Cadillac’s 2026 OPTIQ-V pushes the brand’s compact EV into V-Series territory
Cadillac’s V-Series badge has a reputation for turning polite luxury cars into something a little more mischievous. For 2026 the treatment reaches the entry-level electric crossover, creating the 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ-V. The newcomer keeps the same Ultium platform and 85-kWh battery as the standard OPTIQ, but layers on an extra 219 horsepower, Brembo hardware, aggressive aero bits and, notably, General Motors’ first factory-installed NACS charge port. Here’s what separates the V from its calmer sibling—and where the upgrades leave room for questions.
More power, less patience
The regular 2025 OPTIQ already runs dual-motor all-wheel drive, but the 2026 OPTIQ-V swaps in higher-output permanent-magnet units front and rear. Cadillac’s estimates sit at 519 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque when the driver selects the new Velocity Max setting. Engage Launch Control, and the company says you’ll see 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of roughly 130 mph. That’s a dramatic leap from the 300 hp, 354 lb-ft figures quoted for the non-V, which needs a claimed 5.9 seconds for the same sprint.
Velocity Max is joined by a configurable V-Mode accessed through a steering-wheel button or the 33-inch OLED display. It lets drivers dial in throttle mapping, steering weight, the pipe-in cabin sound, and even a more permissive stability-control logic Cadillac calls Competitive Mode. Summer-only 275/40R-21 tires (all-seasons are no-cost alternatives) and Continuous Damping Control dampers replace the passive units on the base car, and front rotors grow to 390 mm, squeezed by Brembo calipers painted either blue or red.
Range trade-offs and the NACS first
Cadillac leaves the 85-kWh pack unchanged, so the bigger motors come with a penalty: a projected 275-mile range versus the standard OPTIQ’s EPA-estimated 302 miles. Charging hardware stays familiar—11.5 kW over Level 2 or 19.2 kW with an optional home unit—but the OPTIQ-V will be the first GM product with a native North American Charging Standard inlet. That means direct access to the Tesla Supercharger network without an adapter, adding 70 miles in 10 minutes on a 350-kW DC fast charger, per GM’s numbers. It’s a forward-looking move, though Cadillac doesn’t quote the 10-to-80 percent time many buyers now expect.
Chassis, weight and capability
Weight climbs to 5,445 lb, about 250 lb heavier than the dual-motor OPTIQ. The coil-over front and five-link rear layout remains, but the dampers are now internally valved for quicker reaction. Steering ratio, lock-to-lock, is unchanged, yet Cadillac promises tighter on-center feel. One caveat: unlike the 1,500-lb tow rating on the mainstream OPTIQ, the V loses factory trailering capability entirely.
Exterior cues: subtle if you skip the blue
While the profile stays close to the regular model’s fastback silhouette, OPTIQ-V tweaks nearly every surface below the beltline. A mesh-pattern lower grille, gloss-black splitter and rocker trims, and a rear diffuser announce the performance intent. Buyers wanting more can spec a carbon-fiber package that also brings a mid-mount spoiler. The V-Series badge’s signature blue makes cameo appearances in the quarter-glass graphic, the wheel caps and, when optioned, the brake calipers. Limited-run paint codes—Magnus Metal Frost or Deep Ocean Tintcoat—extend the custom feel.
Cabin upgrades and recycled flair
Inside, the 19-speaker AKG system, Google-built-in infotainment and Super Cruise hands-free driving (three-year subscription) carry over, but décor shifts darker and sportier. The patterned door inserts use 100 percent recycled yarn, while genuine woven carbon fiber replaces the open-pore PaperWood veneer from the standard SUV. Noir/Santorini Blue and Noir/Sky Cool Gray with Santorini highlights headline the palette, and Cadillac will offer eye-catching blue seat backs and belts for those unafraid of color.
Comparing OPTIQ-V and the standard OPTIQ
• Power: 519 hp vs. 300 hp
• Torque: 650 lb-ft vs. 354 lb-ft
• 0-60 mph: 3.5 s vs. 5.9 s (est.)
• Range: 275 mi vs. 302 mi
• Tow rating: N/A vs. 1,500 lb
• Starting price: $68,795 (est.) vs. $54,000 (est.)
The V model clearly prioritizes speed over efficiency and utility, carving away 27 miles of estimated range and the ability to tow in exchange for legitimate performance stats. Whether buyers in this segment will accept the trade-offs remains to be seen, but Cadillac isn’t alone—BMW’s iX M60 and Audi’s SQ8 e-tron follow a similar formula.
Pricing and launch timing
Cadillac lists an MSRP of $68,795 including destination but before state or federal incentives, roughly a $15-k jump over the most affordable 2025 OPTIQ Sport. Production is slated for fall 2025 with sales planned for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Israel and several Middle Eastern markets. Expect dealer allocations to lean heavily on fully optioned examples—magnetic paint, carbon bits and summer tires add thousands to the sticker.
The quick take
The 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ-V adds genuine pace and sharper reflexes to Cadillac’s smallest electric SUV while debuting GM’s first built-in NACS port. It sacrifices a slice of driving range and all tow capability, and the price bump pushes it into territory where larger EV crossovers lurk. Still, 519 horsepower and a 3.5-second sprint in a compact package are tempting numbers—and they finally give the V-Series sub-brand a fully electric presence under six figures.
-Ed
2026 Cadillac OPTIQ-V
