Picked up a Cadillac Vistiq Platinum a couple of weeks ago. I had a Mercedes EQE AMG SUV before hand. I was shopping for a Lyriq-V since after two Mercedes EQ cars I wanted something else. However the lease terms on the Lyriq-V were horrible. Then I saw the Vistiq and loved it - between the Range Rover / RR Culligan looks and the 615hp powertrain, this car is a winner.
Pros of Mercedes
- Much better infotainment system - CarPlay included, larger center screen, zero layer design, a little easier to use (e.g. navigating playlists in CarPlay on a hyper screen is easy, but on a smaller screen in a google app is not so great. I also miss the hyper screen and especially how good the reverse/surround camera is on a Hyperscreen. Mercedes also offers built in rear seat entertainment while Cadillac does not in the Vistiq (have to go to Escalade IQ for that). Trying to search for music or podcasts in the Vistiq is a real pain because it limits scrolling when driving. In the Mercedes this is not an issue because CarPlay handles this much better, and it has a massive screen so you don’t even need to scroll much.
- Better engineering. 10 degree steering vs 3 degree in Cadillac. My AMG version handled better than the Cadillac (but the Cadillac did handle better than the EQS580 IMO). The AMG has more power than the Vistiq. The EQS580 is pretty close. One nice feature of the Vistiq is launch control which the Mercedes only offers on AMG models The Vistiq does have a much better power delivery than the EQS450 and 500 models. Mercedes also has massively oversized brakes on the 580 and AMG models which provide a degree of braking confidence. The Vistiq Platinum also has excellent brakes but Mercedes has an edge.
- Mercedes autopilot doesnt watch your eyes and won't chime at you for using your phone.
- The HUD is a single large display compared with a two-piece setup in the Cadillac. Also it has more colors and a higher resolution. I would say this is the best I have seen so far.
Pros of Cadillac
- The vehicle is a thing of beauty. Really stunning design which puts the frumpy Mercedes to shame.
- The interior is vastly better. Cadillac used the same company for the interior as Bugatti, and it shows. The leather is beautiful, there are some really nice details: two wireless phone chargers that actually work on our iPhone 17 Pros, center console side pockets which are useful for holding small things like wallets, sunglasses, mailbox key, etc. I live the fluted pattern on the leather, although Mercedes also has nice quilted leather if you pay extra for it. Above all I love the cabin is 100% perfectly curated. In my Mercedes it annoyed me that you would have fine grain nappa leather, then course grain fake vinyl, and then super cheap neoprene on the dash. That doesnt exist in the Cadillac. Base models, and Platinum models are both coherent in use of materials. In my Platinum the seats aren't just nappa, so is the dashboard leather, armrests, headrests, and to pair with the upgraded finishes, they use natural open pore wood, stitched leather airbag, etc. That attention to detail is something Mercedes needs to rediscover.
- Fantastic powertrain and tuning. The Cadillac drives very well. my older EQS580 had a non linear throttle pedal which was a bit weird. No issues like that with the cadillac. Plus the region is much more configurable and predictable. Also I love the regen control paddle.
- Better App ecosystem with Google, including apps like HBO, Prime Video, and other video streaming apps that are missing on the Mercedes. This does come with the asterisk that the ability to enjoy videos is limited given the tiny screen size compared with the massive Hyperscreen in the Mercedes. It is also worth noting as pointed out above the usability of music apps is pretty poor because of how locked down the system is when driving. Finding and selecting podcasts and music is near impossible unless parked.
- The Augmented Reality HUD is not as good as the Mercedes, but it is still pretty impressive and better than I expected. It is large, I love the high contrast of the AR direction arrows. I also like the way it shows you what it is thinking in Assist mode when SuperCruise is engaged. It is similar to Mercedes in this regard - but in the Mercedes you can have AR navigation and AR Driver Assistance at the same time, in the Cadillac you have toggle manually between those views.
- 23 speaker AKG audio system is comparable to the Burmester 3D in the Mercedes.
- Better range in real world
- Supercruise is hands-free, whereas in the Mercedes you have to keep your hands on the wheel. Plus it does feel better implemented with the light bar on the steering wheel providing a clear sense of status.
- Suspension tuning is excellent. It drives more sporty than the base Mercedes, and more comfortable than the AMG. I do find it to be a bit of a sweetspot in terms of handling.
