Latest from Man of Many
Man of Many
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Man of Many
Man of Many's Staff Favourites—19 July, 2025
By Dean Blake - News Published: 19 Jul 2025 |Last Updated: 17 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. The week is over, July is halfway done, and wouldn't you know it—it's time for another round of our Staff Favourites! Each week, we try to show off some things that have brought us some joy in the hopes it'll help you find your own, and this week we're showcasing some delicious Tasmanian whiskey, a pint-sized collectable car, an ape wearing a tie, and some custom Adidas. Hot Wheels 1990 Acura NSX Brick Set | Image: Mattel Hot Wheels 1990 Acura NSX Brick Set John Guanzon – Head of Creative & Production When we posted about the news of Mattel dropping collector-focused brick sets on Man of Many's Instagram, the response was huge, so I took it as my sign to grab a set for myself. I told myself it was for the kids over the school holidays, but let's be real: I'll be the one building it while they watch (and honestly, I'm not mad about it). The build quality is surprisingly impressive. This one features 876 pieces and pays tribute to the iconic '90s ride with incredible attention to detail, from its scissor doors to the classic wedge profile. It's part of Mattel's new Brick Shop range, which also includes the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. All three are loaded with authentic touches and feel way more premium than you'd expect from a brick set. It's definitely got that collector energy, and now I'm tempted to grab the others and complete the set (or quietly drop hints between now and Father's Day wink). Favourite Article this Week: Our First Look at Link and Zelda in 2027's 'Legend of Zelda' Movie Donkey Kong Bonanza | Image: Nintendo Donkey Kong Goes Bananza Dean Blake – Entertainment & Tech Writer Donkey Kong has finally been let out of his cage, and he's literally tearing the scenery apart. In DK's big return to a starring role, he's diving deep into the bowels of the planet in Bananza, the first major single-player system-seller for Nintendo's new Switch 2 console. I got a chance to play a few hours of the game recently, and it was fantastic. DK feels great in the hands (which is no surprise if you've played this studio's prior game, Super Mario Odyssey), and has a number of new abilities in store: he can break the world apart around him, for one, but also climb most surfaces and, when the mood strikes just right, turn into an ostrich. No, I'm not kidding. He can also turn into a zebra and an even bigger ape with bananas in his hair, which is strange but you know, who cares? Doing so gives the big man access to some new abilities, like gliding, sprinting, and bashing things even harder. Oh, and he does it all with a human child on his shoulder. Confused yet? Well, that's just the beginning of where things get whacky with this one, but I don't think I want to spoil much else. Really, if you've already picked up a Switch 2 for Mario Kart you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to check out Bananza—and if you've been on the fence, this is a pretty damn good reason to make the jump to Nintendo's new system. Favourite Article this Week: Does the Nothing Phone (3) Justify its AUD$1,509 Price? Image: Scott Purcell / Man of Many Kicking It with the Three Stripes: Our Night with the adidas Superstar Scott Purcell – Co-Founder This week, Harry and I had the opportunity to head out to the adidas flagship store on Pitt St in Sydney to celebrate the return of a true icon: the adidas Superstar. The new 'Superstar: The Original' campaign is bringing back the legendary sneaker in two classic colourways, alongside the equally iconic Firebird Tracksuit. The global campaign features a star-studded cast including the likes of Missy Elliott, Jennie from BLACKPINK, and is narrated by the one and only Samuel L. Jackson. The event was a super fun getting to customise our own sneakers, and they even offered to embroider the back of our new jackets ahead of the night. In a moment of questionable genius, I opted for 'Man of Many' on mine, which made for some interesting conversations. Others were more clever, with one person getting 'It wasn't me' stitched on the back. While I'm not sure my attempt with a metallic scourer was a complete success as you can see in the photo, I can confirm these shoes are ridiculously comfortable. I've been wearing them all week since and this was my first proper foray into the world of adidas Superstars footwear. I think it's safe to say I'm a convert. Favourite Video this Week: DITL with the Dyson OnTrac Rosevears Tasmanian Three Grain Whiskey | Image: Rosevears Rosevears Tasmanian Three Grain Whiskey Alex Martinez – Media Sales & Brand Partnerships Tasmania's first crack at a bourbon-style whiskey is an ambitious and largely successful effort. Rosevears Batch 1 delivers a bold, grain-forward profile that proudly wears its local ingredients on its sleeve. The nose is rich with sweet corn and toasted cereal, backed by a punch of rye spice and oak. On the palate, it leans into classic bourbon notes – vanilla, caramel, and a touch of char. While it doesn't quite rival the depth of some seasoned Kentucky counterparts, Rosevears impresses with its authenticity and craftsmanship. As a debut, it sets a promising foundation for what's to come from this Tasmanian distillery. One for the curious bourbon enthusiast looking to explore Australian innovation – and why wouldn't you be? Favourite Article this Week: Ninja SLUSHi: The Uber-Cool Drink Maker You Need Right Now
