A handcrafted return to Cadillac’s roots
Cadillac has officially delivered its first Celestiq to a customer, marking a bold return to the ultra-luxury space it once dominated. Unveiled in 2022 and now finally on the road, the Celestiq is an all-electric, hand-built flagship sedan that costs north of $350,000 and promises a level of personalization and prestige that puts it in competition with the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
Built at the new Artisan Center at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, each Celestiq is a bespoke project. Customers are paired with a Celestiq concierge and Cadillac designer to create a vehicle that reflects their exact tastes. Even the first production car—a stately brown-on-brown model—was built to an owner’s specific request.
Big power, big presence
Beyond its jaw-dropping price, the Celestiq packs serious performance. The dual-motor all-wheel drive setup delivers 655 horsepower and 646 lb-ft of torque, enough to launch the nearly 18-foot-long sedan from 0–60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. A 111-kWh battery provides an estimated 303 miles of range—respectable for such a large, performance-focused EV. Massive 23-inch wheels, power-operated doors, and a commanding 217.2-inch length make the Celestiq one of the largest sedans on the market, longer even than the Escalade SUV.
Cadillac
A tech showcase with no expense spared
Step inside, and the Celestiq feels more like a tech-forward concept car than a production vehicle. A 55-inch, dash-spanning digital display dominates the front cabin, complemented by an 11-inch control panel and an 8-inch interface for the front seat passenger. Rear passengers get twin 12.6-inch entertainment screens, and the entire cabin is drenched in cutting-edge features, including a 38- or 42-speaker AKG audio system and Cadillac’s hands-free driving system, Super Cruise.
GM
A dimmable “Smart Glass Roof” adds another futuristic layer. It’s divided into four zones, allowing each passenger to independently adjust how much light comes through.
Final thoughts
The Celestiq is unlikely to become a volume seller, but that’s not the point. Cadillac is positioning it as a halo vehicle—a demonstration of what American luxury can be at its most ambitious. The brand has been chasing a return to its “Standard of the World” reputation since its early-2000s reinvention, and this time, the playbook includes EVs across the spectrum, from the entry-level Optiq to the three-row Vistiq and the towering Escalade IQ.
Still, the Celestiq’s impact may be more symbolic than commercial. Cadillac’s electric future will largely hinge on mass-market EVs like the Optiq, which has already outsold some European luxury rivals in its debut quarter. But if the Celestiq delivers on its promise of craftsmanship, power, and individuality, it could reestablish something Cadillac hasn’t had in decades: prestige.