The Coolest Feature of This Luxury American EV Is the One You'd Least Expect
Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more
As part of the industry-wide push for electrification, automakers are increasingly making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint through the use of sustainable construction methods and eco-friendly materials.
And it's not exclusive to EV upstarts like Tesla and Polestar — even legacy brands are looking to capitalize on the trendiness of going green. While leather was once considered the standard for luxury, recycled materials are now the norm for everyone from Bentley to Mercedes-Benz.
Accordingly, Cadillac has wasted no time breaking into the high-end EV market. After introducing its first electrified offering in the form of the Lyriq last year, Cadillac has rapidly expanded its lineup with the Vistiq, the Escalade IQ and the expansive, ultra-luxe Celestiq.
With the launch of the Optiq, Cadillac introduced an eye-catching new interior feature that's unlike anything else to have graced the lineup. But here's the kicker: it's old news.
Hot off the press
Quite literally. For the Optiq's center console, Cadillac offers a special PaperWood veneer that comprises equal parts tulip wood and recycled newspaper. Each material is repeatedly stacked in thin layers, and the resulting assembly is then milled into a laminate for application within the car.
From afar, it may look like a simple monochromatic veneer, but it's actually rich with stories. If you look closely, you can even see the letters from the recycled newsprint peeking through in the lighter parts of the grain.
According to Cadillac, it's a process that guarantees a one-off result. As Optiq designer Nina Cho says, 'What's really special and unique about this process is that the veneer is made up of different newspapers, so each trim piece is entirely unique to that vehicle.'
Youthful luxury
It's much more than a neat party trick; in keeping with its push for electrification, Cadillac is also looking to build a more youthful customer base. Over the past five years, the brand says that it has managed to increase its pool of younger buyers by five percent.
While that figure doesn't sound like much on paper, it's important for an automaker that has — with little exception — catered to older drivers. Even with exciting V-Series models in the lineup, the average age of new customers purchasing a Cadillac in 2023 was 54, down from 59.5 some nine years prior.
By positioning the Optiq as the entry-level model of the lineup, Cadillac hopes that the EV will continue to attract younger buyers. Between the model's all-electric drivetrain and sustainable features, such as accent fabric woven from 100% recycled yarn, it's meant to provide a modern, progressive experience.
Pricing and availability
When the Optiq enters production this fall, Cadillac will offer the EV in two trim levels: Luxury and Sport. In each case, power will come from a dual-motor all-wheel drivetrain rated for 300 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac claims a range of 302 miles, and fast-charging can replenish up to 79 miles of range in 10 minutes.
Pricing for the Optiq starts at $53,495 for the Sport 1 and $52,895 for the Luxury 1. Should you find yourself interested in a heads-up display, heated rear outboard seats and other creature comforts, the higher-end Sport 2 and Luxury 2 models are available for just a few grand more.
