know – which taillamp design do you prefer, dear reader? Do you like the new design seen on models like the Escalade IQ and Optiq? Or do you prefer the older design seen on the Lyriq and Celestiq? Let us know your thoughts by posting in the comments section below, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
This article makes no sense. It has been quite some time since Cadillac has had a model with truly horizontal taillamps; how do they move away from something they aren’t using? The rear lights on the Lyriq and Celestiq are heavily vertical. There are some horizontal elements, but when viewing those two models from the back, the vertical elements draw your attention way more than anything horizontal.
Cadillac taillights have been predominantly vertical for quite some time. I think the 2011 Seville was the last Caddy with actual horizontal rear tails.
Cadillac also went on record years ago about wanting to own vertical lighting from a branding standpoint. There is nothing new here.
Anonymous:
Actaully the last Seville was the shortened 2004 MY, just prior to the spring 2004 release of the 2005 RWD STS. There was no 2011 Seville.
Seville was in fact one of the few modern era Cadillacs that never had vertical tail lamps, only corner block or horizontal. Nor did the Catera.
Time for the writer to go back to school:
Vertical means up and down, like the length of a flagpole.
Horizontal is like the horizon, i.e. back and forth, side to side.
Cadillac has had vertical taillights since Harley Earl designed THE Cadillac tail fins. The tail fins were such a signature design element of Cadillac, every car since has paid homage by having a vertical tail lamp design. As noted, there have been variances. The Sevilles were a notable exception having almost always having horizontal tail lamps. Cimarron and Catera also are exceptions as Cadillac tried to break away from tradition and be more Euro. To keep design consistent all around, during the early 2000s Cadillac made vertical headlights a signature as well. Hence the vertical DRLs on modern day Caddies. Now you know.
Caddy Dude:
Just sayin’: Harley Earl did not design the tail fin. In fact, he HATED the studio proposal for the first tail fins on what became the 1948 Cadillac. He was quoted as saying: “Get rid of those things. They don’t belong on a Cadillac!” If a Cadillac exec hadn’t seen the model and over ruled Harley we may never had seen them. I’m sure he came to appreciate them as the signature they are eventually.
“Which taillamp design do you prefer, dear reader?”
One where a cracked housing isn’t a $5,000+ repair!
This article is so confusing until I figured out that the writer doesn’t know the meaning of horizontal and vertical. Cadillac is known for the vertical taillights
I’m not really sure I’d call the tailfin taillight verticle.
I basically see Cadillac having true vertical taillights starting with the 1963 model. Which lasted until 1973, when in 1974, 1975 and 1976 had horizontal taillights. Then back to vertical in 1977.
I’m baseing my opinion on the de Villes/Fleetwood.
True, 1979 Seville had true horizontal taillights, but basically, Cadillac has had vertical taillights for the last 46 years, excempt a few models such as Cimmeron, a couple Eldorados and the Allante.
We each have our own opinions, but one thing we should all agree on, Cadillacs are gorgeous!
The last paragraph is head shaking back and forth. How is the CELESTIQ and LYRIQ considered older design since the LYRIQ is still very new to the market? There are few subtle changes between the LYRIQ and Escalade IQ that I don’t consider older design but modern design. Except for the LYRIQ which is currently available to purchase, all above-mentioned Cadillacs will go on sale very soon.
Yes I agree with most on this one of vertical tail lights that the writer hasn’t had their education on Cadillacs history! His/hers experience is all seemingly recent as though they were given the topic bye someone who brought it up to them. Was this person not alive during the big body deville years of the 90’s? The thin taillights were a HUGE HUGE modification to all sorts of vehicles especially gmt400 generation trucks that started the street truck scene!! Just because the Escalade has had the tall light saber taillights for the last two generations doesn’t mean it’s not a throwback to early cars made! Hell even the 3rd gen Escalade was a clear example of modern day take on those 90’s devilles! Smh why is it that these writers think people are oblivious to all designs until they have published them!? Please stop writing go get educated on whatever make or model you are happening to be writing on before you put it out to the world! People are passionate about the vehicles they choose to drive especially a Cadillac and that right there says all anyone needs to state or see as real Cadillac owners take outrageous pride in their vehicles and know Cadillac vehicle history.
I despise the vertical appendages on the vertical ” fins ” Cadillac has today .
Cadillac is a legacy brand….the vertical lights are iconic & distinctive to the brand.
To muddy this up, is to end the heritage.
Plus it does not look good & is common to many cars.
Cadillac was one of the first automakers to care about making an impressive rear , as the car swept by ….” the sweep “.
It worked well for them.
Everyone knew you had a Cadillac by those ” fins ” LIGHTS.
They incorporated beautifully into the design.
The new LED lighting technology, allows for such imaginative designs !
Why does Cadillac step on its own excellent past today ?
Most likely an AI written article. Becoming more common.