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Stuff.tv
2 days ago
- Stuff.tv
I wish all headphones had the AKG N9 Hybrid's clever connectivity – here's why it's a great travel companion
Stuff Verdict Great sounding over-ears with a clever hidden dongle that's almost perfect for frequent flyers. The AKG N9 Hybrid won't be your first choice if you largely listen through a single device, though. Pros High-grade audio and noise cancelling Built-in USB-C dongle fantastic for travel Phenomenal battery life Cons Not quite an ANC class leader Overly sensitive wear detection with long reconnect delay Some codecs lock you out of advanced audio features Introduction Aside from a few pro-grade microphones and wired headsets, AKG has been largely in cryosleep since Harman and Samsung hoovered up the storied sound brand back in 2017. Well, that long slumber seems to finally be over: the N9 Hybrid is the firm's first pair of noise cancelling headphones under the new ownership, and it's got a connectivity party trick you won't find anywhere else. The ANC over-ears also promise epic battery life and cancellation tech to rival the class best. They'll need it, as at $399/£299 they are being lined up directly against heavy hitters like the Sony WH1000-XM6. There's been a lot of behind-the-scenes changes under the new regime, too, with some former staffers having launched their own brand – Austrian Audio. Has enough of the firm's magic been retained now it's under Harman ownership? How we test headphones Every pair of earphones and headphones reviewed on Stuff is used for a minimum of a week's worth of daily listening. We use a playlist of test tracks made up of multiple genres to assess sound, and use our years of experience to compare to other models. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: comeback kid The N9 Hybrid isn't the flashiest pair of over-ear headphones – but that's very much in keeping with AKG's established style. The matte black metal ear cups and silver bevelled edges remind me of the Y500 on-ears, as does the simple yet prominent AKG branding. The aluminium part of the headband adds some contrast. There's also a white version, if you like your tech to also be a style statement. The ear cushions and headband aren't the plushest I've worn, but the memory foam material inside means they're very comfortable to wear. Clamping force is well-judged and the ear cups are large enough to fully envelop your lugs, without having a massive footprint. The leatherette coverings warmed my ears up a bit with prolonged wear, but unbearably so. They do a decent job at passive sound isolation, too. While they don't fold for travel, the AKG N9 has enough tilt and swivel that the ear cups can sit flush to your shoulders when worn around the neck. There's also ample adjustment in the headband, so all head shapes and sizes should be able to find a comfortable fit. I like how light they are as well; at 281g they tip the scales a little more than Sony's XM6, but less than Sennheiser's Momentum 4. Neither of those rivals have a hidden compartment in the ear cup, which slides satisfyingly out to reveal a stashed USB dongle; with it, the N9 Hybrid is able to wirelessly connect to pretty much any modern bit of tech, regardless of whether it has Bluetooth on board or not. It's so simple yet brilliant, as you never have to remember to pack it – the dongle is always there when you need it. Features & battery: get connected The wireless dongle has a USB-C connection, which will cover most bases, but AKG does include a Type-C to Type-A adapter for older kit. This stows neatly in the hard-shell fabric carry case, which also holds a Type-A to Type-C charging cable and 3.5mm cable for wired listening, as well as the headphones themselves. An old fashioned double jack connector for in-flight entertainment systems completes the set. I loved being able to plug the dongle into my laptop, Steam Deck or tablet, saving the need to re-pair over Bluetooth. It's just plug-and-play, with the 2.4Ghz connection delivering practically zero latency – perfect for gaming and watching videos. The headphones have Bluetooth 5.3 on board, with the LDAC codec for better streaming quality. It's a shame new owners Harman haven't encouraged AKG to embrace newer codecs and connections like its other brands, though. The JBL Tour One M3 has LC3 and Auracast, making them that bit more future-proof than the N9. AKG needs to address how it handles wear detection, too. The N9 seemingly reconnects the Bluetooth signal every time you remove and put the headphones back on, meaning a few seconds of silence before your audio kicks in – but the content has already started playing. I found it particularly frustrating for podcasts and videos, and even readjusting the ear cups could trigger it. The on-ear controls are well thought out, with the various buttons