Introduced for 2025 as the most affordable entry in Cadillac’s EV lineup, the Optiq initially launched exclusively in a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) layout only. Now, the 2026 Cadillac Optiq is set to introduce several key updates, including a new rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variant as the latest standard spec, as well as new output numbers for AWD models. Given the 2026 Optiq will be available in a standard RWD layout, the crossover’s starting price is also expected to get a modest drop compared to the AWD-only 2025 model year.
Let’s start with the new specs. The new 2026 Cadillac Optiq AWD will be rated at an estimated 440 horsepower and 498 pound-feet of torque, a considerable boost over the 300 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque laid down by the 2025 Optiq AWD. For those who don’t feel like pulling out the calculator, that’s an increase of 140 horsepower and 144 pound-feet – not bad for a model year changeover.
Meanwhile, the new 2026 Optiq RWD will be rated at 315 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Both configurations will cradle an 85 kWh battery pack. Range-per-charge is estimated at 300 miles, while DC fast-charge capabilities will add 79 miles of range in 10 minutes.
Beyond the extra output for the Optiq AWD and the launch of the new Optiq RWD, the 2026 model year will also offer up the new Optiq-V, a high-performance model equipped with a dual-motor setup rated at 519 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Put your foot down, and the sprint from 0 to 60 mph takes just 3.5 seconds with Velocity Max mode active.
Further updates include new aesthetic options, with Crystal White Tricoat (color code G1W) replaced by Vibrant White Tricoat (color code G4J).
As GM Authority covered previously, production of the 2026 Cadillac Optiq is slated to begin on August 25th, 2025, at the GM Ramos Arizpe facility in Mexico. Dealer configurations will go live on June 26th, with the first retail orders scheduled for processing on July 24th.
All variants of the Cadillac Optiq ride on the GM BEV3 platform.
Comments
these are some good changes if you ask me.
Yes, that’s why leasing EV is the way to go. Like electronics, they can make drastic changes easily. Car industry may move to Subscription based model
The problem with leasing these BEV’s is that you are paying 70 to 80% of the MSRP in lease payments and you have nothing. Buying means you would pay that extra 20 to 30% but you would have the car to sell if you wanted, for 40 to 50% of the MSRP after 36 months.
Hmm… I’m currently in a 24 month lease with my Blazer EV, with MSRP of 51k. My total due at signing was $1000, and my 24 payments are $285 a month. Total Cost of lease: $7840, or 15% percent of MSRP.
Do some homework on the EV leasing deal before take it for granted. Dealer sells these 5%-10% off MSRP, with stackable incentives.
No NACS, I no buy.
The V version has officially been announced as NACS and the buying guide has it as well, so I think it’s a done deal having NACS.
no gas no buy
Easy enough to use adapter. I do that with my Volt and use my partner’s Tesla charger.
All 2026 Optiq have NACS
It sounds like they’ve gone from using the 180kW motor in the front and the 62kW induction motor in rear on the base version to using a 255kW motor in the rear in all versions, then adding the 62kW in the front for the base Optiq AWD model and the 180kW motor in the front on the Optiq-V.
There should be no more excuses not to buy the OPTIQ over the Equinox for 2026 model year. I rather have this car myself either RWD or AWD with better performance. Mmmmm, matter of fact, I will take the V too.
No more excuses not to buy the Optiq over the Equinox? How about a $18,000 difference in price, which at best gets cut to $15,000 with the new base RWD model? If $15K or $20K is meaningless to you, you should be looking at the Escalade IQ, not the Optiq.
Not to mention once the thrill of using extra power over a handfull of times wanes and the money spent is wasted. But whatever for those just gotta have folks. I would rather spend the money in things I really use each and every drive.
There is nothing wrong with the Equinox since it and the OPTIQ are both built on the same platform in Mexico and for ’25 model year, the OPTIQ and Equinox AWD have similar horsepower output until ’26 model year where there is a big bump in horsepower for the AWD model for the OPTIQ. The Equinox AWD has a small increase in power and not comparable for ’26 with the OPTIQ AWD.
Also, the Equinox is FWD while the OPTIQ will be RWD for the base models. That was the reason why I said that in my aforementioned statement which you failed to read and understand what I was saying.
I’ll take an ICE XT-5. 400 mile range and 10 minutes to recharge to 400 more miles. Currently charger fees are more than a tank of regular which is available at EVERY interstate exit
Fox did a study and found fast chargers were $8 per gallon equivalent!!
Fox said it, so it must be true….
Your home electric is $1 to $1.50 gallon gas equivalent. Watch FOX Business. Liz Clayman is a shill for EV’s.
Is that the same Fox that got sued for lying and ended up paying out $787.5 million in defamation? Yeah, I totally believe their study.
What is this Cadillac color of blue called?
I think that is the “deep ocean tintcoat”.
The charging lid is a cheapo fold open type. Why not the slide down like the Lyric.
GM BEV’s only need a couple things to have second best on the market….Tesla software is just at another level that I just do not see any Legacy Automaker to catch up or surpass.
1. Speed up native NACS ports on the vehicles
2. Up the Density on the batteries used to make smaller packs (which would weigh less and provide more batteries) OR keep same size packs but offer much higher Range
4. Cadillac vehicles should be updated to 800V architectures ASAP
3. This is probable the most important…..make charging speeds MUCH higher.
We as a nation are sooooooo far behind China including Tesla vehicles in this front.
Customers in China can either swap battery packs in a couple of minutes (I doubt that would work here) or the vehicles can charge at 400kW all the way up to 1000kW
Once an EV can charge that fast, meaning as quickly as basically fueling up then there will remain few edge cases that would keep the regular vehicle consumer from BEV’s
We are Car enthusiasts so we may like Sports cars or need HD trucks and SUV’s but like 80% of the buying public couldn’t even tell you what an engine is let alone what kind.
A lot of the details of the first generation Ultium battery modules was driven by the state of the industry and charging infrastructure at time. There are some interesting discussions on how they were optimized for the peak amperage of CCS1 chargers here.
We know they are already working on second generation cells and packs and modules, with an eye toward lowering both weight and cost (and as a consequence, increasing range and efficiency). They have already announced the development of cell-to-pack prismatic cells with diverse chemistries (NCMA now, LFP production no later than 2027 and LMR in the pipeline).
GM has been playing the long game for the better part of a decade, and people are only just now beginning to notice.
@wdomburg
I am hopeful that the 800/900 Volt architectures that GM is working on in China come here at the same time as well.
I do not want to have the American consumers wait until 2030 when the second Gen Silverado/Sierra come with “True” 800 Volt system.
I am saving money to buy the 2026 Optiq for Christmas
@Raymond
It is a nice overall vehicle.
Enjoy if you get it.
Wow, it’s a Cadillac nobody asked for, like many of GM vehicles..
Then starting visiting other websites