2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Is Electric (Boogie Oogie Oogie)

Competes with: BMW iX, GMC Hummer EV SUV, Rivian R1S, Tesla Model X

Looks like: A more sophisticated, streamlined crossover-style SUV akin to the latest Range Rovers or Lincoln Aviator

Powertrain: Ultium all-electric powertrain with up to 750 horsepower and 785 pounds-feet of torque; all-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: TBD, production scheduled to begin in the summer of 2024

GM’s electrification push via its Cadillac marque continues with the all-new 2025 Escalade IQ electric vehicle. The gas-only Escalade was already more technologically advanced than many EVs, so the Escalade IQ doesn’t really need to do much more to compete in the small but growing luxury EV SUV segment.

Related: Cadillac Teases All-Electric Escalade IQ

Cadillac promises up to 750 horsepower and 785 pounds-feet of torque from the Escalade IQ’s Ultium powertrain — which tracks with other GM EVs — along with an estimated 450 miles of range. We don’t know exact pricing yet, but the Escalade IQ will start around $130,000 (including destination), which will be more expensive than Cadillac’s gas-powered Escalade as well as its all-electric Lyriq.

EV Looks

According to Cadillac, its design intent was to make the Escalade IQ recognizable as an Escalade while taking advantage of its EV architecture in ways it can’t with the gas-only Escalade. The result is a sleeker, curvier, Escalade-shaped full-size SUV with what Cadillac says is its most aerodynamic full-size SUV ever. (That sounds like a fairly low bar, considering most full-size SUVs are about as aerodynamic as a house.) The biggest styling departure from the current Escalade takes place at the D-pillars, which are angled instead of upright and give the Escalade IQ more of a Range Rover look. The new design also pushes the wheels farther toward the corners, giving the Escalade IQ a more athletic stance. Vertical lighting elements front and rear are used here to further tie the Escalade IQ’s look to the Escalade. Gigantic 24-inch wheels add a touch of aggressiveness.

As this is a luxury EV, Cadillac gets to have a little fun with things. The exterior doors are available with a power open and close feature, and the charge port powers open when touched. There’s also a 12-cubic-foot front trunk compartment dubbed the eTrunk that Cadillac says can hold two golf bags — the official cargo measurement standard of all GM vehicles. Additional lighting elements in the front are also possible without the need for a traditional grille.

The Escalade IQ will be available in both Luxury and Sport grades; the former gets shinier brushed-aluminum exterior trim, while the latter has darker, more menacing metal trim pieces.

Technophile and Audiophile’s Friend Inside

Inside the Escalade IQ, the technological centerpiece is its 55-inch curved LED display akin to the Celestiq’s (the gas Escalade only gets 38 inches). Cadillac says it will be powered by Qualcomm’s next-gen Snapdragon Cockpit Platform and includes “intuitive virtual Smart Controls”; the example given is knowing to bring up its universal remote control technology as the vehicle approaches its garage. The system also includes Google Built-In, which hasn’t always been our favorite application in other GM vehicles. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will not be included.

As a luxury SUV, Cadillac wanted to create a feature for the chauffeured class, too, so the Escalade IQ is available with an Executive Second-Row Seating Package that includes massaging second-row seats, stowable tray tables, 12.6-inch touchscreen displays and a command center screen, two extra wireless device charges, and USB-C and HDMI ports.

The power-folding third row of seats folds flat when it’s not needed; passengers in the third row won’t sit under the standard fixed panoramic glass roof that covers the first and second rows, which should make the cabin feel airier. Cadillac says the glass is both tinted and treated with a film to help block ultraviolet rays and keep the cabin cooler on sunny days.

Audiophiles might want to opt for the Executive Second-Row Seating Package, as it also adds a premium 40-speaker AKG Studio Reference stereo. Higher trim levels without the package will have to make due with only 36 speakers from its AKG Studio Reference stereo, while a 19-speaker AKG Studio (no Reference) unit is standard.

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Powertrain and Other Mechanicals

While GM won’t share all the details about its Ultium powertrains, in this application, Cadillac says the Escalade IQ can produce up to 750 horsepower and 785 pounds-feet when in Velocity Max mode, which should push the SUV to a 0-60 mph time under five seconds and makes us wonder just how much the Escalade IQ weighs. Cadillac says the Escalade IQ’s maximum range is an estimated 450 miles; expect much less than that if you’re taking advantage of its 8,000-pound maximum towing capacity. GM hasn’t provided an official charging rate figure but says with DC fast charging, the Escalade IQ can add 100 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes. Other Ultium-powered GM EVs can take full advantage of 350-kilowatt public charging stations. The Escalade IQ can charge at up to 19.2 kilowatts on Level 2 home charging equipment capable of delivering that much power, which adds a GM-estimated 37 miles of range each hour. The included charging equipment can deliver up to 7.7 kW of juice when plugged into a 240-volt outlet, which Cadillac says will add just under 15 miles of range per hour.

The Escalade IQ comes standard with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and an adaptive air suspension; Cadillac says it can be lowered up to 2 inches and raised up to 1 inch from its standard ride height. Four-wheel steering will aid in maneuverability, particularly at low speeds, and the Escalade IQ also comes with Cadillac Arrival Mode, which is what Cadillac calls its version of the CrabWalk feature first seen on the GMC Hummer EV; it should allow the Escalade IQ to move diagonally at low speeds. Low Ride Mode also enables drivers to move the Escalade IQ at low speeds at the lowest possible ride height.

Cadillac also says the Escalade IQ will offer both vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-home bidirectional charging capabilities (the latter when paired with Ultium Home products). The vehicle-to-home feature will not be available at launch but should be added via an over-the-air update to 2025 models sometime after launch. GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving technology will also be available.

Pricing and Release Date

Cadillac has not yet announced pricing for the Escalade IQ, though it’ll be more than a nicely equipped gas-only Escalade or the high-performance Escalade V, starting around $130,000. Cadillac says production is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2024 but has not yet announced an official on-sale date. Stay tuned.

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