and ports placed around the outside of each ear cup. There's an ANC toggle and 3.5mm port on the left ear, while the right has a play/pause button, power/Bluetooth pairing slider, and a USB-C charging port. The right ear cup itself then swivels up and down to control volume, so I rarely had to reach for my phone to control playback – and didn't have to worry about accidental swipes triggering overly sensitive touch controls, as is the case with far too many rival headphones. Throughout my testing, I've only needed to charge the AKG N9 Hybrid a handful of times. Battery life is outstanding, managing upwards of 100 hours over Bluetooth if you disable noise cancelling. I almost exclusively listened with it switched on, as I found bass response to be more balanced, and routinely lasted over the firm's 55 hour claim. A week of listening throughout work hours and only needing to plug in once is a fantastic showing. A mere ten minutes of charging is good enough for another five or so hours of music, too. Interface: feels familiar New parent company Harman has clearly had a hand in AKG's new smartphone companion app; it looks like a reskin of JBL's, with a near-identical feature set. That means there are plenty of settings to tweak, but also that you're locked out of a lot of them if you enable the LDAC codec. That's a shame, as the Personi-fi personalised listening test is a useful way to adapt the audio based on your hearing ability. The six generic equaliser presets and 10-band custom EQ are always available, but need a bit more understanding of audio frequencies to get the best results. Spatial audio upmixing (without head tracking) is also off limits when using the higher quality connection, but personally that's nothing to lose sleep over. I'm not a fan of the exaggerated surround effects it creates for tunes mastered in stereo. There are a bunch of noise cancelling settings if you'd prefer not to leave the headphones in their adaptive mode, but it works so well to changing background sound levels I never felt the need. Being able to adjust the left/right sound balance, and how much sidetone lets your own voice through while making voice calls, are nice inclusions. Sound quality and noise cancelling: finds the fun factor We're at the point now where most premium ANC headphones do a decent job at silencing the outside world, but there's still a gap between them and the very best of the breed. The AKG N9 Hybrid falls into the former camp, managing to mute the low-frequency rumble of a train carriage well enough and largely cutting out chatter from fellow passengers, even with music volume at a fairly low level. Distractions still slip through that Sony and Bose manage to prevent, though, and white noise is that bit easier to detect here. There's a real lack of bass when you switch ANC off, too – you're better off leaving it on, even in quieter areas, for a more balanced sound. The AKG N9 Hybrid's 40mm dynamic drivers, which use diaphragms made from liquid crystal polymer, have been calibrated very closely to the 'Harman curve'. That slightly v-shaped tune accentuates bass and treble in a way that's pleasing to the ears, but not necessarily accurate to how your music was mixed. As long as you aren't expecting a purely analytical performance, the N9 makes for a very enjoyable listen. Pendulum's Driver was suitably squelchy, with thumping bass hits at one end and clear, biting percussion at the other. The vocals on Nova Twins' Antagonist weren't drowned out by the distorted guitars, commanding real presence in the mix. HEALTH's Tears can often trip up bass-heavy headphones, but here the droning beat avoided sounding too boomy. More delicate tracks show these headphones can do subtle as well as bombastic, with the strings and piano on Thomas Newman's Any Other Name given plenty of room to breathe. The soundstage is fairly wide for a set of closed-back cans, too. the N9 lacks just a little of the nuance found in the Sennheiser Momentum 4, and no amount of experimenting with the EQ sliders could close the gap, but it's not a big one. AKG N9 Hybrid verdict They're comfortable, last an incredibly long time per charge, and are about as convenient as it gets for listening across multiple devices – whether they've got Bluetooth or not. The AKG N9 Hybrid is a capable all-rounder that really comes into its own if you travel often; few rivals let you leave the carry case and accessory kit at home yet still play nicely with (most) in-flight entertainment systems. The few software shortcomings I experienced were frustrating, and it would be nice to have more control over the advanced sound customisation when using the best quality Bluetooth codec. Sony and Bose also remain the best picks for noise cancellation; while both come at a price premium, the gap is narrow enough that in some territories I'd think very hard before breaking out the credit card. Everywhere else, though, these are still very much in the conversation – and even more so if you regularly hop between devices. