The 2026 Cadillac Optiq is only the second model year for the luxury electric crossover, but it’s already getting some significant changes shortly after its debut. One of those changes is a whole new all-wheel drive system. The 2025 model’s all-wheel drivetrain (RPO X0C) is replaced by a new Performance AWD setup (RPO XFD) that’s rear-wheel biased.
In dual-motor 2026 Optiq models, the front electric motor is unchanged from the 2025 model. However, it has a new, more powerful rear motor, upping the total output to 440 horsepower and 498 pound-feet of torque. The 2025 model’s output was 300 hp and 354 pound-feet. This means the dual-motor 2026 Cadillac Optiq is now quite different from a dual-motor Chevy Equinox EV.
The new rear motor in the Optiq is a permanent magnet motor, while the 2025 model’s is a rotary induction motor. A permanent magnet motor creates rotation with the interaction of a permanent magnetic field and an alternating magnetic field, while an induction motor has a traveling magnetic field generated by a stator, producing rotary motion. Permanent magnetic motors have the advantage of higher efficiency and better power density.
The new AWD system in the dual-motor 2026 Cadillac Optiq is shared with the one in the high-performance Cadillac Optiq-V, which generates 519 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The difference is that the Optiq-V has torque vectoring and the non-V dual-motor Optiq doesn’t.
The 2026 Cadillac Optiq also introduces the first single-motor, RWD variant of the crossover to North America. When the Optiq first launched in its home market for 2025, it was dual-motor-only. The new 2026 Optiq RWD will be rated at 315 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Pricing is forthcoming for the 2026 Optiq, but we expect this single-motor option to give it a lower starting price than the 2025 model’s $54,390 cost of entry.
Another pretty huge change to the Cadillac Optiq for 2026 is that it will be GM’s first EV with a native NACS charge port. We knew this was coming for the 2026 Optiq-V, but it was recently revealed that this applies to the entire Optiq lineup. We expect other GM EVs to follow suit in the near future.
Comments
Interesting they are making this change the first year after launching it but atleast it is a really good change
Why you never buy the first year model, but wow, for the money there’s really nothing better.
Makes you wonder if without a front motor on the RWD if there is enough room for a small frunk. Whatever, this car looks sensational especially in that orange with the black roof.
The Optiq does look good in orange. There is also an orange interior option, but the two aren’t available together for some reason.