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GM’s new luxury three-row electric SUV is about to hit the global stage. After unveiling its new Vistiq electric SUV, Cadillac “continues to set the standard for American luxury.” Here’s our first look at the “mini Escalade,” including prices and specs.

“With the addition of VISTIQ, Cadillac will be one of the only brands to offer an EV entry in every luxury SUV segment,” vice president of Cadillac Global, John Roth, said on Tuesday.

The Vistiq is a three-row electric SUV that will sit between the Lyriq and the larger Escalade IQ. A “mini Escalade,” if you will. Like its big sibling, the Escalde IQ, the mid-size SUV features Cadillac’s sleek new design theme.

One of the first things you will notice is the illuminated pinstripe grille up front, signaling the SUV’s status as an EV. The Vistiq also features the luxury brand’s signature vertical head and tail lights, while more expensive trims gain a Black Crystal Shield.

Inside, the Vistiq is “engineered to provide spaciousness for passengers in all three rows.” It’s also loaded with advanced tech and features, including a massive 33″ LED infotainment screen.

Even third-row passengers get padded armrests, cupholders, a place to store their phones, and USB chargers.

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2026 Cadillac Vistiq electric SUV (Source: GM)

Cadillac unveils three-row electric Vistiq SUV

The SUV has a premium 23-speaker AKG sound system with Dolby Atmos for an “immersive 3D experience.” It also comes with premium safety and driver assist tech, like GM’s Super Cruise, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Bicyclist Alert, and Forward Collision Alert as standard.

For an even safer drive, you can opt for the available Night Vision, which uses infrared sensors to detect people or animals in your way.

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2026 Cadillac Vistiq electric SUV (Source: GM)

Powered by a 102 kWh battery pack, Cadillac expects the electric SUV will offer over 300 miles range. With up to 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, the “mini Escalade” can hit 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds (with Velocity Max).

The standard AWD system with Road Noise Cancellation tech gives you that quiet, peaceful drive you’ve been waiting for.

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2026 Cadillac Vistiq interior three-row seating (Source: GM)

At 205.6″ long, 79.7″ wide, and 71″ tall, with a wheelbase of 121.8″, the Vistiq is slightly longer than the Rivian R1S at 201″ in length. However, it’s slightly shorter than the R1S at 77″ in height.

Cadillac will sell the Vistiq globally, including in the US and Canada. Production will start in early 2025 at GM’s Spring Hill, TN, manufacturing plant.

Cadillac-Vistiq-SUV
2026 Cadillac Vistiq interior (Source: GM)

The Cadillac Vistiq SUV will initially be available in Luxury, Sport, and Premium Luxury trims. GM says a Platinum trim with added performance elements and design options will launch in summer 2025.

Cadillac’s new three-row electric SUV will start at $78,790, including the destination fee. Next up will be the Vistiq’s big brother, the Escalde IQ. Stay tuned for more info closer to launch.

How do you feel about Cadillac’s new Vistiq? Would you pay around $80K for the luxury three-row SUV? Let us know your thoughts below.

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U.S. crude oil falls below $60 a barrel to lowest since 2021 on tariff-fueled recession fears

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U.S. crude oil falls below  a barrel to lowest since 2021 on tariff-fueled recession fears

A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025. 

Pavel Mikheyev | Reuters

U.S. oil prices dropped below $60 a barrel on Sunday on fears President Donald Trump’s global tariffs would push the U.S., and maybe the world, into a recession.

Futures tied to U.S. West Texas intermediate crude fell more than 3% to $59.74 on Sunday night. The move comes after back-to-back 6% declines last week. WTI is now at the lowest since April 2021.

Worries are mounting that tariffs could lead to higher prices for businesses, which could lead to a slowdown in economic activity that would ultimately hurt demand for oil.

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Oil futures, 5 years

The tariffs, which are set to take effect this week, “would likely push the U.S. and possibly global economy into recession this year,” according to JPMorgan. The firm on Thursday raised its odds of a recession this year to 60% following the tariff rollout, up from 40%.

