Cadillac is in the midst of a significant rebranding effort, broadening its EV portfolio with models like the Lyriq crossover, Celestiq ultra-luxury sedan, and Escalade IQ SUV, to name just a few. Part of the rebranding effort includes a new naming convention, with Caddy’s battery-driven models adopting the “IQ” affix to denote an all-electric powertrain. The question is – are you a fan of Cadillac’s IQ names?
Back in 2020, we asked Cadillac’s head of global brand strategy, Phil Dauchy, about the origin of the new IQ naming convention. At the time, Dauchy told us that new nomenclature “signals that Cadillac is bringing a different type of vehicle to market, one that works in concert with man, nature, and machine.” Additionally, the IQ ending provides a sort of alliterative effect when preceded by the word “Cadillac,” helping the nameplates more easily roll off the tongue.
Even so, when we asked GM Authority readers back in 2021 if they liked the luxury marque’s new IQ-based naming convention, the results were clear. Based on the poll results, GM Authority readers weren’t all too keen on the new IQ names, with over two-thirds of poll respondents responding negatively.
That said, in the three years since we ran that initial poll, Cadillac has unveiled several new IQ-based models, with portfolio now including:
Indeed, it’s quite possible that some readers may have come around to the new naming convention. It’s also possible that some readers may be more attracted to certain uses of the naming convention, but not others, while still others may simply be used to the names after hearing and reading them for the past several years.
All that said, we have to ask – now are you a fan of Cadillac’s IQ names? Have you changed your mind, or do you still feel the same way that you did in 2021? Tell us by voting in the poll below, and don’t forget to voice your opinion in the comments section as well!
Comments
Everyone complains about the letter and number models that so many companies use, but also aren’t happy with actual names. Can’t win apparently.
Well it’s not as bad as the naming of the Chevy Volt and Bolt which caused unending confusion over the similar pronunciations. However it does save one from having to say EV after the name every time.
Its ok. I’ve seen dumber names. Personally, I prefer the Lincoln way of actually having proper names over the German way of coding the models. Something that really annoyed me with Johann deNysschen when he was overseeing Cadillac (and Infiniti). So I prefer this over that code model nonsense. Giving the car a proper model name makes it seem like it has personality.
Honestly, the present day models and upcoming releases are very indicative of “art and science” given the new designs and all the tech (EV, software, the roof in the celestiq for example). I don’t think art & science carried the baggage that old model names does and would be a better way to link vehicle design to “man, nature, machine” than “IQ”
It’s better than alphanumeric names at least. But I’d recommend not using the following: Idiotiq, Maniq, Lunatiq, or Dyspeptiq.
i like em and think there fine but i just don’t like the Escalade IQ name it doesn’t fit with Celestiq, Lyriq, Optiq, and Vistiq. It should have just been name Escalade EV like the Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Hummer EV, Sierra EV, and Silverado EV.
1. GM Cadillac Eldorado Seville was a beautiful name
2. GMB Chevrolet Opala was a beautiful name
3. GM Saturn Sedan was a beautiful name
4. GM Pontiac Fire Bird was a beautiful name
5. GM Rapid Pullman, Impact etc were beautiful names
do not need an iq car, neither need a 312 or a A, B, C car…
beautiful names would buy, Soul, Spirit, Golden, Intrepid etc.
feel sorry USA people so intelligent with well known schools can not do the task
Not a fan of the -iq naming convention. Hyundai was there first, a long time ago, with Ioniq. GM can’t help but look like a copycat. And anyway — what the heck is Vistiq supposed to evoke? Lyriq plays off lyric, Optiq plays off optic. But there’s no such thing as a vistic. Foolishness, and not worthy of a luxury brand.
They are stupid. It is meant to make you seam smart for buying an EV. When actually pure EV’s are the dumbest thing you can buy.
Senior gm execs get the Lowiq model for their company vehicle.