Cadillac Optiq vs Audi Q6
What's the difference?

Cadillac Optiq

$80,000 - $80,000

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Audi Q6

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2025 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series

Toyota Prado

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Volkswagen Touareg

Volkswagen Transporter

Summary

2026 Cadillac Optiq

2025 Audi Q6

By Andrew Chesterton

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

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Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Fuel Type

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Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Fuel Efficiency

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Electric range

598 km

Energy consumption

18.5 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

94.90 kWh

Seating

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Likes

Sharp pricing in premium land
Punchy dual-motor powertrain
Considered and comfortable cabin

Gorgeous design inside and out
Powerful and dynamic on-road handling
Quick charging and long drive range

Dislikes

Ride can feel brittle on harsh road surfaces
Slow DC charge rate
Five-year warranty feels underdone these days

Not super fun for an S badge
A couple of tech gremlins
Significant price jump from other grades

2026 Cadillac Optiq Summary

The lonely Cadillac Lyriq finally has some company, with the iconic US brand tripling its range down under with the launch of the much bigger Vistiq (which we've already tested) and this entry-level Optiq, which Cadillac describes as the gateway to its electric family.

It's a medium all-electric SUV with plenty of equipment and – depending on whether you see it as an established premium player or another newcomer brand – pretty sharp pricing.

Cadillac says it has the German big three in its sights with the Optiq, so how does it stack up?

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2025 Audi Q6 Summary

Sharing the same Volkswagen Group PPE platform as its main rival, the Porsche Macan 4S, the newly launched Audi SQ6 e-tron has promised both efficiency and performance.

Is it a combination that can be achieved in real life? My family of three have been testing it out this week to find out for you.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Cadillac Optiq 2025 Audi Q6

Verdict

A taste test, but so far so good for the Cadillac Optiq, which is already my favourite model in the Caddy range. More space than you think meets a lovely cabin experience and a punchy powertrain.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number of automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Verdict

When it comes to a performance electric SUV, the Audi SQ6 e-tron is a fine example and showcases a masterclass in design. It drives and handles beautifully, even if it’s not as fun as I expected.

The technology looks amazing and I'm sure the little bumps we experienced will be ironed out with a software update.

The SQ6 will suit a smaller family best but the decent driving range and fast charging capabilities means regional families might like it too.

Cadillac Optiq vs Audi Q6 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Cadillac Optiq vs Audi Q6
What's the difference?