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 An impressive return to form for AKG; the N9 Hybrid are great sounding over-ears with a clever hidden dongle that's almost perfect for frequent flyers. If you largely listen through a single device, though, there's no shortage of fantastic rivals. Pros High-grade audio and noise cancelling Built-in USB-C dongle fantastic for travel Phenomenal battery life Cons Not quite an ANC class leader Overly sensitive wear detection with long reconnect delay Some codecs lock you out of advanced audio features AKG N9 Hybrid technical specifications Drivers 40mm dynamic ANC Yes Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.3 Codecs supported SBC, LDAC Durability N/A Battery life 55 hours (ANC on) 100 hours (ANC off) Weight 281g / 0.62lbs
The Drive
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
The Cadillac Escalade IQ Is So Big It Has a Two-Way Intercom System
The latest car news, reviews, and features. The Cadillac Escalade IQ is big in every sense of the word, from its wheels (24 inches, standard), to its length (224 inches, or 228 inches for the even bigger Escalade IQL), to its power (up to 750 horsepower). Many large vehicles use microphones up front to boost the driver's voice through speakers at the very back. The all-electric Escalade produces no engine noise for passengers to contend with, so you might assume such technology wouldn't be necessary. But the Escalade IQ still offers it and, what's more, goes a step further than most vehicles by mic'ing up the rear of the SUV for full two-way communication. The Escalade IQ and IQL come standard with a 21-speaker AKG audio system that feeds in the first-row mics, so third-row passengers aren't left out of the conversation. This isn't an unusual feature among big SUVs and minivans, and Cadillac improves on it by incorporating additional mics in the way back on the optional 38 and 42 speaker setups, so that the driver and passenger riding shotgun can hear the rear of the car just as well. Second-row occupants even have the option to turn their mics off from their dedicated screen to enjoy more private conversations, if only slightly. Cadillac via YouTube Cadillac calls this feature 'Conversation Enhancement.' To us, it sounds more like intercom. The Escalade IQ is less of an SUV, then, and more of an office building that just happens to be on wheels. And this feature isn't exclusive to the electric version, either; Cadillac also offers it in the gas Escalade, where it's even more valuable on account of the powertrain. Although the Escalade IQ is an EV, passengers still have road noise to contend with. Sometimes, ambient noise can become even more noticeable without the hum of an internal-combustion engine to accompany it. On the flip side, automakers have become very good at neutralizing noise in modern luxury cars, using what's effectively a large-scale version of the same tech that makes noise-cancelling headphones so good at, well, cancelling noise. The Vistiq and Celestiq also offer Conversation Enhancement, even though they're smaller than the Escalade. It would be weird if the Celestiq missed out; it's Cadillac's crown jewel after all—the brand's no-expense-spared moonshot that serves as a showcase of all of GM's luxury technologies, including the ones nobody really needs. And if Cadillac eventually sells that gorgeous Sollei convertible concept, you'd probably want it there, too, so the rushing wind in your hair doesn't drown out the chatter. Cadillac Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
New ear resolution: Sanjoy Narayan on the iconic Sennheiser HD 600 headphones
There's something humbling about stumbling onto greatness way after the hype train has left the station. Like binge-watching The Wire in 2024 (I did this!) and cracking open Dune with everyone else already quoting it (I'm on it!), my late discovery of the Sennheiser HD 600 headphones feels like I've unearthed a gem that's been chilling in plain sight for nearly 30 years. For years, I have been a bit of an audio wanderer. I've vibed with budget-friendly Chi-fi (or Chinese hi-fi) earbuds, grappled with the surgical precision of Audio-Technica's ATH series, geeked out over AKG's studio-grade clarity, admired Shure's obsessive craftsmanship, and even dabbled in HiFiMan's planar magnetic magic. I've scrolled through endless Reddit threads where audiophiles argue about soundstage depth like it's a matter of life and death. Yet, somehow, the iconic HD 600, launched in 1997 and basically unaltered since, slipped under my radar. When I finally plugged them in, these understated headphones had me sceptical. Then I hit play. The opening piano chords of Bill Evans's