The 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ Sport is the first real baby-Escalade that runs on electricity. It gives you 615 horsepower, a 305-mile range, and room for six or seven people. Starting around $79,000, it comes loaded with Super Cruise, a huge 33-inch screen, massaging seats, and a panoramic sunroof. It’s fast, quiet, and feels like a luxury car should. You won’t get Apple CarPlay, and there’s no front trunk, but for families who want space, power, and style, this is one of the best electric SUVs you can buy right now.
Introduction – The Baby Escalade We’ve Been Waiting For
For more than 25 years, the Cadillac Escalade has been the king of big American luxury SUVs. It’s bold, powerful, and makes a statement wherever it goes. But not everyone needs something that huge or wants to spend $150,000 or more. Some just want the look, the comfort, and the luxury in a smaller, cleaner package.
Cadillac tried before. The SRX came out in 2004, and the XT6 arrived in 2020. But neither felt special. They were just nicer versions of regular Chevy SUVs. They didn’t have the soul of an Escalade.
Now, in 2026, Cadillac finally got it right with the VISTIQ Sport. This is not a rework of an old model. It’s a brand-new electric SUV built from the ground up. It has the same commanding look as the Escalade, but it’s smaller, smarter, and runs on electricity. It seats up to seven, drives like a sports car, and comes with technology that makes long trips easy.
I spent a full week driving the VISTIQ Sport in Opulent Blue. I took it on highways, through city traffic, and even loaded it with groceries and kids. The result? This is the most exciting Cadillac family SUV in years. It’s not perfect, but it’s close. Let’s see why.
Design & Styling: A True Baby Escalade
The VISTIQ looks like a smaller Escalade, and that’s a very good thing. Cadillac utilized its renowned “Art and Science” design style and modernized it for an electric car. The front has a smooth, closed grille with a glowing Cadillac logo. When you unlock the car, lights dance from the center to the edges, flowing into sharp LED headlights. The turn signals light up one by one, and the daytime running lights make it easy to spot from far away.
From the side, the VISTIQ has perfect proportions. It’s long and wide, but not too big. The wheelbase is the same as the full-size Escalade, which means it feels stable and planted on the road. The Sport trim features black trim instead of chrome, giving it a sleek and powerful look. The Opulent Blue paint costs extra, but it looks rich and deep in the sunlight. The black roof and black wheels make it stand out even more.
The door handles pop out when you approach, and they light up at night. The charge port opens with a button and moves smoothly. At the back, the taillights stretch across the whole rear, with a light bar that connects them. The turn signals flow in sequence, and the rear wiper hides under the spoiler so the back glass stays clean.
Compared to the boxy Hyundai Ioniq 9 or the rugged Rivian R1S, the VISTIQ looks elegant and confident. It’s not trying to be an off-road truck. It’s a luxury family SUV that turns heads without shouting.
Powertrain & Performance: Dual Motors, Massive Torque
The VISTIQ is fast. Really fast. It has two electric motors—one in the front and one in the back—that work together to give you all-wheel drive. Together, they make 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. That’s almost twice as much power as the old XT6 with its V6 engine.
Cadillac says it can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds. In my test, it did it in 3.68 seconds. That’s quicker than many sports cars. The power comes instantly—no waiting for a turbo or gear shift. Just press the pedal, and you’re pushed back into the seat.
There are different driving modes. In Touring mode, it’s smooth and relaxed. In Sport mode, it feels sharp and eager. There’s even a Velocity Max mode that gives you full power with one pull of a paddle behind the steering wheel. You can also create your own mode—maybe full power but soft suspension for comfort.
The VISTIQ weighs over 6,200 pounds, but it doesn’t feel heavy on the road. The battery sits low, so the car stays balanced in corners. The one-pedal driving lets you slow down just by lifting off the gas, and in High mode, it can stop the car completely without touching the brake.
Compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 9 or Kia EV9, the VISTIQ is faster and more exciting to drive. It’s not as wild as the Rivian R1S with four motors, but it’s more than quick enough for daily life—and it tows up to 5,000 pounds.
Charging, Range & Efficiency
The VISTIQ uses a 102 kWh battery that gives it an official range of 305 miles. In real-world driving with mild weather and a mix of city and highway, I got about 290 miles on a full charge. That’s plenty for most families. With the bigger 23-inch wheels, the range drops to 300 miles.
Charging is simple. At home with the standard 11 kW charger, it takes about 13 hours to fill up from empty. You can upgrade to a 19.2 kW charger to cut that time in half. On a fast charger, it can take up to 190 kW of power, which means going from 10% to 80% in around 35 minutes.
The car works with Tesla Superchargers if you buy a $300 adapter. Cadillac will add built-in Tesla plug support later. You can plan trips using Google Maps in the car, and it will show you charging stops along the way. You can also set the car to charge only during off-peak hours to save money.
