by Cadillac’s Bold Step
The Celestiq is a truly impressive car. This ultra-luxurious Cadillac flagship is hand-built with no cost compromises and is an electric sedan designed to return the brand to the ranks of the world’s best. It is a bold step from a brand that once defined American luxury and now seems eager to reclaim that glory in the era of electrification.
And its price matches these ambitions, if not exceeds them. The first model year already cost over $340,000, but with the update for 2026, Cadillac decided that subtlety is not its style. Prices are now in the “low” $400,000s (General Motors does not specify an exact figure), and that’s before additional personalization or options.
American Luxury Reimagined
In other words, it is much more expensive than the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II, which starts at $357,750 and can reach $422,750 depending on the trim. Although, as anyone familiar with Rolls options knows, that figure only increases when individual requests start coming in.
So here it is: the American flagship sedan surpasses what is considered the gold standard in the world of ultra-premium automotive brands—at least in price.
Technical Specifications and Dimensions
Undoubtedly, the Celestiq is about Cadillac’s ambition. It is a true breakthrough. It is equipped with a 600 horsepower (447 kW) engine, 640 lb-ft (867 Nm) of torque, and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Of course, it’s not just about power, as the car also offers high-quality materials that each buyer can choose individually.
With a length of 224.3 inches (5,695 mm), a width of 79.9 inches (2,030 mm), and a height of 57.9 inches (1,471 mm), on a wheelbase of 126.7 inches (3,220 mm), it has dimensions similar to a chauffeur-driven limousine.
Old-School Grace and Modern Ambition
Does all this make it worthy of a price comparable to a Rolls? Perhaps yes, if you understand what Cadillac is trying to do. But for everyone else—and let’s be honest—when it comes to brand prestige, Rolls-Royce is still on a different planet.
The Ghost, available in two wheelbase variants, is equipped with a 6.75-liter V12 with slightly less power (563 hp and 627 lb-ft or 850 Nm of torque) and that imperceptible thrust that defines the brand. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 4.6 seconds (4.8 seconds to 100 km/h), and the top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).
It’s more about craftsmanship than cutting-edge technology. Cars like the Ghost feel more like steering a bank vault lined with sheepskin than piloting a car of the future.
The standard Rolls-Royce Ghost has a length of 218.3 inches (5,546 mm), a width of 77.9 inches (1,978 mm), and a height of 61.9 inches (1,572 mm) with a wheelbase of 129.7 inches (3,295 mm), while the extended version reaches 225.2 inches (5,715 mm) with a wheelbase of 137.0 inches (3,467 mm).
Status or Technology?
What if it’s not about how the car moves or the sensations it provides from the steering wheel? Perhaps the emphasis is on status. For now, we don’t know how the future will judge the Celestiq. It might be the car that helps Cadillac secure its desired place in the ultra-luxury segment. Or it might become an odd failure.
In any case, buyers already know exactly how the current Ghost will enter history. It will be another special product from a long-beloved ultra-luxury brand. It may depreciate significantly in a few years, but even then, it will attract attention for decades.
So the question remains with you. If you could afford it, what would you choose? The newest and best from Cadillac or the offering from the most legendary British manufacturer?
This direct challenge to Rolls-Royce from Cadillac is not just about price, but also about redefining what it means to be a leader in the luxury segment in an era where traditional values clash with innovation. The success of the Celestiq could open a new chapter for the American auto industry, demonstrating its ability to compete at the highest level, where every detail matters and brand heritage intertwines with future technologies.