Peace Piece didn't just play; they breathed. Each note carried the creak of the piano's wood, the air of the recording room, even Evans's subtle exhales. The HD 600's famed midrange peeled back layers I'd missed all these years — not by hyping the sound, but by stripping away the haze I hadn't even known was there. These aren't headphones that scream for attention with booming bass or glittery treble spikes. They're a slow burn that makes one rethink what 'neutral' means, over hours of listening. My digital rip of Led Zeppelin's Ten Years Gone suddenly felt like a 3D soundscape. Jimmy Page's layered guitars weren't just stacked, they were having a conversation across space. John Paul Jones's bass didn't just hold it down; it told its own story. Robert Plant's vocals revealed raw emotion and technical finesse I'd missed in countless spins. I became a Led Zep head. Again. The magic kept unfolding across genres. Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage floated like it was recorded on a cloud. D'Angelo's Voodoo hit like a masterclass in production, Questlove's drums pulsing with life. Even Burial's Untrue, usually a dreamy sonic haze, broke into distinct layers without losing its moody soul. The HD 600's clarity is a double-edged sword. Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly showcased the headphones' knack for untangling dense, jazz-infused mixes. But some of my favourite '90s hip-hop tracks? Yikes. These cans exposed mastering flaws I had happily been oblivious to. These headphones don't sugarcoat; they just tell it like it is. Doesn't such precision feel sterile? No way. Nina Simone's gut-wrenching Strange Fruit hit even harder, the raw edges of her vocal break cutting deeper. Not because the HD 600 added drama, but because it let her pain shine through unfiltered. Miles Davis's Kind of Blue felt brand-new. I found myself discovering new notes in Coltrane's sax tone and Bill Evans's subtle comping. And to think these details had always been there, just waiting for gear honest enough to let them shine through. What's wild about the HD 600 is how it has stayed relevant in a world obsessed with the shiny and new. While brands churn out 'game-changing' drivers every year, this 28-year-old design is still the gold standard. There's a quiet confidence in that. In a world of planned obsolescence, Sennheiser's loyalty to this design feels like a middle finger to the hype cycle. One can replace every part of the Huh Duh Six Hungeos (as they're known in audiophile circles) oneself: the drivers, the earpads, even the headband. It's no surprise that the model has spawned a cult following. Hop onto any audiophile subreddit and one will see 'HD 600 lifers', people who have tested $3,000 electrostatics but keep coming back to these humble German cans that can be bought for about $270. They're the audiophile's equivalent of a beat-up Fender guitar: a tool that melts into the art instead of stealing the spotlight. The HD 600 isn't flawless. Today's headphone models might boast wider soundstages or deeper bass. But none I've tried nail the vibe quite like these do, whether I'm sinking into Tom Waits's gravelly vocal experiments or getting lost in Radiohead's melancholic brilliance. What these headphones deliver is the deeper satisfaction of knowing one is hearing music as it was meant to be heard; no filter, no fluff. They essentially just get out of the way. This shines brightest with live recordings. Jeff Buckley's Live at Sin-é puts the listener right there in that tiny NYC café. John Coltrane's Live at Birdland doesn't just play notes, it captures the room, the moment, with Elvin Jones's drums resonating like they're alive. In a world of endless gear upgrades, there's something real about finding a tool that doesn't demand one's attention but points it where it belongs: to the music. The HD 600's real superpower isn't what it adds; it's what it takes away: the techy noise between the listener and the artist. Sometimes the best finds are the ones right under your nose, waiting for you to catch up. Almost three decades late, I've finally shown up — and the music's never felt more real. (To write in with feedback, email
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
When reality just isn't good enough, Cadillac's electric ‘baby Escalade' delivers the goods
