2026 Cadillac Vistiq Up Close: The Normal Electric Luxury SUV
Maybe the idea of a luxury three-row crossover-style SUV appeals to you but you haven’t found one on the market that you’re comfortable with. The Tesla Model X comes with baggage, like odd falcon-wing doors; the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is pricey and requires astronaut training to use its multimedia screens; and the Rivian R1S fits the bill, but maybe you don’t trust a brand that’s still new enough to not have a long reliability history.
Cadillac would like you to instead consider this: the 2026 Vistiq, its new three-row all-electric SUV. But unlike so many other new electric vehicles on the market, the point here is normalcy — and it just might be the key to getting buyers into Cadillac EVs. I recently got an up-close look at the Vistiq in person ahead of its reveal.
Related: 2026 Cadillac Vistiq: More Power Than a Lyriq, Rich Blend of Textures and Colors
No Strange Looks Here
Styling is the key to getting any shopper to consider a vehicle, as it’s the first thing they’ll notice, and the Vistiq’s styling is designed to be clean, conventional and inoffensive. The Vistiq fits in as the fourth electric SUV in the Cadillac showroom and is meant to be a less expensive, more accessible three-row option — something to slot in above the Lyriq but hopefully not touch the $100,000 mark where the Escalade IQ comes in.
As such, the Vistiq looks like an electrified version of the gas-powered Cadillac XT6 three-row SUV if it were updated with newer, fresher styling. The Vistiq shares cues from the other Cadillac EVs, such as the grille-panel lighting and design, the four-element taillights and the unusual strake design on the rear-quarter windows. But the overall shape is that of a normal two-box SUV, with no odd roofline, unusual light treatments or strange elements. The Vistiq is about the same size as the Lyriq — with the same wheelbase, according to Cadillac engineers — but it’s wider and taller than the Lyriq, enabling more room to fit a third row in the cargo area, better headroom all around and a higher seating position. It’s clean, attractive and hides the fact that it’s an EV rather well, which could be appealing to consumers who just want something normal and not too spaceshiplike.
Familiar Insides
The cabin of the new Vistiq is quite nice and should look familiar by now. It is easily a step above anything Tesla has put out and comparable to interiors from the Mercedes-EQ line of electric SUVs or the latest Rivian R1S. The second row is plenty spacious, but given that it’s not that much bigger than a Lyriq inside, the third row is acceptable for kids but a little tight for full-sized adults beyond anything other than a quick trip to dinner. Visibility out is good, too, with plenty of upright windows all around — something that isn’t always a given for electric SUVs, many of which adopt a more coupelike profile.
As in the Lyriq, the Vistiq gets the same screen combination that seamlessly extends from the driver’s door to the center console. Like other high-end Cadillacs, the Vistiq will feature a plethora of technological features, such as five-zone climate control with occupant detection for optimized energy efficiency, a standard 23-speaker AKG premium audio system with Dolby Atmos sound, and a fully kitted third row with padded armrests, USB ports, phone storage and cupholders. A full-length moonroof is standard and includes a panel over the third row.
Super Cruise hands-free semi-autonomous cruise control will be standard on the Vistiq, while available options will include a night vision camera, an augmented-reality head-up display and a vehicle-to-home bidirectional charging system that will allow customers to power their home in an emergency using the juice stored in the Vistiq (provided you also have the GM Energy home equipment). That’s a lot of content for this vehicle, and it will likely be a factor in whatever its pricing looks like, which is sure to be something eye-popping.
What won’t the Vistiq have in terms of tech? Apple CarPlay, which is available only in the Lyriq (for now). The Vistiq uses the same Google Built-In operating system software that GM is using for all of its latest models. It’s part of GM’s desire to start subscription requirements for a lot of the Google Built-In services, such as navigation, and time will tell if people tolerate it or skip GM vehicles for competitors.
Overall, the 2026 Vistiq is an interesting addition to the lineup of electric Cadillacs — more rational than a new Escalade IQ but more useful than a Lyriq. We’ll see if Cadillac’s path toward full-line electrification continues in the wake of recent political changes, but if it does, the new Vistiq should help the brand expand.
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