Why The 2025 Cadillac Optiq Might Be Better Than A Mercedes-Benz

My first glimpses of the Optiq Sport 2 confirmed that Cadillac nailed the design language. Even standing still, it looks athletic – the sculpted fastback body, frameless panoramic roof, and bold vertical LED taillights give it a futuristic coupé-SUV vibe. Our tester wore the blacked-out Onyx Package ($3,995), which adds 21‑inch gloss-black wheels, Vader-chrome mirror caps, and subtle puddle lamps. These accents pop against the white paint and black roof, underscoring Cadillac’s youthfully techy approach. Walking around the car you also notice the high-tech details – the Black Crystal grille has a laser-etched pattern and even a choreographed lighting sequence when you approach or exit. (My Mercedes-Benz‑loving wife Jennifer was so impressed that she quipped it’s the first EV she’d consider over her beloved Benz.)

Optiq: Interior Quality and Luxury

Stepping inside the Optiq, the sense of refinement only grows. Cadillac traded old-school leather for high-end Inteluxe (vegan leatherette) upholstery, and our Sport 2’s Autumn Canyon Inteluxe seats were richly finished, with perforated inserts, embroidered quilting, and lavish stitching. Cadillac’s interior theme blends warm tones (Autumn Canyon browns) with modern graphite accents and LED ambient lighting, giving a near-floating cockpit feel.

A highlight is the Dark PaperWood trim on the dash and doors – a rich-looking wood veneer that is literally made from recycled newsprint. This sustainable paperwood has the look and grain of real wood at a glance, but up close, you catch subtle lines of recycled print, an unexpected “wow” detail. Overall, the Optiq’s cabin feels more substantial and adult than the Blazer EV’s mostly plastic shell or the ZDX’s simpler trim – it’s quiet and cushy, with excellent fit-and-finish. The ventilated massaging front seats and heated rear outboard seats (standard on Sport 2) made highway stretches and city stop‑and‑go equally comfortable.

Optiq: Technology and Connectivity.

The tech suite in the Optiq is class-leading. A single 33‑inch curved LED display arcs across the dash, housing both the gauge cluster and infotainment, and Cadillac says it’s the segment’s largest at 9K resolution. The interface is intuitive, with Google-built navigation and voice control (Google Maps and Google Assistant are baked in), so you can summon directions or play music hands‑free without pulling out your phone. In fact, Amazon Music (with Dolby Atmos) is integrated as a native app, delivering streaming in spatial audio right through the dash. Paired with the standard 19‑speaker AKG audio system, music really comes alive – the surround sound is crisp yet warm, and I felt like I had a private concert hall on wheels. Other convenience tech stood out too: wireless phone mirroring is seamless, over‑the‑air updates keep the UI fresh, and Super Cruise hands‑free driving is included on the dashboard (keeping long drives effortless when you activate it on compatible highways).

Driving Impressions: It is still Cadillac

As a daily driver, the Optiq Sport 2 is a delight. The dual‑motor AWD powertrain delivers a Cadillac‑estimated 300 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque for brisk acceleration. Instantaneous throttle response means merging onto the highway is confident, yet the throttle mapping is never too jumpy – it feels weighty but composed underfoot. Thanks to its relatively short 116‑inch wheelbase, the Optiq feels surprisingly agile in corners. I threaded it through winding country roads without any heavy‑EV sluggishness; steering is precise and the body never feels tippy. The ride itself is impressively smooth considering we had 21‑inch wheels; Cadillac’s noise cancellation and thick glass work quietly in the background. Even over cracked side streets it remains hushed, and highway cruising is near‑silent – you only hear the whistle of wind. In two weeks of commuting and a weekend road trip I averaged just under 300 miles per charge. The EPA range is 302 miles, and I found that figure very real: topping up 80% to 90% on fast DC chargers was routine, and the car accepts high-rate charging. Cadillac claims you can gain about 79 miles of range in 10 minutes of DC charging, which matched my experience – a quick 15‑minute stop often delivered 100+ miles of range. Regenerative braking (with a one-pedal mode) is strong but seamless when you need it. Overall, the Optiq feels easy and confidence‑inspiring to drive, whether darting around town or cruising on backroads.

Should You Buy One?

In the emerging class of Ultium‑platform SUVs, the 2025 Cadillac Optiq Sport 2 clearly emerges as the most refined and luxurious choice. Its styling turns heads more effectively than the Blazer EV or Acura ZDX, its cabin materials are hand‑built caliber (no pretend plastics here), and its tech suite is simply more advanced and intuitive. The driving experience is quiet and comfortable – everything you want in a Cadillac – yet it still offers brisk performance, easy fast‑charging, and hassle-free day‑to‑day use. For my taste, it delivers on Cadillac’s promise of EV luxury. It’s the first electric Caddy I’ve driven that my wife actually admired enough to consider buying, and that says a lot.

Pricing & Specs:

The Optiq Sport 2 is the range‑topper of four trims. Base MSRP is about $57,090 for Sport 2 (before options and destination), and our loaded tester (including the Crystal White Tricoat and Onyx Package) stickered near the low $60k range. This gets you all‑wheel drive with a 300‑hp dual motor, an 85‑kWh Ultium battery (about 302 miles EPA range), plus luxury extras like a full head‑up display, massaging front seats, Super Cruise hands‑free driving, and the massive 33‑inch curved display. In short, you pay a premium over its Chevy sibling, but you get a thoroughly upscale Cadillac experience.