Man of Many
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
'We Were All Pinching Ourselves': Eric Bana Talks Netflix's ‘Untamed'
By Dean Blake - News Published: 18 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Eric Bana has been a mainstay in the Australian creative industry for as long as we can remember, and for good reason. An incredibly talented actor, Bana's got the ability to play across multiple genres, from sketch comedy in his breakout role in Full Frontal, his work as Bruce Banner in 2003's Hulk, to his moodier, more dramatic offerings in The Dry. And now Bana is back, working with Netflix on the newly launched Untamed: a rather unique concept for a show, straddling the line between murder mystery, character-focused drama, and a beautiful invitation into the natural world. In Untamed, Bana plays Kyle Turner, a special agent for the National Parks Service who has been tasked with investigating a Jane Doe found in Yosemite National Park. Throughout the six-episode mini-series, Turner uncovers the seedy underbelly of the park, as well as Jane Doe's identity, and killer. It's a great watch if you haven't already dived in, and we were given the chance to chat with Bana ahead of the shows release, where we asked about the filming process, his time on set, and when we'll get some more Poida (don't hold your breath). Eric Bana in Netflix's Untamed | Image: Supplied First of all, congratulations on the show – it looks really great. Can you tell me a bit about the process of filming Untamed on-site? It's based in Yosemite National Park, but it was filmed in British Columbia in Canada, which is really dense woodland. How difficult was that? I guess once we got there it wasn't too bad, I think the most difficult part was searching for the locations and making sure they matched what was on the page and to try and get the epic scale of what we wanted—that was the huge selling point of the show, to have a murder mystery set in a national park. We wanted to deliver a transportive experience to the audience that would feel like they were somewhere else, that they could breathe in that air. It was tough on the crew in terms of moving the equipment around and the logistics of it, but once we were in those locations we were all pinching ourselves. You play Kyle Turner, a special agent of the National Parks Service. Can you tell me a bit about how you fleshed the character out over the course of filming, or how you found the character in something that is as character-driven as Untamed? There was so much on the page, and it was so beautifully written. When I first came across the material we only had the (script for) the first episode, but there was more than enough to tease and flesh out the potential—not only for my character, but the relationships he has with the other characters in the story. Mark Smith's writing is superb, so I was really confident that the journey we were about to go on would be a great one. It just kept revealing itself to me, every episode, it kept getting more intense, with more twists and turns. Eric Bana in Netflix's Untamed | Image: Supplied Is there any particular part of the filming process that sticks out to you as something that was really special, or memorable? I think every episode had a scene or a location where you'd stand there in the quiet moments and just really, really take it in. Particularly for Lily Santiago, who plays Naya (Vasquez), her and I were on our horses most days, traipsing around the mountains of British Columbia, and I'd always just say, 'we're getting paid for this, this is actually a job'. It was quite an amazing experience. Is there anything you're most proud of with the show? All of it, really. It is the show that we set out to make, it is the show that we had in our minds, and we were greatly supposed by Netflix to go out and make exactly what Mark had written. I think the scale of it is what really sets it apart—like I was saying, our hope was that when our audience click on to watch, they can feel like they've gone somewhere. There's a crime to solve, and there's a genre I'm familiar with, but this world feels very different. It's almost like a combination of a nature documentary with murder mystery. Sam Neill and Eric Bana in Netflix's Untamed | Image: Supplied You got to work with some pretty amazing actors in Untamed I wanted to ask about working with Sam Neill. It's always super exciting to see Aussies and Kiwis on the big screen, can you tell me about that experience? It was really special, we'd actually never worked together before. We have a lot of mutual friends and so I felt like I already knew him, and I got exactly what I was expecting and more from him. When we got together, I was like, 'we've actually never met. We've actually never been in the same room as each other,' which was so bizarre given all these years. And he plays such a pivotal character in the show, we were so lucky to get him onboard. Without giving too much away, his journey and our journey together through the course of the six episodes… I was really fortunate to have him as a scene partner. I think the whole cast was great. Just a really wonderful cast, greatly supported by some epic writing from one of the best writers around at the moment. When I told the rest of the Man of Many team, everyone had the same question: when are we getting more Full Frontal? (laughs) You must have an old team. How do you even find that stuff. Untamed is available exclusively on Netflix.
