Electric or Gas? Comparing the 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ and 2025 XT5 for Quebec Drivers

Choosing between Cadillac's all-electric 2026 OPTIQ and the gas-powered 2025 XT5 comes down to how you drive, where you're headed, and what matters most in your daily routine. Both are five-passenger luxury crossovers built for Quebec winters and family life, but they take very different approaches to getting you there.

The OPTIQ leads Cadillac's electric push with up to 510 km of range, instant torque, and native NACS charging that plugs directly into Tesla's Supercharger network across North America. The XT5 sticks with proven gas engines—a fuel-efficient 2.0L turbo or a powerful 3.6L V6—and offers more cargo space plus stronger towing for cottage weekends or boat launches.

At a Glance: OPTIQ vs. XT5

Power and Performance

The 2026 OPTIQ offers two electric configurations. The rear-wheel-drive model delivers 315 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 510 km of range—perfect for daily commutes from Brossard to downtown Montreal and back with range to spare. Step up to dual-motor all-wheel drive and you get 440 hp with 498 lb-ft of torque, dropping range slightly to 488 km but adding serious acceleration and traction for winter driving.

Electric motors deliver full torque instantly, so the OPTIQ launches smoothly from every stoplight without downshifting or turbo lag. Regen-on-demand braking extends range and reduces brake wear by converting forward momentum back into battery charge.

The 2025 XT5 takes a different path. The standard 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder produces 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque—enough for highway merges and daily driving while returning reasonable fuel economy (10.9-11.2 L/100 km city, 8.2-8.7 L/100 km highway). Choose the 3.6L V6 and you get 310 hp with 271 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with all-wheel drive on Premium Luxury and Sport trims.

Both engines connect to a nine-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly through traffic. The V6 option adds twin-clutch AWD calibration on the Sport trim, along with Brembo front brakes and performance suspension for drivers who want sharper handling on winding roads through the Laurentians.

Charging vs. Refuelling in Quebec

The OPTIQ is Cadillac's first vehicle with a built-in NACS charging port, giving you direct access to over 21,500 DC fast chargers across North America—including Tesla's Supercharger network. In Quebec, this means you can plug in at stations along Highway 10, Highway 20, and throughout Montreal's South Shore without adapters or extra equipment.

At home, a 240V outlet adds approximately 29 km of range per hour with the standard 7.7 kW charger. Upgrade to the available 19.2 kW onboard charger (standard on Premium Luxury and Premium Sport trims) and you can fully recharge overnight. DC fast charging at public stations can restore up to 113 km of range in about 10 minutes when you're on the road.

Quebec's electricity rates make charging at home significantly cheaper than filling a gas tank. At the average November rate, a full charge costs roughly $10-12, while filling the XT5's tank runs around $120 with gas at 149.6 cents per litre.

The XT5 trades charging infrastructure for instant refuelling. Every gas station works, there's no wait time beyond the pump, and the 72-83 L tank gives you 600-750 km of highway range between fill-ups. For drivers who regularly travel to remote areas like Charlevoix or Gaspésie where charging stations remain sparse, this flexibility matters.

Cargo and Towing: Where the XT5 Pulls Ahead

Behind the second row, the XT5 offers 849 L of cargo space—105 litres more than the OPTIQ's 744 L. Fold the seats and the XT5 expands to 1,784 L compared to the OPTIQ's 1,603 L. That extra volume makes a real difference when loading hockey gear, camping equipment, or renovation supplies from the hardware store.

Towing capacity tells a similar story. The OPTIQ is rated for 680 kg (1,500 lbs)—enough for a small utility trailer or jet skis, but not much more. The XT5's 2.0L turbo matches that at 454 kg, but the 3.6L V6 with the available Smart Towing package hauls up to 1,588 kg (3,500 lbs). That's boat-launch territory, or enough for a loaded camping trailer on summer trips to Ontario provincial parks.

Both vehicles seat five passengers across two rows with similar legroom and headroom. The OPTIQ focuses interior volume on passengers rather than cargo, creating a spacious cabin that feels more open than traditional gas SUVs. The XT5 balances passenger comfort with the practicality families need for weekend getaways and grocery runs.

