Compare the2026 Cadillac OptiqVS 2025 Mercedes EQE SUV

The Cadillac Optiq has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Cadillac Optiq’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mercedes EQE SUV does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Optiq and the EQE SUV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the Optiq 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the EQE SUV. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the EQE SUV ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Optiq’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the EQE SUV’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 47 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Optiq’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 10 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

The Optiq has more powerful engines than the EQE SUV:

On the EPA test cycle the Optiq gets better mileage than the EQE SUV:

The Optiq can travel longer on a full charge than the EQE SUV on a full charge:

The Cadillac Optiq’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes EQE SUV only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For greater off-road capability the Optiq has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EQE SUV (6 vs. 5.2 inches), allowing the Optiq to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Cadillac Optiq may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Mercedes EQE SUV.

The front grille of the Optiq uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Optiq has .1 inches more front headroom and 1 inch more front legroom than the EQE SUV.

The Optiq has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EQE SUV with its rear seat up (26 vs. 14 cubic feet). The Optiq has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EQE SUV with its rear seat folded (57 vs. 55 cubic feet).

The Optiq’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EQE SUV’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Optiq, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the EQE SUV.

The Optiq has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the EQE SUV.

The Optiq is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the EQE SUV, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Optiq offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the EQE SUV.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Optiq equipped with available HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The EQE SUV, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Cadillac Optiq empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The Optiq has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Optiq’s Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The EQE SUV’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.