Man of Many
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
Feel-Good Friday: 18 July, 2025—Dim Sims, Speedruns, and Hottest 100 Parties
By Dean Blake - News Published: 18 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 3 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. It's the end of the week, and you know what that means: another instalment of Man of Many's Feel-Good Friday! Every week we look to bring some fun ideas for things you can do this weekend, as well as some easy opportunities for you to do some good in the world. This week, we're showing off some cheap meals, and an upcoming celebration of triple j's 2025 Hottest 100, as well as a chance for all the gamers out there to do some more good for cancer research. Without further ado, here's this week's Feel-Good Friday. Dimmies & Tinnies | Image: Supplied Dimmies & Tinnies Pop-Up at The Norfolk with $3 Dim Sims, $7 Tinnies If you're keen for a cheap feed this weekend, head on down to The Norfolk Hotel in Redfern for a delicious treat this Saturday, 19 July: A Dimmies & Tinnies pop-up, offering $3 dim sims, $7 Reschs Pilsners, and good vibes. The dimmies come in two flavours—a spicy pork with red chilli and cabbage, and chicken with sweetcorn and a bit of kombu. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also book your spot if you don't want to miss out. Dimmes & Tinnies is an odd offering, having been born out of the combination of TV personality Andy Lee, NYC-based hospitality duo Eddy Buckingham and Paul Donnelly, and ceramist Sam Gordon, with the chief goal of making dim sims even more fun. How do they achieve that? Well, add tinnies. While D&Ts will be at The Norfolk Hotel this Saturday, 19th from 12pm, this is actually the first stop on an east-coast tour of Australia. Where'll it be headed next? Keep an eye on the Dimmies & Tinnies Instagram for updates. Taphouse, Darlinghurst | Image: Supplied Taphouse Serving 'Hottest 100' Deliciousness With triple j celebrating 50 years on the air in 2025, this year's Hottest 100 is sure to be a big one: and Darlinghurst's Taphouse is preparing to deliver its own celebration. Next Saturday, 26 July, Taphouse will be playing the beloved music countdown throughout the venue, while offering patrons $14 Aperol Spritzes paired with a succulent Chinese meal. For those of us with a taste for beer, schooners of Mountain Culture's award winning Status Quo will be $10 — with $1 of every beer donated to youth mental health foundation Headspace. The Hottest 100 is a staple in Australia's music culture, so if you're not celebrating the countdown with a backyard barbecue, check out Taphouse. 'Mario Kart World' | Image: Nintendo Australian Speedrun Marathon is Running Now! If you're looking for something to do indoors this weekend, but still want to do some good, consider checking out the Australian Speedrun Marathon—an annual video-game speed-running event which raises money for cancer research live on Twitch. It'll be running until Sunday 20th, so you've got plenty of time to tune in. 'We are absolutely delighted to be working with the AusSpeedruns team, once again, for another Australian Speedrun Marathon,' said Alexandra Lynne, Gaming Campaign and Content Manager at Cure Cancer. 'Last year at ASM2024 the incredible AusSpeedruns community raised more than $30,000, and to date the team have raised more than $100,000 to support life-saving cancer research across a number of different events.' This year the event will feature a bunch of fantastic games to watch, from Pokemon Heart Gold, Mario Kart 64, Donkey Kong Country, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and The Simpsons: Ht & Run. Viewers can head to the AusSpeedruns Twitch channel to watch the event, and/or can donate to the cause via Tiltify.
