New flagship EV screams
luxury, power and wealth

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 21, 2024) All new for the 2025 model year, the Cadillac Escalade IQ is a fully electric supersized opulent SUV that joins the brands Lyric SUV and ultra luxe Celestiq and set to compete with competitors Mercedes-Benz EQS, Range Rover EV, Rivian R1S and BMW iX.

While we haven't yet driven the IQ, we have every expectation it will be a superb flagship SUV by every measure of luxurious enormity powered by a 750-horsepower all-electric powertrain serving to an antonymic surrogate to its gas-only Escalade V sibling with an unquenchable EPA-rated thirst of just 11 mpg city rating. The Escalade IQ is expected to have a 450-mile driving range.



Riding on 24-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch tires at the corners, everything about the Escalade IQ is big, bold, massive from its 200 kWh usable battery capacity, maximum driving range, pillar to pillar driver dashboard display that spans the entirety of the dash, some 66-inches of digital real estate with most tech features operated with merely a touch of a finger. Its 224 inch bumper to bumper length is more than a foot longer that a gas-powered Escalade making it more like the extended length Escalade ESV.

Exterior styling is nothing less than dramatic with no one accusing Cadillac of being subtle. Aerodynamics and smooth lines dominate the looks delivering some 15% coefficient of drag improvement over previous models. The grille is blacked-out, flanked with upright illuminators courtesy of multiple LED elements that animate welcome and goodbye patterns.

Side view detailing accentuates the sloping roofline and detailing at the rear with divided upright tail lamp clusters.The look is elegant, futuristic, thoroughly interesting. At the front is a sizable 12.2 cubic foot trunk that Cadillac calls "eTrunk" with room for two full size golf bags.

Inside, cosseting luxuries and styling flourishes. Opt for the Executive second-row seating package and passengers will be treated to dual reclining captain's chairs with heated, cooled, and massage functionality and personal 12.6-inch display screens, storable tray tables, dual wireless phone charging and more. The power folding third row is a bit snug but room for three.



Other niceties include Cadillac's standard hands-free driving Super Cruise, blind zone steering assist, automatic parking assist, standard four-wheel steering with rear wheels turning up to 10-degrees to reduce turning circles, front and rear air suspension to rain and lower the ground clearance, the optional "Cadillac Arrival Mode" allowing the IQ to crab-walk diagonally in and out of tight parking spaces, 800-volt DC fast charging capability with the ability to recoup at least 100 miles of range in 10 minutes.

The Escalade IQ is available in four trim levels, Luxury 1 and 2, Sport 1 and 2. All wheel drive is standard.

VITAL STATS:

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ
Base Prices: $127,700 - $148,200
Powertrain: Dual electric motor 24 module 200+ kWh lithium-ion battery powering AWD delivering up to 750-horsepower.
Driving Range: 450 miles (test)
Seating: 7

Fab Features:
Fully electric version of iconic pop culture Escalade
Diagonal "crab walking" parking capability
Massive size, luxury, power, tech, driving range