The Lyriq has been a bright spot for Cadillac, but it had a dismal second quarter as sales tumbled 31.2% to 5,017 units. This followed a disappointing first quarter and year-to-date sales are down 28.8% to 9,317.

That’s a disappointing showing, but nearly 25% of Cadillacs sold in the first half of the year were electric. That figure was the “highest among full-line luxury brands” and Cadillac was the “luxury EV market share leader” in the second quarter.

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While the Lyriq got the short end of the stick, the company pointed to “strong initial demand” for the Optiq, Vistiq, and Escalade IQ. The Optiq racked up 3,224 sales, while the Vistiq found 1,744 takers. Cadillac also delivered 1,810 Escalade IQs, which start at $130,090 for 2025.

Despite modest sales, more EVs are coming including the Lyriq-V, Optiq-V, and Escalade IQL. The latter arrives this summer and begins at $132,795. That’s pretty expensive, but the luxury SUV has 460 miles (740 km) of range as well as a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time of 4.7 seconds.

Elsewhere in the lineup, the gas-powered Escalade was the biggest seller as consumers snapped up 11,692 units. That was an increase of 16.1% and the boost was likely aided by a rather significant facelift.

The XT4 was off 22.2%, while the XT5 and XT6 saw slight gains. Unfortunately, all three models are getting old at this point and the three-row crossover has a date with the undertaker – at least in North America.

Last but not least, Cadillac sedans saw mixed news. The CT5 was up 9% to 4,187 units, while the CT4 crashed 19.1% to 1,430 units.

Cadillac US Sales

Cadillac introduced the 2026 Optiq-V earlier this month and now the luxury brand has announced a series of updates to the standard model. The changes are pretty notable as there’s two new powertrains as well as a newly standard NACS port, which allows for easy access at Tesla Supercharger stations.

Starting with the entry-level Optiq, it features an 85 kWh battery pack as well as a rear-mounted motor producing an estimated 315 hp (235 kW / 319 PS) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. That’s pretty impressive as it’s more powerful than the current all-wheel drive model.

More: Cadillac’s Baby V-Series Charges At Tesla Stations And Hits 60 In 3.5 Seconds

Speaking of which, the 2026 Optiq offers a new “rear-wheel drive based all-wheel drive system.” It produces an estimated 440 hp (328 kW / 446 PS) and 498 lb-ft (674 Nm) of torque, which is a huge improvement over the previous rating of 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS) and 354 lb-ft (479 Nm).

Cadillac didn’t release full performance details, but said the 2026 Optiq has an estimated range of 300 miles (483 km). When the battery is low, it can get up to 79 miles (127 km) of range in as little as ten minutes.

Besides the powertrain updates, the 2026 Optiq has “Vision Enhanced Parking.” The company didn’t say much about it, but it sounds like an upgraded version of Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist and Cadillac says it uses cameras as well as radar sensors.

Last but not least, the crossover comes with the latest version of Super Cruise. It features a number of improvements including Google Maps integration and automatic lane changes to stay on your route. There’s also a new hands-on capability that keeps the vehicle centered in its lane and following a safe distance from the car ahead. This allows for smoother transitions to and from Super Cruise-enabled roads.

There’s also an upgraded adaptive cruise control system, which can automatically adjust to keep pace with changing speed limits. Like in the Vistiq, the system should let you speed, if you want to. As an example, if you’re doing 75 mph in a 70 mph zone and the speed limit drops to 55 mph, the car would do 60 mph.

Cadillac didn’t mention pricing, but the 2026 Optiq will arrive at dealerships later this year.

Cadillac’s impressive electric vehicle lineup continues to grow as the company has unveiled the 2026 Optiq-V. It’s a performance-focused crossover, notable for being the first vehicle from General Motors to have a native NACS (North American Charging Standard) port. This has been long overdue, and it will allow for easy access to Tesla Superchargers.

While the NACS port is a welcome addition, the V-Series is all about performance, and the Optiq-V doesn’t disappoint on paper. It features a dual motor all-wheel drive system that produces an estimated 519 hp (387 kW / 526 PS) and 650 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque. This enables the 5,445 lb (2,470 kg) crossover to accelerate from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.5 seconds when using Launch Control.

More: 2026 Lyriq-V Boasts 615 HP, Is The Quickest Cadillac Ever

Powering the show is an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that provides an estimated range of 275 miles (443 km). That’s 27 miles (43 km) fewer than the standard model, and it feels a little underwhelming.

On the bright side, a DC fast charger can deliver approximately 70 miles (113 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes. At home, you can expect to get 18 miles (29 km) of range per hour with a 7.7 kW charger or 31 miles (50 km) per hour with an 11.5 kW charger.

During a media briefing earlier this month, Lead Development Engineer Alex Doss told us the Optiq-V was designed to be a “canyon carver.” As part of the focus on driving dynamics, the crossover comes equipped with an adaptive suspension, torque vectoring technology, and specially developed tires.

The model also sports a customizable V-Mode as well as Brembo front brakes that measure 15.4 inches (390 mm). Unfortunately, the Optiq-V eschews the 1,500 lb (680 kg) towing capacity found on the regular model.

A Familiar, But Sportier Design

Besides an additional 219 hp (163 kW / 222 PS), the Optiq-V has an aggressive front fascia with a gloss black splitter. They’re joined by body-color components, a black roof, and a revised intake with a unique mesh pattern.

Designers didn’t stop there as the model rides on special 21-inch alloy wheels that feature a satin graphite finish as well as a laser-etched V-Series badge. A closer inspection also reveals a prominent diffuser as well as a unique motif for the rear quarter glass.

The Optiq-V will be offered in eight colors, including Deep Ocean Tintcoat and Magnus Metal Frost, which are V-Series exclusives. Customers can also get a carbon fiber package that includes a front splitter, rear diffuser, and a mid-mounted spoiler.

A Carbon Clad Interior With A Handful Of Special Touches

The interior largely carries over as drivers are greeted by a familiar 33-inch display with Google built-in. However, there are several special touches, including a sport steering wheel, carbon fiber trim, and V-Series badging.

Designers also used blue accents and a patterned fabric, which is woven from yarn made from recycled materials. On the topic of upholstery, the model will be offered with two interior themes as well as an Expressive Color package. The latter adds Santorini Blue seatback panels as well as Santorini Blue seatbelts.

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We’ll learn full details closer to launch, but the Optiq-V comes nicely equipped with a panoramic fixed glass roof and a 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system with Dolby Atmos technology. They’re joined by Super Cruise as well as a host of other driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, blind zone steering assist, and enhanced automatic parking.

Pricing and Competition

The 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V is scheduled to enter production this fall, with pricing starting at $68,795 including destination. It will be available in North America, Israel, and the Middle East. For those keeping track, that’s $9,800 less than Cadillac’s larger 615 hp Lyriq-V.

One of its key rivals will be the forthcoming Tesla Model Y Performance. While that version hasn’t officially debuted, it’s expected to carry a price premium of around $8,000 to $10,000 over the standard AWD model, placing it in the $57,000 to $59,000 range before the $7,500 federal tax credit.