The Cadillac Escalade has long been synonymous with American luxurious and presence. It’s a car that does not genuinely shipping you; it makes an arrival. Now, due to the fact the car global quickens inside the direction of an electric powered future, Cadillac is electrifying its most iconic nameplate. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ isn’t actually an electric powered powered version of the acquainted SUV; it’s a entire reimagining, constructed from the ground up on GM’s Ultium platform. Stepping inside the again of the wheel for a first force supplied a captivating glimpse into how Cadillac plans to preserve its dominance within the large luxurious phase inside the EV technology. This Car Review dives deep into what makes the Escalade IQ a clearly huge shift.
From the instantaneous you see it, the Escalade IQ instructions attention, but in a tremendously current manner. While it maintains the unmistakable Escalade silhouette, its design is smoother, extra aerodynamic, and undeniably futuristic. The signature vertical lights elements are there, but they’re slimmer, included seamlessly into the fascia. It’s a layout that manages to look both familiar and modern-day, a fancy stability Cadillac appears to have struck successfully.
Standing Against the Electric Titans
The panorama of huge luxury electric powered powered SUVs is rapidly evolving. The Escalade IQ enters a hoop with formidable warring parties, every bringing their private interpretation of high-give up electric powered mobility. How does Cadillac’s electric powered powered flagship stack up towards mounted gamers and green folks?
| Feature | 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ | Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV | Rivian R1S Quad-Motor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Range | Up to 460 miles | Up to 305 miles (EQS 450 4MATIC) | 300-320 miles (Large pack) |
| Estimated HP | Up to 750 HP (Velocity Max) | Up to 536 HP (EQS 580 4MATIC) | Up to 835 HP |
| 0-60 mph (est.) | 4.7 seconds | 4.5 seconds | 3.0 seconds |
| Battery Size | 205 kWh | 108.4 kWh | 135 kWh (Large pack) |
| Starting MSRP | ~$130,000 | ~$106,000 | ~$76,000 |
Note: Specs are estimates and vary by way of way of trim and configuration. Rivian R1S Quad-Motor pricing is considerably decrease but desires a one-of-a-type niche.
While the EQS SUV leans into sleek, aerodynamic luxurious and the R1S gives rugged, adventurous functionality, the Escalade IQ firmly flora its flag in the conventional huge luxury SUV region, bringing electrification to that particular, disturbing patron. Its sheer period and recognition on opulent comfort set it aside.
Key Insights from the Driver’s Seat
Sliding into the motive force’s seat of the Escalade IQ is an enjoy in itself. The strength-assisted doorways go with the flow open, revealing a cabin that redefines expensive and technology.
An Interior Masterclass in Digital Opulence
The absolute centerpiece is the lovable, pillar-to-pillar fifty 5-inch diagonal LED show. It’s now not handiest a display; it’s an integrated digital panorama that homes the tool cluster, infotainment, and a devoted passenger show. Powered with the aid of Google built-in, the interface is normally intuitive, though the sheer scale takes a few being used to. While the absence of Apple CarPlay is probably a aspect of contention for a few, the native tool is strong and characteristic-wealthy, offering navigation, media, and car controls at your fingertips.
Beyond the display display screen, the indoors is a sanctuary of top class substances. Soft-touch surfaces, proper timber or metal accents, and amazing sewing are determined at some stage in. The available Executive Second Row Seating Package elevates the enjoy in addition with massaging, heated, and ventilated captain’s chairs and character displays, turning the rear cabin into a quality suite. The hobby to detail, from the ambient lights to the to be had forty-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio device, is in reality breathtaking.
Driving Dynamics
Underneath the high-priced pores and skin lies a effective dual-motor, all-wheel-pressure system. In its fashionable mode, it may offer a robust 680 horsepower, but enticing Velocity Max mode unleashes the complete 750 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque. While a zero-60 mph time of round 4.7 seconds is exquisite for a car of this duration, the acceleration isn’t the neck-snapping jolt you can find in lighter EVs. Instead, it’s miles a clean, relentless surge of strength that resultseasily propels this massive SUV ahead.
What definitely surprises is the Escalade IQ’s maneuverability. Thanks to conventional 4-wheel steering, this behemoth feels a ways more nimble than its dimensions advise. Navigating tight parking plenty or executing U-turns is remarkably smooth, shrinking the perceived length of the auto from at the back of the wheel. The Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and Magnetic Ride Control artwork in live performance to provide a journey first rate this in all fairness smooth and composed, gliding over maximum street imperfections. While it can experience a bit floaty over undulating surfaces, it largely succeeds in handing over that traditional, cloud-like Escalade ride. Body roll is properly-controlled for a car of this stature, even though you are constantly privy to its tremendous mass.
Range and Recharging
A principal difficulty for any large EV is range, and the Escalade IQ objectives to alleviate that with a extremely good 205 kWh Ultium battery %, supplying a Cadillac-expected kind of as much as 460 miles. This locations it most of the leaders inside the segment and need to be greater than enough for optimum each day the use of needs or even longer street journeys.
When it entails charging, the Escalade IQ allows 800-volt DC speedy charging, allowing it to feature a massive quantity of range in a as a substitute brief time. Cadillac estimates you could add as a good deal as 100 miles of variety in about 10 mins at a 350 kW DC fast charger. For home charging, it allows as much as 19.2 kW AC charging, that would upload a awesome amount of variety in a single day. The inclusion of a twin-degree charging twine and compatibility with the developing network of NACS chargers (thru an adapter) provides in addition consolation.
Conclusion
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is more than simply an electric powered powered SUV; it’s far a assertion. It takes the familiar, loved Escalade components and injects it with current electric powered generation and a level of interior pricey and virtual integration that pushes the bounds. While its length and weight are undeniable factors in its riding dynamics, the 4-wheel steerage and complicated suspension structures do an admirable method of protecting its bulk.
This is a luxurious automobile first and essential, providing a certainly cushty, quiet, and technologically advanced cabin. The fantastic variety and speedy-charging skills deal with key issues for EV adoption on this phase. For the patron who desires the presence and luxury of a conventional Escalade however is prepared to include an electric powered powered future without compromise, the Escalade IQ offers a compelling, albeit highly-priced, proposition. It’s a car that indicators Cadillac’s important reason to live a frontrunner in the luxurious area because the organization transitions to electric powered power.
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