The Monday Rundown: 2026 Cadillac Vistiq and More
Reliable American-made cars, safe American-made luxury SUVs, Tesla Autopilot recall, Acura ZDX ready to order
Hi there, and welcome to Driving American, the automotive publication focused on the cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans made in America by Americans.
Each issue of the Monday Rundown summarizes the latest new vehicle news and reporting related to U.S. automotive manufacturing so that you know what’s going on and can learn more if you’d like to.
With the 2026 Vistiq, Cadillac finalizes its electric SUV lineup
Cadillac confirmed the 2026 Vistiq (vis-tick), a midsize electric SUV that will likely replace the unremarkable current XT6 in the luxury brand’s lineup. And if it doesn’t, it should.
Details are limited to the following: “luxury three-row SUV” and “slotted between Lyriq and Escalade IQ.” So, we must examine the photos for details.
For starters, it looks terrific, with elegant rear-drive proportions, tastefully creased body panels, flush door handles, and aluminum detailing. It’s hard to believe the Vistiq was created under Bryan Nesbitt, executive director of Global Cadillac Design. He penned the Chrysler PT Cruiser, and General Motors hired him away to create a clone, resulting in the Chevrolet HHR. He’s come a long way, eh?
In front, a black-panel “grille” appears to offer illumination, and Cadillac’s vertical lighting elements illuminate the way forward. Around the back, the Vistiq takes cues from the larger Escalade IQ, with vertical two-element taillights. Unfortunately, those framing the rear window do not appear as continuations of those below, creating some visual dissonance.
Sensors and cameras punctuate the bumpers, and lenses are placed on the leading edge of each front wheel well. The SUV sits on 22-inch wheels wrapped in 295/40 Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires, and an emblem on the back of the debut vehicle reads 600 E4, suggesting a dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric drive system. An adaptive air suspension is likely, ensuring a smooth ride and impressive handling.
Expect top-end versions to feature sumptuous materials, likely characterized as “curated.” It’s a safe bet that Super Cruise will be available on the new Cadillac Vistiq, and you can also assume it will have digital instrumentation, a Google Built-in touchscreen infotainment system, and a brag-worthy screen size.
In addition to Super Cruise, the latest Cadillac driving assistance technologies, such as Blind Zone Steering Assist, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, and Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist, will probably appear on the Vistiq.
Cadillac says it will offer more details and prices in 2025. We think it will likely roll out of GM’s Spring Hill, Tennessee, factory, where Cadillac builds the Lyriq.
Consumer Reports names the most reliable American-made cars, trucks, and SUVs
In the January 2024 issue of Consumer Reports, you’ll find charts of the most reliable cars, trucks, and SUVs. Of the ones built in the U.S.A., these are the top five highest-ranked models across all vehicle segments, with their score according to CR:
Subaru Crosstrek: 99/100 (only Crosstreks with a 2.5-liter engine are made in Lafayette, Indiana)
Toyota Camry: 86/100 (made in Georgetown, Kentucky)
BMW X5: 82/100 (made in Spartanburg, South Carolina)
Acura RDX: 80/100 (made in East Liberty, Ohio)
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 80/100 (most, but not all, RAV4 Hybrids are made in Georgetown, Kentucky)
What are the least reliable American-made models?
Ford F-150 Hybrid: 19/100 (made in Dearborn, Michigan, and Claycomo, Missouri)
Rivian R1T: 22/100 (made in Normal, Illinois)
Jeep Grand Cherokee: 23/100 (made in Detroit, Michigan)
Nissan Frontier: 23/100 (made in Canton, Mississippi)
Rivian R1S: 23/100 (made in Normal, Illinois)
Safest American-made luxury SUVs ace new IIHS crash test
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has performed a new round of crash tests, subjecting midsize luxury SUVs to an updated moderate overlap frontal-impact assessment. Only two American-made models earned the top Good rating for front-seat and back-seat occupant protection:
Lincoln Aviator (made in Chicago, Illinois)
Mercedes-Benz GLE (made in Vance, Alabama)
Among the other luxury SUVs made in the U.S.A., the Acura MDX and BMW X3 received an Acceptable rating, while the Cadillac XT6 got a Poor rating. That new 2026 Vistiq can’t arrive soon enough.
Tesla Autopilot recall proves what we already knew
Every week, vehicles get recalled, so we typically don’t report them. But considering the promises Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been making about self-driving vehicles and the controversy around crashes and deaths resulting from using the automaker’s driving assistance systems, we’re making an exception.
Tesla is recalling nearly two million vehicles sold in the U.S., almost every model on the road today, to update software related to its controversial Autopilot system. After the fix, the Autosteer function of Autopilot will work only on approved highways, and it will remind and warn drivers that they are responsible for the vehicle's safe operation. However, it will still lack sufficient driver monitoring technology to ensure drivers pay attention when using Autopilot.
Other automakers offering similar semi-autonomous technology, such as Ford BlueCruise and General Motors Super Cruise, include camera-based monitoring to ensure the driver is in the driver’s seat and paying attention, ready to take control whenever necessary.
Learn more in this AP News report
Acura ZDX ordering is open
As of today, you can reserve a new 2024 Acura ZDX, an electric midsize SUV with two rows of seats. Highlights include a maximum driving range of approximately 325 miles and acceleration to 60 mph in under five seconds in Type S specification.
Acura partnered with General Motors to create the ZDX, which uses GM’s Ultium electric vehicle platform, drive motors, and batteries. GM will build the ZDX in Spring Hill, Tennessee, on the same assembly line as the Cadillac Lyriq.
What’s new on Driving American?
This week, I’ve been driving the Honda CR-V Sport Touring, a hybrid compact crossover SUV that isn’t very exciting but is damn near impossible to fault. My least favorite thing about it is the single-piece rear floor mat that stretches from one side of the cabin to the other, making it hard to remove for cleaning without depositing the detritus caught by the mat onto the carpeting below.
My test vehicle averaged 32.4 mpg on my standard evaluation loop, falling well short of the official EPA fuel economy estimate of 37 mpg in combined driving. Many CR-V hybrid owners are disappointed in the fuel efficiency of their vehicles, and based on my experience, that’s understandable.
Still, the CR-V offers excellent comfort for four people, and I carried five without a problem. The cargo area is huge. The technology is simple, intuitive, and effective. And the ride is compliant while handling is secure and predictable.
Is it exciting to drive? Nope. But it is an affordable, efficient, practical, safe, and comfortable crossover you could own for years without complaining about much, other than a shortfall in fuel economy and that single-piece rear floor mat.
Most Honda CR-Vs are made in Greensburg, Indiana, and East Liberty, Ohio. However, Honda also builds this model in Alliston, Ontario, Canada.
It’s important to buy a vehicle made in the U.S.A. instead of simply choosing one sold by a traditionally “American” brand. Driving American is an automotive publication focused on the cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans made in America by Americans, and it can’t exist without you. So, if you’d like to support a movement to redefine what it means to buy American, champion U.S. manufacturing, and ensure prosperity for hard-working Americans, please consider subscribing to receive new issues.
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