- Base model crushes all the opposition. It is worth test-driving a base Vistiq Sport. I was very impressed with how much is pretty much available in a standard off-the lot Vistiq Sport (base trim). Things like massage seats, captain's chairs, the 23 speaker sound system, the 615HP dual motor setup, etc. Compare that to an EQS450 base model and it's no competition IMO.
- The Cadillac has some details the Mercedes doesnt have. Like for instance more adjustable seats, nightvision, rear seat intercom, soft close doors, proximity-based locking and unlocking, etc. However it also has some areas of cost cutting though fortunately they are less visible than on the Mercedes. For instance there is no sensor on the door to lock the car You have to either press the fob, or let the car lock itself by walking away from the car. I would like a touch sensor. Another cost cutting item is the lack of rear side window shades (which the Mercedes also lacked).
I almost bought a Cadillac Lyric until I found out that the Spring Hill plant is run by the UAW union unlike the MB plant in Alabama that rejected the UAW union.
I almost bought a Cadillac Lyric until I found out that the Spring Hill plant is run by the UAW union unlike the MB plant in Alabama that rejected the UAW union.
Yeah I don't like union's either, but it doesnt prevent me buying a good car. My EQS580 was union built in Germany. So was my Porsche. My wife Rivian was non Union and IMO is not built as well as the Cadillac.
As you know I like to do a one-pay to lower the MF. This one worked out as $23k one-pay for 2 year, 12k miles per year. That's about $10k more than I paid for the 2 year lease on the EQE AMG SUV. But there is no longer a federal tax credit.
I almost bought a Cadillac Lyric until I found out that the Spring Hill plant is run by the UAW union unlike the MB plant in Alabama that rejected the UAW union.
HAH HA HA HA HA HA HAH HAA!!!! Heck, not too long ago two of our nurses tried to get the others to bring in a Union. I fired them both. Now neither can find a job locally.
As for the car, beautiful. That garage door...yeah, that garage door as beautiful as it is would set off my OCD. As I got up this AM (I wish I was kidding) I looked at a window and my four options for glass cleaner. So far, best one is youtube
Yeah I don't like union's either, but it doesnt prevent me buying a good car. My EQS580 was union built in Germany. So was my Porsche. My wife Rivian was non Union and IMO is not built as well as the Cadillac.
I don't mind unions so much, it is just the UAW specifically. UAW Tainted By Toxic Culture, Says Monitor is just one of reports of (borderline) criminality going back decades at the UAW.
@ua549 I am VERY anti union...that said, for as venomous as many in the US are about unions and 'not' wanting to buy a union built car...we can all sleep soundly knowing that every car made in Germany was union built. Just try hard to not buy a union made car produced on a Monday, a Friday, the day after a holiday, the day before a holiday. Before a big "football" match, after a big "football" match. On a day when lager is for sale, on a day after the end of a lager sale. On a day that ends in "y" and a few other critical critiera that can alter ther toxification or detoxification of the Union members ;-)
Thanks for keeping us posted on your new vehicles. I'm always interested to hear how other vehicles compare to the EQ cars, at least by people who have owned both. I just rented a Polestar 4 in Norway. No rear window--huge fail. AI integration--huge fail. Nice driving dynamics though.
Thanks for keeping us posted on your new vehicles. I'm always interested to hear how other vehicles compare to the EQ cars, at least by people who have owned both. I just rented a Polestar 4 in Norway. No rear window--huge fail. AI integration--huge fail. Nice driving dynamics though.
AI integration is a fail on the Cadillac too. I expect they will have it at some point since it is a google system. I can however still access ChatGPT any time via "Hey Siri".
@stealth.pilot Nice looking Caddy! Has Range Rover design cues in a good way. I would be driving in a CT5-V Blackwing if GM hadn’t killed my Employee Discount thru Legacy GM-Hughes Aircraft status in 2019. That’s when I decided to get the AMG Wagon instead but had to wait nearly 15-months because of the Pandemic.
How do you like the NightVision option that came standard on your top spec Cadillac? My old coworkers and classmates from Rochester helped develop the first Thermal Night Vision System for the DTS Sedan 25-years ago. When I returned to El Segundo in 2008, my buddies were bragging how they were able to drive Test Mules in the Evenings around the Southbay years earlier. Cadillac discontinued the Night Vision Option for the DTS so I worked on other FLIR and EO targeting sensors mainly for the Navy Customer.