It’s not the fastest-charging EV, and it doesn’t go the farthest on a charge. But 290 real-world miles is more than enough for school runs, weekend getaways, or even longer trips with one quick stop.
Interior & Technology: Luxury Meets Tech Savvy
Inside, the VISTIQ feels like a high-end luxury car. The seats are covered in soft synthetic leather that looks and feels expensive. They are heated, cooled, and even give you a massage—standard on every model. The front seats adjust 14 ways with memory settings.
The dashboard is dominated by a huge 33-inch curved screen that runs Google software. It’s bright, sharp, and easy to use. You get Google Maps, Spotify, and voice control with “Hey Google.” But there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which is a big disappointment for iPhone or Samsung users.
The sound system has 22 AKG speakers and sounds amazing—like being at a concert. The panoramic sunroof opens and tilts, letting in fresh air, which is rare in electric cars. You can change the cabin lighting to any color you want.
There are charging ports everywhere—USB-C in every row. The center console is deep and lined with soft material. The glovebox is felt-lined and opens with a touch on the screen. The digital rearview mirror uses a camera so you can always see behind you, even with a full load.
The build quality is excellent. Nothing creaks or feels cheap. The doors close with a solid sound. It’s quiet on the road, and the massage seats make long drives relaxing. This is a huge step up from the old XT6.
Comfort, Space & Practicality
The VISTIQ is made for families. You can choose six seats with captain’s chairs in the middle row or seven with a bench. The second row slides and reclines, and there’s plenty of legroom—over 40 inches. The seats are heated, and there’s a separate climate control screen for back passengers.
Getting into the third row is easy. There’s a button that slides the second-row seat forward, and it works even with a child seat installed. The third row has enough space for adults on short trips—about 30.5 inches of legroom. It even has its own air vents, USB ports, and a glass roof panel so it doesn’t feel dark or cramped.
Behind the third row, there’s 15.2 cubic feet of cargo space—enough for groceries or luggage. Fold the third row, and you get 43 cubic feet. Fold everything flat, and you have 80 cubic feet. It’s not as much as the Escalade IQ, but it’s more than enough for most people.
The floor is flat, and there’s hidden storage under the cargo area for the charging cable. The power liftgate opens with a kick of your foot. It’s practical, thoughtful, and easy to live with every day.
Ride Quality & Driving Experience
Even though it’s heavy, the VISTIQ drives smoothly. The suspension soaks up bumps and keeps the car level. In Sport mode, it feels firmer and more responsive. The steering is light in city driving and gets heavier at speed.
Super Cruise lets you take your hands off the wheel on highways. It steers, accelerates, and brakes for you—and it even changes lanes when you tap the turn signal. It works on over 400,000 miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada.
The car is quiet inside. You hear almost no wind or tire noise. The one-pedal driving is strong but smooth. The massage seats and heated steering wheel make cold mornings or long trips feel luxurious.
On a three-hour drive, I arrived relaxed and ready—not tired or stiff. This is a true road-trip car.
Features & Safety
Every VISTIQ comes with Super Cruise, six airbags, a 360-degree camera, and parking sensors. You also get adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a digital rearview mirror.
The strong Ultium platform helped the Cadillac Lyriq earn top safety scores, and the VISTIQ should do the same. It feels solid and safe on the road.
Pricing, Trims & Value
The base Luxury trim starts around $78,000. The Sport trim I tested adds $500 for the black styling. The Premium Luxury trim costs $15,000 more and adds air suspension and rear-wheel steering. The top Platinum trim is close to $95,000.
My test car with options came to about $82,000. That’s more than a Kia EV9 or Hyundai Ioniq 9, but you get more power, better tech, and true luxury. It’s much less than the Escalade IQ, which starts at $150,000.
For the money, the VISTIQ gives you a lot—fast performance, long range, and premium features. It’s a strong value in the electric luxury world.
Verdict: The Future of Cadillac SUVs
The 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ Sport is the best family SUV Cadillac has made in years. It looks like a baby Escalade, drives like a sports car, and feels like a luxury hotel on wheels. The power is amazing, the range is practical, and the technology is impressive.
It’s not perfect. There’s no Apple CarPlay, no front trunk, and cargo space isn’t the biggest. But for families who want style, comfort, and electric driving without compromise, this is one of the top choices.
Cadillac finally built a three-row SUV that feels special—not just a fancy version of a Chevy. The VISTIQ Sport is proof that electric luxury can be exciting.
Final Score: 9.2/10
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ Sport
The official range is 305 miles. In real driving, expect around 290 miles in good weather.
No. It uses Google software only. No CarPlay or Android Auto.
It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. My test showed 3.68 seconds.
It can tow up to 5,000 pounds—perfect for a boat or camper.
Yes. Hands-free driving on highways comes on every model.
Source: The 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ Sport Is A Stand-Out Electric Family SUV With Escalade Vibes
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