OverviewCadillac is making a big statement with the Celestiq ultra-luxury sedan. Not only is its new EV flagship longer than an Escalade SUV, but it costs at least three times as much. We say at least because each Celestiq (pronounced sell-ESS-tick) will be built to the owner’s exact specifications. They’ll work with designers to choose materials and select from an unlimited color palette, like buyers of super high-end luxury cars from Bentley or Rolls-Royce. The retro-futuristic Celestiq pulls design cues from the brand’s past without looking like a rehash of old ideas, and it helps bring the marque into the 21st century with an all-wheel-drive electric powertrain good for 655 horsepower. There’s seating for just four, each passenger able to control their own microclimate and soundscape with a touchscreen. There is also a cockpit-spanning set of displays up front. A hatchback gives the elongated rear end a distinctive look and also makes this giant EV luxury car somewhat practical.What’s New for 2026?There are no major changes to the Celestiq for 2026.Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 Cadillac Celestiq is expected to start around $340,000.Celestiq$340,000 (est)The Celestiq is a unique model in the Cadillac lineup for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that each one will be built to order, by hand. Celestiq production will necessarily be limited as a result of those two factors. Cadillac says there’s essentially no limit to customization opportunities, so we expect some buyers to create Celestiqs that turn heads today and also years from now when the cars turn up at future Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance events. Cadillac hasn’t released detailed pricing information for its new flagship sedan, saying only that it will start at $340,000. Customization choices will no doubt push prices even higher.Getting Started with EVsEV Motor, Power, and PerformanceWhile much of the Celestiq is highly customizable, its powertrain is not: All models come with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric powertrain that makes 655 horsepower. An adaptive air suspension system is standard, as is a rear-wheel steering feature that helps the long sedan maneuver more lithely in tight spots and swing tighter U-turns. When we drove the Celestiq, we found it to offer remarkable refinement, with an ultra-smooth ride and a supremely quiet cabin. At the same time, it’s surprisingly fun to drive when the road gets twisty, with limited body roll, nicely weighted steering, and responsive brakes. We also like that the regenerative braking system offers a one-pedal driving mode.0–60-MPH TimesWe estimate the Celestiq will get to 60 mph in around 3.7 seconds, which would put it in the same league as entry-level models of the Audi e-tron GT and the Porsche Taycan.More on the Celestiq SedanRange, Charging, and Battery LifeThe Celestiq will draw its electrons from an Ultium battery pack that’s large enough to deliver 303 miles of driving range per charge, according to Cadillac. While that’s likely to be enough for most drivers, it’s already far behind the best. For reference, the longest driving range available in a Tesla Model S is 410 miles, and the Lucid Air sedan boasts a range of up to 512 miles. The Celestiq is capable of recharging on a DC fast-charging connection, and Cadillac says that on a 200-kW connection, the battery can be juiced with 75 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
There’s no information yet about the Celestiq’s fuel-economy ratings, and we may never know just how efficient this electric luxury sedan is, at least not officially. Due to its low-volume production and customized nature, the EPA isn’t likely to release estimates for the Celestiq’s fuel economy. By our own estimation, we think it will deliver around 75 MPGe combined. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency.
Interior, Comfort, and CargoStarting with an instrument panel that is essentially one giant digital display, the Celestiq’s cabin is a technological powerhouse. Four bucket seats mean each occupant will enjoy their own bubble of space. The roof is an electrochromic glass panel that can be adjusted from transparent to opaque, and every passenger can control their little corner of the sky. Buttery leather, available in practically any color, lines much of the cabin, and other interesting materials are used throughout as accents. Brushed metal trim intermingles with ecologically sourced open-pore wood, which has been perforated to allow sparkles of light to shine through from the ambient interior lighting system. The cargo area is also lined with leather, is generously sized, and features attractive metal inlays on the floor. The Celestiq is a hatchback rather than a traditional three-box sedan, similar to cars like the Audi A7 and BMW 4-series Gran Coupe.The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityMost luxury cars boast large infotainment displays measuring 10.3 or 12.3 inches, but the Celestiq’s is all of 55.0 inches spanning the entire width of the car’s dashboard, much like Mercedes’s hyperscreen. Rear-seat occupants can also enjoy their own 12.6-inch displays for watching movies, checking the internet, or controlling the car’s stereo system. Speaking of stereo, the Celestiq boasts a 38-speaker AKG Studio Reference stereo system with three amplifiers and 3-D surround sound.How to Buy and Maintain a CarSafety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesAll Celestiqs will come with a host of driver-assistance features from basics such as automated emergency braking to hands-free driving via GM’s Super Cruise system. For more information about the Celestiq’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance CoverageLike the rest of the Cadillac lineup, the Celestiq will come with a powertrain warranty that trumps that of other luxury sedans. Cadillac currently covers the first dealer maintenance visit, but rivals such as the BMW 7-series offer longer periods of free maintenance. We would expect that the Celestiq’s battery warranty will match that of other Caddy EVs at eight years or 100,000 miles.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
- Electric components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit
SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 Cadillac Celestiq
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE (C/D EST)
Base: $340,000
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Combined Power: 655 hp
Combined Torque: 646 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 111 kWh
Onboard Charger: 19.0 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 190 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 130.2 in
Length: 217.2 in
Width: 79.7 in
Height: 57.2 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 64/51 ft3
Cargo Volume: 32 ft3
Front Trunk Volume: 2 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 6900 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.7 sec
100 mph: 9.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.2 sec
Top Speed: 130 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 75/84/69 MPGe
Range: 303 mi
Source: caranddriver.com