The question isn't whether buyers will love Cadillac's six-passenger 2026 Vistiq electric luxury SUV. They will. The question is why it took Cadillac decades to build this baby Escalade ― easier than the massive original to park and helm through city traffic, but still packing the luxury, technology and sheer presence that's made the Escalade an icon; arguably the most successful and important vehicle in Cadillac's 122-year history. Infusing the Escalade's essence into a vehicle in the higher-volume midsize SUV segment seems obvious in retrospect, but Cadillac never tried. It built smaller SUVs, some very good, but none approached the Escalade's status and swagger. Honestly, though, who cares? The Vistiq rolling into Cadillac dealers now is such a natural fit for the brand that asking what took so long is the cheapest Monday morning quarterbacking. If you didn't have the idea, you don't get to call other people slow for not thinking of it sooner. What matters is that the Vistiq has arrived, with the bravado, power and sheer heft that make the Escalade ― and the new Escalade IQ EV ― impossible to ignore in a market crowded with luxury and electric SUVs. Built in Spring Hill, Tennessee, the Vistiq is on sale now. Prices run from $77,395 to $96,495, excluding a $1,695 destination charge. Sport: $77,395 Luxury: $77,895 Premium Luxury: $91,895 Platinum: $96,495 Source: Cadillac Prices exclude $1,695 destination charge. Cadillac has bet big on EVs. They account for 23% of sales so far this year, with a target of 35% by year end. The Vistiq's calling cards are: Road presence Advanced features Comfort Style Room A midsize three-row SUV with six or seven seats, the Vistiq plays in one of the most popular vehicle segments. All-wheel drive from a pair of electric motors is standard. They produce 615 hp and 650 pound-feet of torque that blast the SUV to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. A 102 kWh battery provides up to 305 miles range. Cadillac continues GM's refusal to quantify DC charging speed by the commonly used and easily understood, 'xx minutes from 10%-80%' of battery capacity, but the Vistiq's battery can accept 190kW current, adding 'up to 79 miles in about 10 minutes.' On the possibly naive assumption that GM's acting in good faith, simple math suggests 10%-80% could be achieved in less than 30 minutes ― fast enough there's no reason not to announce it. Six or seven passengers 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds Up to 615 hp and 650 pound-feet of torque 305-mile range Dual sunroofs with sunshades Full-time all-wheel drive Dolby Atmos audio 23-speaker AKG audio Augmented reality display for navigation and alerts Night vision Five-zone climate control 102 kWh battery Up to 190 kW charging speed 21-, 22- and 23-inch wheels Available all-wheel drive Available air suspension Real-time, adaptive route-planning with charging stops Available NACS adapter for Tesla chargers An advanced new augmented reality system projects navigation information ― including arrows floating in front of the Vistiq to indicate turns ― and alerts. New optics make the display, which appears to be projected in space 10 meters in front of the Vistiq, clearer and more effective than earlier AR systems. The Vistiq is one of a handful of vehicles that uses active noise cancellation to reduce road noise from the tires and suspension. That's particularly welcome given that its electric drivetrain eliminates many sounds and vibrations that mask those noises in internal combustion vehicles. BMW X7 M601 Infiniti QX80 Jeep Wagoneer Land Rover Range Rover Lexus LX 700h Lincoln Aviator Lucid Gravity Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic Rivian R1S Tesla X The Vistiq drives like a smaller vehicle. That's a very good thing, particularly for a vehicle that can haul six or seven adults in comfort. The optional four-wheel steering tightens its running radius and enables quick, stable maneuvers at highway speed. An air suspension that's packaged with the 4WS (four-wheel steering) smooths rough surfaces and virtually eliminates body roll, squat and dive in enthusiastic driving. And it's hard not to drive enthusiastically in a vehicle that combines inherently quiet EV operation with active road-noise cancellation and plenty of acoustic insulation. The Vistiq's smooth, quiet progress makes it easy to underestimate your speed. GM's advanced Super Cruise hands-free driving system becomes appealing not just for driver comfort, but also because it maintains the speed you choose ― regardless of how quiet and smooth the Vistiq is at high speeds More: 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ: This is how you do a big luxury EV More: 2025 Cadillac Optiq SUV EV shocks with style, features and value The interior is roomy and comfortable, with materials including carbon fiber, open-pore wood. Highlights include metal inlays in wood trim, ambient lighting and woven accent fabric made from recycled feedstock. The 23-speaker audio system has jewel-pattern metal grilles. The instrument panel has 33 inches of continuous screen for displays and controls ― and eventually to stream videos when parked and charging. A separate touch screen handles climate, infotainment and other features, including apps from the Google Play store. There's useful luggage and cargo room. The third row of seats provides adult legroom when the