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Tired of GM's high-priced, heavy EVs with enough gadgets for something out of a James Bond movie? Well here's another one for you, in case you weren't. And when it comes to building an over-the-top luxurious EV from Cadillac, what kind of name screams extravagance more than the Escalade? Cadillac's iconic flagship SUV has always defined the brand as an American luxury player, but now the nameplate has gone electric in what could be the biggest change in the model's history. But don't worry, The Escalade IQ will live peacefully alongside the current gas-powered model, though that will eventually get phased out by the time Cadillac goes completely electric in 2030.
As expected, the Escalade IQ is large and in charge. Its grand proportions include an impossibly short front overhang, paired with an upright stance and a sporty appearance we would never expect from an Escalade. The more athletic look adopts design elements from the brand's all-electric Lyriq and Celestiq, along with the existing version of the full-size SUV. And the new design does wonders for aerodynamics, with a 15% reduction in drag coefficients. That's thanks in part to the slippery smooth underbody, active intake on the lower front fascia, and aerodynamic designs for the huge 24-inch wheels.
Up front, the Escalade IQ takes clear inspiration from the Lyriq, with vertical LED lighting elements flanking the black crest grille, which gets its own illuminated design with choreographed lighting sequences. But unlike the Lyriq, the electric Escalade offers a frunk that Cadillac dubs the "eTrunk". It allows for 12.2 cubic feet of storage space under the hood, which is lined with carpet––because why not? The sides and rear represent radical design changes for the Escalade, with a sloping rear roofline and a distinctive paint-color panel on the D-pillar. The rear gets an even bolder look, with taillights that almost mimic the split-headlight design seen on the front fascia.
When it comes to actual proportions, the Escalade IQ is actually much larger than it appears in images. In total, the EV is 224.3 inches long, 94.1 inches wide, and 76.1 inches tall. The wheelbase, which measures 136.2 inches, is 2.1 inches longer than the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV, though in total the IQ is 2.7 inches shorter. However, when compared to the standard gas-powered Escalade, the IQ is a whopping 12.4 inches longer.
Cadillac hasn't given us the full story on color and trim options, but it did mention Luxury and Sport trim levels. The Luxury trim features brushed aluminum exterior accents, while Sport models trade out the brightwork for more menacing dark metal and black detailing. The Escalade IQ shown here features a stylish black roof contrasted with silver paint, though there is said to be a second shade of silver available, along with black, light blue, and dark red. The latter color may be the one already available on the Cadillac Lyriq.
When the current generation of the gas-powered Escalade made its debut, we gawked at its 38-inch curved display that houses both the digital instrument cluster and the main infotainment system. Pfft, 38 inches? Compare that to the IQ's dashboard-dominating 55-inch curved display, and that doesn't sound so big anymore. Cadillac says that around 35 inches of screen real estate are for the driver, with the remaining space serving as a front passenger display. The central infotainment system has Google built-in, which includes Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. That's not enough, you say? Well, you'll be glad to hear that the climate controls and other settings get their own 11-inch display, which rests between the dashboard and the center console. Cadillac's got the rear passengers covered too, as there are dual 12.6-inch entertainment displays behind the front seats.
Move away from the screens and you'll appreciate the vastly-improved materials, a trend that began when the Lyriq decided to eschew the GM parts bin. On the dashboard, the Escalade IQ's 55-inch display is flanked by two speakers, one for each side. It's very tasteful look, especially when surrounded by the chrome, laser-etched wood trim, and soft-touch materials that finally appear worthy of the Escalade's steep price tag. Another premium detail is the electric SUV's last remaining piece of physical switchgear on the center console. It's a small, rounded controller, featuring elegant knurling on the sides and a Cadillac crest on top. Elsewhere, there's a futuristic two-spoke steering wheel borrowed from the other electric Cadillac models, along with available illumination for the wood trim.
Audiophiles will appreciate the Escalade IQ's standard 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system, though an incredible 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference system is available for 'Level 2' trim levels. And with the Executive Second-Row Seating package added on, the number grows to 40 speakers, with two additional speakers built into the rear headrests.
Speaking of, let's not forget the rear passengers, as some buyers at this price point might prefer to be chauffeured around. The experience behind the driver is at its best with the Executive Second-Row Seating package, which extends the center console to rear passengers with a centrally-positioned display, and adds stow-away tray tables, a dual wireless smartphone charger (there's a standard wireless charger in front as well), along with USB-C and HDMI charging ports. As for the rear-seat experience without this package, Cadillac hasn't said much, though they will likely still get to enjoy the SUV's fixed glass roof with a built-in UV filter.