Man of Many
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
Everything We Know About HBO's Harry Potter Reboot
By Dean Blake - News Published: 17 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 6 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. If you're anything like me, your feelings toward Harry Potter have changed a lot over the years. What was once a beloved story about kids learning magic and overcoming evil slowly morphed into something far more sinister, as the reality of series author J.K. Rowling's views on the world around her bled into how the books, and subsequent film adaptations, are remembered. Well, HBO is hoping we've all forgotten about that, and is launching a new take on the series' storyline – a 'faithful adaptation' of the original source material with Rowling as an executive producer, this time told as a long-form TV series set to launch on HBO Max in 2027. The goal is to dive deeper into the world Rowling imagined than was possible in the eight movies (plus spin offs), and with the show now in production we've had a pretty good look at most of the major cast members involved. Harry Potter's New Cast Revealed While some of the show's cast was revealed earlier in the piece, HBO had been auditioning 'thousands' of British younglings in an effort to track down its ideal trio of leads. Well, after what we're sure was an agonising search, we have our next Harry, Hermione and Ron. Here's the full cast list as we know it so far: Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, and Alastair Stout | Image: HBO Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter A relatively unknown young actor taking the reigns as the titular 'boy who lived'? History is indeed repeating itself. Scotland-born Dominic McLaughlin will be picking up the mantle of Harry, following in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliff. McLaughlin is 11-years-old, the same age Radcliff was during the filming of The Philosopher's Stone, and has previously performed in renditions of Macbeth in Edinburgh, as well as having recently wrapped filming on comedy film Grow alongside Harry Potter cast-mate Nick Frost. He, alongside his fellow young castmates, was cast after HBO auditioned over 32,000 child actors across the United Kingdom in search of its new Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger Potentially the most experienced of the young trio, Arabella Stanton has several high-profile credits to her name already. Having starred as Matilda on West End, and as 'Control' in a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express, she's pretty accustomed to taking on lead roles. Stanton will take on the role of the bookish fan-favourite Hermione Granger, the 'know-it-all' of the trio who regularly keeps the other two lads in check. Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley Potentially the most unknown of the young trio, Alastair Stout seems to have no other credits to his name—at least as far as we could find—but definitely brings the Weasley charm. The young Stout left an impact, however, with showrunner Francesca Gardiner stating that the group's talent is 'wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together on screen'. John Lithgow | Image: Getty John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore Lord Farquaad himself, John Lithgow, will be taking on the role of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry's iconic headmaster Albus Dumbledore—a role he believes will define the end of his career. 'It was a big decision, because it's probably the last major role I'll play,' Lithgow told The Times. 'It's an eight-year commitment so I was thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role.' Janet McTeer | Image: Jake Chessum Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall Perhaps best known more recently for her roles in Ozark and Jessica Jones, Janet McTeer is a career actor with more than 40-years experience in the industry. Here, she'll take on the role of Professor McGonagall, one of the most important and influential figures in the franchise. Beyond television, McTeer has gained widespread acclaim for her wide range of film performances: including 1992's Wuthering Heights and 2022's The Menu, in which she acted alongside Ralph Fiennes, Lord Voldemort in the original film series. Paapa Esseidu | Image; Curtis Brown Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape A casting choice that feels designed to fuel online flame wars, HBO is taking the iconic Severus Snape in a wholly different direction in its elongated version on the Harry Potter universe: bringing in British Black actor Paapa Essiedu to tackle the series' most tragic and misunderstood character. It's a double-edged sword for Esseidu: simultaneously an incredible opportunity to recontextualise Snape's arc (Why was he bullied so much as a kid? Why was he pushed to extremism?), and an open door to racial discrimination from keyboard warriors the world over. Thankfully, Esseidu is a fantastic actor and more than has the chops necessary to deliver a unique take on the character. Hopefully his version of Snape can be taken as is, and not held up to Alan Rickman's singular performance. Nick Frost | Image: WireImage Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid Everyone's favourite homeless Santa, Hagrid is easily one of the most beloved characters in the original film series. It's thankful, then, that Nick Frost, one of the most beloved actors of the day, is on board to deliver the goods. Perhaps best known for his roles alongside fellow funnyman Sean Pegg, Frost brings a comedic physicality to the role of Hogwarts' groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid, as well as the soft, dramatic side necessary to do the character justice. Paul Whitehouse | Image: PA Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch Hogwarts' caretaker, Argus Filch is largely characterised by his anger and frustration toward the student body, as well as his willingness to snitch on and punish anyone caught looking the wrong way. David Bradley, who played the character in the original films, brought a level of self-serious drama to the role that made him deliciously easy to hate. Paul Whitehouse has big shoes to fill, in other words. However, with more of a background in comedy than drama, Whitehouse may be able to take the character in a different direction—one more immediately likeable, but more frustrating when he eventually catches the kids loitering and turns on them. Luke Thallon | Image: Royal Shakespeare Company Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell Another stage actor, Luke Thallon looks prepped to bring a his booming energy to Lord Voldemort's devout follower Quirinus Quirrell. The character is largely remembered for his role as a temporary body for the Peter-Dutton-look-alike, but is also capable of swinging between being the meek, quiet Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and a raving lunatic emboldened by the power granted to him by his master. Perfect for a theatre actor. While Quirrell only appears in the first book of the series, his efforts bring about the entirety of Voldemort's plans.
