The Cadillac Escalade is a subject field in contradiction . With the current multiplication , Cadillacdoubled down on tech , giving its biggest and most expensive fomite an elaborated fascia display and audio system , along with General Motors ’ Super Cruise hands - loose driver - help system . Yet , mechanically , the Escalade is still a first cousin to the Chevrolet Silverado cartridge truck , sporting a retrograde run frame and powertrains drive more at towing than fuel economic system .
inscribe the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ . It ’s still establish on a pickup truck , but this meter it share a dedicated electric platform with the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV . It ’s still obtain all the tech one could want , but now with an evenly modern galvanic powertrain .
It makes sensory faculty for GM to get the most out of its investment by using this platform for a lavishness sport utility vehicle with potentially higher profits margins — pricing starts at $ 129,990 — but it still want to be good enough to convince Escalade buyers to go electric , or for other EV buyers to first-rate sizing their orders .
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ: design
The IQ ’s styling is as up to date as its powertrain . It looks like a futurist reimagining of an Escalade for a sci - fi pic . The tall hood , unsubtle grille , and stacked headlights are similar to the standard Escalade , but because this is an EV with minimum cooling needs , the grillwork is blanked off and have light - up elements .
In dividing line to the square - off profile of the veritable Escalade , the IQ ’s ceiling takes a striking dip toward the tailboard , where split taillights echo the smell of Cadillac ’s other eV . The ridge in the received Escalade ’s body sides have been ironed out , and rounded off bicycle arches put up tremendous 24 - inch wheel .
Likeother GM EVs , the Escalade IQ is based on a consecrate architecture in which the body body structure is built around the battery large number . EVs generally put up packaging flexibility that yields more midland space compared to interior - combustion models , but here it ’s just the Escalade IQ ’s sheer size that creates that spaciousness .
The IQ ’s styling is as up to engagement as its powertrain .
Cadillac ’s latest dwarf otherthree - words electric automobile SUVslike the Rivian R1S and Volvo EX90 , putting it in a class of its own until another car maker tries to electrify a full - sizing SUV . And its want of an railway locomotive means the IQ has a 12.2 - three-dimensional - foot front proboscis . But aside from some additional third - words legroom , passenger and cargo outer space are moderately close to the non - galvanic Escalade .
Unlike the non - galvanic Escalade , though , the IQ is available with an Executive Second Row Seating Package , with 16 - way office adjustable captain ’s chairs that will give you a massage and air hose - style folding tray tables to hold snacks . combine with the Escalade ’s business leader - operated doors and atmosphere interruption that will lower the fomite for easier ingress and egress , the IQ does luxury - car theatre much better than its dino succus - swilling counterpart .
The situation up front is pretty near as well . The number one wood and front rider are greet by an telling - looking exhibit that spans the intact splashboard , although that ’s also a feature of the standard Escalade thanks to a 2025 - model - year refresh . mellow - character materials and a wide-ranging color palette ( our trial car had blue leather upholstery ) control the cabin is n’t all about the screen , though .
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ: specs
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ: tech
The Escalade IQ ’s technical school features search not bad on paper . The 55 - in dashboard display incorporate a digital cat’s-paw cluster , primal touchscreen , and front rider screen , with a smaller screen place below for climate mastery and some fomite functions . A head - up display is also uncommitted , and buyers can choose from 21 - speaker , 38 - verbalizer , and 42 - utterer AKG sound recording systems ( Dolby Atmos technical school is due for the 2026 mannikin year ) .
However , it ’s less pleasant to use the in - car tech than it is to record the spec sheet . Like other late GM EVs , the Escalade IQ ’s infotainment organization is based on Google establish - in apps , including Google Maps , Google Assistant , and the Google Play Store . The latter enable in - car video recording streaming apps like Hulu and YouTube for the front - rider screen door . But GM does n’t offer standaloneApple CarPlayorAndroid Autofor telephone connectivity .
It ’s less pleasant to apply the in - cable car tech than it is to read the spec sheet .
Cadillac ’s UX team also spread ascendance across the dashboard in a less - than - nonrational way , mixing vehicle , climate restraint , and infotainment function . headlight are on the main touch screen , controls for the IQ ’s four - wheel steering are on the subaltern screen below , and ride peak is changed via a physical button on the dash , for example . Some of these features were group on an easy - to - attain gore in the pre - facelift Escalade , but the large screen negates that .
have a bun in the oven driver aids are standard , along with GM’sSuper Cruisehands - free highway driving system . Super Cruise ’s power to wrangle a full - size SUV is just as telling in the IQ as it is in the standard Escalade , and now it ’s also possible to have the navigation system plan routes around Super Cruise - compatible roads ( they have to be pre - mapped for the system to do work ) . When it ’s time to take over full control , Cadillac also now offer a unsighted - place camera organisation , but its low resolution and the elbow room it takes over the entire central element of the dashboard screen were not up to the standard of a six - figure fomite .
