• The primary electrical model of the Cadillac Escalade begins round $130,000 and goes on sale in summer season 2024.
• Clear-sheet design means this Escalade isn’t based mostly on the Chevrolet Tahoe or Suburban.
• Customary options embrace rear-wheel steering, 24-inch wheels, and a 55-inch touchscreen show.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ appears to be like totally different, does not it?

The change is becoming contemplating that is the primary all-electric Escalade mannequin, denoted by the “IQ” suffix the model has been bolting to its EV fashions such because the Lyriq and Celestiq. Hey, simply be glad they did not name it the “Escaladiq.”

The Escalade IQ continues the design theme of these autos, each within the italic L-shaped motif forward of the D-pillar and in how its fascia and rear perform a little mild present as you strategy.

Being an Escalade, although, the IQ is not about subtlety or restraint. Take into account that it’ll have upward of 750 horsepower, an estimated 450 miles of vary, and a worth of round $130,000 when it goes on sale in summer season 2024.

Dimension and Platform Particulars

The design represents freedom from the constraints imposed on the common Escalade by its being based mostly on the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. As a substitute, the IQ is constructed on related fundamentals because the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Which means GM’s Ultium 24-module battery pack sits beneath, with a usable capability of over 200.0 kWh and the flexibility of including 100 miles of vary in 10 minutes at a correctly functioning DC fast-charger (emphasis on “correctly”). At residence, the place most individuals cost most incessantly, the IQ helps 19.2 kW AC, which provides round 37 miles of vary in an hour.

Increase (or Decrease) Your IQ

In comparison with the Escalade ESV, the IQ is longer each by way of wheelbase (136.2 inches) and total size (224.3 inches). It is wider too, at 85.3 inches. The general dimension enhance is such that the usual 24-inch wheels look deceptively small.

These wheels match the scale of these supplied on the upcoming Silverado EV RST, and so they’re wrapped in 275/50 tires; that is 35 inches of rubber. That presumably substantial mass is managed by MagneRide dampers and air springs that may elevate and decrease the IQ by one and two inches, respectively.

Regardless of the similarity in dimension, the IQ’s rear-wheel steering permits a 39.4-foot turning diameter, which is barely lower than that of the usual, short-wheelbase Escalade, at 39.7 toes. For comparability, the long-wheelbase ESV’s turning diameter is 43.3 toes.

Additionally cribbed from the Hummer EV playbook is CrabWalk, the place the rear wheels flip in section with the fronts to maneuver the car diagonally. Right here, the characteristic is dubbed Cadillac Arrival Mode, and its intention is generally to indicate off on the valet.

Energy and Acceleration

A drive mode referred to as Velocity Max permits 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. Cadillac reps say this stays lively and the facility stays obtainable till you alter modes or flip the important thing off, a welcome change from automakers with autos that solely present peak energy momentarily. Within the common drive mode, output is 680 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque.

With entrance and rear motors powering all 4 wheels, Cadillac claims 60-mph acceleration of lower than 5 seconds in Velocity Max. We’re guessing the time isn’t doubtless a lot much less as to problem the 4.3-second end result we recorded from the Escalade V, for the reason that IQ will assuredly weigh considerably greater than that car’s 6290 kilos. Cadillac reps would not say how way more, however we determine someplace between the 9640-pound GMC Hummer truck and 8660-pound SUV.

The IQ may also have an 8000-pound tow score, however we propose studying up on the perils of towing with an EV, as we have examined.

Inside

After all, a six-figure Escalade would not be full with out some showmanship inside. What seems to be a single show that stretches 55 inches diagonally throughout your entire sprint is definitely two screens: one 35-inch show for the motive force and a 25-inch display for the passenger, partitioned as a result of the passenger’s facet is polarized so the motive force cannot be distracted by it when the car is out of park.

Whereas the prototype construct we noticed wasn’t absolutely practical, the display and its Google Constructed-In integration appeared good. Alas, Apple CarPlay isn’t supported, which is a significant mistake from our perspective.

Additionally disappointing is the absence of bodily switches. Beneath that 55-inch display mixture sits yet one more show. This 11-inch touchscreen is the place you modify issues just like the five-zone local weather controls and ambient lighting—the doorways too, in the event that they’re outfitted with the facility open-and-close characteristic. When enabled, this technique can robotically open the motive force door when it senses your strategy, and a radar system within the door reduces the prospect of its touching one other car or the wall in your storage.

All Escalade IQ fashions will include second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40-split energy third row. An obtainable Govt Second Row provides a rear middle console with yet one more touchscreen show, storage, 12.6-inch rear headrest screens with HDMI inputs, and captain’s chairs with heating, air flow, and therapeutic massage. There are even storable tray tables. So outfitted, the variety of AKG-branded audio system reaches 40.

A merely monumental sunroof reaches the again of the second row. Whereas the tinted glass is handled with UV-filtering movie to scale back warmth switch, you may need to order a shade as an adjunct if you need one—we’d.

Storage and Different Tech

As with many EVs, the IQ takes benefit of not having an engine or transmission. A entrance storage space (which Cadillac actually desires you to name the “eTrunk”) holds greater than 12 cubic toes of stuff, and an obtainable accent tray slides ahead and rearward for simpler entry. As a substitute of a transmission tunnel beneath the middle console, there is a sizable bin.

It’s also possible to anticipate a bevy of different Cadillac options, from Tremendous Cruise hands-free driving, a complete exterior digicam system, a parallel parking help characteristic, and even an alphanumeric code on the rear (“1000E4” on this case) that continues the model’s foolish development of badges that convert a car’s torque from pound-feet to newton-meters after which rounding to the closest 100. The “E” is for electrical, the “4” for the variety of pushed wheels. Certainly, this info will amaze the group on the valet after you’ve got Cadillac-Arrival-Mode-ed sideways into place.

Deputy Editor, Video

From promoting them to testing them, Carlos Lago has spent his total grownup life consumed by automobiles. He at the moment drives the inventive behind Automotive and Driver video.