2025 Cadillac Optiq
Starts at $52,895
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Car and Driver
28 minutes ago
- Car and Driver
Cadillac Vistiq vs. Volvo EX90 Tested: Three-Row Electric SUVs Compared
Three-row SUVs have been one of the lagging segments in the switch to EVs, but that's starting to change as new entrants join the field. The Cadillac Vistiq and the Volvo EX90 are both recent additions, entering at the pricey end of the spectrum. Vistiq starting prices range from $79,090 to $98,190 across four trim levels. The EX90 spans $81,290 to $90,640, and it too has a four-model lineup. Our representative Vistiq was the Sport, which starts just $500 above the base Luxury trim and came in at $82,215 with options. Our EX90 was the Twin Motor Performance Ultra with an as-tested price of $94,640. This content is imported from Third party. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. view exterior photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Exterior and Interior Neither EV's exterior styling breaks significant new ground for its maker. Instead, they fit right in with the familial look. Unless you're looking at the EX90 from the front, where you find a body-colored fascia where the grille typically would be, the vehicle is a virtual doppelgänger for the gas-powered XC90, which has seen only minor styling tweaks in its decade on the market. The Vistiq doesn't have a gas-engine counterpart in the Cadillac lineup, but it has a lot of Escalade vibes—it's only if you see it next to Cadillac's range topper (whether in standard or battery-electric IQ form) that you realize the 'Slade is a full order of magnitude larger. view interior Photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver view interior Photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver These two SUVs may be priced similarly, but the serving sizes are not quite the same. Both fall broadly into the mid-size realm, but Cadillac dishes out a three-row with a bigger, American-size footprint, while Volvo hews to a more Euro scale. The Caddy sits astride a 4.3-inch-longer wheelbase and stretches 7.3 inches longer overall. It's also more than two inches taller and wider. view exterior photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver Volvo leans harder than ever into the Scandinavian modern aesthetic with the EX90's interior and bolsters the design with well-considered materials that have a quality look and feel. This is a great place to sit. But then Volvo torpedoes the functionality by going with an EV-cliché ultraminimalist driver interface. Nearly all switchgear is contained within the touchscreen, including the climate controls and the positioning of the side mirrors and steering wheel. If you dare look at the screen for more than a second or two—as you must—you get a beeping admonishment to keep your eyes on the road. Fortunately, that nagging can be switched off. The Cadillac's interior is nicely styled, and while its materials look pleasant, they don't push the envelope in the way the Volvo does. The Vistiq requires lots of interaction with its touchscreen, but there's also a rotary controller, physical switches for the mirrors, and four window switches rather than just two. Both cars have a glass roof, but Cadillac provides an actual shade, so the interior doesn't bake in the sun (that's not much of a consideration in Sweden, perhaps). Overall, the Volvo interior is prettier and has more interesting materials, but the Cadillac's is roomier and easier to live with. view exterior photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Cadillac Vistiq Cadillac Vistiq Sport HIGHS: Blazingly quick, accomplished suspension tuning, superior value. LOWS: Longer braking distance, lower skidpad grip, slower max charging rate. VERDICT: Who needs an Escalade? We loved the Volvo's natty-looking woven-cloth seats, but the EX90's narrow front chairs were less comfortable than the Cadillac's. The EX90's second row is accommodating if not overly huge, and the seats tilt and slide for access to the third row. That third row, however, is miserly in its space for feet, knees, and legs. Second-row passengers will have to scoot their seats forward if you're going to get anyone bigger than a middle-schooler in the way back. view interior Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver view interior Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver The Vistiq's greater size is immediately apparent when you slide behind the wheel. The large front seats are more comfortable than the Volvo's narrow chairs. The Caddy feels wider and roomier both up front and in the second row, and passenger-volume measurements bear that out. Even here, however, the third row disappoints, lacking legroom, kneeroom, and footroom unless the second row slides forward halfway, although it's not as cramped as in the EX90. The bigger car also had the edge in cargo space, with the Vistiq offering 15 cubic feet behind the third-row