Cadillac was once the benchmark for luxury in the automotive world, but decades of increasingly rich competition have whittled away at its dominance. The automaker hopes to reclaim some of its forward glory as it moves into the electric-vehicle (EV) age with the unveiling of the Celestiq concept car.

The automaker will build the ultra-sleek electric sedan by hand at its Warren, Michigan facility and sell it for a price that industry observers expect to reach upwards of $300,000. Cadillac’s decision on pricing is a direct shot across the bow of some of luxury’s biggest names. The American marque wants to take on Rolls-Royce and Bentley with this car.

According to reports, the Celestiq will go on sale as a 2025 model. While concept cars typically experience drastic change before production, Cadillac says this car will reach buyers’ driveways without significant concessions in design. The 4-door shape is unlike anything we’ve seen before. It features a hatchback rear but four full doors, which would generally make it a wagon, but Cadillac’s calling it a sedan.

Regardless of its title, the hand-built Celestiq show car has a unique, retro-future design with sharp angles and long lines. The car’s grille and rear lighting elements are similar to those seen in the already-released Lyriq EV, though they take on more dramatic weight with the imposing curb presence.

The prototype Cadillac showed features a red interior, and the automaker will likely offer several color choices. The cabin seats four in a 2+2 format with an extended center console, and the rear cargo area is open to the passenger compartment as it would be in a hatchback. The Celestiq’s interior is otherwise show-stopping, with intricate patterns in the leather seats, hand-brushed metal trim pieces, and deep-pile carpeting.

Cadillac focused on the top end of luxury cars with the Celestiq but still managed to incorporate sustainability into the process. Cadillac tanned the car’s leather with a procedure that the automaker says uses up to 40 percent less water. Also, the carpeting integrates eucalyptus to cut down on synthetic materials.

Cadillac hasn’t detailed the car’s tech specs yet, but it’s clear there won’t be a shortage of screens. Beyond the digital gauge cluster and infotainment display, the screen stretches 55 inches—the entire length of the dash. Cadillac used cameras instead of mirrors in the car, the images displayed on screens built into each door. A unique glass roof can shift its opacity from transparent to frosted and offers a separate “zone” so each passenger can set their desired light preferences.

The Celestiq will also debut a new Ultra Cruise feature for Cadillac. It’s an evolution of the Super Cruise system and should offer hands-free driving in up to 95 percent of scenarios. The system relies on radar, lidar, and cameras to form a picture of the world around the car to make decisions on lane changes and other driving maneuvers.

With a $300,000 price tag, the Celestiq won’t be for everyone, and Cadillac wants it that way. The brand views the car as more of a piece of art, almost like a collectible, than it does basic transportation. The automaker does not expect buyers to use the Celestic daily, which makes sense for such an expensive, customized car.

Cadillac is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of July 22, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.

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© 2022 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.

© 2019 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.