GM’s (GM) Cadillac took the veil off its latest creation, the Vistiq three-row EV SUV. The luxury brand is betting another addition to its EV lineup is just what its high-income buyers are looking for — even as other luxury brands struggle with electrified powertrains.
The Vistiq is a full-size SUV powered by two electric motors, underpinned by GM’s Ultium EV platform. Cadillac says this luxe seven-passenger hauler can get 300 miles of range on full charge and boasts those nice extras like a 32-speaker AKG sound system, massaging seats, and automatically retractable second-row seats. (Yes, even adults can comfortably access the third row.)
The Vistiq, or “baby Escalade” SUV, rounds out the Cadillac EV portfolio, Cadillac global VP John Roth told Yahoo Finance at the automaker’s new dealership on the west side of Manhattan. In fact, Cadillac had all of its EVs on display, from the entry-level Optiq crossover to the fully hand-built $300,000 Celestiq sedan.
The Lyriq and Celestiq are on sale now, with the Optiq and Escalade IQ coming in Q4. The just-revealed Vistiq is set for an early 2025 debut. Prices start at $78,790.
“We’re bringing to market everything from our entry to the brand with Optiq through Lyriq, which we’ve been selling for a number of years now, and now we’re complementing that with a three-row vehicle…” Roth said.
Roth added that Cadillac’s mission is to meet the shopper “where they’re at.” That means electrified vehicles for different customers — Lyriq and Optic for singles or smaller families, Vistiq and Escalade for larger families, and Celestiq for the extreme higher-end buyer.
But that doesn’t mean only EVs. Cadillac backed away from its goal of an all-EV portfolio by 2030, pivoting as the EV adoption rate in America has slowed in 2023 and 2024. It’s an about-face for Cadillac, but one that Roth says is, again, customer-focused.
“I actually wouldn’t call it a new strategy. I’d look at it more as we’re meeting the customers where they are,” Roth said. “We have a great portfolio of internal combustion engine vehicles … that are doing extremely well in the marketplace.”
Roth noted that the gas-powered Escalade is still No. 1 in its segment with nearly a third of the full-size luxury SUV market — and vehicles like the XT4, XT5, and XT6 SUVs are still selling well. The enthusiast-focused Blackwing sedans have also seen sales grow year over year.
But Cadillac sees real opportunity with EVs, which is more than many other luxury brands can say. Audi, Mercedes, and Porsche have struggled with slowing EV growth.