In terms of interior space, the Escalade IQ doesn't quite impress. While its floor-mounted battery should make things roomier inside, not to mention its longer wheelbase in general, third row legroom lags behind the gas-powered Escalades. Third row passengers get 30.1 inches of legroom, versus the 34.9 inches offered in the regular Escalade and the extra roomy 36.6 inches in the larger Escalade ESV. Cargo space doesn't get any better, with 23.7 cubic feet of space available. Bringing down the power-folding third row reveals 69.1 cubic feet of space, while both rows folded allowed for 119.2 cubic feet of space.
If gimmicks like that 55-inch dashboard display don't cut it for you, the Escalade IQ offers much more than that. An available power open-and-close entry system allows owners to arrive and depart in style, as all four doors can be opened or closed with a single button. When that button isn't available, the feature can automatically open the driver's door when it detects that the owner is coming. A similar function is available for the charging port, which can open with just one touch. However, Cadillac curiously decided to place the charging port at the rear, just above the license plate molding.
And this can't be Cadillac's flagship vehicle without Super Cruise, which is GM's hands-free driving system that covers over 400,000 miles of U.S. and Canadian roadways. Alongside the standard Super Cruise, the Escalade IQ's other driver assistance features include an HD Surround Vision camera system, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, and Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking. The SUV's comprehensive safety features list is where you'll find another gimmick, which Cadillac calls Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist system. It can not only steer and brake on its own, but it can shift gears to park itself into either a parallel or perpendicular parking space.
The Escalade IQ also comes with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and an adaptive air suspension, which can raise the SUV by one inch and lower it by up to two inches. You want to drive around with the suspension lowered completely, we hear? Cadillac has you covered with Low Ride Mode, which allows the vehicle to drive at slower speeds with a fully lowered suspension. Oh, and you want to show up to your next outing while driving diagonally? Done. The Escalade IQ features something called "Arrival Mode," which is Cadillac's version of the Crab Walk feature on the GMC Hummer EV. Cadillac justifies this fun feature by saying it will ease the pressure of parking into tight spaces, but we doubt anyone will use it so casually.
The Escalade IQ also shares its Four-Wheel Steer feature with the Hummer EV, which allows the rear wheels to either mimic the direction of the front wheels or turn in the complete opposite direction. This enables an extremely tight turning circle of 39.4 feet, and Cadillac says the Escalade IQ's turning cicle would be 6.5 feet longer without the feature. The SUV also has one-pedal driving mode, along with Variable Regen on Demand.
With all these features packed into the Escalade IQ, we almost forgot to mention what powers it. Riding on GM's Ultium electric architecture, the IQ has a 200 kWh battery pack that will allow for an estimated 450 miles of range, which means it should outlast the existing Lyriq and Celestiq by at least 150 miles. This estimate also beats the Mercedes EQS SUV and BMW iX M60 by around 160 miles.
The Escalade IQ is plenty powerful too, with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain that generates up to 680 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac says that launching the SUV into Velocity Max mode will raise output considerably, increasing to 750 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque. With all that power, the Escalade IQ can sprint from 0-60 mph in under five seconds, and can even tow up to 8,000 pounds.
When power runs low, the Escalade IQ's 800-volt architecture is capable of adding 100 miles of range in 10 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger. Using a 19.2 kW home charger adds an estimated 37 miles of range in one hour, while the even smaller 7.7 kW cord adds just 14.8 miles in that same amount of time. Cadillac also mentioned that the IQ will have a vehicle-to-load function and support bidirectional charging, but it didn't jump into specifics. However, we do know that the bidirectional charging feature will require Ultium Home products to be able to power homes.
When it arrives for the 2025 model year, the Escalade IQ will join GM's other pricey EVs at its Factory Zero plant. Cadillac says pricing should open up at around $130,000, though the exact number will be clarified later on. Considering the gas-powered Escalade starts at $80,795 for 2023, this is a huge price gap, though to be fair, the IQ does offer far more features and performance.
Would you buy the electric Escalade IQ over a regular Escalade?
Image Credits: Cadillac
Revealed
Aug 9, 2023
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2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Brings Nameplate Into The EV Age With Plenty Of Glamour
From a diagonal driving feature to a 55-inch display, the Escalade IQ has it all.
