The Cadillac Optiq and its performance-oriented cousin Optiq-V are one of the newest EVs from General Motors. In the 2026 model year, both are equipped with a NACS (SAE J3400) charging port, as promised in June.
The Cadillac Optiq entered the market in 2025. The initial 2025 model year version was CCS1-compatible. During the first three quarters, nearly 10,000 units were sold in the US.
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- The 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V (Source: Cadillac)
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- The 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V (Source: Cadillac)
The 2026 Cadillac Optiq and Optiq-V
Battery and Range
The entire lineup of 2026 Cadillac Optiq and Cadillac Optiq-V features an 85-kWh battery. The family is based on GM’s Ultium platform and is available in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions.
The 2026 Cadillac Optiq powertrains:
- Optiq RWD: 235 kW and 450 Nm
- Optiq AWD: 328 kW and 675 Nm
- Optiq-V AWD: 386 kW and 880 Nm (0-60 MPH in 3.7 seconds)
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the EPA Combined range for the base Cadillac Optiq RWD with 20-inch wheels is 317 miles, while the AWD version gets 303 miles.
The sporty Cadillac Optiq-V with 21-inch wheels gets up to 278 miles of EPA Combined range. Interestingly, the rating for the version with an optional 19.2-kW onboard charger is lower — 250 miles.
2026 Cadillac Optiq and 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V EPA range. (Source: State Of Charge)
Energy Consumption
The Cadillac Optiq RWD’s total energy consumption (including charging losses) is estimated at 105 MPGe or 321 Wh/mile (3.1 miles per kWh). The AWD version gets slightly worse numbers: 99 MPGe or 340 Wh/mile (2.9 miles per kWh).
The Cadillac Optiq-V has two different ratings for versions with 11.5-kW and 19.2-kW onboard chargers. The numbers are about a tenth worse than the regular Optiq:
- Optiq-V 11.5 kW: 92 MPGe or 366 Wh/mile (2.7 miles per kWh)
- Optiq-V 19.2 kW: 83 MPGe or 406 Wh/mile (2.5 miles per kWh)
2026 Cadillac Optiq and 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V EPA energy consumption. (Source: State Of Charge)
NACS Charging Port
The 2026 Cadillac Optiq and 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V are GM’s first EVs with a NACS (SAE J3400) charging port.
This means that the models can directly access NACS charging points (AC or DC), including Superchargers (since GM is one of Tesla’s NACS partners).
Access to CCS1 DC fast chargers is possible through a CCS1-to-NACS adapter. Similarly, the car can use SAE J1772 AC charging points with an AC adapter (J1772-to-NACS).
The manufacturer offers adapters as an option:
- GM CCS1-to-NACS: $189
- GM J1772-to-NACS: $67
The 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V: NACS (SAE J3400) charging port. (Source: Cadillac)
AC Charging and Onboard Charger
The 2026 Cadillac Optiq family comes standard with an 11.5-kW onboard charger. An optional 19.2-kW onboard charger costs $1,580.
According to the manufacturer, the range replenishment rate is:
- Optiq 11.5 kW: up to 36 miles per hour
- Optiq 19.2 kW: up to 59 miles per hour
- Optiq-V 11.5 kW: up to 31 miles per hour
- Optiq-V 19.2 kW: up to 51 miles per hour
Additionally, a dual-voltage (120- and 240-volt) AC charging cable is included as standard.
DC Fast Charging
The DC fast-charging performance of the 2026 Cadillac Optiq and Optiq-V is similar to that of other Ultium-based GM models with an 85-kWh battery (such as the Chevrolet Equinox EV, which we analyzed earlier this year).
The peak charging power is about 150 kW. Depending on the version, the vehicle can add 71 to 81 miles of range in 10 minutes of charging (see the chart below). The average is just 7-8 miles/minute.
The manufacturer does not reveal the charging time from 10% to 80% state of charge, but it’s roughly 40 minutes.
Overall, the results are so-so, especially for a premium brand.
2026 Cadillac Optiq and 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V DC fast charging. (Source: State Of Charge)
One of the issues of GM EVs with 85-kWh battery packs (with 10 modules) is their relatively low voltage (some 270-330 volts). It requires supplying roughly 500 amps just to reach 150 kW.
Vehicle-to-Home (V2H)
Just like other Ultium-based EVs, the Cadillac Optiq family has a bi-directional charging option (check out our previous posts on the subject here and here).
To enable the Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) charging, the user must have a GM Energy PowerShift bidirectional charger (available for $1,999) installed at their home. It can supply up to 19.2 kilowatts (80 amps at 240 volts AC) to the car or receive DC power from the car (up to 9.6 kW). Power export from the car is only possible if three additional elements are installed (each purchased separately): a GM Energy Inverter (9.6 kW), a GM Energy Home Hub (the brain of the system), and a GM Energy Dark Start Battery to jump-start the system off-grid.
A major issue for the NACS-compatible 2026 Cadillac Optiq family is that the GM Energy PowerShift bidirectional charger has a CCS1 connector. It requires the use of a special CCS1-to-NACS (AC) adapter for charging (GM offers it for $116), and a standard CCS1-to-NACS (DC) adapter for V2H. These adapters look similar but are actually completely different in regard to the type of electric current that they accept (AC or DC).
The V2H system cannot automatically switch to EV power when the car is connected via the AC adapter. However, if it’s connected via the DC adapter, the car isn’t charging. The user would need to connect the car to the DC adapter whenever they want to enable the V2H feature. Hopefully, GM will solve this issue with a NACS version of the system because, for now, it’s cumbersome and unattractive.
Pricing
Since the $7,500 federal tax credit ended, the effective cost of the Cadillac Optiq increased. The base 2026 Cadillac Optiq RWD (Luxury trim) starts at an MSRP of $50,900 ($52,695 including the obligatory $1,795 destination fee). The AWD version is $3,500 more expensive.
2026 Cadillac Optiq and 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V pricing and EPA Combined range. (Source: State Of Charge)
The sporty 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V starts at $67,300 ($69,095 including the destination fee).
The 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V. (Source: Cadillac)
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