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ: driving experience
The Escalade IQ ’s chassis and powertrain make the veritable Escalade smell like the old schoolhouse truck that it is . The electric Escalade features adaptive breeze break , a more rigid anatomical structure thanks to its integrated stamp battery pack , and powerful dual electric motors , one turning each axle . But it proves that you ca n’t cheat physics .
That 200 - kilowatt - minute battery pack , consisting of 24 modules pile in two layers , might aid structural rigidness , but it also adds a lot of weight . Like its Chevy Silverado EV , GMC Sierra EV , and GMC Hummer EV platform - mates , the Escalade IQ outdo the maximum weight for rider car . As far as Union regulations are interest , it ’s a gravid - duty truck .
It certainly drives like one . Handling is a second more confidence - inspiring thanthe Sierra EV , but that ’s to be expected given that there is n’t a pickup seam out back . It would presumably be even worse without the Escalade IQ ’s four - steering wheel steering system , the force of which was laborious to observe . And while vast wheels and low - profile tyre have been an obligatory Escalade mode accessory since the former 2000s , they contributed to ride quality that was decidedly un - luxurious .
The Escalade IQ essay that you ca n’t chisel physics .
As with the other cock-a-hoop GM EVs , the Escalade intelligence quotient attempts to make up for profound handling and ride - quality issues with company tricks . The double - motor powertrain get 750 horsepower and 785 pound - feet of torque , which pretend the Escalade IQ as quick as a mutation machine . It ’ll do zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.7 seconds using the Velocity Max launching mood , Cadillac tell , but keep hand truck - comparable capability with an 8,000 - pound towing content .
Velocity Max is a rebranding of the Watts to Freedom ( WTF ) and wide-cut Open Watts ( WOW ) modes from GMC and Chevy , respectively , and similarly the Escalade IQ get its own adaptation of the sideways - crabbing mode available from those brand , called Arrival Mode . A Lowrider Mode also slams the suspension down , which looks cool as heck , but only works at downhearted speeds or while parked .
Features like these are fun , and automakers should unquestionably go forward doing them , but once the novelty fag out off you ’re lead with a fomite that is n’t any better to drive than its internal - burning counterpart .
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ: range and charging
That 200 - kWh gang provides a Cadillac - estimated 460 miles of kitchen stove . That ’s the same as in the GMC Sierra EV pickup , and make the Escalade IQamong the long - range EVscurrently usable . However , such a tumid camp will take a long time to recharge without a powerful charging place .
Cadillac pronounce the Escalade IQ can recover 100 naut mi of range of mountains in 10 minutes when DC tight charging , but that ’s only with the most - sinewy 350 - kilowatt connection . Many public dissipated chargers are still lower - power , which will add a lot more time to route - trip charging sessions .
Similarly , Cadillac quotes the ability to go back 36.5 miles of kitchen range per time of day of stage 2 AC charging , but that only applies to the optional 19.2 - kW onboard charger , not the received 11.5 - kilowatt unit . In this case , at least , we ’re mainly talk about home charging where vehicle will likely be left to tear overnight after being a comparatively short distance during the 24-hour interval .
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ: How DT would configure this car
The Escalade IQ finally marries mechanical tech with infotainment tech , but the resultant role still is n’t very pleasant to drive . So why bother ?
The $ 7,500 Executive Second rowing option takes full reward of the Escalade IQ ’s main asset — space — by adding sincerely gilded appointments . The reclining seats and full center console give more traditional sumptuosity vehicle a run for their money . This choice does need the rear - seat entertainment scheme ( $ 1,995 ) and a $ 22,290 upgrade from the al-Qa’ida Luxury 1 trim story to Luxury 2 , though . Hopefully livery company will take that hit .
If you ca n’t hire a chauffeur , the Escalade IQ does n’t make as much sentiency . Smaller three - row electric sport utility vehicle like theRivian R1SandVolvo EX90are much nicer to drive and wo n’t make your route - tripper programme reliant on finding a 350 - kW fast charger . Cadillac also has its ownsmaller three - quarrel electric SUV — the Vistiq — on the way for the 2026 modelling class , and the two - rowCadillac Lyriqremains one of the most substantial luxury SUVs for its price — electric or otherwise .
The Escalade IQ seems to mostly exist so that GM could market an galvanizing Escalade . It repackages the powertrain , chassis , and shelling technical school from the automaker ’s more rugged galvanising S.U.V. and pickups with a nice interior and slightly improved drive dynamics . That might make for a compelling corporate product plan , but for anyone who has to do their own driving , it does n’t make for a compelling EV .