Man of Many
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Man of Many
2026 Cadillac VISTIQ Review: 1,000km in the ‘Baby Escalade' Before it Lands in Australia
High point Low point Verdict Comfortable, cushy, Cadillac experience with high-quality materials and best-in-class exterior and interior design. Range is less than competitors despite it very likely costing more once it finally arrives in Australia in 2026. The 'Baby Escalade' delivers on its mission to deliver a premium, powerful, comfortable, three-row electric SUV. We look forward to getting back behind the wheel in RHD form. Scroll horizontally to view full table The three-row (6-seat), all-electric, Cadillac VISTIQ is coming to Australia next year, and I've had the unique chance to drive 1,000 miles in it before it lands on our shores. When it does, the VISTIQ will join a segment of luxury electric three-row SUVs currently occupied by the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90. Soon, they will also be joined by the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and very likely something from China that we've never heard of before. Then, the Cadillac VISTIQ will arrive in 2026. The VISTIQ will join the currently available Cadillac LYRIQ (from AUD$117,000 plus on-roads), which I drove last year, and the smaller Cadillac OPTIQ, which I had a chance to drive in Detroit, but can't tell you about just yet. With an overall length of 5,222 mm, it sits above the LYRIQ (4,996 mm) and OPTIQ (4,821 mm) in size and is often referred to as the 'Baby Escalade.' It's about the same overall size as a Nissan Patrol (5,165 mm) and has about the same power as a Mercedes-AMG G63 with a dual motor 459 kW powertrain. Let's take a closer look. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied How Much is the Cadillac VISTIQ? No local pricing has been announced for the Cadillac VISTIQ. What we do know is that we'll receive a fully-loaded vehicle with Adaptive Air Ride Suspension as standard and a 6-seat configuration only (2nd row Captain's Chairs). This model will closely resemble the VISTIQ Luxury (from USD$93,590) and VISTIQ Platinum (from USD$98,190) in the USA market, which means that we should expect the VISTIQ to land in Australia at around the AUD$150,000 plus on-road costs. What Does it Compete With? Here's a list of the main competitors for the Cadillac VISTIQ in Australia: Kia EV9 – from AUD$97,000 to $121,000 plus on-road costs – from AUD$97,000 to $121,000 plus on-road costs Volvo EX90 – from AUD$124,990 to $134,990 plus on-road costs – from AUD$124,990 to $134,990 plus on-road costs Hyundai IONIQ 9 – from AUD$119,750 plus on-road costs The advantage for GM is that there aren't many three-row electric SUVs on the market in Australia. The disadvantage for GM is that when you look at sales data—which Cadillac doesn't report to the media in Australia—there's probably a reason why. Sales for the Kia EV9 have nearly halved this year (-47.3%), having sold just 19 cars last month and 165 through June. Meanwhile, the Volvo EX90 has fared better as a more traditionally styled vehicle from a premium marque that offers more range, and it's managed 113 sales since hitting the market a few months ago. When you consider the Cadillac VISTIQ will very likely start from around AUD$150,000, it's going to have an uphill battle pulling diehards away from established brands like Volvo and Kia. Still, it's going to throw everything it can at the Australian new car buyer on its quest to do so. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied What's the Interior of the Cadillac VISTIQ Like? It's very similar to the Cadillac LYRIQ, but that's not a bad thing at all. What we have to remember first is that this is not a conversion, but a factory-built right-hand drive vehicle. You wouldn't be able to tell the two vehicles apart from a build quality perspective if you sat them next to each other, at least, that's what we know from doing exactly that with the Cadillac LYRIQ. The headline feature of the VISTIQ is that it's a true three-row, 6-seat SUV that has genuine space in the third row for adults less than 6 feet tall. By the numbers, they stack up very similar to the Kia EV9, with 778mm of legroom in the third row, 1,021mm in the second row, and 1,096mm in the front row. However, the third row passengers in the 6-seat LYRIQ will likely feel more comfortable on longer trips thanks to the gap created by the second row captain's chairs, but also the inclusion of padded armrests, smartphone storage, cupholders, and USB chargers. We don't have specifics confirmed for our market in terms of interior trim materials, but we expect the same Lumen open-pore wood found in the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims overseas or the Black Ash Cluster wood decors on Platinum trim. This should be joined by five-zone climate controls (with screen controls for the second row) and all the USB-C ports that you could ask for. