The Electric Elephant in the Room: Cadillac’s Escalade IQ
SAN FRANCISCO – The new electric Cadillac Escalade IQ tips the scales at a hefty 9,000+ lbs (over 4,000 kilograms). For context, that’s nearly half again as much as the already powerful 682 hp (509 kW) Escalade V, which boasts a 6.2L supercharged V8. The hefty weight is necessary to achieve a class-leading range target of 460 miles (740 km), thanks to a large 205 kWh battery pack.
The Escalade IQ shares its modular General Motors (formerly Ultium) chassis and battery pack with the Hummer EV and other components with the Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks. For Cadillac, this impressive range is key to attracting buyers looking for a “no compromise” lifestyle, even as they switch to all-electric power.
The IQ certainly delivers instant power. Despite its mass, the dual motors, rated at 750 hp (560 kW) and 786 lb-ft (1,065 Nm), can propel it from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds with the “Velocity Max” button engaged.
Three rows of seats comfortably accommodate seven adults. A forthcoming EQL variant will stretch just over 4 inches longer with a higher roofline, enhancing third-row space. The interior is packed with technology: almost six feet of screens across the dash, up to 42 speakers of surround sound, optional Executive second-row seats with a massaging function, hands-free Super Cruise partially automated driving, and more.
The move to electrification suits the super-luxury ethos well, as silent and smooth propulsion is ideal for shorter, everyday drives. However, the sheer mass required to achieve the targeted range and power figures unfortunately means that physics still applies. The Escalade IQ uses the same battery cradle, suspension components, 24-inch wheel size, and Michelin Primacy LTX tires as the Silverado EV RST First Edition–which many found disappointing due to the choice to spec the largest wheels ever sold on a production vehicle.
After driving a Silverado EV LT, I can attest that even slightly smaller 22-inch wheels help to reduce the crashy and clunky ride quality that affected passenger comfort.
Going into the Escalade launch program in the San Francisco Bay Area, I wondered whether Cadillac’s unique suspension tuning—using the same components—might magically transform the ride quality. To some extent, this is true: The Escalade IQ handles bumps and road imperfections better than its lower-spec GM siblings; perhaps by 10 percent or so. Rear-wheel steering also helps in tight urban settings, even if “Arrival Mode,” Cadillac’s take on “Crab Walk,” seems more of a gimmick.
Despite these improvements, the weight of the Escalade IQ is unavoidable. On the winding mountain roads of Route 35 south of San Francisco the SUV handles capably enough to warrant concerns about speeding tickets. However, erasing speed bumps and minor road cracks is likely more important to luxury buyers than blistering acceleration.
To this end, Cadillac has increased sound deadening to improve NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness), which an internal-combustion engine would otherwise mask. Improved seats also contribute, and road noise largely disappears when the 38-speaker sound system is turned up. This sound system delivers, arguably, one of the best audio experiences available in any vehicle.
Surprisingly, due to development timelines, the upcoming 2025 Optiq will feature Dolby Atmos surround sound, while the Escalade will get it for the 2026 model year. (Still no Apple CarPlay on GM’s newer EVs, though.) The IQL will also arrive for 2026, with slightly more cargo space and improved third-row ergonomics. The standard IQ already offers 23.6 cubic feet (668 L) of storage behind the third row and 12.2 cubic feet (345 L) in the “eTrunk” front trunk, which can have an optional sliding tray rated at 175 pounds (80 kg) because the frunk stretches so far back.
The Escalade IQ undoubtedly delivers the kind of style and presence that internal-combustion Cadillac buyers appreciate. The exterior design brings a touch of futuristic angularity, compared to the boxy ICE Escalade, incorporating design cues from Range Rover and Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
Sumptuous upholstery, glossy wood grain, sharp touchscreens, and abundant storage amplify the interior’s high-end appeal. The size and weight of the vehicle also benefit from the Ultium platform’s fast-charging capability. The Escalade IQ uses two 400-volt systems in series, allowing it to fully utilize 350-kilowatt DC fast chargers to add over 100 miles (160 km) in 10 minutes.
General Motors does not need to publish EPA estimates due to the overall weight of the vehicle, so the 460-mile (740 km) range, 750 horsepower, and 785 lb-ft figures are all GM’s own figures. At the launch event Cadillac reps repeatedly stated the curb weight as “over 9,000 pounds”, and the 10,000 lb (4,535 kg) GVWR (gross vehicular weight rating) dictates details such as flat-glass side mirrors.
Based on my own experience in the Escalade IQ, as well as with the RST First Edition (where I achieved 480 miles (772 km) on a full charge at mostly highway speeds), I believe that the 460-mile range figure is accurate. Moreover, being able to use an adapter to plug the Escalade IQ into a Tesla Supercharger is a major advantage, even if those chargers can’t max out the 350 kW charge rate.
The Escalade nameplate has dominated the three-row luxury SUV class for 25 years. Despite the added weight and size the Cadillac believe that the urban, luxury buyer seeking power, prestige, and space will transition to electric vehicles.
