Cadillac Ups Its EV IQ With New 2025 Models

As 2025 models begin to hit the market, we see that Cadillac is continuing to apply its ample experience in the luxury market to the rapidly growing EV segment. The LYRIQ kicked off the brand’s EV portfolio in 2022, providing drivers with a midsize luxury crossover built on GM’s BEV3 electric platform; this served as solid proof of concept, illustrating Cadillac’s ability to meld its sophisticated sensibilities with emerging EV technology to create a versatile all-electric vehicle that perfectly balances performance, luxury, and efficiency.

The LYRIQ has quickly grown to become the best-selling electric compact luxury SUV in the US, inspiring Cadillac to follow its success with the debut of two new EVs, soon to hit a Cadillac dealer near Plymouth like ourselves. The Escalade IQ sees one of the brand’s most iconic models graced with an all-electric powertrain that ups the full-size SUV’s efficiency by a fair margin. The compact OPTIQ also joins the lineup, while the best-selling CT5 and CT5-V received a satisfying mid-cycle refresh for the new model year.

There’s a lot to catch up on in the world of Cadillac, so read on as we explore some of the highlights of the 2025 lineup.

The Escalade IQ

Few vehicles have come to dominate a segment quite as thoroughly as the Cadillac Escalade, but the beloved full-size SUV has a new trick up its sleeve with the 2025 debut of an all-electric version. The Escalade IQ, along with the extra-long IQL, take everything there is to love about Cadillac’s best-selling SUV and ups the ante with unprecedented power and efficiency, not to mention those opulent touches that have long kept Cadillac at the top of the domestic luxury segment. Built on the same platform as the GMC Hummer SUV and Chevy Silverado EV, the IQ looks to outdo both vehicles in terms of power and efficiency.

The Escalade IQ is driven by two electric motors in all-wheel drive. If you’re looking to maximize range without sacrificing performance, the IQ’s standard output mode allows the SUV to produce 680 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque. When you’re feeling a little wild (or are looking to test Cadillac’s claim of a sub-five-second zero-to-sixty time), it’s time to activate Velocity Max mode; this performance-minded setting ups the IQ’s output to 750 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque, which should be more than enough to unlock the true potential of the weighty full-size model.

The EV approach pays dividends for the massive Escalade which, while undeniably roomy and luxurious, has always been a bit on the thirsty side. While the gas-powered Escalade V and its supercharged 682-hp V8 posts an EPA-estimated 11 MPG in the city, the Escalade IQ’s 200.0-kWh Ultium battery pack should allow the EV to achieve around 59 MPGe. Throw in as much as 450 miles per charge and the ability to add 100 miles of range in just ten minutes when connected to a DC Fast-Charging station, and the IQ is clearly a standout from an efficiency perspective.

The Escalade IQ will also provide an undeniably spacious, tech-heavy interior that cements the SUV’s luxury status. Touchscreen displays and digital gauge clusters can be found on many of today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs, but the Escalade IQ takes your screen time to the next level with three generous displays that stretch across almost the entire dashboard. A 35-inch display gives drivers the opportunity to adjust countless settings and metrics for a one-of-a-kind driving experience, while a 25-inch front passenger screen and optional 12.6-inch rear screens allow riders to catch up on their favorite content. The IQ rounds out its fully digital dashboard with an 11-inch touchscreen to control the SUV’s climate controls and ambient lighting.

The OPTIQ

The Escalade might be an icon, but its sheer size isn’t ideal for all drivers. In order to cater to those who might be in the market for a smaller all-electric option, Cadillac has introduced the new OPTIQ for the 2025 model year. The compact crossover might be a lot smaller than the Escalade, but it’s big on power, efficiency, and, of course, luxury. Cadillac has paired two electric motors with an 85-kWh battery pack to give the OPTIQ 300 hp and 300 miles of range. It’s a good showing for the compact class and even manages to outshine the Chevy Equinox EV’s range despite the two sharing models sharing the same platform.

The OPTIQ’s interior is just as refined and stylish as one would expect from a Cadillac, but the brand has extended the SUV’s environmentally-friendly approach beyond the powertrain, crafting the cabin with recycled materials that cement the OPTIQ’s green reputation. From patterned accent fabric composed of 100% recycled yarn to a unique PaperWood veneer made from recycled newspaper and tulipwood, the OPTIQ’s cabin is a showcase for sustainable innovation.

A 33-inch display dominates the dashboard, filling the role of both the digital gauge cluster and infotainment hub. With the ability to access Google Maps Navigation, engage the SUV’s Wi-Fi hotspot, and choose which tunes you want to pump through the OPTIQ’s 19-speaker AKG stereo system with Dolby Atmos, the expansive display and its lightning-fast responsiveness makes interacting with the Cadillac’s digital environment a breeze.

