- We tested the 2025 Cadillac Optiq EV to see how far it would drive on a full charge.
- The official range estimate is 302 miles in ideal conditions.
The Optiq is Cadillac’s entry-level electric crossover. With a starting price of around $55,000, it’s also the cheapest EV in the American luxury automaker’s portfolio, so it has the biggest potential to become a best-seller.
It’s a solid luxury compact crossover, as we found out during our first drive review. However, one question remained after that short drive: how far can the Optiq really go on a full charge? According to Cadillac, the EV is good for 302 miles on a full charge. But as our own Tom Moloughney found out, the real-world result is a bit disappointing.
As with its Chevrolet cousin, the Equinox EV, the 2025 Optiq is powered by a battery pack that’s officially rated at 85 kilowatt-hours. However, several independent tests have shown the usable capacity is actually around 90 kWh. That is good news for anyone stepping out for longer trips on a regular basis.
However, a combination of factors can gobble up electrons rather quickly. Running 21-inch wheels with all-season tires in an ambient temperature of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius), our real-world range was 17% lower than the official figure. Mind you, this test was performed at a constant speed of 70 miles per hour, whereas the estimate on the Monroney sticker factors in low-speed city driving as well.
With the tire pressures set to the manufacturer's recommendation and the climate control system set between 60 and 70 degrees, the 2025 Cadillac Optiq with all-wheel drive managed to go 249 miles at a constant 70 mph before restricting performance. The final figure, including the final leg to the DC fast charger, was 252.3 miles.
The car returned an average energy efficiency of 2.7 miles/kWh and a total energy use of 90.5 kWh—further proof that it holds more juice than General Motors claims.
By comparison, a front-wheel drive Chevy Equinox EV that was range-tested during warmer temperatures averaged 3.4 miles/kWh and went 303 miles on a full charge. By our estimates, the all-wheel drive Optiq could drive up to 275 miles in ideal conditions and with slightly smaller wheels, but that’s still less than the car’s 302-mile rating.
