Cadillac Optiq vs Audi SQ2
What's the difference?

Cadillac Optiq

$80,000 - $80,000

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Audi SQ2

—

2021 price

View pricing & specs

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series

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Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Volkswagen Touareg

Volkswagen Transporter

Summary

2026 Cadillac Optiq

2021 Audi SQ2

By Andrew Chesterton

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

7.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

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

Good value
SQ2 has great performance
Angular looks

Dislikes

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

Cabin feels old
Could have more standard safety tech
Rear legroom limited

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?

View full pricing & specs

2021 Audi SQ2 Summary

Audi’s littlest and most affordable SUV, the Q2, has been updated with new looks and tech, but something else has snuck in with it. Or should I say roared in? It’s the SQ2, with a whopping 300 horsepower and a snarling bark.

So, this review has something for everybody. It’s for those who want to know what’s new for the Q2 in this latest update - those thinking of buying a cool-looking little SUV from Audi - and for those who want to wake their neighbours up and frighten their friends.

Ready? Let’s go.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Cadillac Optiq 2021 Audi SQ2

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

The Q2 is good value and great to drive – especially the SQ2. The exterior looks new, but the cabin feels older than the larger Q3, and most other Audi models.

More standard advanced safety tech would make the Q2 even more appealing, as would a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. While we’re at it, a hybrid variant would make enormous sense.

So, a great car, but Audi could offer more to make it an even better proposition for buyers.

Cadillac Optiq vs Audi SQ2 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Cadillac Optiq vs Audi SQ2
What's the difference?