seat to the EX90's 13, and a max of 80 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, beating the EX90's 71 cubes. view exterior photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Powertrain and Performance The EX90 came brandishing its higher-zoot powertrain with 510 horsepower and 671 pound-feet of torque (versus the 402-hp base unit). All Vistiq models have the same output: 615 horsepower and 649 pound-feet, available in the Velocity Max drive mode. The Caddy's higher pony count translated to quicker acceleration, with a rather absurd 3.6-second 60-mph time, a half-second ahead of the Volvo. And yet, unlike some high-horsepower EVs, the Vistiq doesn't give the impression of frenetic acceleration, and its measured accelerator response may be preferable in a vehicle that often carries a load of passengers. Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Performance Ultra HIGHS: Art-house interior, impressive athleticism, speedy charging. LOWS: All-touchscreen interface, stingy third row, slim-fit driver's seat. VERDICT: The three-row Volvo, gone electric. Both cleared the all-important 300-mile EPA range bogey, with the Cadillac adding five miles for good measure (although higher-trim Vistiqs are 300 even). And in our 75-mph real-world highway range test, both cars managed a 250-mile result. Unsurprisingly, their battery sizes are nearly the same at 107 kWh for the Swede and 102 kWh for the American. view exterior photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver The Cadillac has a 400-volt architecture, and its peak DC fast-charging rate is a claimed 190 kilowatts, which is slower than the Volvo's 250 kilowatts. For AC charging, Volvo provides an 11.0-kW onboard charger, while at Cadillac, buyers can upgrade the standard 11.5-kW charger to a 19.2-kW unit. Like other GM EVs, the Vistiq allows the driver to hold the left paddle for one-time max regen without switching modes. The EX90 offers auto regen, no regen, or one-pedal mode, with the driver using the touchscreen to choose. view exterior photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver Driving Experience Neither EV is hindered by its three-ton-plus curb weight—a distressingly typical metric—and both of these EVs acquit themselves well in the ride and handling department. Our sample Volvo boasted more sophisticated suspension hardware than the Cadillac, with dual-chamber air springs (included with the Ultra spec) and adaptive dampers. It rides well and stays nice and flat around corners, with the selectable Performance all-wheel-drive mode imparting a feeling of athleticism. Some drivers found the controls touchy, however. The Cadillac has a real sense of substance from behind the wheel. The chassis is very well tuned and features standard adaptive dampers, although air springs are reserved for the Premium Luxury and Platinum trims. Yet even without them, the Vistiq exhibits good body control and appropriate steering effort—not overly sporty but nicely buttoned down. The ride in the default Tour mode is great but somewhat less so in Sport. view interior Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Cadillac Vistiq view interior Photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver Volvo EX90 Both EVs are quiet, but the Volvo puts a bit more cotton in your ears, as we measured 66 decibels at 70 mph versus 67 for the Cadillac. And the Winner Is . . . These two EVs were closely matched. The Cadillac eked out a victory, but in many categories, the two entrants' scoring was right on top of each other. So were the results in the all-important range test, reflecting their near-identical EPA figures. Despite being a lower-spec trim level, the Vistiq packs more features and amenities, and its lower price was also an advantage. The Cadillac also had a more usable third-row seat, quicker acceleration, and less-annoying controls. The Volvo's wins were in chassis performance (with its superior grip and shorter stopping distances), interior design and materials, quietness, and ride quality. Either SUV is an accomplished and upscale family hauler for those ready to take the EV plunge. Michael Simari | Car and Driver Want to see these vehicles' specs side-by-side? Check out the Cadillac Vistiq & Volvo EX90 on our new compare tool. Compare Cars Specifications Specifications 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Sport Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $79,590/$82,215 Options: Radiant Red Tintcoat paint, $1225; 6-passenger seating with second-row captain's chairs, $800; black roof, $600 POWERTRAIN Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC Combined Power: 615 hp Combined Torque: 649 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 102 kWh Peak Charge Rate, AC/DC: 11.5/190 kW Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink Brakes, F/R: 13.5-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc Tires: Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season 285/45R-21 