LYRIQ, OPTIQ, VISTIQ or Escalade IQ: Choosing an Electric Cadillac

Cadillac sells four electric SUVs, and they line up by size. The OPTIQ is the compact, the LYRIQ is the midsize two-row, the VISTIQ is the three-row family SUV, and the Escalade IQ (with its longer IQL version) is the full-size flagship. Choose by how many seats you need and where you will charge, because Cadillac lists 300 miles of range or more for every model.

The names are easy to mix up, and customers at North Bay Cadillac on Northern Boulevard in Great Neck often ask us to line them up side by side. This guide does that with Cadillac’s own published figures, so you can walk in with a short list.

The four electric Cadillacs at a glance

The quickest way to choose is by rows: OPTIQ and LYRIQ seat five in two rows, while VISTIQ and Escalade IQ seat up to seven in three.

Model	Year	Rows	Best range	From (MSRP)
OPTIQ	2027	2	317 mi EPA	$49,995
LYRIQ	2027	2	326 mi EPA	$60,100
VISTIQ	2027	3	305 mi EPA	$78,400
Escalade IQ	2026	3	465 mi est.	$127,405
Escalade IQL	2026	3	460 mi est.	$130,405

A few notes on the table. The OPTIQ and LYRIQ ranges are for single-motor rear-wheel drive; all-wheel drive versions are rated a little lower. The VISTIQ figure is with the standard 11.5 kW onboard charger. The Escalade IQ and IQL ranges are Cadillac estimates, while the others are EPA estimates. Every price is “starting at” MSRP from cadillac.com, as of November 2026. Prices change often, and our sales team has current numbers for every trim.

2027 OPTIQ$49,995

2027 LYRIQ$60,100

2027 VISTIQ$78,400

2026 Escalade IQ$127,405

2026 Escalade IQL$130,405

Starting MSRP of Cadillac's electric SUVs

Model	Starting MSRP
2027 OPTIQ	$49,995
2027 LYRIQ	$60,100
2027 VISTIQ	$78,400
2026 Escalade IQ	$127,405
2026 Escalade IQL	$130,405

Source: cadillac.com, November 2026

Sales tax and registration come on top of MSRP. Our guide to New York sales tax when you lease or buy shows how that works in Nassau County.

VISTIQ is the electric Cadillac for families who need a third row but want something smaller than an Escalade.

OPTIQ: the compact that is easiest to park

OPTIQ is the smallest and least expensive electric Cadillac, starting at $49,995 (MSRP, as of November 2026) for the 2027 model.

It seats five in two rows. Cadillac lists an EPA-estimated 317 miles of range with single-motor rear-wheel drive, and 303 miles with the available dual-motor all-wheel drive. The 33-inch Horizon Display, Super Cruise with a 3-year OnStar One plan, and a North American Charging System (NACS) port are listed as standard.

The size is the point. OPTIQ is the easiest electric Cadillac to fit into the lots around Great Neck Plaza or a tight spot on Main Street in Port Washington. It still feels like a Cadillac inside, with a quiet cabin and a large curved screen. An OPTIQ-V adds more power for drivers who want it.

OPTIQ suits a commuter or a couple who rarely carries more than one or two passengers in the back.

Google review · October 2026

“I love my 2025 Cadillac IQ! It’s so smooth, comfortable, and spacious. The automatic doors and camera views are amazing, and I love watching TV while parked waiting for my kids. I was hesitant to go all-electric, but I’m so glad I did!”

LYRIQ: the midsize two-row with more room

LYRIQ is the step up in room for two-row buyers, and the 2027 model starts at $60,100 (MSRP, as of November 2026).

LYRIQ was Cadillac’s first electric SUV, and it is still the middle of the lineup. Cadillac lists an EPA-estimated 326 miles of range for rear-wheel drive models, the longest of the three smaller electric Cadillacs. All-wheel drive is available. The 33-inch Horizon Display, Super Cruise with a 3-year OnStar One plan, and a NACS charge port are listed as standard.

On a DC fast charger, Cadillac says LYRIQ can add up to 86 miles of range in about 10 minutes. That is useful on a long drive, but most owners on the North Shore will do the bulk of their charging at home overnight.

