Quick Highlights:
- Cadillac finally adds a rear-drive Optiq: 315 horses, 300 miles of range, and a lower $52,395 price tag.
- The AWD isn’t just quicker, it’s way stronger — 440 hp this year versus 300 last year.
- Optiq-V arrives as the wild card, with 519 hp and the hardware to match: Brembos, adaptive dampers, and a 3.5-second sprint.
- Charging and tech catch up too, thanks to Tesla’s NACS plug, a smarter Super Cruise, and more capable self-parking.
The Cadillac Optiq arrived late in 2025 as the brand’s compact luxury EV, a stylish sibling to the Lyriq. But Cadillac isn’t wasting time letting it settle in. For 2026, the Optiq lineup grows broader and more powerful, giving shoppers new choices that span from value-focused to performance-obsessed.
The big news is a rear-drive base model that undercuts last year’s entry price while still making more horsepower. At the same time, Cadillac has reengineered the AWD system to unlock serious grunt, and the brand has confirmed the new Optiq-V as the halo of the range. Together, these changes position the Optiq as a stronger rival in the crowded luxury EV segment.
Powertrain and Range: More of Everything
Cadillac hasn’t just shuffled numbers for 2026 — it has gone back under the skin of the Optiq and reworked the whole lineup. The result is a compact luxury EV that feels fresher, faster, and better matched to its growing competition.
- Optiq RWD (new base): For the first time, buyers can spec the Optiq with just a single motor on the rear axle. Don’t think of it as a downgrade — the setup delivers 315 horsepower (319 PS / 235 kW), actually stronger than last year’s AWD-only 300-hp tune. With fewer moving parts and less weight to drag around, Cadillac pegs range at 300 miles, making this the distance champ of the lineup. Better still, the starting figure of $52,395 undercuts last year’s entry price.
- Optiq AWD (revised): This is where the big jump happens. Cadillac ripped out the old 300-hp dual-motor system and replaced it with something far more serious: 440 horsepower (446 PS / 328 kW) and 498 lb-ft (675 Nm) of torque. That’s nearly 50 percent more shove than before, enough to reposition the Optiq AWD as a genuine performance contender in its class. The upgrade costs $3,500 over the RWD, and you’ll give up a touch of efficiency, with range rated at 280 miles.
- Optiq-V AWD (new): Then there’s the all-new Optiq-V, Cadillac’s way of telling enthusiasts it still knows how to build something fast. Dual motors crank out a head-turning 519 horsepower (526 PS / 387 kW) and 650 lb-ft (881 Nm), good for a 0–60 mph sprint in just 3.5 seconds. To back that up, the V gets adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes, and sharper steering calibration. Range is a modest 275 miles, but at $68,795, this is the driver’s Optiq.
Pricing Breakdown
Cadillac’s 2026 lineup also diversifies by trim level. The new RWD models debut nearly $2,000 cheaper than last year’s entry AWD, while the AWD trims see a modest 2.6–2.7% increase.
| Trim | 2026 Price (incl. dest.) | 2025 Price | Difference | % Change |
| Luxury RWD | $52,395 | – | – | New |
| Sport RWD | $52,995 | – | – | New |
| Premium Luxury RWD | $54,595 | – | – | New |
| Premium Sport RWD | $55,095 | – | – | New |
| Luxury AWD | $55,895 | $54,390 | +$1,505 | +2.7% |
| Sport AWD | $56,495 | $54,990 | +$1,505 | +2.7% |
| Premium Luxury AWD | $58,095 | $56,590 | +$1,505 | +2.7% |
| Premium Sport AWD | $58,595 | $57,090 | +$1,505 | +2.6% |
| Optiq-V AWD | $68,795 | – | – | New |
Tech, Interior, and Charging
Cadillac knows performance numbers alone won’t sway luxury EV buyers. That’s why the 2026 Optiq isn’t just pulling harder—it’s thinking smarter. The biggest lifestyle change is the switch to the North American Charging Standard (NACS). Translation: you now get the same plug as a Tesla, with access to more than 21,000 Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada. For anyone who’s ever planned a long trip while worrying about charging stops, that’s a genuine game-changer.
Next comes Super Cruise 2.0, Cadillac’s hands-free highway assistant. The update ties directly into Google Maps, so the Optiq isn’t just keeping you in a lane anymore—it can actually change lanes automatically to follow your route. It also behaves more naturally when you keep your hands on the wheel, with smoother lane-centering than before. Parking has leveled up too: the Vision Enhanced Parking suite uses sharper radar and cameras to slip the Optiq neatly into tight spots, a feature city drivers will quietly appreciate.
Inside, the Optiq still wears its Cadillac badge proudly, with layered textures, rich materials, and bold design strokes that give it character. But it doesn’t come across as last year’s cabin with a new coat of polish. Instead, the details do the heavy lifting—stitching that looks more deliberate across the dash, trim pieces with sharper contrast, and an overall refinement that makes the 2026 Optiq feel less like a typical luxury EV and more like Cadillac’s idea of a rolling lounge.
Availability
Cadillac isn’t making customers wait. Production of the 2026 Optiq quietly kicked off in late August, and the first units are already on their way to dealerships. The online build-and-price tool is live, so shoppers can spec their Optiq right now—whether it’s the value-focused RWD, the muscle-packed AWD, or the full-bore V model. Deliveries are expected to ramp up through the fall, just in time to put Cadillac’s refreshed EV in more driveways before year’s end.
Closing Thoughts
Cadillac didn’t just give the Optiq a facelift for 2026—it gave it teeth. A cheaper RWD base for value hunters, a 440-hp AWD model that finally pulls like it looks, and a 519-hp Optiq-V that wears its performance badge with pride. Add sharper tech, Tesla-friendly charging, and a cabin that reminds you why Cadillac still knows luxury, and the Optiq feels less like the “new kid” and more like the classmate everyone wants to sit next to.
If you’ve been waiting for a compact EV that blends American style with real choice under the hood (or battery pack, in this case), the 2026 Optiq should be on your test-drive shortlist. Check Cadillac’s configurator, build yours, and see which Optiq story fits your driveway.
Source: Cadillac
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