General Motors schedules 2027 Cadillac Vistiq production to begin on May 18, 2026, with dealer orders opening March 12, 2026. This timeline follows a production pause at Spring Hill plant in late 2025 due to expiring U.S. federal EV tax credits, positioning the three-row electric SUV for steady second-year volume. Buyers eyeing luxury family EVs gain clarity on availability as Cadillac maintains its push in the premium segment.
Background: Cadillac’s EV Push and GM’s Production Strategy
Cadillac launched the 2026 Vistiq in late 2024 as its mid-size three-row electric SUV, slotting between the smaller Lyriq crossover and the full-size Escalade IQ. Built on GM’s BEV3 platform at the Spring Hill Assembly plant in Tennessee, the Vistiq targets families seeking luxury EV space without Escalade pricing. Standard features include a 33-inch curved LED infotainment display, Super Cruise hands-free driving, and a dual-motor AWD powertrain delivering 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.
GM’s EV strategy faces headwinds from the U.S. federal $7,500 EV tax credit expiration on September 30, 2025, prompting production pauses for Lyriq, Vistiq, Hummer EV, and Escalade IQ in December 2025, plus weeks in October and November. Spring Hill restarts in January 2026 on a single shift for five months, reducing output to match the expected demand drop. Despite this, GM sold 21,000 EVs in August 2025, its best month, aided by pricing and lineup diversity. The 2027 Vistiq timeline signals confidence in recovery, with orders closing for 2026 models after March 2, 2026.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Dual-motor AWD, 615 hp, 650 lb-ft torque (Cadillac-estimated in Velocity Max) |
| Range | EPA-estimated 305 miles |
| 0-60 mph | 3.7 seconds |
| Charging | 11.5 kW AC standard (up to 29 miles/hour); 19.2 kW available (up to 46.9 miles/hour); 190 kW DC fast charging (80 miles in 10 minutes) |
| Seating | 7 passengers standard; 6 with captain’s chairs on higher trims |
| Infotainment | 33-inch curved LED display with Google built-in; 23-speaker AKG audio |
| Driver Aids | Super Cruise (3-year plan); HD Surround Vision; Night Vision (Premium Luxury+) |
| Platform/Plant | GM BEV3 / Spring Hill, Tennessee |
Pricing for 2026 models, post-$300 destination fee hike to $1,995: Luxury from $79,390, Sport $79,890, Premium Luxury $93,890, Platinum $98,490. 2027 carries over largely unchanged, with minor appearance tweaks.
Production Timeline Analysis
The May 18, 2026, start-of-regular-production (SORP) date, per GM Authority sources, aligns with single-shift operations at Spring Hill through mid-2026. Dealer order banks open March 12, 2026, giving retailers four months lead time before 2026 orders end. This buffers against tax credit fallout, as GM anticipates sales normalization over the months. Tentative dates could shift, but they provide the clearest 2027 EV SUV roadmap yet.
Features and Luxury Positioning
Vistiq emphasizes premium comfort: heated/ventilated/massaging seats, five-zone ClimateSense HVAC, 126-color ambient lighting, and panoramic sunroof. Higher trims add air adaptive suspension, active rear steering, and augmented reality head-up display. Super Cruise enables hands-free highway driving, a segment standout. Charging versatility suits road trips, with DC fast charging adding 80 miles in 10 minutes.
Drawbacks include unconfirmed 2027 pricing and potential single-shift limits on early builds. Range trails some rivals at 305 miles EPA, though real-world tests are pending.
Market Comparison
| Model | Starting Price | Horsepower | Range (EPA) | Seating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Luxury | $79,390 | 615 | 305 miles | 7 |
| 2026 Rivian R1S | $75,900 | 533-835 | 321 miles (max) | 7 |
| 2026 Tesla Model X | $79,990 | 670 | 335 miles | 6-7 |
| 2026 Escalade IQ | $130,000 | 750 | 450 miles | 7 |
Vistiq undercuts Escalade IQ while matching Rivian R1S power at similar pricing; Tesla edges range but lacks Cadillac’s opulent interior. Rivian offers more off-road capability, and Tesla offers superior software updates.
Verdict
The 2027 Vistiq production greenlight on May 18 delivers supply certainty for luxury EV shoppers amid GM’s cautious ramp-up. Ideal for families prioritizing Cadillac refinement, Super Cruise, and three-row space over maximum range or towing. Watch for pricing confirmation and tax credit impacts; single-shift early production may constrain allocations. Strong buy for brand loyalists, but range-focused buyers may eye Tesla.