113H M+S TPC Spec 3194MS DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 121.8 in Length: 205.6 in Width: 79.8 in Height: 71.0 in Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 62/54/35 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 80/43/15 ft3 Curb Weight: 6226 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 3.6 sec 100 mph: 9.1 sec 1/4-Mile: 12.1 sec @ 114 mph 130 mph: 16.8 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.8 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.8 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.3 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 132 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 362 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g Interior Sound Idle: 29 dBA/1 sone Full Throttle: 72 dBA 70-mph Cruising: 67 dBA/21 sone C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING Observed: 75 MPGe 75-mph Highway Range: 250 mi EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 86/93/78 MPGe Range: 305 mi -- 2025 Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Performance Ultra Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $90,640/$94,640 Options: Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system, $3200; 22-inch 5-spoke Aero wheels, $800 POWERTRAIN Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 241 hp, 310 lb-ft Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 268 hp, 361 lb-ft Combined Power: 510 hp Combined Torque: 671 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 107 kWh Peak Charge Rate, AC/DC: 11.0/250 kW Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink Brakes, F/R: 15.8-in vented disc/15.4-in vented disc Tires: Pirelli Scorpion MS F: 265/40R-22 106H M+S VOL R: HL295/35R-22 111H M+S VOL DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 117.5 in Length: 198.3 in Width: 77.3 in Height: 68.8 in Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 58/51/21 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 74/36/14 ft3 Front Trunk Volume: 2 ft3 Curb Weight: 6083 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 4.1 sec 100 mph: 11.2 sec 1/4-Mile: 12.9 sec @ 106 mph Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.3 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.2 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 116 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 346 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.86 g Interior Sound Idle: 29 dBA/1 sone Full Throttle: 69 dBA 70-mph Cruising: 66 dBA/20 sone C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING Observed: 70 MPGe 75-mph Highway Range: 250 mi Average DC Fast-Charge Rate, 10–90%: 127 kW DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 43 min EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 81/83/78 MPGe Range: 300 mi C/D TESTING EXPLAINED Reviewed by Joe Lorio Deputy Editor, Reviews and Features Joe Lorio has been obsessed with cars since his Matchbox days, and he got his first subscription to Car and Driver at age 11. Joe started his career at Automobile Magazine under David E. Davis Jr., and his work has also appeared on websites including Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar. This content is imported from Third party. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Motor 1
40 minutes ago
- Motor 1
The 10 Fastest-Selling Cars of 2025 (So Far)
The list of slowest-selling cars of 2025 includes some unlikely vehicles from a few heavy hitters—brands like Audi, Porsche, Ram, and others. But when it comes to the fastest-selling cars of 2025 (so far), you probably won't be shocked to see many of the names on this list, with data gathered by the fine folks over at CarEdge . As opposed to some vehicles, which can sit on dealer lots for more than a year, all of the fastest-selling cars of 2025 average fewer than 40 days on dealer lots, with a few barely hanging around for longer than two weeks. Some of the best-selling brands and vehicles are well-represented here, including Ford, Lexus, and Toyota. But there are a few surprise entries that do crack the top 10. So if you're in the market for any of these vehicles, you'd better move quickly. 10. Toyota Corolla Sedan: 34 Days Photo by: Toyota Total For Sale: 24,649 Total Sold In 45 Days: 33,072 It's no surprise to see the Toyota Corolla on this list—what might be surprising is that it's this far down. The perennial best-selling sedan has an average market supply of only 34 days, with more than 33,000 examples finding new homes in the last 45 days. Perhaps more impressive is the fact that Toyota also has nearly 25,000 examples for sale on dealer lots at present. 9. Cadillac Escalade ESV: 33 Days Photo by: Cadillac Total For Sale: 1,377 Total Sold In 45 Days: 1,880 Cadillac's $90,000, three-row luxury SUV is the priciest vehicle on this entire list. However, with an average market supply of just 33 days, it's also a burning-hot commodity. In just 45 days, Cadillac sold 1,880 examples of the Escalade ESV , but since it's such a pricey vehicle, the total number on sale is only around 1,300 examples. 