Cadillac expands NZ electric lineup with Optiq and Vistiq ahead of F1 debut

General Motors has revealed two new all-electric SUVs for the New Zealand market, with the compact Optiq and three-row Vistiq joining the existing Lyriq to give Cadillac a three-model EV lineup locally.

The announcement was timed to lead into Cadillac’s historic Formula 1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend, where the Cadillac F1 Team, with drivers Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, will become the grid’s 11th team and the first new entry since Haas joined in 2016.

“The launch of the Optiq and Vistiq marks the next phase of Cadillac’s expansion in Australia and New Zealand,” said GM Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala.

Optiq: compact luxury from $90,000

The Optiq is Cadillac’s entry point in New Zealand, priced from $90,000 (incl GST, excl on-road costs). It sits in the compact luxury SUV segment with a 75kWh lithium-ion battery and dual-motor all-wheel drive producing 224kW and 480Nm. Cadillac estimates 425km of range on a full charge, with combined energy consumption of 19.9kWh/100km.

At 4820mm long with a 2954mm wheelbase, it’s broadly comparable in footprint to a Tesla Model Y, though Cadillac is pitching this firmly at the premium end. Standard equipment includes a sweeping 33-inch diagonal LED display with 9K resolution, a 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system with Dolby Atmos capability, panoramic glass roof, heated/ventilated/massaging front seats, and 21-inch alloy wheels with Brembo front brakes.

The Optiq arrives in Sport trim only, with self-sealing tyres, a Black Crystal grille, and animated exterior LED lighting sequences that run from headlamps to tail lamps on approach or departure.

Cadillac claims 744 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, or 1603 litres with the seatbacks folded. Worth noting those figures appear to be measured to the roofline rather than the window line, the same generous methodology Tesla uses for the Model Y’s headline 854-litre figure. Real-world usable space will be somewhat less than the numbers suggest.

Charging via the CCS2 port supports up to 22.1kW AC (yielding approximately 100km of range per hour) and DC fast charging at up to 150kW can add around 94km of range in 10 minutes on a compatible high-output charger. A portable Mode 2 (10A) cable is included.

How does it compare?

The Optiq’s $90,000 NZ price tag places it well above the volume electric SUV segment, where the Tesla Model Y starts at $67,990, the Kia EV5 from $67,990, and the BYD Sealion 7 from $67,990. Those models offer competitive or superior range (the Sealion 7 Premium claims 482km, the EV5 Long Range up to 555km, and the refreshed Model Y AWD 551km) at significantly lower price points.

However, Cadillac is not targeting those buyers. The Optiq is pitched against the likes of the BMW iX1 and forthcoming Neue Klasse iX3, Volvo EX40, and Audi Q6 e-tron, the European compact luxury electric set. At $90,000, it undercuts those rivals on price while offering a generous equipment list as standard. The 33-inch display, AKG audio, and Brembo brakes are standard rather than optional, which has been a consistent Cadillac strategy in this market.

Vistiq: three-row electric luxury from $120,000

The Vistiq is Cadillac’s largest offering locally and enters the growing three-row electric SUV segment. Priced from $120,000 (incl GST, excl on-road costs), it arrives in Platinum trim with a 91kWh battery, dual-motor all-wheel drive producing 459kW and 880Nm, and a claimed 0–100km/h time of 4.2 seconds via its Velocity Max mode. Estimated range is 461km, with combined consumption of 22kWh/100km.

At 5233mm long with a 3094mm wheelbase, this is a substantial vehicle. The six-passenger cabin features second-row captain’s chairs, an adult-sized third row, and up to 2271 litres of cargo space behind the first row. The interior is trimmed in Nouveauluxe upholstery with open-pore wood and sueded microfibre, while the tech package includes a 23-speaker AKG Studio system with Dolby Atmos, 33-inch LED display, and 4-zone climate control.

Notable chassis hardware includes air ride adaptive suspension, active rear steering, and Brembo front brakes, with selectable drive modes including Tour, Snow/Ice, Sport, and MyMode. A panoramic dual-pane sunroof extends light to all three rows.

DC fast charging at up to 190kW can add approximately 104km of range in 10 minutes on a high-output charger, and AC charging at 22.1kW delivers around 95km per hour. CCS2 standard, with a Mode 2 cable included.

Where does it sit competitively?

The three-row electric SUV market in New Zealand is still developing, but the Vistiq will face the Kia EV9, which starts from $110,790 for the Light and runs to $139,790 for the GT-Line AWD. The EV9 offers seven seats and up to 505km of claimed range in its long-range AWD configuration, with a 99.8kWh battery and 283kW in dual-motor form.

Tesla’s extended-wheelbase Model Y L, a six-seat three-row variant, has recently received regulatory approval in Australia and is expected to arrive in the region in 2026, though New Zealand pricing and availability remain unconfirmed. It would enter at a significantly lower price point than the Vistiq, albeit as a smaller vehicle with a different market positioning.

Cadillac’s combination of three rows, substantial power, and a price that sits below the European luxury benchmark is the same formula that has worked for the Lyriq.

Connected services and ownership

Both vehicles include eight years of complimentary Cadillac Connected Services, covering Google built-in (with Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play), access to the myCadillac mobile app for remote cabin pre-conditioning, charge monitoring, and trip planning, plus over-the-air update capability. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also supported.

The comprehensive safety suites on both models include adaptive cruise control, blind zone steering assist, enhanced automatic emergency braking (including intersection, pedestrian, and bicyclist detection), lane keep assist with lane centering, HD surround vision, and enhanced automatic parking assist. The Vistiq adds night vision and side bicyclist alert.

Lyriq repositioned at $95,000 driveaway

Alongside the new models, Cadillac has repositioned the MY25 Lyriq with a $95,000 driveaway retail offer. The Lyriq was originally priced from $117,000 to $119,000 before on-road costs and has since been offered with various promotional pricing. At $95,000 driveaway, it sits between the Optiq and Vistiq and offers 388kW, 530km of range, and a 102kWh battery, making it the range and performance leader in Cadillac’s local lineup.

Customers can explore the Optiq, Lyriq, and Vistiq online at cadillacanz.com or at the Cadillac Experience Centres in Sydney and Auckland, with sales to begin shortly.