• 6 months ago
The Optiq is Cadillac's entry-level electric SUV and boasts cool materials
Transcript
00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 This is the all new 2025 Cadillac Optic,
00:10 Cadillac's entry-level EV.
00:13 It has up to 300 miles of range
00:15 and can charge 70 miles in 10 minutes
00:17 using a 350 kilowatt hour charger.
00:20 But there are many other cool things to talk about it,
00:22 so let's go check it out.
00:24 (upbeat music)
00:27 The Optic is one of four electric SUVs in Cadillac's lineup,
00:31 which also includes the Lyric, Vistec, and Escalade IQ.
00:35 There will only be one powertrain available in the Optic,
00:39 a dual motor all-wheel drive setup
00:41 that makes 288 horsepower and 333 pound feet of torque
00:46 that's shared with the Chevy Equinox EV all-wheel drive.
00:50 The good news is that the 300 mile range
00:52 is standard across the board,
00:54 as is the 85 kilowatt hour battery pack
00:57 that is the only one offered in the Optic.
01:00 No word yet on whether there will be a rear drive version.
01:03 Like other General Motors EVs,
01:05 the Optic is based on the Ultium platform.
01:08 Also standard in the Optic is Super Cruise,
01:11 General Motors version of hands-free driving.
01:14 Every Optic will get Super Cruise free
01:17 with three years of service
01:18 and the latest active and passive safety gear,
01:21 which is a long list that includes enhanced
01:23 automatic parking and blind spot steering assist.
01:27 So despite the Optic sharing the same platform
01:30 and powertrain with the Equinox EV,
01:32 outside it's a complete new vehicle.
01:34 Let's start here with the front
01:36 with Cadillac's signature grill.
01:38 It's illuminated and we have these vertical headlamps,
01:42 very similar to what we've seen in the Lyric.
01:44 But moving over to the side of the vehicle, the profile,
01:47 we have a very high beltline,
01:49 giving it a very sporty look.
01:50 And then we have this rear quarter panel
01:53 with multiple layers of glass
01:55 and this inlet design that's built into it.
01:58 Very cool, very attractive,
02:00 and it also follows kind of like the Cadillac logo design.
02:03 And back here we have two spoilers,
02:04 one in the top and one in the bottom.
02:06 That is to help with aerodynamics and improve range.
02:10 But it's inside where the Optic brings its best game.
02:13 The 33-inch 9K curved display takes center stage
02:17 and it looks modern, premium, and avant-garde.
02:21 This is where the Optic stands out,
02:23 not only between its Chevy sibling,
02:25 but also between the competition,
02:27 which includes the Mercedes-Benz EQB and Audi Q4.
02:31 The quality of materials was top-notch
02:34 and we were pretty happy with interior space
02:36 in the second row.
02:38 While the screen looks sophisticated,
02:40 the bad news is that the infotainment system
02:42 isn't compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
02:45 Instead, there are phone mirroring apps
02:48 and a Google-based infotainment system.
02:50 Thankfully, the 19-speaker AKG premium audio system
02:54 with Dolby Atmos will make sure your tunes
02:57 sound crisp and mighty.
02:59 With all these differences,
03:00 no one will confuse the Optic for an Equinox EV.
03:04 The Optic will start at around $54,000
03:06 once it comes out later this year.
03:08 And while that's in line with the competition,
03:11 it will qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
03:14 So that will put it actually below
03:17 the average transaction price of today's EVs.
03:20 We can't wait to drive it.
03:21 It will come out later this year.
03:23 And all things considered, it is a pretty attractive SUV.
03:26 [MUSIC PLAYING]