Latest news with #CadillacVISTIQ
Man of Many
16-07-2025
- 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.
Man of Many
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Man of Many
This Fuel-Station-Like EV Charging Centre in California Gave Me Hope About the Future of EVs
By Ben McKimm - News Published: 30 Jun 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 4 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. I've driven more than 100 EVs and the story is always the same when it comes to charging—it sucks! I could count the positive charging experiences I've had using the public network on one hand, and it's only getting worse. Despite an increase in the number of EV chargers, it hasn't grown at the rate of electric vehicle sales. These days, when a charger isn't broken, slow, or 'ICED' by a petrol vehicle, you're lining up and waiting to charge with all the other frustrated EV owners. It's a painful experience that needs to change quickly, or else the government and the manufacturers risk losing an already slowing battle for sales with Australian EV customers. I find it increasingly difficult to recommend electric vehicles to some people based on my own experiences. With the current state of affairs, I wouldn't recommend buying an EV unless you have access to an EV charger at home or your workplace. However, on a recent trip around California behind the wheel of an EV, I experienced a fuel-station-like charging centre that reset my perspective on the future of EVs. If we want EVs to become the norm, the charging network has to look something like this. I had just finished my drive from Los Angeles to San Bernardino, and I was hunting for an ultra-fast EV charger on PlugShare. The Cadillac VISTIQ I was driving was low on battery, and while the 300 miles (482km) of charge it offers is good, I was driving to Big Bear tomorrow, and with 8,000ft of elevation to conquer, I needed a full charge to make it there are back. This is California, so I had plenty of options to choose from, but I stumbled across something that looked too good to be true—an EV charging oasis with 41 ultra-fast chargers. Greenlane Charging Centre in Colton, CA 92324, USA is a commercial electric vehicle charging centre that services electric trucks along Interstate 10, which is one of the country's busiest highways. It's home to 41 chargers, mainly for trucks, and while I was there, I witnessed multiple truck drivers pull up, decouple their trailer, put their truck on charge, and then swap to another fully-charged truck before reconnecting their trailer and continuing with their journey. Even that blew me away, but I was here to charge my Cadillac. What I found was a seamless and fast experience that felt exactly like visiting a petrol station. While my Cadillac VISTIQ couldn't make the most of the ultra-fast 400 kW chargers, even the 180 kW of power that I was putting into the large 102 kWh battery meant that I could charge from 10-80% in under 30 minutes. Winner! If I had been there with a Hyundai Ioniq 6 or Porsche Taycan, I could've charged at 350 kW and left there in around 20 minutes. It's the future of EVs that we had all been promised. Greenlane Charging Centre | Image: Ben McKimm The only real negative was the cost. You pay for the convenience, and with a cost of $0.59 per kWh, I was charged the equivalent of AUD$80 to charge the car, which is not far off the cost of refuelling a car in California. Still, it was an experience that left me wondering how different life could be here in Australia if we had charging locations like this, and the energy to supply them. So what's happening here in Australia to bring us closer to that perfect EV future? The NSW Government recently committed $199 million to help co-fund the installation of chargers with private operators. However, it's unclear how many of these new chargers are the much-needed ultra-fast DC units like those I experienced in California. We only know four things for sure: The new chargers will be installed every 5km along Sydney's major commuter corridors Every 100km along major highways in NSW, on average Within 5km of residential areas with limited off-street parking, and In or near commuter car parks and other Transport for NSW-owned land. It's more likely that the chargers being installed are medium-speed 50 kW DC units that can charge an EV in closer to 2 hours. If they're not, they're likely slower AC chargers like those that the local government keeps trying to attach to telephone poles (even though you'd have to sit there for 10 hours to charge a car at one). However, I'd love to be proven wrong! For now, it still sucks to charge an EV in Australia, but the Greenlane Charging Centre in Colton, California gave me hope that where there's a will, there's a way when it comes to the future of EVs.
