Cadillac Vistiq: First drive of $150k luxury EV coming to Australia
Should we be surprised that America's vision for a luxury SUV is an exercise in excess? Probably not.
The Cadillac Vistiq on the way to Australian showrooms next year shapes up as an opulent machine from a place where too much is never enough.
There's no real need for a family wagon to have an enormous 452kW of power and 894Nm, or to hit 100km/h in 3.7 seconds.
2026 Cadillac Vistiq EV. Picture: Supplied
You don't need huge 23-inch wheels or a 23 speaker stereo with Dolby Atmos surround sound, you don't need five-zone climate control and you don't need a 33-inch wraparound digital display that stretches across the cabin.
But you might want these things.
Especially if you want a car that stands apart from the crowd.
X
Learn More
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
There aren't many cars like the Vistiq, which is a three-row electric luxury SUV that shapes up as a rival to battery-powered machines such as Volvo's EX90, the Mercedes EQS SUV, Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. You could also argue that it shapes up as an alternative to combustion-powered machines such as BMW's X5.
Full prices and specifications for the car have not been confirmed for Australia.
But you can expect the Vistiq to arrive in one fully-loaded trim for around $150,000.
For that, you get a large SUV with a cab that doesn't hold back.
MORE: Bold plan to seduce millionaires
2026 Cadillac Vistiq EV. Picture: Supplied
From its spacious dimensions to myriad materials that steer away from the low-key approach of Euro rivals, the Caddy delivers a bold and brassy experience that should translate well in Australia.
Sofa-like seats with fine adjustment help you get comfortable in the car, and sensibly placed controls make the machine second nature.
2026 Cadillac Vistiq EV. Picture: Supplied
Interestingly, Cadillac does not equip its latest models with Apple CarPlay, so you need to make do with its built-in Google-based mapping services.
That's annoying, but not a deal-breaker.
The sweeping screen stretching across the dashboard is loaded up with features such as night vision, augmented reality sat nav and the 'Super Cruise' self-driving suite that is standard in the US, but not available in Australia yet.
MORE: Confusion grows over car prices
2026 Cadillac Vistiq EV. Picture: Supplied
Out on the road, the big Caddy feels planted, thanks in part to enormous 305mm-wide tyres that help keep its 2.8-tonne weight in control.
This is a big car.
But it feels more agile than the numbers suggest, thanks to clever tech such as rear-wheel-steering, variable-height air suspension and adaptive shock absorbers that work against physics.
Sure, tight corners will reveal its weight.
But sweeping bends and city driving are no trouble.
MORE: Huge change coming to Aussie roads
2026 Cadillac Vistiq EV. Picture: Supplied
Smooth roads fringing Detroit didn't trouble its suspension, though Australia's rougher surfaces will offer a greater test of its abilities.
In any case, surplus power also helps disguise the mass.
You always have acceleration in reserve, which makes the car feel surprisingly spritely on the road.
It will pin you back in your seat and raise its nose like a speedboat when you pin the throttle.
There really aren't many family SUVs that claim this sort of thrust.
The downside to the huge power and weight is that it's not the most efficient car getting around.
X
Learn More
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Cadillac's 102kWh battery returns less than 500km of range, which is less than you might find from some rivals.
Folks who want to drive further could consider the smaller Cadillac Lyriq, which is already on sale with the same battery in a smaller, less-powerful five-seat package.
But people chasing opulence should step up to the Vistiq.
You can't have too much of a good thing.
