The Cadillac Celestia, General Motors’ flagship ultra-luxury electric sedan has officially become even more exclusive.
Recently, it was announced that the 2026 Cadillac Celestiq will have a price increase that will push its base price up to nearly $340,000, from earlier estimated figures around $300,000.
This handcrafted EV represents Cadillac’s pinnacle of luxury, technology, and personalization, aimed to compete with luxury brands in the post-electric era such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
But what’s behind the price increase and what new updates justify the increase?
Let’s take a look.
The Price Increase: What’s Changed for 2026
The Celestiq was already sold as Cadillac’s most ambitious and costly car yet, but the revised prices for the 2026 model year reflect the custom nature of the vehicle and also the rising material and labor costs of ultra-low-volume production.
| Model Year | Starting Price (USD) | Notable Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Celestiq (Initial Launch) | ~$300,000 | Custom build options, first-gen Ultium platform |
| 2026 Celestiq (Revised Pricing) | ~$340,000 | Expanded customization, upgraded tech suite, handcrafted interiors |
The increase underscores Cadillac’s strategy to keep the Celestiq’s production numbers extremely limited — focusing on craftsmanship and exclusivity rather than mass production.
A Handcrafted Masterpiece
Unlike any other Cadillac model, every Celestiq is built by hand at the GM Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, and every Celestiq is produced personally for each buyer. Each buyer is able to select from thousands of color permutations, bespoke materials, and personal design details.
Each Celestiq will take hundreds of man-hours to produce, indicating Cadillac’s return to true bespoke luxury manufacturing. “It will be different — no two are ever alike,” says the Cadillac design team.
Powertrain and Performance
Underneath the striking exterior lies GM’s advanced Ultium EV platform, offering both power and range that match its opulent design.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Power Output | 600 horsepower (estimated) |
| Torque | 640 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive |
| 0–60 mph | Around 3.8 seconds |
| Estimated Range | ~300 miles |
| Charging | 200 kW DC fast charging (approx. 78 miles in 10 minutes) |
The Celestiq is built for effortless performance, not raw speed — a smooth, silent, and commanding drive that matches its premium persona.
Next-Generation Technology
The Celestiq embodies Cadillac’s technological peak with AI-enabled systems, adaptive electronics, and top-of-the-line infotainment capabilities.
Highlights include:
- 55-inch LED Display Across the Dashboard.
- Smart Glass Roof with 4 Zones of Independent Tint.
- Advanced Autonomous Features with GM’s Ultra Cruise Design.
- AKG Custom Sound System with over 38 speakers.
These developments support Cadillac’s vision of combining art and engineering into a unified digital-luxury immersed experience.
Design Philosophy: The Future of American Luxury
The inspiration for the design of the Celestiq comes from Cadillac’s legacy of craftsmanship with a nod towards futuristic minimalism. Its long sculpted shape, dramatic lighting signatures, and low-slung stance represent both elegance and power.
On the inside it is all about self-expression — from hand-stitched leather and laser-etched wood panels to custom metal finishes and 3D-printed parts, Cadillac has a co-design program that allows owners to customize parts of their cars, with personal touches not typically offered in mainstream automotive manufacturing.
Why the Price Increase Makes Sense
The luxury EV market has evolved rapidly, with ultra-premium brands pushing innovation at every level.
Cadillac’s $40,000 price bump is driven by:
- An increase in production costs and energy costs for handmade builds.
- Additional personalization tools and unique interiors.
- Integration of new tech components like Ultra Cruise updates.
- Inflation/limited capacity which makes the build more exclusive.
Only a few Celestiq units will be produced annually, contributing to its charm.
Competitor Comparison
| Brand / Model | Starting Price | Power Output | Range (Est.) | USP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Celestiq (2026) | ~$340,000 | 600 hp | ~300 miles | Bespoke EV luxury |
| Rolls-Royce Spectre | ~$420,000 | 577 hp | ~260 miles | Ultra-luxury coupe |
| Lucid Air Sapphire | ~$250,000 | 1,234 hp | ~427 miles | Performance-focused luxury |
| Mercedes EQS Maybach SUV | ~$200,000 | 649 hp | ~372 miles | SUV comfort & prestige |
While competitors like Rolls-Royce Spectre emphasize heritage, the Celestiq carves out a niche for American electric opulence — blending bold innovation with bespoke craftsmanship.
Future Outlook: Cadillac’s Flagship of Innovation
The 2026 Celestiq is not only Cadillac’s most exclusive vehicle, but it also serves as a technological showcase for GM’s future electric offerings. Handcrafted build quality, cutting-edge tech, and sustainable design will inform future Cadillac EVs, including the Escalade IQ and any future sedan concepts.
Conclusion
The price of the 2026 Cadillac Celestiq has now risen to around $340,000, marking it as a definitive statement of luxury, technology, and individuality. The Celestiq is more than an automobile; it is a personalized experience — a work of art on wheels that sets a new standard for American electric luxury.
If you seek both exclusivity and innovation, the Cadillac flagship EV offers what few can; a mashup of heritage craftsmanship and the future of mobility, all wrapped up in one elegant shape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why has the price of the 2026 Cadillac Celestiq gone up?
The price of the 2026 Cadillac Celestiq is going up because of increasing labor and materials costs, higher levels of customer personalization options, and the addition of upgraded technology features like GM’s Ultra Cruise driver assistance technology. Cadillac is also marketing the Celestiq with the caveat of limited production and hand-built manufacturing style to add to its rarity.
2. How much is the 2026 Cadillac Celestiq?
The 2026 Cadillac Celestiq starts at around $340,000, up from around $300,000 when it launched. As the high-end market does, the total cost will depend on the specification and personalization the customer chooses.
3. What is unique about the Cadillac Celestiq?
Each Celestiq is hand-built, to order, at Cadillac’s Global Technical Center in Michigan. The Celestiq merges ultra-luxury hand-built craftsmanship with modern electric vehicle tech, which includes a full-width 55-inch dashboard display, a smart glass roof, and luxury materials throughout the cabin.
4. What is Celestiq’s power?
With an estimated 600 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque, the Celestiq reaches 0–60 mph in about 3.8 seconds. It features a dual motor, all-wheel-drive, based on GM’s Ultium EV architecture.
5. What is the range of the 2026 Celestiq?
Cadillac has an estimated range of approximately 300 miles per charge, depending on configuration and driving conditions. The EV is capable of 200 kW DC fast charging, which is good for around 78 miles of range in 10 minutes.
6. How much can you customize the Celestiq?
Every Celestiq is completely custom, offering thousands of colors for the exterior, unique themes for the interior, and materials that are designed especially for the project. Buyers are able to work one-on-one with Cadillac designers to customize an exclusive one-of-one configuration.
7. When will deliveries of the Celestiq (2026) begin?
Production and deliveries are expected to begin in late 2025 with full customization and delivery schedules continuing into 2026 as each vehicle is custom made by hand.
8. Which companies are the main competitors of Celestiq?
Celestiq is in competition with ultra-luxury electric vehicles such as the Rolls-Royce Spectre, Lucid Air Sapphire, and Mercedes EQS Maybach SUV. It is positioned to be the peak of American electric luxury.
