There’s a perception that everything is bigger in America, and it's hard to dispute. Generous proportions have always been an American automotive hallmark. Large size is certainly embedded in Cadillac’s DNA, and that's how its devotees like it — mostly. There are those abhor massiveness yet still desire the luxury, options and agility that comes with Cadillac’s living-large persona. Oh, and make it an EV while you’re at it.

Enter the 2025 Cadillac Optiq, which is about the same size as a Cadillac XT5 or a Tesla Model Y, but with a longer wheelbase and powered by volts. This allows for a roomy interior as well as a radically sloped windshield and backlight, lending the 190-inch long Optiq a low, sleek, sporty appearance that renders it among the best looking of the breed. The Optiq’s striated rear window nicely picks up the Vegas-style front end’s lighting detail. Well done.

The inside story is just as impressive, with a sizable 33-inch LED display resting atop the instrument panel. Unlike other automakers that piece together multiple screens under a single piece of glass to mimic a single display, Cadillac gives the Optiq a screen that actually is a single display, one where the graphics traverse the entire screen. It’s used for both driver instrumentation and infotainment duties. A head-up display is optional on upper trim levels. Thoughtfully, Cadillac designers use physical buttons for the climate control, rather than having drivers hunt and peck onscreen for them. Bravo. Less enthralling is the total absence of support for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Cadillac does build-in other software, however, including Google Built-In, offering Google Maps, Google Assistant, and access to Spotify and Amazon Music. A 5G Wi-Fi hotspot and a superb 19-speaker AKG Audio System with Dolby Atmos comes standard.

But the 2025 Cadillac Optiq does boast an impressive amount of interior volume, with 101 cubic feet of passenger volume and 26 cubic feet of cargo volume. That said, there is no front trunk, as there are in other EVs. Given their typically meager size, you won’t miss it. Headroom and legroom are substantial in both rows, something you’d expect in a Cadillac. Trim quality is fairly good, although the presence of hard plastic trim on the lower door panels is abysmal for a Cadillac. And while the seats are not leather, they prove to be a comfortable alternative. And the mid-century modern door handles are an absolutely fabulous design touch.

An 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack powers two motors that deliver all-wheel drive. Rated at 300 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, this powertrain provides an EPA-rated 302 miles of range. GM supplies a dual-level charging cord for recharging using an appliance-style four-pronged outlet or a standard three-pronged outlet for recharging at home at a 19.2-kW rate, supplying 55 miles of range per hour. You can use a DC fast charger, which will recharge the Optiq at rates up to 150 kW, providing 79 miles of range in 10 minutes.

Yet the Optiq’s motors perform differently. The front permanent-magnet synchronous motor constantly supplies power, while the rear induction motor works when needed, most importantly when accelerating. There’s more than enough power for the task at hand. The vehicle’s 5,500-pound curb weight and low-mounted battery pack ensure that it has a plated feel. Ride quality seems expertly balanced between sporty athleticism and ride comfort. The old-school Cadillac bob and weave is absent here. And as is the case with every EV, it’s mercifully quiet, with even the worst road surface not feeling too intrusive. Best of all, GM’s excellent SuperCruise semi-autonomous self-driving system is standard, and it works very well.

While the 20925 Cadillac Optiq shares its underpinnings a with the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Honda Prologue, both of which are built alongside it in Mexico, the Optiq is clearly a notch above, offering value — now there’s a word rarely heard about a luxury vehicle — that makes it a must-drive if you’re looking in its $54,390-$57,090 base price range.

The 2025 Cadillac Optiq proves the excellence of GM’s EV lineup and makes for a worthy entry-level Cadillac EV. How good is it? Consider the Cadillac Optiq the optimal compact luxury SUV.

2025 Cadillac Optiq

Base price: $54,390-$57,090

Powertrain: Dual-motor all-wheel drive

Horsepower/Torque: 300/354 pound-feet

EPA range: 302 miles

Recharge time (240-volt): 33 miles/hour

Length/Width/Height: 190/84/65 inches

Ground clearance: 6 inches

Payload: Not listed

Cargo capacity: 26-57 cubic feet

Towing capacity: 1,500 pounds

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