Cadillac Elevated Velocity Wins EyesOn Design Best Concept Vehicle Of 2026

The Detroit Auto Show kicked off, and the winners of the EyesOn Design Awards were announced during opening day on Wednesday, January 14^th. Most notably to us here at Cadillac Society, the Cadillac Elevated Velocity was voted as the Best Concept Vehicle of 2026. Other award recipients include the Bentley EXP 15 Concept and the Ferrari Amalfi.

Why all the fuss? Well, according to a statement from EyesOnDesign.org, the awards bring together “leading designers and design educators to determine the most significant production and concept vehicles that debuted over the past year. As one of the automotive industry’s highest honors, designers worldwide value these Awards as recognition by their peers for exceptional design.” As such, the list of judges includes several big names that are affiliated with Cadillac’s parent company, General Motors.

Invited judges included retired GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, GM Senior VP of Global Design Bryan Nesbitt, retired Senior VP of Global Design Michael Simcoe, and retired Senior VP of Design Wayne Cherry. Of course, there were well-known judges from other influential entities, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Rivian, Tesla, Ford Motor Company, Nissan, Volvo, Mazda, and more.

In case you missed it, the Elevated Velocity Concept was revealed back in August, potentially offering a glimpse into Cadillac’s future with its forward-thinking design language while showcasing the luxury marque’s latest innovative technologies.

On the outside, the Cadillac Elevated Velocity Concept flaunts a Vapor Blue finish that’s contrasted by a luscious Morello Red Nappa leather. The lifted ride height, off-road capability, and 24-inch wheels pair with its sophisticated and classy cabin environment to give it a character that’s rugged yet elegant.

The 2+2 layout and host of technological features also make it rather utilitarian. Highlights include e-Volicity mode, which is an evolution of the V-Mode offered in today’s V-Series models, and Terra mode, which activates the crossover’s air suspension in order to provide peak off-road performance.

If future Cadillac models are anything like this, then we certainly have plenty to look forward to.