2026 Optiq-V Packs 519 HP Into Cadillac’s Smallest Electric SUV
The next Cadillac to get the high-performance V treatment will also be the first to get a native Tesla-style North American Charging Standard plug: the 2026 Optiq-V. Cadillac stuffed over 200 extra horsepower into the Optiq to make the Optiq-V, along with additional performance modes, sporty blue aesthetic cues and bigger brakes capable of stopping it all.
Related: Cadillac Confirms Optiq as Next V-Series Performance EV
We already liked the Optiq for taking many of the luxurious amenities from the larger Lyriq and putting them in a smaller, more maneuverable package that’s easier to live with and surprisingly competent in the turns. Doubling down on performance improvements and adding a lot more power for the Optiq-V sounds like a recipe for fun.
How Fast Is the 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V?
Cadillac claims the Optiq-V can rocket from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds using launch control in its Velocity Max driving mode, which unlocks the powertrain’s full output of 519 hp and a whopping 650 pounds-feet of torque (though it does use more power when it’s enabled). The Optiq-V comes with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain as standard. The standard NACS plug feeds an 85-kilowatt-hour battery, which Cadillac claims gives the Optiq-V up to 275 miles of range (provided you’re not running around in Velocity Max the whole time); an official EPA estimate is not yet available.
Cadillac’s engineers didn’t just have straight-line speed in mind for the Optiq-V — the electric SUV also features larger six-piston Brembo front brake calipers (available in either blue or red), a tighter steering rack, revised aerodynamics and an upgraded adaptive suspension that Cadillac claims is more engaging in the twisties without losing its ability to isolate occupants from harsh bumps. All-season tires come standard, but buyers can spec the Optiq-V with higher-performance summer tires as an option.
The V modes allow drivers to customize the Optiq-V’s performance driving settings even further, letting them choose different settings for things like steering, dampers, sound and powertrain performance. A V button on the steering wheel lets drivers access their custom settings on the fly, although they can also be accessed in the Drive Mode app on the car’s huge 33-inch LED display. A Competitive Mode tweaks the front-axle traction management and torque-vectoring systems for better handling and traction.
What Else Is Special About the 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V?
The Optiq-V features some special styling tweaks that help set it apart from the regular Optiq, most of which involve carbon fiber or the specific hue of blue pulled from Cadillac’s V-Series badge. Body-colored lower trim, a black painted roof and 21-inch satin-graphite alloy wheels emphasize that this is the sporty version designed to go fast on the road, not off of it. On the rear quarter-window is a blue-accented pattern that mimics the checkered-flag-like pattern in the V-Series badge.
The Optiq-V also features revised front-end styling with V-patterned mesh in the lower grille and a gloss-black front splitter, plus a gloss-black lower diffuser in the back. Other exterior options include a carbon-fiber package (which includes a carbon-fiber front splitter, rear spoiler and rear diffuser) and a panoramic fixed-glass moonroof.
Inside, the Optiq-V features carbon fiber and bright Santorini Blue accents, which are paired with either a black or a black and gray interior. Santorini Blue seat belts and seatbacks are options for buyers who want more of the color. There are even more nods to the V in the “fjords” seatback stitching and perforation pattern, which resembles the Vs of waves following a boat down a fjord.
It’s also loaded down with technology, as you would expect with a top-performance spec. Cadillac’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous hands-free driving system comes standard, along with three years of OnStar connected services and a host of other safety and driver-assist tech including blind spot collision avoidance, automatic parking, forward collision alerts and adaptive cruise control. It also features a standard 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system with Dolby Atmos sound, and the infotainment system features Google Built-In with Google Maps and Google’s voice assistant.
Release Date and Pricing
The 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V starts at $68,795 (including $1,495 destination fee) and enters production in the fall; sales should start soon after.
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- Research the Cadillac Optiq
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