I get to test my share of three-row SUVs. There has been a lot of praise written about the Escalade IQ, the all-electric Escalade that is slightly larger than its gasoline counterpart and even bigger on technology and luxury. The new Vistiq also has three rows but in a more manageable size. Think Lincoln Aviator versus Lincoln Navigator, or Cadillac XT6 versus the Escalade.
What is impressive is Cadillac’s expanding EV SUV lineup. You now have the small Optiq, medium Lyriq, large Vistiq and the flagship Escalade IQ. According to John Roth, Vice President of Cadillac, “We continue to set the standard for American luxury. The introduction of Vistiq will continue to propel us into the EV future. With the addition of Vistiq, Cadillac will be one of the only brands to offer an EV entry in every luxury SUV segment.”
The best part of the Vistiq is its gorgeous looks. The exterior has presence, and the interior features stitched leather for days.
Dual Motors
According to Cadillac, Vistiq’s standard dual-motor all-wheel-drive system delivers a powerful driving experience. Standard chassis damping control and available Air Ride Adaptive suspension, combined with GM’s purpose-built electric drivetrain, contribute to Vistiq’s smooth ride and handling.
Jeff MacDonald, Chief Engineer, states: “From the start, it was our team’s goal to deliver a three-row SUV that provides exhilarating performance and intuitive technology, wrapped in the brand’s iconic design language. Bold, yet refined, the Vistiq provides a comfortable ride while handling like a much smaller vehicle, delivering a sense of isolated precision.”
The SUV uses a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack that delivers 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. This setup rockets the Vistiq to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. Range is about 300 miles, which is on par with other SUVs in the segment.
I really liked the parlor trick of plugging the Vistiq into my Level 2 charger. The headlights and taillights become visual representations of a battery monitor. You can literally watch the battery go from empty to full in your garage and confirm that everything is working.
Design Statement
When you walk up to the Vistiq, one of the first things you will notice is the third-row windows, which feature Cadillac’s Mondrian pattern graphics. Cadillac calls it “exterior motion,” while also providing privacy for passengers.
Even when you are in the third row, conveniences are plentiful, so you do not feel like you are sitting in steerage. There are padded armrests, smartphone storage, cupholders and USB-C chargers. To access the third row, the middle row has a button that motorizes the seat forward, and it even works with a forward-facing car seat installed.
I liked the design of the 22-inch wheels on my tester, though massive 23-inch rims are available. The climate control system is nearly infinitely adjustable, with five different zones. The front and middle row passengers can each choose their own temperature and fan speed, while the third row has its own dedicated zone.
Everything can be adjusted with a touchscreen in the center console, and rear passengers get an additional screen. The whole system is intuitive. On some vehicles, one of my biggest pet peeves is digging through menus to sync the climate controls to the driver’s settings. The Cadillac solves this with an easy-to-find dedicated “Sync” button on the touchscreen up front.
Speaker of the House
Cadillac wanted the Vistiq to be a great place to enjoy music, leveraging the inherent quietness of an EV. For its sound system, it turned to AKG. If you are involved in the recording world, you will recognize the brand from headphones and microphones.
The audio system includes 23 speakers, tuned with AKG Studio Audio and Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos renders individual sound sources through separate channels to create an immersive 3D experience. The Vistiq system includes overhead speakers in the headliner.
The system sounds good, though not quite at the level of the best Bowers & Wilkins OEM sound systems. Still, you get surround sound that is not overly processed, which is a win.
Tech Heavy
All the safety tech you would expect is onboard, including Blind Zone Steering Assist, Side Bicyclist Alert and Forward Collision Alert. GM’s excellent Super Cruise system allows you to remove your hands from the steering wheel on compatible highways, and it comes with a three-year subscription.
My tester also had the available Night Vision system, which uses an infrared sensor to help the driver spot pedestrians or animals in the dark. The display appears on the instrument cluster when activated through a small touchscreen to the left of the steering wheel.
Final Thoughts
The upcoming Cadillac Vistiq is a welcome surprise. It does everything you want a three-row SUV to do in a versatile, all-electric package. If you have access to home charging, the Vistiq is a perfect luxury family hauler. The looks and interior finish are icing on the cake.
You can even send energy from the battery pack back to your house with special GM equipment in case of a power outage. Pricing starts at $78,000, with my tester reaching $99,000. Expensive, yes, but still a discount from the Escalade IQ, while offering all the features and technology you could want.