Tired of GM's high-priced, heavy EVs with enough gadgets for something out of a James Bond movie? Well here's another one for you, in case you weren't. And when it comes to building an over-the-top luxurious EV from Cadillac, what kind of name screams extravagance more than the Escalade? Cadillac's iconic flagship SUV has always defined the brand as an American luxury player, but now the nameplate has gone electric in what could be the biggest change in the model's history. But don't worry, The Escalade IQ will live peacefully alongside the current gas-powered model, though that will eventually get phased out by the time Cadillac goes completely electric in 2030.
As expected, the Escalade IQ is large and in charge. Its grand proportions include an impossibly short front overhang, paired with an upright stance and a sporty appearance we would never expect from an Escalade. The more athletic look adopts design elements from the brand's all-electric Lyriq and Celestiq, along with the existing version of the full-size SUV. And the new design does wonders for aerodynamics, with a 15% reduction in drag coefficients. That's thanks in part to the slippery smooth underbody, active intake on the lower front fascia, and aerodynamic designs for the huge 24-inch wheels.
Up front, the Escalade IQ takes clear inspiration from the Lyriq, with vertical LED lighting elements flanking the black crest grille, which gets its own illuminated design with choreographed lighting sequences. But unlike the Lyriq, the electric Escalade offers a frunk that Cadillac dubs the "eTrunk". It allows for 12.2 cubic feet of storage space under the hood, which is lined with carpet––because why not? The sides and rear represent radical design changes for the Escalade, with a sloping rear roofline and a distinctive paint-color panel on the D-pillar. The rear gets an even bolder look, with taillights that almost mimic the split-headlight design seen on the front fascia.
When it comes to actual proportions, the Escalade IQ is actually much larger than it appears in images. In total, the EV is 224.3 inches long, 94.1 inches wide, and 76.1 inches tall. The wheelbase, which measures 136.2 inches, is 2.1 inches longer than the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV, though in total the IQ is 2.7 inches shorter. However, when compared to the standard gas-powered Escalade, the IQ is a whopping 12.4 inches longer.
Cadillac hasn't given us the full story on color and trim options, but it did mention Luxury and Sport trim levels. The Luxury trim features brushed aluminum exterior accents, while Sport models trade out the brightwork for more menacing dark metal and black detailing. The Escalade IQ shown here features a stylish black roof contrasted with silver paint, though there is said to be a second shade of silver available, along with black, light blue, and dark red. The latter color may be the one already available on the Cadillac Lyriq.
When the current generation of the gas-powered Escalade made its debut, we gawked at its 38-inch curved display that houses both the digital instrument cluster and the main infotainment system. Pfft, 38 inches? Compare that to the IQ's dashboard-dominating 55-inch curved display, and that doesn't sound so big anymore. Cadillac says that around 35 inches of screen real estate are for the driver, with the remaining space serving as a front passenger display. The central infotainment system has Google built-in, which includes Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. That's not enough, you say? Well, you'll be glad to hear that the climate controls and other settings get their own 11-inch display, which rests between the dashboard and the center console. Cadillac's got the rear passengers covered too, as there are dual 12.6-inch entertainment displays behind the front seats.
Move away from the screens and you'll appreciate the vastly-improved materials, a trend that began when the Lyriq decided to eschew the GM parts bin. On the dashboard, the Escalade IQ's 55-inch display is flanked by two speakers, one for each side. It's very tasteful look, especially when surrounded by the chrome, laser-etched wood trim, and soft-touch materials that finally appear worthy of the Escalade's steep price tag. Another premium detail is the electric SUV's last remaining piece of physical switchgear on the center console. It's a small, rounded controller, featuring elegant knurling on the sides and a Cadillac crest on top. Elsewhere, there's a futuristic two-spoke steering wheel borrowed from the other electric Cadillac models, along with available illumination for the wood trim.
Audiophiles will appreciate the Escalade IQ's standard 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system, though an incredible 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference system is available for 'Level 2' trim levels. And with the Executive Second-Row Seating package added on, the number grows to 40 speakers, with two additional speakers built into the rear headrests.