@stealth.pilot Nice looking Caddy! Has Range Rover design cues in a good way. I would be driving in a CT5-V Blackwing if GM hadn’t killed my Employee Discount thru Legacy GM-Hughes Aircraft status in 2019. That’s when I decided to get the AMG Wagon instead but had to wait nearly 15-months because of the Pandemic.
How do you like the NightVision option that came standard on your top spec Cadillac? My old coworkers and classmates from Rochester helped develop the first Thermal Night Vision System for the DTS Sedan 25-years ago. When I returned to El Segundo in 2008, my buddies were bragging how they were able to drive Test Mules in the Evenings around the Southbay years earlier. Cadillac discontinued the Night Vision Option for the DTS so I worked on other FLIR and EO targeting sensors mainly for the Navy Customer.
TBH I haven't used the nightvision. It's something you only need in the fog and we haven't had any fog. I used to have it on my 2018 Panamera Turbo S and I did use it on that car a couple of times.
BTW I would love to meet up sometime. I want to see your GR Corolla. I am a huge fan of that car. If I wasn't married, I would get one but my wife won't let me have more than 2 cars since she has only one and manages fine. Did you see this video?
@stealth.pilot thanks for the video first time watching it! Jason also did a great review on the Chevy SS which convinced me to sell my 2009 Pontiac G8 GT automatic in 2015 and return to my Manual transmission passion. He even bought a Chevy SS and sold it years later when GM killed Holden in 2017. I bought my 2025 GRC because of Johnny Lieberman review on Jay Leno’s Garage. Johnny actually purchased the GRC then sunk another $25K in upgrades into it to make his Canyon Runs in SoCal more Epic. The 2026 GRC has been perfected for all day runs around Road Atlanta without any cooling issues. The GRC is essentially handbuilt by the same technicians who built the legendary Lexus LFA at the same Japanese Factory. Since your wife only allows you only 2-cars I recommend buying her the 2026 GRC. They even make it in automatic for the Mrs…lol
After winter storm blows over this weekend that will affect the roads from NM to Maine I will be driving back to the Southwest to park the generic AWD Ecoboost Maverick XL and exchange it for my GR Corolla. I might drive it back to GA before April 15th after I terrorize my local New Mexico empty roads like Jason and Johnny where I can safely play without damaging any other vehicles on the Road.
Enjoy your new Cadillac and watch out for the crazy ATL drivers. No wonder why Georgia Auto Insurance is so high
AI integration is a fail on the Cadillac too. I expect they will have it at some point since it is a google system. I can however still access ChatGPT any time via "Hey Siri".
I wish I could post a video of the Polestar AI system trying to do anything...it was comically bad.
After reading this thread, I thought it would be interesting to test drive a Vistiq or Lyriq. I checked, and there is actually a Cadillac dealer in Stockholm (Sweden). I was surprised at this, actually -- but unfortunately, they are the ONLY dealer location in Sweden and that's about a 600 km drive from where I live.
I would not want to be that far away from the dealer service with all this new-fangled technology. As it is now, I am blessed with my MB dealer being only about 10 km from where I live.
After reading this thread, I thought it would be interesting to test drive a Vistiq or Lyriq. I checked, and there is actually a Cadillac dealer in Stockholm (Sweden). I was surprised at this, actually -- but unfortunately, they are the ONLY dealer location in Sweden and that's about a 600 km drive from where I live.
I would not want to be that far away from the dealer service with all this new-fangled technology. As it is now, I am blessed with my MB dealer being only about 10 km from where I live.
They are just getting started in Europe. It will take some time. BTW even in the US the Cadillac dealer network is less dense than the Mercedes network. Lucky for me my Cadillac dealer is literally right next doors to my Mercedes dealer.
They are just getting started in Europe. It will take some time. BTW even in the US the Cadillac dealer network is less dense than the Mercedes network. Lucky for me my Cadillac dealer is literally right next doors to my Mercedes dealer.
My next door neighbor has a Caddy and a Porsche. Both of the dealerships near Orlando are owned by the same group as the local Chevy (???) dealer. When he needs warranty service he leave his car at the local, they truck them (daily) back and forth the hour or so to the dealership. Many years ago I had an Oldsmobile (Cutlass Sup 3.4 Convert). It was under warranty when all of the Olds dealerships was closing - at that time (late 90's) Chevy did any work that needed to be done (as a GM car).
For me, with no local Benz dealer (hour drive to the closest, two to the best)...more than once I have been offered to leave my car at another dealership with the same ownership and they move the cars....never took the up on it (or needed to).
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