8. Ford F-450 Super Duty: 32 Days Photo by: Ford Total For Sale: 888 Total Sold In 45 Days: 1,267 Ford's biggest, brawniest pickup truck has an average market supply of just 32 days. Fleet sales undoubtedly help, but with just 888 on sale currently and over 1,200 sold in 45 days, Ford seemingly has no problem moving this massive work truck. 7. Toyota RAV4: 31 Days Total For Sale: 48,321 Total Sold In 45 Days: 69,350 The Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling SUV in 2024 and the third-best-selling vehicle in America, just behind the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickups. So it's no surprise to see that the compact SUV is such a hot commodity, with an average market supply of just 31 days. More impressively, Toyota sold nearly 70,000 examples in 45 days—more than any other vehicle on this list. 6. Toyota Camry: 28 Days Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Total For Sale: 34,864 Total Sold In 45 Days: 56,302 Toyota's longstanding mid-size sedan is a big mover. The Camry has an average market supply of just 28 days, with more than 56,000 examples sold in 45 days. The Camry also has one of the largest inventories of any car on this list, with nearly 35,000 on sale in the US right now. 5. Toyota Corolla Cross: 28 Days Photo by: Toyota Total For Sale: 12,407 Total Sold In 45 Days: 19,888 The Corolla Cross is a relative newcomer to the Toyota lineup, debuting for the US in 2022, but it's already one of the automaker's most popular vehicles. The Corolla Cross has an average market supply of just 28 days, with 19,888 examples finding homes in the last 45 days. 4. Cadillac Escalade: 27 Days Photo by: Cadillac Total For Sale: 1,924 Total Sold In 45 Days: 3,171 If the Escalade ESV has an average market supply of 33 days, you'd expect the standard version to be even more popular—and it is. The Escalade has an average market supply of just 27 days, with more than 3,000 units finding new homes in the last 45 days. 3. Lexus RX Hybrid: 22 Days Total For Sale: 2,179 Total Sold In 45 Days: 4,527 The only Lexus on this list is the luxury brand's best-selling RX SUV, which has an average market supply of 22 days. But it's not the standard version with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Instead, buyers can't get enough of the RX Hybrid, which gets up to 36 miles per gallon combined. More than 2,000 examples are available for sale in the US right now, with 4,500 finding new homes in the last 45 days. 2. Toyota Highlander: 21 Days Photo by: Toyota Total For Sale: 4,594 Total Sold In 45 Days: 9,671 Toyota now has multiple variants of its three-row Highlander SUV, including the new Grand Highlander. But the standard, mid-size three-row is still the most popular option with an average market supply of just 21 days. Nearly 10,000 found new homes in 45 days, while there are more than 4,500 units sitting on dealer lots. 1. Toyota Sienna: 20 Days Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Total For Sale: 7,582 Total Sold In 45 Days: 16,670 Who said the minivan was dead? The fastest-selling vehicle in the US in 2025 (so far) is the longstanding Toyota Sienna minivan. With an average market supply of just 20 days, buyers can't snap up the Sienna fast enough. More than 16,000 found new homes in the last 45 days, with 7,500 still sitting on dealer lots. Fastest-Selling Cars 2025 Toyota Sienna: 20 Days Toyota Highlander: 21 Days Lexus RX Hybrid: 22 Days Cadillac Escalade: 27 Days Toyota Corolla Cross: 28 Days Toyota Camry: 28 Days Toyota RAV4: 31 Days Ford F-450 Super Duty: 32 Days Cadillac Escalade ESV: 33 Days Toyota Corolla Sedan: 34 Days More Car Sales Figures Lamborghini Is Selling More Cars Than Ever. But It's Not All Good News Lexus Has Only Sold 248 LC Hybrids—Ever Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tesla partly liable in Florida Autopilot trial, jury awards $200M punitive damages
A jury in federal court in Miami has found Tesla partly to blame for a fatal 2019 crash that involved the use of the company's Autopilot driver assistance system. The jury awarded the plaintiffs $200 million in punitive damages, along with 'compensatory damages for pain and suffering,' according to NBC News. Neither the driver of the car nor the Autopilot system braked in time to avoid going through an intersection, where the car struck an SUV and killed a pedestrian. The jury assigned the driver two-thirds of the blame, and attributed one-third to Tesla. (The driver was sued separately.) The verdict comes at the end of a three-week trial over the crash, which killed 20-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and severely injured her boyfriend Dillon Angulo. It's one of the first major legal decisions about driver assistance technology that has gone against Tesla. This story is developing… Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
