Cadillac VISTIQ wins 2026 German Car of the Year award for luxury vehicles
2025-10-15
The all-new, all-electric Cadillac VISTIQ has been named the winner of the prestigious 2026 German Car of the Year (GCOTY) award in the “luxury” category.
The prestigious award, bestowed by a jury of 40 international automotive experts, recognizes VISTIQ’s iconic design, generous space, and innovative technology in a fully -electric three-row luxury SUV.
It’s a historic achievement for Cadillac and General Motors, marking the first time any automaker has had back-to-back GCOTY awards in the luxury category, following the Cadillac LYRIQ’s class win in the 2025 GCOTY competition.
“The Cadillac VISTIQ impressed the jury with its remarkable combination of visionary design, technological advancement, and luxurious everyday usability,” said GCOTY co-founder Jens Meiners. “This vehicle exemplifies the new era of the electric premium segment – bold, modern, and uncompromisingly high-quality. With the VISTIQ, Cadillac powerfully demonstrates that American luxury is not only rooted in tradition, but also firmly focused on the future.”
The GCOTY jury was especially impressed by VISTIQ’s combination of exceptional space, premium comfort, high-end materials, and wide range of innovative technologies. With seating for up to seven passengers and pioneering features such as an augmented-reality head-up display, a night-vision system1, and a 23-speaker AKG2 audio system with Dolby Atmos®, the VISTIQ offers a unique blend of characteristics in an all-electric luxury vehicle with everyday practicality. Cadillac’s award was presented on October 13 at a GCOTY gala in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
"Cadillac is gaining momentum around the world, driven by our exceptional product portfolio,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. “Receiving prestigious recognition like the German Car of the Year award in the luxury category validates that progress. Being the first automaker to win this honor two years in a row in such a significant category is a proud achievement for everyone at Cadillac. It’s especially meaningful to earn this recognition in Germany, which remains one of the most competitive and respected automotive markets, home to many legendary brands. That makes this award all the more special."
The German Car of the Year award is one of the most important and internationally recognized honors in the automotive industry. Each year, leading automotive journalists from Germany and abroad test and evaluate the most relevant new vehicles released in the past 12 months on the German market on criteria including design, innovation, everyday usability, performance, and value. The jury selects winners in five categories – Compact, Premium, Luxury, Performance, New Energy – with one of the five category winners being crowned overall German Car of the Year. This year’s GCOTY 2026 overall winner will be announced on November 17, 2025.
1Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Read the vehicle Owner’s Manual for important feature limitations and information.
2AKG is a trademark of AKG Acoustics GmbH, registered in the United States and/or other countries
The 2025 Cadillac VISTIQ luxury three-row EV SUV was recognized as a 2026 German Car of the Year winner in the luxury category.
The all-new, all-electric Cadillac VISTIQ has been named the winner of the prestigious 2026 German Car of the Year (GCOTY) award in the “luxury” category.
The prestigious award, bestowed by a jury of 40 international automotive experts, recognizes VISTIQ’s iconic design, generous space, and innovative technology in a fully -electric three-row luxury SUV.
It’s a historic achievement for Cadillac and General Motors, marking the first time any automaker has had back-to-back GCOTY awards in the luxury category, following the Cadillac LYRIQ’s class win in the 2025 GCOTY competition.
“The Cadillac VISTIQ impressed the jury with its remarkable combination of visionary design, technological advancement, and luxurious everyday usability,” said GCOTY co-founder Jens Meiners. “This vehicle exemplifies the new era of the electric premium segment – bold, modern, and uncompromisingly high-quality. With the VISTIQ, Cadillac powerfully demonstrates that American luxury is not only rooted in tradition, but also firmly focused on the future.”
The GCOTY jury was especially impressed by VISTIQ’s combination of exceptional space, premium comfort, high-end materials, and wide range of innovative technologies. With seating for up to seven passengers and pioneering features such as an augmented-reality head-up display, a night-vision system1, and a 23-speaker AKG2 audio system with Dolby Atmos®, the VISTIQ offers a unique blend of characteristics in an all-electric luxury vehicle with everyday practicality. Cadillac’s award was presented on October 13 at a GCOTY gala in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
"Cadillac is gaining momentum around the world, driven by our exceptional product portfolio,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. “Receiving prestigious recognition like the German Car of the Year award in the luxury category validates that progress. Being the first automaker to win this honor two years in a row in such a significant category is a proud achievement for everyone at Cadillac. It’s especially meaningful to earn this recognition in Germany, which remains one of the most competitive and respected automotive markets, home to many legendary brands. That makes this award all the more special."
The German Car of the Year award is one of the most important and internationally recognized honors in the automotive industry. Each year, leading automotive journalists from Germany and abroad test and evaluate the most relevant new vehicles released in the past 12 months on the German market on criteria including design, innovation, everyday usability, performance, and value. The jury selects winners in five categories – Compact, Premium, Luxury, Performance, New Energy – with one of the five category winners being crowned overall German Car of the Year. This year’s GCOTY 2026 overall winner will be announced on November 17, 2025.
1Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Read the vehicle Owner’s Manual for important feature limitations and information.
2AKG is a trademark of AKG Acoustics GmbH, registered in the United States and/or other countries