Speaking of, let's not forget the rear passengers, as some buyers at this price point might prefer to be chauffeured around. The experience behind the driver is at its best with the Executive Second-Row Seating package, which extends the center console to rear passengers with a centrally-positioned display, and adds stow-away tray tables, a dual wireless smartphone charger (there's a standard wireless charger in front as well), along with USB-C and HDMI charging ports. As for the rear-seat experience without this package, Cadillac hasn't said much, though they will likely still get to enjoy the SUV's fixed glass roof with a built-in UV filter.
In terms of interior space, the Escalade IQ doesn't quite impress. While its floor-mounted battery should make things roomier inside, not to mention its longer wheelbase in general, third row legroom lags behind the gas-powered Escalades. Third row passengers get 30.1 inches of legroom, versus the 34.9 inches offered in the regular Escalade and the extra roomy 36.6 inches in the larger Escalade ESV. Cargo space doesn't get any better, with 23.7 cubic feet of space available. Bringing down the power-folding third row reveals 69.1 cubic feet of space, while both rows folded allowed for 119.2 cubic feet of space.
If gimmicks like that 55-inch dashboard display don't cut it for you, the Escalade IQ offers much more than that. An available power open-and-close entry system allows owners to arrive and depart in style, as all four doors can be opened or closed with a single button. When that button isn't available, the feature can automatically open the driver's door when it detects that the owner is coming. A similar function is available for the charging port, which can open with just one touch. However, Cadillac curiously decided to place the charging port at the rear, just above the license plate molding.
And this can't be Cadillac's flagship vehicle without Super Cruise, which is GM's hands-free driving system that covers over 400,000 miles of U.S. and Canadian roadways. Alongside the standard Super Cruise, the Escalade IQ's other driver assistance features include an HD Surround Vision camera system, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, and Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking. The SUV's comprehensive safety features list is where you'll find another gimmick, which Cadillac calls Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist system. It can not only steer and brake on its own, but it can shift gears to park itself into either a parallel or perpendicular parking space.
The Escalade IQ also comes with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and an adaptive air suspension, which can raise the SUV by one inch and lower it by up to two inches. You want to drive around with the suspension lowered completely, we hear? Cadillac has you covered with Low Ride Mode, which allows the vehicle to drive at slower speeds with a fully lowered suspension. Oh, and you want to show up to your next outing while driving diagonally? Done. The Escalade IQ features something called "Arrival Mode," which is Cadillac's version of the Crab Walk feature on the GMC Hummer EV. Cadillac justifies this fun feature by saying it will ease the pressure of parking into tight spaces, but we doubt anyone will use it so casually.
The Escalade IQ also shares its Four-Wheel Steer feature with the Hummer EV, which allows the rear wheels to either mimic the direction of the front wheels or turn in the complete opposite direction. This enables an extremely tight turning circle of 39.4 feet, and Cadillac says the Escalade IQ's turning cicle would be 6.5 feet longer without the feature. The SUV also has one-pedal driving mode, along with Variable Regen on Demand.
With all these features packed into the Escalade IQ, we almost forgot to mention what powers it. Riding on GM's Ultium electric architecture, the IQ has a 200 kWh battery pack that will allow for an estimated 450 miles of range, which means it should outlast the existing Lyriq and Celestiq by at least 150 miles. This estimate also beats the Mercedes EQS SUV and BMW iX M60 by around 160 miles.
The Escalade IQ is plenty powerful too, with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain that generates up to 680 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac says that launching the SUV into Velocity Max mode will raise output considerably, increasing to 750 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque. With all that power, the Escalade IQ can sprint from 0-60 mph in under five seconds, and can even tow up to 8,000 pounds.
When power runs low, the Escalade IQ's 800-volt architecture is capable of adding 100 miles of range in 10 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger. Using a 19.2 kW home charger adds an estimated 37 miles of range in one hour, while the even smaller 7.7 kW cord adds just 14.8 miles in that same amount of time. Cadillac also mentioned that the IQ will have a vehicle-to-load function and support bidirectional charging, but it didn't jump into specifics. However, we do know that the bidirectional charging feature will require Ultium Home products to be able to power homes.
When it arrives for the 2025 model year, the Escalade IQ will join GM's other pricey EVs at its Factory Zero plant. Cadillac says pricing should open up at around $130,000, though the exact number will be clarified later on. Considering the gas-powered Escalade starts at $80,795 for 2023, this is a huge price gap, though to be fair, the IQ does offer far more features and performance.
Would you buy the electric Escalade IQ over a regular Escalade?
Image Credits: Cadillac
