Upcoming 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V... Thoughts?

[gtb75]

I own a 2023.5 Mach-E GT and noticed that Cadillac just announced the Optiq-V today - details here: https://www.cadillac.com/electric/optiq/v-series

My Mach-E is my first EV and I've been super happy with it, but the idea of something a bit more comfy (better suspension, ventilated seats, nicer interior) but still with good performance interests me. I wish the Optiq had a frunk like the Mach-E, although that is less of a differentiator with the 2025 Mach-E's having such a small frunk because of the heat pump. I am on the reservation list for the Rivian R2 and am excited to see what the Lucid Earth will be all about, but the Optiq-V seems like a great Mach-E GT alternative. I was looking at the Lyriq-V as a possible next step as well, but like the size of the Optiq better. Unfortunately I need to drive and park in Chicago occasionally, so smaller is easier to deal with downtown.

Any other Mach-E GT owners looking at the next step in their EV journey? If so, what do you think about the Optiq-V?

EDIT - just noticed there is some good quality YouTube content already out there for the Optiq-V. Links as follows:

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[moog]

No Carplay. No dice. GM is off any list until they fix that.

 

[gtb75]

No Carplay. No dice. GM is off any list until they fix that.

I am a Google Pixel guy so it running Android Automotive is close enough for me. No it's not Android Auto screen projection, but it's close enough for my needs. Sounds like CarPlay is flaky in the Mach-E anyway, so I guess I'm fortunate either way that I'm in the Android camp. Interestingly the Lyriq has both CarPlay and Android Auto, but the Optiq and their other newer Ultium models do not.

 

[AZBill]

I am a Google Pixel guy so it running Android Automotive is close enough for me. No it's not Android Auto screen projection, but it's close enough for my needs. Sounds like CarPlay is flaky in the Mach-E anyway, so I guess I'm fortunate either way that I'm in the Android camp. Interestingly the Lyriq has both CarPlay and Android Auto, but the Optiq and their other newer Ultium models do not.

I have a GM vehicle and you are right, Carplay is not needed. You can download many apps from the Google Playstore directly to the vehicle. You can even plan trips on your phone with Google maps and send it to the vehicle. Most music streaming apps are available, as well as Plugshare, ABRP, Waze, etc. I actually quit using ABRP and Waze, since Google amps does better trip planning and includes all the crowd shared data that Waze does.

 

[Aubury]

I have a GM vehicle and you are right, Carplay is not needed. You can download many apps from the Google Playstore directly to the vehicle. You can even plan trips on your phone with Google maps and send it to the vehicle. Most music streaming apps are available, as well as Plugshare, ABRP, Waze, etc. I actually quit using ABRP and Waze, since Google amps does better trip planning and includes all the crowd shared data that Waze does.

My understanding is also that when your "complementary" data plan for the infotainment runs out you can use your phone as a wifi tether and continue to use all those features without having to pay for the monthly data plan.

 

[gtb75]

I have a GM vehicle and you are right, Carplay is not needed. You can download many apps from the Google Playstore directly to the vehicle. You can even plan trips on your phone with Google maps and send it to the vehicle. Most music streaming apps are available, as well as Plugshare, ABRP, Waze, etc. I actually quit using ABRP and Waze, since Google amps does better trip planning and includes all the crowd shared data that Waze does.

Appreciate your real world feedback! That pretty much tracks with what I was understanding, but glad to hear the reality of how it works matches up with what I've read/seen. The current state of Android Automotive in those Optiq-V videos absolutely blows away the performance we see out of SYNC in the Mach-E.

Interesting that while Ford is pulling back on EV plans GM is releasing so many variants of Ultium. The Lyriq-V caught my attention, but the smaller size of the Optiq-V definitely puts it on my radar as a potential Mach-E replacement for me in a year or two.

 

[RSF]

I was close to buying the Blazer SS, but realized they don't have PaaK. I could never go back to carrying a fob.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

I own a 2023.5 Mach-E GT and noticed that Cadillac just announced the Optiq-V today - details here: https://www.cadillac.com/electric/optiq/v-series

My Mach-E is my first EV and I've been super happy with it, but the idea of something a bit more comfy (better suspension, ventilated seats, nicer interior) but still with good performance interests me. I wish the Optiq had a frunk like the Mach-E, although that is less of a differentiator with the 2025 Mach-E's having such a small frunk because of the heat pump. I am on the reservation list for the Rivian R2 and am excited to see what the Lucid Earth will be all about, but the Optiq-V seems like a great Mach-E GT alternative. I was looking at the Lyriq-V as a possible next step as well, but like the size of the Optiq better. Unfortunately I need to drive and park in Chicago occasionally, so smaller is easier to deal with downtown.

Any other Mach-E GT owners looking at the next step in their EV journey? If so, what do you think about the Optiq-V?

EDIT - just noticed there is some good quality YouTube content already out there for the Optiq-V. Links as follows:

No. I’m not downgrading. Already at 3.3 and enjoying every second of it. Next car needs to be 2.5 sec.

 

[gtb75]

I was close to buying the Blazer SS, but realized they don't have PaaK. I could never go back to carrying a fob.

I had issues with PaaK on my Mach-E, so I still carry the fob. I agree that it would be a nice feature to have though - like the frunk.

 

[Tampamike]

Why is it a “V?”

 

[gtb75]

No. I’m not downgrading. Already at 3.3 and enjoying every second of it. Next car needs to be 2.5 sec.

My current Mach-E GT is a '23.5 (no performance upgrade), so the Optiq-V is actually a little faster than my current car. That being said, there is more to performance than just the 0-60 time. The handling dynamics look worlds better than the Mach-E based on those videos, so that definitely interests me.

The R2 will supposedly do 0-60 in "under 3 sec" but probably won't handle as well as the Mach-E GT, let alone the Optiq-V. I have high hopes that Lucid does something like a Sapphire trim for the Earth, but at a more realistic price point. But they have to survive that long before the Earth (or whatever it will be called) is even in the discussion.

 

[gtb75]

Why is it a “V?”

Significantly better overall performance - like all of the other V models. Better acceleration, better handling, better braking, etc.

 

[DYohn]

Why is it a “V?”

Because it has an 8-cell battery?

 

[DYohn]

I want a Lincoln Nautilus BEV. Or a luxury-trim version of the Mach E called the Cougar. With 400-miles of range.

 

[Jimrpa]

no frunk, no CarPlay, no way.

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