Cadillac CT5 Reviews

Cadillac's electric car assault on Australia is continuing with the souped-up Lyriq-V electric SUV, the brand's fastest car off the line ever.Earmarked for a local on-sale date of early 2026, production of the Lyriq-V will commence at the brand’s plant in Tennessee imminently.Australian prices remain unconfirmed, but it will start in the US at $79,990 ($127,256). Expect it to incur a considerable premium once it lands here.Cadillac has confirmed the Lyriq-V will have a zero-100km/h sprint time of just 3.3 seconds, which blitzes a Tesla Model Y Performance (3.7 seconds) and even trumps a Porsche 911 GT3 (3.4 seconds).Power is sourced from dual-electric motors that deliver 452kW/880Nm to all four wheels, while power is maximised through a selectable driving mode called ‘Velocity Max’.Underpinning the powertrain is a huge 102kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which delivers a claimed 458km of driving range, down from 530km on the standard Lyriq.Cadillac also claims a DC fast charger will deliver approximately 120km of range in about 10 minutes, while a “low state of charge” to 80 per cent will take approximately 40 minutes.In terms of design, the Lyriq-V is beefier than its more sensible Lyriq sibling, adding a unique front fascia, side rockers and the option of additional carbon fibre trims.There’s also a unique “chin spoiler”, V-series logos on the front doors and tailgate, as well as a V-patterned mesh on the front grille to distinguish it from other Cadillac models.Bulky 22-inch alloy wheels, etched with a V-series logo, and a black painted roof come standard, while special Magnus Metal Frost paint will be offered to customers in very limited numbers.Dimensions are quoted at 5004mm long, 2207mm wide, 1627 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 3094mm. That puts it in the size category of a Hyundai Ioniq 9, a Volvo EX90 or a Kia EV9.Stepping inside, the Lyriq-V shares the same 33-inch panoramic dashboard as the Lyriq, which incorporates the digital driver’s display, climate controls and the central multimedia display into one.There's a fixed panoramic glass roof, a 23-speaker AKG audio system, paperwood trims and optional Nappa leather upholstery, along with a dual-plane augmented-reality head-up display, which is Lyriq-V-specific.Otherwise, the only thing that really distinguishes it from the standard model is the V-Series steering wheel, which adds V-series branding and a V-mode, allowing for quick customisation of steering feel, pedal response and the noise played through the cabin.More details, including local pricing, are expected closer to the Lyriq V’s official launch in 2026.

Mike Simcoe, designer of some of Australia’s most iconic cars, will retire from his post as head of General Motors design in July.

It’s fair to say General Motors’ decision to close Holden was not a popular one amongst the car-loving population of Australia (blue-blood Ford fans excluded). But in 2025 GM’s decision could be justified if its new vision for our market pays off.That vision, of course, is the switch to running under the General Motors Australia (and New Zealand) banner, with GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) offering Chevrolet and GMC models as well as the long-awaited introduction of Cadillac to our shores. GMSV, which sells the right-hand drive converted Chevrolet Silverado and soon the GMC Yukon as well as the Corvette range, sits under a separate banner to Cadillac, but it’s all one big happy GM family behind the scenes. This new business model will never see GM achieve the kind of sales volumes Holden did, but it has the potential to be a very profitable business for the American automotive giant. However, it will need to enjoy a successful 2025 if it’s to feel good about its long-term hopes in Australia, with several major challenges ahead of it.Firstly, there is its existing Silverado line-up, which faces increased competition from the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra, as well as the new-generation Ram 1500 due in 2025. These new rivals arrive amid a decline in sales for the ‘over $100k ute’ segment, which feels inevitable given the expense and fit-for-purpose nature of these types of US-style pickups.Silverado sales are on course to finish well up on the segment (nearly 15 per cent for the Silverado 1500 and more than 20 per cent for the Silverado HD), but maintaining that kind of growth in ‘25 will be crucial to the long-term viability of both Chevy models — and potentially the overall ‘big truck’ market.To diversify, GM Australia decided to introduce an SUV to its mix — the GMC Yukon.This works on multiple levels for the company as the Yukon is based on the same platform as the Silverado 1500 GMSV is already converting, but is a more luxurious model and therefore can carry a higher profit margin.It will become the only full-size SUV with a V8 engine and is loaded with space and creature comforts, the Yukon will be a tough sell. It’s priced from $169,990 (plus on-road costs), which positions it well above (circa-$20k) the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, its most obvious rival, so it high volumes won’t be likely but it could add meaningful sales to GMSV’s bottom line.Then there’s arguably GM Australia’s biggest risk — Cadillac. The American luxury brand is finally expanding its operations beyond North America, but there’s an obvious question around the timing of launching an all-electric brand now.Demand for electric vehicles has, at best, cooled off after a sudden surge a few years ago (when GM was making its decision). However, the brand’s first Australian-bound model, the Lyriq SUV, undercuts its key rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi on price, so it stands some chance on conquesting luxury buyers.There’s also a chance that Australian buyers will surge towards this all-new but very well-known brand in the market. We’ve seen an Australian soft spot for similar American vehicles in the past, such as the Corvette and Ford Mustang, and while the Cadillac Lyriq is a very different proposition it’s not outside the realms of possibility that Australians will be attracted to it.There are some fairly large ‘ifs’, ‘buts’ and ‘maybes’ surrounding General Motors’ Australian chances in 2025 so it could go either way. On the plus side it could establish its roots for even further growth, but on the flip side there is potential for a rough year that could cause GM’s Detroit management to re-think its Australian outlook. Only time will tell which way that will go, but we will watch General Motors’ sales performance with great interest next year…

Cadillac has unveiled the Vistiq in the US, a luxury three-row electric SUV that is a potential candidate for the Australian market as the iconic American brand looks to expand local operations.

Cadillac has confirmed its high-performance V badge will be applied to an electric vehicle for the first time with confirmation today that a Cadillac Lyriq V will be coming to market globally in 2026.

Cadillac has revealed pricing and specifications for its debut model in Australia, the all-new, fully electric Lyriq large SUV.

Cadillac will open its first Australian location in Rosebery, an inner-city suburb of Sydney.  The grand opening should roughly coincide with the release of its first new model in Australia, the all-electric Lyriq, which is due by the end of October. The Lyriq is all-but confirmed to be followed by the Optiq and Vistiq electric cars. 

Is now the right time to launch into the Australian market? Cadillac says it is despite a record number of rivals and a potentially shrinking pool of EV sales.

Cadillac offers a firm "maybe" to the possibility of bringing its most iconic V8-powered SUV to Australia.

Cadillac outlines the kinds of vehicles it benchmarked in development as it promises a fun-to-drive EV.