Cadillac Celestiq Pushes Toward $400K Line With $60K Jump As “Price Itself Becomes The Message” In Ultra-EV Race

Cadillac’s ultra-luxury electric vehicle just got even more exclusive. The hand-built CELESTIQ will cost $60,000 more for the 2026 model year, pushing its starting price to the “low-$400,000” range. This significant price increase comes at a time when the luxury electric vehicle market shows mixed signals.

The CELESTIQ, Cadillac’s flagship electric vehicle, began production in 2024 with an initial price tag of around $340,000. The car is assembled at General Motors’ Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, where workers can produce one or two vehicles per day due to the meticulous craftsmanship involved.

“The bespoke spirit of Celestiq extends to transaction price and will be determined by the client’s level of curation,” Cadillac told automotive media. This means the final price depends heavily on how much customization a buyer wants.

The price hike comes with some added standard features. The premium smart glass roof, previously an optional extra, now comes standard. Buyers will also receive eight years of connected services included in the purchase price.

Built on GM’s Ultium Platform, the CELESTIQ delivers impressive performance. Two electric motors generate 655 horsepower and 646 pound-feet of torque, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds despite weighing more than three tons. The battery provides approximately 303 miles of driving range on a full charge.

The vehicle also comes loaded with technology, including Super Cruise (GM’s hands-free driving system), four-wheel steering, and a 38-speaker sound system. The dashboard features a pillar-to-pillar HD display, and even the armrests are heated for maximum comfort.

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Auto industry analyst Erik Shilling notes that at this price level, “scoring a deal isn’t the name of the game. The price is intended to say something, and can be its own marketing.”

Cadillac emphasizes that no two CELESTIQ cars will be identical. Buyers can select custom paint colors, unique interior materials, and distinctive trim accents. Many components are 3D-printed specifically for each vehicle.

The price increase comes as the broader luxury EV market shows signs of adjustment. Bentley has delayed its first electric vehicle to 2026, while Lucid has announced deeper cost cuts. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce reports strong demand for its Spectre EV, which is expected to start around $398,000 for 2026 models.

Despite the steep price increase, demand appears strong for the CELESTIQ. Cadillac reports that all 25 units of the 2025 model have been sold. The company has no plans to increase production volume, maintaining the CELESTIQ’s position as an ultra-exclusive halo car.

The Celestiq isn’t chasing volume — it’s chasing legacy, aesthetic, and prestige positioning, stated one industry observer. The bold pricing signals Cadillac’s attempt to reclaim its historic “Standard of the World” status in the emerging ultra-luxury electric vehicle market.

This premium strategy stands in stark contrast to the broader EV market, where adoption has slowed at mid-range price points. For ultra-wealthy buyers, however, inflation and market trends seem to have little impact on purchasing decisions.