second row is moved forward. Optiq Optiq-V Lyriq-V Vistiq Escalade IQ Escalade IQL Celestiq The touch screen is not responsive enough for some functions, including adjusting lumber support and other seat features. Polarized sunglasses significantly reduce the augmented reality display's visibility. While GM makes third-party apps available through its Google operating system and adopts other Android smart phone features, the automaker's EVs don't allow Apple CarPlay, complicating some drivers' accustomed smart phone use. The Vistiq's broad stance, vertical lights and illuminated badges stand out. Like the Escalade ― like all Cadillacs should ― the SUV announces your arrival. It's responsive on the road and in parking lots, thanks to well-tuned steering and suspension. The interior is elegant, roomy and easy to use, with contemporary touches like metal-inlaid wood, fabric from recycled materials, large and legible displays. Advanced technologies improve everything from driving to enjoying music and flowing navigation instructions. All-wheel drive six- or seven-seat midsize electric SUV Base price: $77,395 (All prices exclude import tariffs and $1,695 destination charge) On sale now Price as tested: $91,895 Power: One electric motor on each axle Output: 615 hp, 650 pound-feet of torque Transmission: Single-speed direct drive Battery: 102 kWh lithium-ion EPA estimated range on a charge: 300-305 miles, depending on model Maximum charging speed: 190 kW DC; 19.2 kW 240v AC Charging time: 79 miles in 10 minutes w/190kWDC; up to 46.7 miles per hour @ 240v. Wheelbase: 121.8 inches Length: 205.6 inches Width: 79.8 inches without mirrors (86.7 including mirrors) Height: 71 inches Ground clearance: NA Passenger volume: 136.6 cubic feet (estimated) Cargo volume: 15.2 cubic feet behind rear seat; 43 behind second row; 80.2 behind front seats Curb weight: 6,326 pounds. Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds Assembled in Spring Hill, Tennessee Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@ Follow him on Twitter mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Reasons buyers will love Cadillac's 2026 Vistiq electric luxury SUV 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
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Driven: 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Three-Row Electric SUV Makes a Name for Itself
Cadillac's marketers have informally christened the 2026 Vistiq electric three-row SUV the "baby Escalade," consigning it from birth to live in the shadow of its more aspirational sibling. Talk about throwing shade on a new product. Then again, the $129,795 Escalade IQ is the size of a small pole barn, so it makes plenty of shade, even for something grander than the brand's two-row Lyriq but not as grandiose as its headlining SUV. This fresh EV cast member will upstage Caddy's soon-to-be-departed XT6 without hogging the spotlight. In such a role, the Vistiq gives a solid performance as a posh yet reserved people mover. The Vistiq's scene opens with two trim levels, the $79,090 Luxury and the $79,590 Sport, followed by the more technologically advanced $93,590 Premium Luxury and $98,190 Platinum. Its familial resemblance to the Escalade IQ is clear, yet its more reasonable proportions and contoured flanks play better on the eyes without reducing it to a wallflower. The Vistiq's handsome envelope stretches a substantial 205.6 inches in length and 79.8 inches in width. The optional 23-inch wheels, shod with meaty 305-section-width tires no less, look perfectly at home under its haunches (21-inchers are mandatory on lower trims; 22s are standard on the Premium Luxury and Platinum). The theater continues inside with generous amounts of space, an attractive architectural design, and a pleasant mix of materials for a mainstream Cadillac. Of the versions we sampled, the Sport featured carbon-fiber-like accents with copper-colored inlays, while the Premium Luxury brandished fetching open-pore wood trim that nicely offset its brushed-aluminum speaker grilles (a booming 23-speaker AKG stereo with Dolby Atmos tuning is standard on all models). Smudge-prone piano-black trim is scarce yet hard to avoid on the steering wheel and center console. The overall layout is a good middle ground between the Lyriq's and the Escalade IQ's, incorporating the former's curved 33.0-inch touchscreen for driver information and Google-based infotainment. A spacious center console as in the latter includes a secondary touchscreen for climate settings, as well as Cadillac's flimsy rotary knob that can manipulate the main display. Luxury amenities abound, from standard soft-close doors to five-zone automatic climate control with nicely detailed vents even in the aft quarters. Night vision and a head-up display with helpful augmented-reality navigation overlays (a first for Cadillac) come on