The LYRIQ-V is the performance version. Cadillac estimates 615 horsepower for LYRIQ-V in its Velocity Max mode.

LYRIQ suits a family of four in Manhasset or Roslyn who wants more rear-seat and cargo room than OPTIQ, without a third row.

VISTIQ: three rows without full-size bulk

VISTIQ is the electric Cadillac for families who need a third row but want something smaller than an Escalade.

The 2027 VISTIQ starts at $78,400 (MSRP, as of November 2026). Dual-motor all-wheel drive is standard. Cadillac lists an EPA-estimated 305 miles of range with the standard 11.5 kW onboard charger, and 300 miles with the available 19.2 kW charger. It seats seven, or six with the available second-row captain’s chairs.

Super Cruise with a 3-year OnStar One plan, the 33-inch Horizon Display and a NACS charge port are all listed as standard. A dealer-installed trailer hitch is available; ask us for the towing rating of the exact trim you are considering.

The third row makes school runs, carpools and weekend trips simpler. VISTIQ is also easier to live with in a typical Long Island garage or driveway than a full-size SUV. If the third row is for occasional use, it is the model we suggest families drive first.

OPTIQ is the easiest electric Cadillac to fit into the lots around Great Neck Plaza or a tight spot on Main Street in Port Washington.

Escalade IQ and IQL: the full-size flagship

Escalade IQ is the largest and longest-range electric Cadillac, and the IQL stretches it for more space behind the third row.

The 2026 Escalade IQ starts at $127,405 and the 2026 Escalade IQL at $130,405 (MSRP, as of November 2026). Cadillac estimates 465 miles of range for the IQ and 460 miles for the IQL. Both seat seven in three rows. A 55-inch Horizon Display stretches across the dashboard, and Super Cruise with a 3-year OnStar One plan is standard.

Spec	Escalade IQ	Escalade IQL
Range	465 mi est.	460 mi est.
Max cargo	131.3 cu. ft.	137.4 cu. ft.
Fast charge	117 mi in 10 min	116 mi in 10 min

Cargo figures are Cadillac’s maximums behind the first row, including the front eTrunk. The fast-charge figures are Cadillac’s “up to, in about 10 minutes” numbers on a 350 kW public charger. Cadillac also sells a GM-approved adapter for fast chargers that use the NACS connector, including Tesla Superchargers.

If you regularly carry six or seven people and their luggage, look at the IQL first. If you mostly carry four with room to spare, the standard Escalade IQ is plenty.

Not ready for electric? The gas Escalade and Escalade ESV are still in the lineup, and you can drive them in the same visit.

Questions to settle before you choose

Most buyers can narrow the list to one or two models by answering a few practical questions first.

• Where will you charge? Home charging makes electric ownership easy. Our home charging guide covers Level 2 chargers, permits and utility programs on Long Island.
• How often do you use a third row? If it is a few times a year, a LYRIQ may be enough. If it is every week, look at VISTIQ or Escalade IQ.
• Do you drive the highway a lot? Super Cruise works hands-free on compatible highways across North America. Ask us to show you how it works on a test drive.
• Do you tow or carry bulky gear? Ask for the towing and cargo figures for the exact trim. They change with options.
• What does the payment look like? The DriveWise payment calculator estimates a purchase payment with New York sales tax included.

If you need	Start with
Easy parking	OPTIQ
Two rows, more room	LYRIQ
Third row, mid size	VISTIQ
Most space	Escalade IQL

Drive them back to back in Great Neck

The fastest way to decide is to drive the models you are considering on the same day at North Bay Cadillac.

Driving them back to back makes the differences obvious: the size of the cabin, how each one rides over Northern Boulevard, and how the third row feels for a real passenger. Call ahead at 516-466-6200 and tell us which models you want to compare, so we can have them ready when you arrive.

North Bay Cadillac is at 720 Northern Blvd, Great Neck, NY 11021. Sales hours are Monday to Thursday 9:00 to 8:00, Friday and Saturday 9:00 to 6:00, and Sunday 12:00 to 4:00. Our service center in Roslyn is open Monday to Friday 7:30 to 6:00 for charging questions and maintenance after you take delivery. Prices and availability change often, so ask us for current numbers on any trim, and see the full lineup on our Cadillac brand page.