Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq confirmed for Australia in 2026

With initial orders of its Cadillac Lyric EV about to be delivered, GM has announced it will launch two other electric SUVs into Australia – the Optiq and the Vistiq – in 2026.

While Optiq will serve as the entry-level Cadillac for our market for both size and prize, it is nevertheless a 4.8-metre five-seater SUV with dual electric motors producing a healthy 224kW and 480Nm.

The Vistiq is a full-size three-row SUV and will slot in above the Lyric as Cadillac’s largest Australian offering. At 5222mm long and 2203mm wide, it is substantially bigger than the Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan Pathfinder. According to Cadillac’s vice president in the US, John Roth, in its home country people are calling it a “baby Escalade” – a reference to Cadillac’s behemoth luxury SUV.

All three vehicles will be produced in right-hand-drive specification at Cadillac’s Spring Hill facility in Tennessee and then shipped to Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Cadillac declined to reveal local pricing and specifications, although managing director of GM in Australia and New Zealand, Jess Bala, said they would be “substantially different” to those in the US.

In the US, the Vistiq retails for US$77,395, which equates to about $125,000 in local money.

Potential luxury electric vehicle competitors for the Vistiq in Australia will include the Mercedes-Benz EQE (around $150,000) the Audi Q8 e-tron ($140,000), while the Optiq will go head-to-head with smaller SUVs like the BMW iX1 range (which starts at $80,000).

General Motors currently has one showroom or “experience centre” located in Rosebery in Sydney, with an Auckland site due to open soon and a Brisbane facility expected mid-year. Melbourne is also on the manufacturer’s list, but it is still seeking a suitable location.

GM said it received 9000 expressions of interest after announcing the Lyric EV, although it refused to reveal actual sales figures.