The Cadillac Celestiq is the boldest statement General Motors has ever made about what American luxury can be. Hand-built, ultra-bespoke, and breathtakingly advanced, the Celestiq was already turning heads at its $340,000 starting price. But now, for the 2026 model year, Cadillac has raised the stakes. Literally.
According to Automotive News, the new Celestiq will start in the low $400,000 range, marking a $60,000 price jump from last year’s model. That’s not a small tweak. With this move, Cadillac has officially parked itself beside Rolls-Royce and Bentley, daring the world to question whether an American brand can truly compete in that rarefied air.
What’s Behind the $60,000 Leap?
At first glance, the hike may sound extreme. But Cadillac isn’t just inflating numbers for prestige. The 2026 Celestiq gains several upgrades, including a smart glass roof as standard equipment a feature so advanced it can individually adjust transparency for each passenger. It also includes eight years of connected digital services, which might sound subtle, but in the realm of ultra-luxury ownership, connectivity and convenience are everything.
Beneath the shimmering paint and bespoke craftsmanship, the Celestiq still rides on GM’s Ultium Platform, delivering a staggering 655 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque through a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system. Cadillac claims it can sprint from 0–60 mph in about 3.7 second snumbers that would make even performance sedans sweat.
Every Celestiq Is a One-Off Masterpiece
Cadillac’s design team insists no two Celestiqs will ever be identical, thanks to limitless customization options. Buyers can choose exclusive paints, hand-stitched leathers, rare woods, 3D-printed trim pieces, and nearly any detail their imagination allows.
Each car is hand-assembled at GM’s Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, where only a handful of vehicles are produced each week no more than two per day. Every Celestiq is a canvas, and every buyer becomes a curator.
That meticulous craftsmanship pays tribute to Cadillac’s golden era the 1957 Eldorado Brougham, the last hand-built Caddy before this new flagship. Back then, Cadillac was the symbol of American luxury. The Celestiq is an unapologetic attempt to reclaim that crown.
Luxury, Reinvented for the Electric Age
Slide inside, and the Celestiq transforms into something more like a rolling digital sanctuary than a car. The interior is wrapped around a pillar-to-pillar HD display, paired with a 38-speaker AKG Studio audio system, heated armrests, and even 3D-printed structural components that blend technology and artistry.
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Super CruiseGM’s semi-autonomous driving techcomes standard, along with four-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension, and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0. The experience is meant to feel effortless, serene, and profoundly personal.
Not Just a Car
For Cadillac, the Celestiq is a manifesto. A message that American craftsmanship can rival Europe’s best, not by imitating Rolls-Royce, but by redefining what luxury means in the EV era.
Only 25 units of the 2025 model were produced, all sold out before deliveries even began. Cadillac has no plans to ramp up production for 2026, choosing exclusivity over volume. That scarcity alone adds allure.
Of course, the new price tag means the Celestiq now costs about the same as a Rolls-Royce Spectre, which starts near $398,000. But in this echelon of luxury, price is all about positioning. Cadillac wants the world to see that American luxury doesn’t need a British accent to command respect.
Conclusion
With its hand-built construction, bold styling, and stratospheric price, the Celestiq is arguably the most daring Cadillac in modern history. Whether it becomes the Rolls-Royce of America or just a beautiful statement piece will depend on how the world responds to this audacious move.