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied I spent the majority of my time in the driver's seat of the VISTIQ while touring around California, and even in Sport trim, it was the typical, cushy and comfortable experience that you expect from a Cadillac. That said, it's not to be mistaken for a walloping hippo. The seats are supportive, feature heating (second-row captain's chairs included), cooling, massage, and memory, and are infinitely adjustable to find that perfect driving position. As is the steering wheel, and while I've never been the biggest fan of the chunky spokes on the Cadillac wheel, it does sit comfortably in your hands on longer road trips and features all of the physical controls that I could ask for. Usually, if I can get in a car, drive, and not become frustrated with how hard it is to find a common vehicle control, it's a good barometer. While the screen does house many of the second-layer controls, the primary controls are found on knobs, switches, and dials, including the volume, track skip, mute, and cruise control functions. HVAC controls are positioned on a screen mounted to the centre console, similar to Audis. Importantly, these buttons are large enough to use while driving, and it's not something that you adjust too often. Finally, there's a smaller screen on the left side of the instrument panel (right side in Australia) that houses your 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied How does the interior of the VISTIQ compare to other cars in this segment? Well, I've just spent a week in the Volvo EX90, and having driven both, I can confidently say that I prefer the interior design of the Cadillac. Both have large touchscreen displays, but the Cadillac's horizontally mounted 33-inch curved display is better integrated into the dashboard compared to the 14.5-inch portrait-style display in the Volvo. It's plonked in the middle of the cabin, and while functional, it looks like an afterthought. It will be interesting to see how the interior of the VISTIQ translates into the local market, but if it's anything like the left-hand drive vehicle I drove around California, then I think the brand is onto a winner. The only real negative to point at for buyers here is that it doesn't have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Instead, it comes with Android Automotive, which uses integrated Google Maps for navigation, with other apps available as a download through the infotainment. Honestly, I hardly see this as a negative, as it functions better than any mapping tool outside of Waze, and even given the chance to use both in cars like the Volvo EX90, I end up using the integrated system over the phone mirroring option. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied Power, Battery Charging, and Range of the Cadillac VISTIQ The Cadillac VISTIQ is available as a 459kW (615HP) dual-motor AWD electric vehicle. It's powered by a large 102kWh Ultium battery offering up to 300 miles of range and the ability to accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds with Velocity Max. That makes it more powerful and quicker than its competitors, but not quite as impressive on the range front when compared to the Volvo EX90, which offers up to 605 km of range. Specifications Cadillac VISTIQ Drivetrain Dual motor AWD Battery capacity 102 kWh (usable) Battery type Nickel manganese cobalt aluminium (NCMA) Power 459 kW (615 HP) Torque 880 Nm 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time (claimed) 3.7 seconds with Velocity Max Weight (kerb) 2,869.5 kg Energy consumption (claimed) 21.8 kWh/100 km (WLTP) Energy consumption (as tested) 22.2-28.2 kWh/100 km Claimed range 460 km (WLTP) test cycle in Europe Max AC charge rate 11.5 kW, 19.2 kW (optional) Max DC charge rate 190 kW Scroll horizontally to view full table 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied How Does the Cadillac VISTIQ Drive? Every Cadillac VISTIQ coming to Australia will have Air Ride Adaptive suspension fitted as standard alongside a multi-link front and five-link rear suspension system with semi-active Chassis Damping Control dampers. I had the chance to drive both the standard suspension and the Air Ride Adaptive suspension in and around suburban Detroit, and both provided a comfortable, balanced ride when cruising around in the normal