I Predict the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V With 750 HP and a Possible Escalade-V IQ With 1,000 HP

Just recently, GM and its luxury division, Cadillac, dropped the bomb that everyone had been expecting ever since they presented the dreamy Cadillac Opulent Velocity concept – the very first all-electric V-Series model. That would be the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V, quite logically.

If you think about it, that's more than normal. Cadillac has subtly recovered from the slump from a few years ago and sold more than 111k vehicles during the first three quarters of the year at home in America, up 0.3% compared to the same period in 2023. They have a strong roster that includes a bevy of passenger cars – the CT4 and CT5 sedans, which come complete with the CT4-V plus CT5-V high-performance models and the Blackwing exotics.

The entire CT5 series has also been renewed for the 2025 model year, so we're sure they are sticking around for longer than the CT4 – even though Cadillac is working hard on two new EV sedans based on the formerly-rumored Ultium+ technology (it's getting a new name, apparently) that could replace the CT4 and act as the EV counterparts of the CT5 series. Of course, there's also the $340 Celestiq flagship sedan, so they're quite literally covering a wide MSRP spectrum.

The crossover SUVs are also in abundance – both ICE-powered and all-electric. The novelties include the facelifted 2025 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade-V plus the small 2025 Optiq, the 2026 Vistiq three-row crossover SUV, as well as the $128k Escalade IQ. Now, there's one more model to look forward to in the all-electric department – the upcoming 2026 Lyriq-V. Cadillac issued an official preview a few days ago, and we know that it's celebrating two decades of the V-Series with its first foray into the EV age – the 2026 Lyriq-V that will be sold both in left- and right-hand drive modes across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand at first.

Additional markets will follow – and that was about all. From the official photos and the video teaser, we could see the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V will feature a V-branded performance switch/button inside to bring out preset sporty ideas – most likely a sharper steering response, sportier suspension, and faster brakes. It could also summon the entire performance of the EV powertrain for a limited time – in which case the Lyriq-V really needs the better wheels and the Brembo-branded calipers. Subtle design changes are also in for the ride. GM's latest magnetic ride control could also make an appearance, and most likely, it will be more powerful than the Lyriq AWD that's already on sale with a dual-motor configuration and no less than 500 horsepower.

Obviously, the first thing we can think about is that Cadillac will summon GM's economies of scale and catch the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS to borrow its 557-horsepower powertrain. Obviously, the Chevy is a mainstream crossover SUV, and maybe Cadillac would do better to enhance the setup a little more than that. Of course, our fingers are crossed for a wacky transformation featuring 750 hp, just like on the Escalade IQ's 'Velocity Max' setting. However, don't bet on that because the Lyriq is produced on the BEV3 platform, whereas the Escalade IQ behemoth rides on the GM BT1 architecture alongside the GMC Hummer EV and Hummer EV SUV. Alas, in turn, that means when Cadillac gives us the Escalade-V IQ in the near future, it won't be hard to imagine it with 1,000 horsepower, just like the GMC Hummer EVs.

In the future, most likely all EVs might get V-Series branding as Cadillac starts retiring the ICE-powered performance models. Additionally, it would be interesting to think that the flagship Celestiq could use a touch of Blackwing in its life, but maybe I'm just too audacious for GM's corner office head honchos. Besides, if that happens, it would probably surge to half a million dollars, and no one really wants that. How about the rivals of the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V? The most obvious competitor is, for sure, the 2025 Acura ZDX, which is built on the same platform via a short-lived Honda-GM partnership. Alas, it's probably not going to be a threat because the Type S AWD only has 500 hp, just like the regular Lyriq AWD.

In alphabetical order, then there's the Audi SQ8 e-tron, but it has 'just' 496 horsepower, so the Ingolstadt-based automaker should think about an RS Q8 e-tron to fight the Lyriq-V, followed by the BMW iX M60, which is a worthy adversary because it has no less than 610 horsepower but also looks a lot quirkier. We also shouldn't forget about the Mercedes-EQE SUV, which for some looks way too bland – but it's also a potential foe due to its AMG 53 4Matic+ variant that has no less than 617 horsepower. If the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V manages to undercut their prices – the BMW iX M60 starts from $111,500 and the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV 53 4Matic+ kicks off at $109,600, then all GM needs to worry about is offering a little more oomph than those two.

However, there's one all-electric luxury mid-size crossover SUV that can't be easily beaten by the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V: Tesla's Model X. The 1,020-horsepower Plaid version is just $95k currently, and even though it's growing a little long in the tooth, you can't ignore it with those Falcon doors and the zero to 60 mph time of 2.5 seconds plus an EPA-estimated 326-mile range on a single charge. As such, maybe the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V should settle for a brawl against the smaller Tesla Model Y Performance – which is only $51,490 and hits 60 in 3.5 seconds while its range drops to 277 miles. So, what do you think? Which one is your favorite? Or are you still unconvinced that EVs make good luxury rides and excellent performance models? Then you should also take a look at the Lucid Gravity's starting price of $95k and 800 horsepower plus its potential 'most efficient SUV' title.