Compare the2025 Cadillac OptiqVS 2025 Volkswagen ID.BUZZ

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Optiq are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The ID.BUZZ doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Optiq has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The ID.BUZZ doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Optiq has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The ID.BUZZ doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Optiq has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The ID.BUZZ doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Optiq and the ID.BUZZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the Optiq 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the ID.BUZZ. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the ID.BUZZ ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Optiq’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the ID.BUZZ’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Volkswagen.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen With 71 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Cadillac higher than Volkswagen.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac 11 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Optiq’s electric motors produces 18 more horsepower (300 vs. 282) than the ID.BUZZ’s standard electric motor.

The Optiq can travel longer on a full charge than the ID.BUZZ on a full charge:

The Cadillac Optiq has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the ID.BUZZ. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

For better traction, the Optiq has larger standard tires than the ID.BUZZ (245/50R20 vs. 235/50R20). The Optiq’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ID.BUZZ (275/40R21 vs. 235/50R20).

The Optiq’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ID.BUZZ’s 50 series front and 45 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Optiq offers optional 21-inch wheels. The ID.BUZZ’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Optiq can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The ID.BUZZ doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Cadillac Optiq may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 1000 pounds less than the Volkswagen ID.BUZZ.

The Optiq is 5.6 inches shorter than the ID.BUZZ, making the Optiq easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Optiq is 11.2 inches shorter in height than the ID.BUZZ, making the Optiq much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The front grille of the Optiq uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The ID.BUZZ doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Optiq has a much larger cargo volume than the ID.BUZZ with its rear seat up (26 vs. 18.6 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 64% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 29th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat in the ID.BUZZ, the Optiq offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Cadillac Optiq has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are not standard on all versions of the ID.BUZZ.

Both the Optiq and the ID.BUZZ have standard heated front seats. The Optiq also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the ID.BUZZ.