Tour mode. Of course, it rides better on the smaller 21-inch wheels than the optional 23-inch wheels, but they aren't terrible by any means. The price of tyres could make the 23s prohibitively expensive to run in Australia, however. Front and rear suspension Multi-Link front and 5-Link rear with semi-active CDC dampers (Chassis Damping Control) Steering type Electric Power Steering (EPS) Turning Diameter with active rear steer and 23-inch wheels 11.7 metres Turning diameter with active rear steer and 22-inch wheels 12.5 metres Turning diameter with active rear steer and 21-inch wheels 11.64 metres Brake type Front: 4-piston Rear: 1-piston Front (Platinum): 6 piston Brembo Brakes Rear (Platinum): Paint matched single piston Brake rotor size: (in. / mm) 343mm (front) 345mm (rear) Platinum: 410mm (front) 345mm (rear) Wheel size: Front: 4-piston Rear: 1-piston Front (Platinum): 6-piston Brembo Brakes Rear (Platinum): Paint matched single piston Tires: Tires, 285/45R21 all-season, self-sealing Tires, 295/40R22 all-season, self-sealing Tires, 305/35R23 all-season-self-sealing Scroll horizontally to view full table On my road trip, I found there was no hiding the 2,869kg weight through the tightening corners and sharper bends of Big Bear National Park, but you can take advantage of the included Sport drive mode to stiffen up the suspension to counteract the exaggerated body roll and keep your passengers comfortable. Still, it's far from nimble. That's not the point of a 5.2 metre long, three-row electric SUV, though. While heavy, the size is manageable with available rear-wheel steering that can turn the rear wheels up to 3.5 degrees in the opposite direction to shorten the turning circle and increase maneuverability. There's a bright red V button on the steering wheel that stares at you while driving and unlocks the full 459kW (615HP) dual motor powertrain that makes overtaking a breeze. Like the LYRIQ, the acceleration isn't as brutal as the power figure might imply, but that's intentional on Cadillac's part. They've minimised 'lash controlling', which can cause discomfort to passengers while driving, particularly the children who might be sitting in the back. EV features like regenerative braking are calibrated perfectly, and you can even bring the vehicle to a stop using the paddle behind the steering wheel. Overall, I was quite impressed. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied How Safe is the Cadillac VISTIQ? Here's a list of safety equipment found in the U.S. market: Driver-assistance Super Cruise® hands-free driving on highways (not coming to Australia) Blind Zone Steering Assist Adaptive Cruise Control Driver Attention Assist* Traffic Sign Recognition Alerts Forward Collision Alert Rear Pedestrian Alert Side Bicyclist Alert Safety Alert Seat (directional vibration warnings) Rear Seat Reminder* LED Reflective Windshield Collision Alert Vision assistance HD Surround Vision (360° camera) Rear Camera Mirror with washer IntelliBeam® automatic high-beam assist Hitch Guidance with Hitch View Emergency braking Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking Rear Cross-Traffic Braking Front Pedestrian & Bicyclist Braking Reverse Automatic Braking Parking assistance Vision Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist Despite a long list of standard safety equipment (U.S. market), the Cadillac VISTIQ hasn't been tested by ANCAP, Euro NCAP, or similar in the USA. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied What Does the Cadillac VISTIQ Cost to Run? The VISTIQ will likely carry the 5-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and 8-year, 160,000km battery warranty from the LYRIQ. However, this hasn't been confirmed for the Australian market just yet. There's also a very strong chance it will arrive with the 5-year free roadside assistance and free scheduled servicing. Services are required every 12 months or 12,000km with the LYRIQ, which are standard for most vehicles in this segment. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied Our Verdict on the Cadillac VISTIQ Like the LYRIQ, the Cadillac VISTIQ delivers on paper and in the real world. It boasts the range, performance, technology, and equipment to compete with the top vehicles in its class, and if you're in the market for a three-row all-electric SUV, then this has to be on your shortlist. Sales of the established competitors from Kia and Hyundai are slowing in the local market, but Volvo has proven that brand loyalty and confidence go a long way. Cadillac, on the other hand, will have a tougher time doing so, but they're putting their best foot forward with the VISTIQ.