higher trims. Elevated front seats with comfortable side bolsters provide good support and a commanding view out the front. In the second row—a standard three-seat bench or optional captain's chairs—there's slightly more legroom than in both the Lyriq and the outgoing XT6. Your long-legged author could easily sit behind his own driving position without his knees touching the front seat, and his head was nowhere near the standard panoramic moonroof. A second, fixed skylight sits above the power-folding third row, which thanks to the second row's tilt-and-slide feature, is easy to access even if you're not a contortionist. Legroom in the way back also increases over the XT6. Adults should find the low-slung bottom cushions and decent headroom acceptable for at least short outings. All Vistiqs come with front and rear permanent-magnet motors that in their sportiest Velocity Max setting combine for 615 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque—familiar figures if you've scanned the specs of the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS, as well as the Cadillac Optiq V and Lyriq V models. It's also more electronic firepower than you'll get in similarly priced competitors such as the Volvo EX90 (402 to 510 horsepower), though less than what's available in pricier alternatives from Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla. Despite the Vistiq's estimated three-plus-ton girth, we have little reason to doubt Cadillac's claimed 3.7-second 60-mph time—another midpack metric. Likewise, its 102-kWh battery should return around 300 miles of range once the EPA gets around to verifying it. Capable of drawing electrons at up to 190 kilowatts, the Vistiq is said to pack on about 80 miles of range in 10 minutes at a DC fast-charger; an 11.5-kW onboard AC charger is standard, but a 19.2-kW unit is available. As with all GM EVs, there are numerous regen settings, including one-pedal operation and a convenient on-demand paddle on the steering wheel. Though undeniably quick, the Vistiq's defining road manners are its quiet comfort and confident capability. Generous sound insulation and road noise–canceling acoustics pumped through the audio speakers hush its cabin at speed. Adaptive dampers are standard and firm up slightly in Sport mode, which also adds a tad more weight to the steering and sharpens the accelerator response. But the ride is always well managed and compliant, especially with the height-adjustable air springs (on the Premium Luxury and Platinum only) that also can drop the vehicle nearly two inches for easier entry. With rear-axle steering (again, top trims only) that can swivel the rear wheels up to 3.5 degrees, the Vistiq exhibits a refined nimbleness that belies its size. Step up to the Platinum and you also get bigger brakes with Brembo six-piston front calipers. Given the Vistiq's bulk, we wish they were standard across the board. Steering that's largely devoid of feel despite being responsive to inputs erodes the Vistiq's entertainment when driven spiritedly. But Cadillac has done well to tame the mass of the big wheels and tires, which only returned some background ride frequencies on the rougher sections of our drive route. Elsewhere, this Caddy glided along smoothly, maintaining disciplined composure as we plied it around corners. Those who enjoy driving may find a better fit in the lesser two trims, which ride on coil springs and smaller wheels and do without rear steering. Though our time in a such-equipped Sport model was limited, it felt noticeably lighter on its feet than the more indulgent Premium Luxury trim, with little sacrifice in ride comfort or maneuverability. Less keen drivers may appreciate the standard fitment of GM's latest Super Cruise hands-free assistant, which gains additional driver-selectable functions: automatic lane changes based on navigation route guidance, such as when you're approaching a highway interchange, plus the ability to adjust the vehicle's speed based on posted limits. For example, if you're going 60 mph in a 55-mph zone and the limit changes to 70 mph, the system will automatically maintain that delta and bump you up to 75 mph. Factor in its excellent lane tracking and general situational awareness, and this remains the benchmark of hands-free tech. While it wasn't long ago that a new entry like the Vistiq would've had little in the way of competition, the field of three-row EVs is rapidly expanding with compelling entries such as the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and the Lucid Gravity. The Cadillac Vistiq essentially sits smack in the middle of this growing gaggle, trading on respectable power, range, and accommodations, combined with a luxurious aura and not-quite-nosebleed pricing. As supporting actors go, the Escalade could have much worse. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
