Cadillac’s first electric V-Series arrives in 2026

| Labels: Cadillac’s first electric V-Series arrives in 2026

The 2026 Cadillac LYRIQ-V will officially launch in 2025 as the brand's first electric V-Series car.

The LYRIQ-V will not be exclusive to the North American market, as both left-hand drive and right-hand drive versions will be built. This means Oceanic markets like Australia and New Zealand can expect to see these electric powerhouses on their roads soon, too. Official figures have yet to be released, but the LYRIQ-V is expected to offer some serious performance as expected from a V-Series model.

The LYRIQ-V gets racing-inspired aerodynamic enhancements

The 2026 LYRIQ-V adds to already-sharp looks with subtle aerodynamic enhancements, such as the roof-mounted spoiler that resembles the shape of the Cadillac V-Series.R race car's massive wing. The LYRIQ-V also receives a slightly more aggressive body kit with lower, painted side skirts and edgier bumpers.

Other than its subtle aesthetic enhancements, the LYRIQ-V doesn't look all that different from the standard LYRIQ, and that's not a bad thing. The LYRIQ genuinely might be one of the most attractive EVs out there in terms of design – seamlessly blending the traditional understated Cadillac style with a contemporary flair. It's a solid interpretation of what a modern, electric Cadillac should look like and its road presence punches well above its price tag.

Official performance figures have not been announced, but expect the LYRIQ-V to be quick

Cadillac has yet to release official power figures for the 2026 LYRIQ-V, but with standard all-wheel drive, an anticipated horsepower figure well above the 600 mark, and instantaneous acceleration, it will likely be Cadillac's quickest vehicle to 60 mph upon its release.

Notable rivals will include the Tesla Model X and Rivian R1S, but we are still unsure whether the LYRIQ-V will be the highest-performance version of the LYRIQ. It's possible that a LYRIQ-V Blackwing could eventually arrive to compete with the 1,000+ horsepower Tesla Model X Plaid and Rivian R1S Quad.

The 2025 Cadillac LYRIQ is currently available with either a standard, 340 horsepower rear-drive motor or an optional, 500 horsepower dual-motor all-wheel drive setup. The LYRIQ-V will see a significant power bump over its less expensive siblings, but it will be interesting to see what enhancements are made underneath to improve handling and stopping power. The current LYRIQ AWD has a base curb weight of 5,789 pounds, so the V-Series must find a clever way to manage the substantial mass while cornering and under braking.

The LYRIQ-V marks Cadillac's successful integration of EVs into their lineup

Cadillac's first attempts at electrification were not well-received, nor very profitable. In 2008, a hybrid version of the Escalade was released, but it still retained the 6.0L V8 and essentially added massive up-front costs without proportional savings on fuel and maintenance.

For the 2014 model year, the ELR debuted, offering a plug-in hybrid coupe that shared most of its underpinnings with the Chevrolet Volt. Thanks to its enormous price tag and lack of practicality, it was a relative sales disaster.

Fast forward to 2024, and General Motors' electrification trial-by-fire has paid off. Through all their initial failure, GM's automakers have figured out how to produce an electrified vehicle that people actually want to purchase.

Cadillac sold 9,155 LYRIQs in 2023 and expects to have sold 20,314 in 2024 by year-end. The existence of a LYRIQ-V is proof that the integration of EVs in Cadillac's lineup has paid off, which has allowed the brand to produce a greater diversity of models and variants that employ the GM Ultium platform technology, like the all-new Vistiq, Escalade IQ, and the LYRIQ-V.

Are EVs helping Cadillac regain its premium reputation?

Unlike other American premium brands, such as Lincoln and Chrysler, Cadillac has been successful in maintaining a desirable reputation for producing high-quality products with surprisingly capable driving dynamics.

As Cadillac continues to improve and expand on its successful EV lineup, its overall reputation is following suit. It also proves to buyers that Cadillac has remembered how to make a relevant, fresh, and top-tier product, despite the brand's malaise era of non-engaging, low-quality products during the 1980s and 90s.

Do you feel that Cadillac's contemporary lineup is a refreshing coexistence of high-quality EV crossovers and engaging high-performance super sedans, or do you believe that Cadillac is still no match for its European rivals? Let us know in the comments, we love to hear from you!