On the tough roads of San Francisco, after which as much as the headlands of Marin County, the Optiq first rode with extra supple compliance, drowning out velocity bumps and streetcar tracks with ease. Then, when the roads began winding, the adjustable drive modes let me change up the character, as I set the steering to the lightest mode to keep away from torque steer and ramp up suggestions from the entrance tires. In fact, I additionally chosen the utmost acceleration and brake responsiveness, then began hustling by way of an extended sequence of corners.
Virtually extra spectacular than the suspension enchancment versus the Equinox, which I drove in Michigan, the Optiq’s lack of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) stood out all through the drive. This in flip highlighted the Dolby Atmos-enabled sound system, made up of 19 AKG audio system managed by way of a 33-inch touchscreen. Although the Escalade IQ completely blew the smaller Optiq out of the water, regardless of missing Atmos for model-year 2025 because of improvement timelines, I nonetheless needed to check all the things from Pink Floyd’s tripped-out Comfortably Numb to the peculiar pitches of Animal Collective, the electro bass of Main Lazer, and a few shriller dance pop by Girl Gaga.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
The 33-inch show is frequent throughout most new Cadillacs. CarPlay is absent, however the Google Maps integration is excellent.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
Michael Teo Van Runkle
There’s bodily controls for the infotainment in case you do not need to use the touchscreen.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
Michael Teo Van Runkle
The audio system have been let down by the shortage of choices out there by way of the web streaming we tried throughout our take a look at drive.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
There’s bodily controls for the infotainment in case you do not need to use the touchscreen.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
The audio system have been let down by the shortage of choices out there by way of the web streaming we tried throughout our take a look at drive.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
Looking by way of the Amazon Music app hoping to seek out songs optimized for Dolby Atmos encompass sound proved almost not possible, although. If I owned an Optiq, I might must create playlists prematurely moderately than simply aimlessly scrolling (or counting on curated choices from Cadillac and Dolby). That kind of mindset shift applies to a lot of EV life, ultimately, just like how Optiq’s complete vary dropping about 5 % versus the Equinox FWD’s 319 miles (513 km) ought to matter lower than many city consumers could think about.
For the extra torque and dual-motor AWD, the Optiq begins at $55,595 (or $61,695 for this loaded Optiq Sport 2). Evaluate that to the AWD Equinox with 285 miles of vary (459 km) and a beginning sticker of $49,400—which represents an enormous bounce up from the FWD at $34,995. The Optiq contains way more commonplace options, particularly Tremendous Cruise hands-free driving, which I completely loved activating on the 101 freeway crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.