MORE: Shock price for Australia's most valuable car
2026 Cadillac Vistiq EV. Picture: Supplied
CADILLAC VISTIQ
PRICE About $150,000
ON SALE Mid-2026
POWER Front and rear electric motors, 452kW and 894Nm
WARRANTY 5-yr/u'ltd km
RANGE About 485km
Originally published as Cadillac Vistiq electric SUV reviewed
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
16 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Not everyone's home on the Grange
'I remember my sister, a nurse, receiving a bottle of Grange when she 'specialled' Granny Penfold many years ago,' writes Nola Tucker of Kiama. 'In those days, people who actually drank wine tended to go for the Ben Ean or, if really up themselves, Sparkling Rinegolde. I think the bottle went into the bottom of her wardrobe. Wonder what happened to it?' Austin Rummery of Armidale (name and address of the week) muses that 'Allan Gibson's reference to former US president Richard Nixon (C8) reminded me of the wit who wrote: 'Behind every mill-house there is a water gate'.' 'So, Allan, if we are to add 'gate' to these scandals, surely the original 'gate' should have been Watergategate?' posits Peter Rose of Caves Beach. 'Thank you, Duncan McRobert (C8),' says Peri Nicol of Brisbane. 'My partner, who grew up in rural NSW, looked totally mystified when I recently mentioned wearing a 'car coat' in the '60s and '70s. The height of fashion on Sunday afternoon drives in the Holden station wagon.' Still on Duncan, one of his Volvo-baiting nemeses, Peter Farquhar of Coffs Harbour, offers an automotive mea culpa: 'Sorry, Duncan, I didn't mean offence as I, too, drove a Volvo wagon, and a Rover. Sans baseball cap, and no gloves.' The other partaker, Bob Hall of Wyoming, never drove a Ford, the closest being 'Dad's 36 Pilot and a marvellous 54 Customline. I started with a second-hand Peugeot 404, followed by a Corolla, a Camry, a Subaru and a Mitsubishi. Dad took me to a TAB the first day they opened in the mid-'60s in that Ford Customline. Fond memories.' We're keeping it vehicular for the moment, with the appropriately named Ian Wheeler of Moss Vale: 'Indicator stalks (C8) are one thing but who decides which side the filler cap goes on a new car design? If they were all on the same side, chaos would result at service stations. Somewhere there must be a 'filler-cap tsar' keeping count and allocating sides to ensure a 50/50 split.' Dermot Perry of Mount Keira recently came across one of the more curious Trump toys (C8): 'A strange, upright, long-necked plastic pig with Donald Trump's face on its belly that emitted a snorty grunt when squeezed at a store in Warrawong. I could not bring myself to buy it but I photographed it and, on a return visit, the shop still hadn't sold it!'
The Age
16 hours ago
- The Age
Not everyone's home on the Grange
'I remember my sister, a nurse, receiving a bottle of Grange when she 'specialled' Granny Penfold many years ago,' writes Nola Tucker of Kiama. 'In those days, people who actually drank wine tended to go for the Ben Ean or, if really up themselves, Sparkling Rinegolde. I think the bottle went into the bottom of her wardrobe. Wonder what happened to it?' Austin Rummery of Armidale (name and address of the week) muses that 'Allan Gibson's reference to former US president Richard Nixon (C8) reminded me of the wit who wrote: 'Behind every mill-house there is a water gate'.' 'So, Allan, if we are to add 'gate' to these scandals, surely the original 'gate' should have been Watergategate?' posits Peter Rose of Caves Beach. 'Thank you, Duncan McRobert (C8),' says Peri Nicol of Brisbane. 'My partner, who grew up in rural NSW, looked totally mystified when I recently mentioned wearing a 'car coat' in the '60s and '70s. The height of fashion on Sunday afternoon drives in the Holden station wagon.' Still on Duncan, one of his Volvo-baiting nemeses, Peter Farquhar of Coffs Harbour, offers an automotive mea culpa: 'Sorry, Duncan, I didn't mean offence as I, too, drove a Volvo wagon, and a Rover. Sans baseball cap, and no gloves.' The other partaker, Bob Hall of Wyoming, never drove a Ford, the closest being 'Dad's 36 Pilot and a marvellous 54 Customline. I started with a second-hand Peugeot 404, followed by a Corolla, a Camry, a Subaru and a Mitsubishi. Dad took me to a TAB the first day they opened in the mid-'60s in that Ford Customline. Fond memories.' We're keeping it vehicular for the moment, with the appropriately named Ian Wheeler of Moss Vale: 'Indicator stalks (C8) are one thing but who decides which side the filler cap goes on a new car design? If they were all on the same side, chaos would result at service stations. Somewhere there must be a 'filler-cap tsar' keeping count and allocating sides to ensure a 50/50 split.' Dermot Perry of Mount Keira recently came across one of the more curious Trump toys (C8): 'A strange, upright, long-necked plastic pig with Donald Trump's face on its belly that emitted a snorty grunt when squeezed at a store in Warrawong. I could not bring myself to buy it but I photographed it and, on a return visit, the shop still hadn't sold it!'
Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Courier-Mail
Belgian GP qualifying, Norris takes swipe at doubters after taking pole from Piastri, rookie in tears
Don't miss out on the headlines from F1. Followed categories will be added to My News. Lando Norris said he had not lost any confidence in his ability to outpace McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri after he bounced back on Saturday to claim pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix. The 25-year-old Briton, who was beaten by series leader Piastri in Friday's sprint qualifying, said it was tough for both McLaren drivers as they battle for supremacy in their intra-team rivalry — and slug it out for the drivers' world championship. Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. After 12 of this year's 24 races, Piastri leads with 241 points and five wins ahead of Norris on 232 and four wins. Defending four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull is third on 173 after two Grand Prix wins. Norris, who is chasing a third consecutive Grand Prix win on Sunday to overhaul the 24-year-old Australian, admitted he was aware that 'everyone was worried' after Friday when he was three-tenths slower. 'I wasn't that far off, but there were a couple of little issues and everyone was pretty worried,' he said. 'But I was confident after yesterday and I was confident coming into today so it's nice to see that I could get back to the top.' Watch Norris take pole position in the video above Lando Norris qualified in pole position in Belgium. Asked where his improvement came from, he said: 'Three-tenths is just slipstream and not being the first out of the pit-lane. 'It was nothing to worry about, but people like to make a lot of things up. 'I felt good and the car has been flying all weekend.' Norris has been accused of mental fragility and being over-sensitive to his own high expectations and media criticism. He said that it was intense and challenging for both McLaren drivers to maintain a strong relationship as teammates while fighting for the drivers' title. 'Oscar has been doing a good job all weekend and we've been pushing each other a lot,' said Norris. Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying 1 Qualifying 2 Qualifying 3 Race 1 pos driver team best lap gap 1 L. Norris L. Norris McLaren 1:40.562 2 O. Piastri O. Piastri McLaren 1:40.647 +00.085 3 C. Leclerc C. Leclerc Ferrari 1:40.900 +00.338 4 M. Verstappen M. Verstappen Red Bull 1:40.903 +00.341 5 A. Albon A. Albon Williams 1:41.201 +00.639 6 G. Russell G. Russell Mercedes 1:41.260 +00.698 7 Y. Tsunoda Y. Tsunoda Red Bull 1:41.284 +00.722 8 I. Hadjar I. Hadjar Visa Cash App RB F1 Team 1:41.310 +00.748 9 L. Lawson L. Lawson Visa Cash App RB F1 Team 1:41.328 +00.766 10 G. Bortoleto G. Bortoleto Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber 1:42.387 +01.825 'It's tough because you see where your strengths and weaknesses are clearly — and then you learn from each other quickly. It's good, but it's a tough battle that we have at the minute.' Piastri agreed that maintaining a balanced approach was difficult. 'We're a good teammate pairing and we learn a lot from each other each weekend. That's what makes us a good team, but it also makes it difficult to fight each other.' Norris said he wanted Sunday's race to be run in dry conditions, despite forecast heavy rain for the Ardennes. 'I prefer it to stay dry honestly. For the fans! I think it's rained here for the last 10 years or something so it would be nice to have a dry Sunday.' Lando Norris (centre) got pole position from Oscar Piastri (right) and Charles Leclerc (left). Photo by) It's a blow to Piastri given overtaking has proven increasingly difficult in F1 this season, and it will take something special for him to pass Norris in the race. Piastri set the track record for the fastest ever lap at Spa in sprint qualifying, but couldn't quite match that pace in qualifying for the main race. He was overtaken by Verstappen, who won the Sprint race before qualifying. Rookie in tears after shocker Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was emotional, wiping his eyes as he spoke to reporters after not making it out of the first qualifying session. It was a tough result for the Italian teenager, who started the season extremely well to record a maiden podium. 'Just confidence, I think,' Antontelli said when asked what went wrong. 'It'd a difficult moment for me, I'm struggling to find confidence with the car. I just need to find light at the end of the tunnel again. I'm OK.' But he will start frm the ninth row of the grid, while Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also failed to make it out of Q3. Belgian Grand Prix starting grid 1st row: Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri 2nd row: Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen 3rd row: Alex Albon, George Russell 4th row. Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar 5th row: Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto 6th row: Esteban Ocon, Ollie Bearman 7th row: Pierre Gasly, Nico Hulkenberg 8th row: Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton 9th row: Franco Colapinto, Kimi Antonelli 10th row: Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll Originally published as Belgian GP qualifying, Norris takes swipe at doubters after taking pole from Piastri, rookie in tears