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What EV sales slump? Illinois’ EV sales outpace the nation by 4:1

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What EV sales slump? Illinois' EV sales outpace the nation by 4:1

Fueled by incentives from the Illinois EPA and the state’s largest utility company, new EV registrations nearly quadrupled the 12% first-quarter increase in EV registrations nationally – and there are no signs the state is slowing down.

Despite the dramatic slowdown of Tesla’s US deliveries, sales of electric vehicles overall have perked up in recent months, with Illinois’ EV adoption rate well above the Q1 uptick nationally. Crain’s Chicago Business reports that the number of new EVs registered across the state totaled 9,821 January through March, compared with “just” 6,535 EVs registered in the state during the same period in 2024.

Those numbers represent more than 50% growth in EV registrations – far beyond the expected 12% first-quarter increase nationally being projected by Cox Automotive. (!)

What’s going on in Illinois?

File:Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker (33167937268).jpg
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker at the Chicago Auto Show; by Ray Cunningham.

While President Trump and Elmo were running for re-election, they campaigned on the threat promise of canceling the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs. Along with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois’ Governor JB Pritzker made countermoves – launching a $4,000 rebate for new electric cars and up to $1,500 for the purchase of a new electric motorcycle.

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At the same time, the state’s largest utility, ComEd, launched a $90 million EV incentive program featuring a new Point of Purchase initiative to deliver instant discounts to qualifying business and public sector customers who make the switch to electric vehicles. That program has driven a surge in Class 3-6 medium duty commercial EVs, which are eligible fro $20-30,000 in utility rebates on top of federal tax credits and other incentives (Class 1-2 EVs are eligible for up to $7,500).

We covered the launch of those incentives when the program was announced at Chicago Drives Electric last year, but the message here is simple: incentives work.

SOURCES: Chicago Business, Ray Cunningham; featured image by the author.

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XCMG launches XE215EV battery swap electric excavator ahead of bauma

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XCMG launches XE215EV battery swap electric excavator ahead of bauma

The electric construction equipment experts at XCMG just released a new, 25 ton electric crawler excavator ahead of bauma 2025 – and they have their eye on the global urban construction, mine operations, and logistical material handling markets.

Powered by a high-capacity 400 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery capable of delivering up to 8 hours of continuous operation, the XE215EV electric excavator promises uninterrupted operation at a lower cost of ownership and with even less downtime than its diesel counterparts.

XCMG is delivering on part of that reduced downtime promise with the lower maintenance and easier repair needs of electric equipment, and delivering on the rest of it with lickety-quick DC fast charging that can recharge the machine’s massive battery in 1.5-2 hours … but that’s not the slick bit. The XCMG XE125EV can be powered up without leaving the job site thanks to its BYD battery swap technology.

We first covered XCMG and its battery swap technology back in January, and covered similar battery-swap tech being developed by MOOG Construction offshoot ZQUIP, as well – but while XCMG’s battery tech has been in production for several years, it’s still not widely known about in the West (even within the industry).

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XCMG showed off its latest electric equipment at the December 2024 bauma China, including an updated version of its of its 85-ton autonomous electric mining truck that features a fully cab-less design – meaning there isn’t even a place for an operator to sit, let alone operate. And that’s too bad, because what operator wouldn’t want to experience an electric truck putting down 1070 hp more than 16,000 lb-ft of torque!?

Easy in, easy out

XCMG battery swap crane; via Etrucks New Zealand.

The best part? All of the company’s heavy equipment assets – from excavators to terminal tractors to dump trucks and wheel loaders – all use the same 400 kWh BYD battery packs, Milwaukee tool style. That means an equipment fleet can utilize x number of vehicles with a fraction of the total battery capacity and material needs of other asset brands. That’s not just a smart use of limited materials, it’s a smarter use of energy.

You can check out all the XE215EV’s specs at this tear sheet, and get an in-person look at the Chinese company’s latest electric excavator this week in Munich, Germany.

SOURCE | IMAGES: XCMG.

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