EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2027 Cadillac Optiq-V EV – the baby of the Ultium platform-based Cadillac electrics.
Optiq, Chevrolet Blazer EV and second-gen Acura ZDX-based 5-doors all share this specific Ultium platform. Now Cadillac gives us a V – as in the 124-year-old carmaker’s 22-year-old high-performance V Division.
The overall design is tight and angular, fairly low and ground-hugging, modernizing Cadillac’s angular Art & Science styling language – light blade headlight and taillight shapes as echoed in their other EVs – Lyriq, Vistiq and Escalade IQ. The Cadillac shield-shaped grille is smooth and backlit with LED accents as befits a radiator-less EV. A smoked chrome upper bar extends into the side light blade; the blades pierce fenders as they cascade down, framing stacked 9-element LED headlight clusters.
Inside, quilted Sky Cool Gray leather seats combined with Santorini Blue piping. The floating center console hosts a knurled alloy twist/tap knob for main screen navigation, audio and other uses, joined by a volume knob and other buttons. It’s neatly trimmed in carbon fiber and some basic soft-touch plastic – all roomy, comfortable and accommodating.
Under the body, two bigger electric motors used in the Lyriq for 519 hp and 650 lb-ft. of torque for lots of passing power in daily cut-and-thrust. In V-Mode/Competitive, which puts all power down, a full torque launch as we hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. No drama – just performance, time after time with no depreciation of power. G-force meter – we pulled a solid .9Gs accelerating in V-Mode. In a sweeping corner, the Optiq-V pulled a very respectable 1G with no drama, neutral and fairly flat. There’s also a tight turning radius. Maximum range is 250 to 278 miles. At a Level 2 station with 19.2 kW charging, Cadillac says says it can add about 59 miles of range in about an hour, or add 36 miles of range in an hour at a 11.5 kW AC charger.
So read lots more, and see a video about this – Cadillac Optiq-V Delivers Big Power In Small Package – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan. And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.