Technology and Driver Assistance

Super Cruise comes standard on every 2026 OPTIQ trim. This hands-free driver assistance system works on over 640,000 km of compatible highways across Canada, including Highway 20 from Brossard to Quebec City and Highway 15 north to the Laurentians. The system monitors your attention through a camera on the steering column and handles steering, acceleration, and braking on mapped roads.

The 2025 XT5 offers Super Cruise as an available feature on Premium Luxury and Sport trims—it's not standard across the lineup. Both vehicles include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind zone steering assist, and enhanced parking assist.

Inside, the OPTIQ features a 33-inch diagonal LED display that spans the dashboard, combining digital gauges and infotainment into one curved screen. Google built-in provides navigation, voice assistant, and app access without needing to plug in your phone. A 19-speaker AKG audio system with Dolby Atmos comes standard.

The XT5 uses an 8-inch touchscreen on the Luxury trim, with an available upgrade to a larger colour display on Premium Luxury and Sport models. A Bose 14-speaker system comes standard across all trims. Both vehicles support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus wireless phone charging.

Winter Driving in Quebec

Both vehicles handle Quebec winters confidently, but they do it differently. The OPTIQ's dual-motor AWD system distributes power instantly between front and rear axles, adjusting hundreds of times per second for maximum traction on snow-covered streets or icy highway ramps. The low centre of gravity from the battery pack improves stability in crosswinds on the Champlain Bridge.

Cold weather does reduce EV range—expect about 20-30% less in January compared to summer driving. Preconditioning the cabin while plugged in helps preserve battery capacity by warming the interior with grid power instead of battery power. The OPTIQ includes a heat pump system that recovers waste heat to minimize range loss in winter.

The XT5's all-wheel-drive system (available on all trims, standard with the V6) uses a mechanical approach that's proven through decades of Quebec winters. Ground clearance matches the OPTIQ at approximately 152-169 mm, enough to handle unplowed side streets in Brossard or rutted cottage roads in the Eastern Townships.

Both vehicles come with heated front seats, heated steering wheels, and remote start. The XT5 offers available heated rear seats on Premium Luxury and Sport trims.

Long-Term Cost: Electric vs. Gas

Operating costs favour the OPTIQ significantly. Electricity in Quebec costs roughly $0.10 per kWh, meaning a full 85 kWh charge runs about $8.50 at home. Drive the OPTIQ's rated 510 km on that charge and your cost per kilometre drops to approximately $0.017.

Fill the XT5's 83 L tank at $1.496 per litre (November 2025 Quebec average) and you spend $124. Drive 700 km on that tank and your cost per kilometre is $0.177—more than 10 times higher than the OPTIQ's electricity cost.

Maintenance costs also differ. The OPTIQ has no oil changes, no transmission fluid, no spark plugs, and no exhaust system. Brake pads last longer thanks to regenerative braking. Scheduled maintenance focuses on tire rotations, cabin air filters, and battery coolant checks. The XT5 requires regular oil changes every 8,000-12,000 km, plus all the normal engine and transmission maintenance.

However, the XT5 avoids the OPTIQ's higher upfront cost and depreciation concerns around battery longevity. After four years of ownership, the total cost equation depends heavily on your annual mileage and whether you charge at home versus using public DC fast chargers.

Which Cadillac Fits Your Drive?

The 2026 OPTIQ makes sense for drivers who cover 50-150 km daily around the Montreal area, charge at home overnight, and want to eliminate gas station stops. The instant torque, quiet cabin, and low operating costs work particularly well for commuters crossing the Champlain or Jacques Cartier bridges every day. Standard Super Cruise and the 33-inch display system deliver a technology-forward experience.

The 2025 XT5 suits drivers who need maximum cargo flexibility, tow more than 680 kg regularly, or frequently travel beyond major highways where charging infrastructure remains limited. The V6 engine option provides confident passing power for highway driving, while the larger fuel tank means fewer stops on long trips to Quebec City, Ottawa, or the Maritimes.

Neither vehicle is the "better" choice universally—the right one depends on where you drive, how far you go, and what you haul. Test drive both at Brossard Cadillac to see which powertrain fits your daily routine.

Experience Both at Brossard Cadillac

Compare the 2026 OPTIQ's electric performance against the 2025 XT5's proven gas engines in person. Our team at Brossard Cadillac can walk you through charging infrastructure across the South Shore, explain Quebec's EV incentives, and help you calculate operating costs based on your actual driving patterns. Visit us in Brossard to see both vehicles side by side.