2027 Cadillac OPTIQ vs. LYRIQ: Which Electric Cadillac SUV Is Right for You?

September 11th, 2026 by

Cadillac now builds two electric SUVs close enough in size and price to genuinely cross-shop against each other, and picking between them isn’t as simple as comparing gas to electric anymore. This guide breaks down exactly how the 2027 OPTIQ and LYRIQ differ, so you already know which one fits before you set foot on the lot.

The 2027 Cadillac OPTIQ is Cadillac’s smaller, more affordable electric SUV, starting at $49,995 with up to an estimated 317 miles of range. The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ is the larger, more spacious option, starting at $59,400 with up to an estimated 326 miles of range.

At Rick Hendrick Cadillac Norfolk, our team walks Hampton Roads drivers through Cadillac’s electric lineup every week, from Norfolk and Virginia Beach to Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News. This guide covers how the OPTIQ and LYRIQ compare on price, range, size, and technology, so you can decide which electric Cadillac actually fits your driveway.

Key Points: Cadillac OPTIQ vs. LYRIQ

  • The OPTIQ is the more affordable way into a Cadillac EV. Starting at $49,995, it undercuts the LYRIQ by nearly $9,400 while still including Super Cruise standard, along with a footprint that’s easier to park around Norfolk’s older neighborhoods and tighter downtown decks.
  • The LYRIQ trades a higher price for more range and room. Starting at $59,400, it adds an estimated 9 miles of range and a bit more cargo space with the seats up, useful for a family hauling gear for a weekend on the water.
  • Both come standard with Cadillac’s hands-free driving tech. Super Cruise is included on every OPTIQ and LYRIQ trim, a feature many rival electric SUVs still charge extra for or don’t offer at all.

2027 Cadillac OPTIQ vs. LYRIQ Near Norfolk: At a Glance

Most Cadillac shoppers we talk with at Rick Hendrick Cadillac Norfolk want the short version before they dig into specifics. Here’s how the two SUVs stack up on paper.

Model & Trim Est. Range Horsepower Starting MSRP
2027 Cadillac OPTIQ (RWD) Up to 317 mi 315 hp $49,995
2027 Cadillac OPTIQ-V Up to 278 mi 519 hp $67,500
2027 Cadillac LYRIQ (RWD) Up to 326 mi 365 hp $59,400
2027 Cadillac LYRIQ-V Up to 285 mi 615 hp $78,700

Range and horsepower figures are Cadillac-estimated for the drivetrains shown; all-wheel-drive versions of the OPTIQ and LYRIQ (available between the base and V-Series trims) rate differently on both counts. Starting MSRP figures are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and exclude taxes, fees, and dealer charges. Contact Rick Hendrick Cadillac Norfolk to confirm current pricing and availability.

Beyond the Chart: How the OPTIQ and LYRIQ Actually Differ

The price gap between these two SUVs runs close to $9,400, but the range difference is only about 9 miles, a smaller gap than most shoppers expect. Size is where the two really split. The LYRIQ stretches almost 7 inches longer than the OPTIQ, on a wheelbase built for extra interior room.

The OPTIQ actually charges faster at home, going from empty to full in about 9.5 hours on a 240-volt Level 2 charger, compared to roughly 11.2 hours for the LYRIQ. On the road, though, the LYRIQ’s DC fast-charging system peaks higher. Both models share the same NACS charge port. NACS, short for North American Charging Standard, is the connector format Tesla originally developed that most automakers, Cadillac included, have since adopted, giving OPTIQ and LYRIQ owners access to the Tesla Supercharger network alongside standard public chargers.

Both SUVs also share the same standard Super Cruise system, so the real decision comes down to size, budget, and how you use the cargo space.

The 2027 Cadillac OPTIQ: Cadillac’s Most Accessible Electric SUV

2027 OPTIQ

The 2027 Cadillac OPTIQ starts at $49,995 MSRP and delivers up to an estimated 317 miles of range in its standard rear-wheel-drive form. Step up to the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version and output climbs to 440 horsepower and 498 lb-ft of torque, while the range-topping OPTIQ-V pushes that to an estimated 519 horsepower. Every OPTIQ rides on an 85-kWh battery and charges through a native NACS port.

Inside, the OPTIQ seats five and holds 26 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, expanding to 57 cubic feet with them folded flat. Super Cruise, Cadillac’s hands-free highway driving system, comes standard on every trim, a feature that’s still an upcharge or simply unavailable on a lot of rivals this size. The OPTIQ is built for drivers who want everything Cadillac’s electric lineup offers without stepping up to a midsize footprint or price tag.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ: More Room, More Range, More Presence

2027 LYRIQ

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ starts at $59,400 MSRP and reaches up to an estimated 326 miles of range in its most efficient rear-wheel-drive configuration. Cadillac builds the LYRIQ as its electric flagship-adjacent SUV, on a longer 121.8-inch wheelbase that opens up 28 cubic feet of cargo space, growing to 60.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The LYRIQ-V performance version raises output to an estimated 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, making it the more powerful choice between the two nameplates by a wide margin. Standard features include a 33-inch curved Horizon Display and Google built-in with a Gemini voice assistant. Like the OPTIQ, every LYRIQ comes with Super Cruise standard, backed by a three-year OnStar plan.

The LYRIQ suits drivers who want more space for family gear, dive equipment, or a weekend trip down to the Outer Banks, without giving up much on daily range.

Which Cadillac Electric SUV Fits Your Life: OPTIQ or LYRIQ?

There’s no wrong answer between these two. It comes down to how you actually drive, park, and load up your SUV.

  • You want the lowest entry point into a Cadillac EV: the OPTIQ starts nearly $9,400 below the LYRIQ, without giving up Super Cruise or fast home charging.
  • You need more cargo room for family gear or weekend trips: the LYRIQ’s longer wheelbase and roomier cargo hold have the edge, especially with the rear seats folded down.
  • You want the most power Cadillac’s electric lineup offers: the LYRIQ-V’s estimated 615 horsepower beats every OPTIQ trim, including the OPTIQ-V, by a wide margin.
  • You want an easier SUV to park around Norfolk and Virginia Beach: the OPTIQ’s smaller footprint fits tighter spaces, from downtown parking decks to older residential streets.
  • Range tops your priority list: the LYRIQ’s estimated 326 miles edges out the OPTIQ, though the gap is smaller than the price difference suggests, so weigh it against how far you actually drive day to day.

See the 2027 OPTIQ and LYRIQ at Rick Hendrick Cadillac Norfolk

Both the 2027 Cadillac OPTIQ and LYRIQ are available at Rick Hendrick Cadillac Norfolk, located at 6222 E Virginia Beach Blvd in Norfolk, VA. We serve drivers across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News, including Hampton Roads’ active-duty military and veteran community, with financing programs built around PCS moves and deployment schedules.

Our team can walk you through current OPTIQ and LYRIQ trim availability side by side, so you can feel the size and space difference for yourself. Browse our Cadillac electric inventory online or contact us to schedule a test drive. The best way to decide between these two is behind the wheel.

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