Cadillac Could Have Opted for a $2 Sticker on the Optiq, but It Decided to Etch Glass Instead.

      Adam Ismail

      If you haven't had the chance to see one of Cadillac’s electric SUVs up close lately, you may not be aware that the brand incorporates a distinctive feature in the rear-quarter glass near the D pillar on these models. What you see above is not a sticker; it's an etching inspired by the Mondrian pattern present in the Cadillac logo, with a splash of blue on the sporty Optiq-V.

      It adds a nice touch of style, and in the case of the Optiq, it doesn't negatively affect visibility from inside the vehicle. The glass still serves its purpose as a window, and the strakes in the pattern are semi-transparent without being overly distracting. However, Cadillac has decided to eliminate this feature from the Vistiq for the 2027 model year.

      We reached out to Cadillac to find out the reasons for this change and whether it signals the removal of the graphic from the entire lineup. According to the company, this doesn't appear to be their intention.

      "Cadillac updated the rear quarter-panel etched pattern on the VISTIQ based on feedback from customers and dealers,” a spokesperson informed The Drive. “This change does not indicate a wider removal of the design across the lineup.

      “For the 2027 model year Cadillac OPTIQ, the etched pattern will remain, with a subtle tint introduced as a mid-model-year update across all trims except the V-Series,” the statement added. “The OPTIQ-V will keep the current untinted pattern to maintain a clear distinction for the V-Series model.”

      Essentially, the Optiq will maintain the etching, although it will differ based on the model chosen. As shown in the brand’s configurator, it appears distinctively on the V-badged Optiq compared to other trims. There’s a blue stripe along the upper edge that corresponds with some interior elements and the bright blue Brembo calipers, along with a different fade in the Mondrian pattern.

      Note how the pattern appears on the standard, non-V 2027 Optiq.

      Is this graphic likely to be a deal-breaker or a significant selling point for a prospective buyer? Probably not, but I can say that it made a strong impression on me when I had an Optiq-V for a loan a few weeks ago, showcasing a level of attention to detail that one would expect from Cadillac, as the flagship of the GM family.

      Do you have a news tip regarding car design? Email the author at: adam.ismail@thedrive.com