We get to experience all kinds of fun new tech at CES, that includes audio and auto. I got the best of both worlds when demoing Dolby Atmos in the 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ Compact EV.
Dolby Atmos in the 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ Compact EV
To be clear, we never got to drive the car, I’d like to though. This demo was all about experiencing the features, especially the Dolby Atmos sound.
We were guided by Cadillac car expert, Whitney, Head of Dolby Music, Tim, and General Motors Vehicle Chief Engineer, John.
Dolby Atmos brings immersive sound to your music and movies, giving the listener the ability to hear the songs in great detail, whether it’s the singer, the instruments, or the melody. Dolby Atmos immersion brings amazing clarity and depth. It’s great to watch movies in Dolby Atmos, so I was very excited to experience it in teched out EV.
The 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ Compact EV is beautiful inside. It has lots of fun accommodating tech. It’s equipped with a 19-speaker AKG Audio system and Dolby Atmos. The OPTIQ has a 33-inch diagonal advanced LED display, Android Auto infotainment system as the dashboard. It projects over one billion colors. As expeted with Android Auto, the OPTIQ has Google Maps and Google Assistant.
We used this beautiful dash to control the playlist and jam out to some songs. The Cadillac OPTIQ is the maker’s first vehicle to support Dolby Atmos. The AKG Audio System features custom-tuned speakers and amplifier.
John gave us the layout of the dash and speakers before playing the first song. It was Aha’s “Take On Me”, one of my favorite songs! I know this song inside and out (as a fan, not a musician), so it was great to hear the detailed vocals and crisp melody. The three-dimensional delivery of the Dolby Atmos sound levels up the sound experience.
We went for a different vibe with the next pick, Tiesto and Sevenn’s “Boom”. This put the audio system on its toes with the bass heavy drops and “booms” coming from different parts of the car. Simply amazing! The sound system still delivered. Even with the hard bass, there was no distortion at loud volumes. Impressive!
We also listened to some vocal-focused tracks where we heard the artist singing to us, like it was a personal concert. “Hush” by The Marias was smooth, and felt like a live show. The beat was lively and again, not distorted even when John pumped up the volume.
2025 Cadillac OPTIQ Compact EV Specs and Features
Since we were focused on the AKG sound system with Dolby Atmos, we skimmed through the features fo the OPTIQ. It’s starts at $54,000 and is available in two trims, Luxury and Sport.
When it comes to battery and driving range; the Cadillac OPTIQ includes an 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack with a standard dual motor all-wheel drive propulsion system that offers a Cadillac-estimated 300 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of instant torque.
It has different Drive Modes: Tour Driving Mode, used for everyday driving, Sport Driving Mode, for enhanced road driving and improved steering, Snow/Ice Mode to prevent wheel spin and My Mode which personalizes the driving experience with adjustable braking responsiveness and steering feel.
At full charge, OPTIQ offers a Cadillac-estimated 300 miles of range and DC fast charging can add up to 79 miles of range in about 10 minutes.
Cadillac OPTIQ Exterior Design:
- Roof Encompassing Glasswork: The fixed-glass roof enables a seamless transition from glass to sheet metal.
- Black Crystal Grille: OPTIQ’s signature black crystal grille incorporates the Cadillac vertical signature lighting and includes a laser-etched pattern within the grille that offers an understated, high-tech feel.
- Rear-Quarter Panel: OPTIQ’s rear quarter panel window design is achieved through a Cadillac-first precision pattern in acoustic laminate glass. The graphic pattern is found throughout OPTIQ and aligns with the Mondrian crest in a nod to classic Cadillac styling.
While the OPTIQ’s design is bold, it remains luxurious with fun and with useful technology for a immersive experience.
You can keep up with Dolby on their social channels:
Instagram: @dolbylabs TikTok: @dolby X: @dolby