That said, the OPTIQ’s most compelling tech-related feature would have to be its Super Cruise hands-free driving tool. Super Cruise is routinely rated as one of the industry’s best hands-free driving systems, earning a stellar 75/100 rating from Consumer Reports and topping 15 other models in terms of functionality, reliability, and driver engagement. GM’s Super Cruise network currently covers more than 750,000 miles of roads across the US and Canada, allowing drivers to sit back, relax, and enjoy the smooth, luxurious ride that only a Cadillac can provide as they cruise down I-96 for a night out in Detroit.

Super Cruise is just a small part of the OPTIQ’s arsenal of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and safety tech, but it’s almost one of the most impactful when it comes to the day-to-day driving experience. In addition to this cutting-edge hands-free technology, OPTIQ drivers will also gain valuable peace of mind from standard features like automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Cadillac is employing an interesting approach when it comes to differentiating between the OPTIQ’s trims. Plymouth drivers can choose between the Sport 1/Luxury 1 and Sport 2/Luxury 2 levels, with each offering some subtle but important differences in terms of both design and features. The Sport is styled with a blacked-out look that gives the SUV an aggressive appearance, while the Luxury’s design catches the eye with a generous application of chrome; the Sport 1 and Luxury 1 are the base versions, while the Sport 2 and Luxury 2 throw in high-end features like ventilated and massaging front seats, a head-up display, heated rear seats, and more.

The CT5-V

Sedans have largely faced extinction over the last decade, but the classic formula is still alive and well in the luxury segment. Cadillac is actually expanding its slate of sedans for 2025, offering five models, including the brand-new, hand-built EV dubbed the CELESTIQ. With a limited production run of 400 units per year and a $300k-plus price tag, the CELESTIQ is nothing less than a piece of automotive art that looks ready to give European luxury stalwarts like Rolls-Royce and Bentley a run for their money. Its sheer exclusivity is one of its most compelling attributes, but in an effort to focus on more popular, accessible models, we’re going to take a closer look at Cadillac’s best-selling model, the CT5.

Hitting the market in 2020, the CT5 has quickly become the new standard-bearer in the US luxury segment. This premium sports sedan is offered in two distinct flavors: the standard CT5 with a 335-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 or the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing that takes the crown as the fastest and most powerful Cadillac ever created.

Powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the Blackwing can produce a fierce 668 hp while still retaining the road manners and comfortable, responsive performance that drivers have come to expect from the Cadillac brand. The luxury sedan is built with all the bells and whistles drivers will need to harness the Blackwing’s considerable power, from a limited-slip differential and standard magnetorheological dampers to advanced driving tech like launch control and a Performance Traction Management (PTM) system that allows drivers to unlock the car’s true performance potential.

Born out of Cadillac’s storied racing program, PTM gives you the ability to tailor the CT5-V’s traction, stability, and chassis based on different driving applications, road conditions, and weather when in Track mode. The Blackwing can be had with a ten-speed automatic transmission that provides crisp, satisfying shifts, but the standard six-speed manual delivers a little more autonomy and goes a long way toward creating an intimate car/driver connection. With a zero-to-sixty time of 3.5 seconds, the Cadillac can outpace some of the industry’s most exemplary sports cars while offering a decidedly more luxurious driving experience.

The standard CT5 might not be able to match the Blackwing’s high-speed antics, but it ticks all the boxes with a lavish interior that puts comfort, convenience, and design at the forefront. Cadillac has treated the CT5 to a refresh for 2025, incorporating a new front fascia, upgraded safety and convenience tech, and a new 33-inch curved touchscreen display that comes standard alongside wireless phone charging and a handy Wi-Fi hotspot function.

The sedan is also packed with an impressive array of ADAS, and Super Cruise is even available as an optional add-on, but it’s the CT5’s comprehensive warranty coverage that really sets it apart. Cadillac offers a six-year, 70,000-mile powertrain warranty for the luxury model, not to mention a four-year, 50,000-mile limited warranty and a complimentary maintenance visit. It’s the sort of coverage that should instill confidence in any driver and make for miles of worry-free driving as you head to Plymouth Riverside Recreation Area for a summer picnic.

Cadillac’s Stunning Innovations

While 2025 represents a new highwater mark in terms of electrified Cadillac models, the brand’s ambitious EV plans don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. In addition to the CELESTIQ, Cadillac has also announced the debut of a new three-row SUV set to join the growing “iq” family as it looks to roll out the VISTIQ for 2026.

Similar in size to the existing XT6, this all-electric option will likely sport a dual-motor powertrain with all-wheel drive that could deliver up to 500 hp and range upward of 300 miles. Slotting in beside the electric OPTIQ, LYRIQ, CELESTIQ, and Escalade IQ, the midsize VISTIQ will give drivers five Cadillac EVs to choose from. 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for this brand, with new EV options modernizing the lineup and smashing any misconceptions about the performance potential of all-electric vehicles.

Ready to see what the future of luxurious personal transportation looks like behind the wheel of an Escalade IQ or OPTIQ? Want to experience what 6.2 liters of V8 power feels like in a CT5-V Blackwing? The team at LaFontaine Cadillac is here to guide Plymouth drivers through the process of finding their new favorite ride.

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