Cadillac’s ‘V’ line of cars was America’s answer to the M, AMG and RS badges that Germany spawned in a bid to claim the throne of the luxury sports-sedan segment. The most formidable of these was the CTS-V, which had big power in a large body – pretty American, right? The CTS was replaced by the CT5, and the CT5-V marked a major shift in the hierarchy. The V-series was no longer the top dog, and in came the CT5-V Blackwing, which carries on the legacy of the CTS-V to this day. No shade thrown at the V-series – every Batman has their Robin.

The First ‘V’ that’s Done Away with Gasoline

Having said that, big ol’ American supercharged V8s aren’t quite the way forward, and it was always bound to happen that the V-series would get some EVs under it. Say hello to the 2026 LYRIQ-V, the first electrified nameplate to receive the V treatment. Built off the LYRIQ, which is a midsize luxury crossover that goes head-to-head with the Tesla Model X and Audi Q8 e-tron, the LYRIQ-V takes everything good about the base car and dials it up to eleven.

New School Powertrain, Old School American Performance

The LYRIQ-V features a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration that packs 615 hp and 880 Nm of torque. Cadillac says it’s enough to get the car from 0 to 100 km/h in around 3.3 seconds, which is very quick for a car that weighs over 2.7 tonnes. A decent chunk of that heft is likely the battery, 102 KWh unit that provides around 285 miles of range (458 km for the rest of the world). Other performance related upgraded includes a V-Mode that allows drivers to dial in and save performance settings, launch-control, Brembo brakes, Competitive Mode for extra traction and an artificially synthesized aural experience.

It’s a Cadillac, Elegance Runs in its Veins

The LYRIQ has always sported an elegant fascia, which in its ‘V’ form gets some bold accentuations as is tradition. A new lower front fascia, side rocker panels, black painted roof, exclusive 22” wheels, and optional carbon fibre accents are the exterior highlights of the LYRIQ-V. In case you didn’t know whether you’re looking at the most extreme Cadillac to date, there’s a slathering of ‘V’ badges across the exterior. Though marketed as a crossover, personally I feel this is more a shooting-brake with a teeny bit of a lift-kit, and that exactly is why the LYRIQ-V has some beautiful proportions.

The interior adds upon what the base car has to offer, and that means the panoramic sunroof, 33” display unit housing both the instrument cluster as well as the infotainment system, and the 23-speaker sound system courtesy AKG carries over. Being the sporty model, the steering wheel gets a ‘V’ logo, the V-Mode button and sculpted to feel just right in your hands when you’re throwing it around corners. The seats get the ‘V’ treatment too, meaning more bolstering and badging, and unique door sills for the LYRIQ-V.

Who is The LYRIQ-V For?

At launch, the Cadillac LYRIQ-V has a starting price of $79, 990 without taxes. If what you want from your next vehicle is the American essence of performance mixed with the subtlety that comes with luxury, all while doing your bit in adopting electrification, you know what to ask for at the dealership – a 2026 Cadillac LYRIQ-V.