Cadillac OPTIQ vs Cadillac LYRIQ-V

The 2025 Cadillac Optiq arrives as the new entry-level electric vehicle in the General Motors luxury brand’s lineup, giving Caddy a rival to the Audi Q4 e-tron, Genesis GV60, Lexus RZ, Mercedes-Benz EQB, and Volvo EX40 and new car buyers a cheaper entry point below the brand’s larger electric SUVs, such as the Cadillac Escalade IQ and the Vistiq.

Verdict: The Optiq is surprising value among electric luxury SUVs.

The Lyriq was the first Cadillac EV to reach showrooms, so it’s fitting that it’s also the first electric Cadillac to get a V-Series performance variant. The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V gains more power, sportier chassis tuning, and subtle styling changes to differentiate it from the standard Lyriq, which has been on sale since the 2023 model year and carries into 2026 with updated tech features, including a 23-speaker AKG audio system with Dolby Atmos and an augmented reality head-up display that are also available on the V-Series model.

Verdict: The first Cadillac V-Series EV succeeds in making the Lyriq a lot more exciting, without compromising the luxurious feel that makes it one of the best electric SUVs.