It’s over 9,000! Kilos to be particular. Whereas Goku or Vegeta would haven’t any hassle lifting this American tank and hurling it to the following photo voltaic system, 9,000 lbs (4,082 kg) for an SUV is taken into account gargantuan and metaphysical in our three dimensions. That is the all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ, a seven-passenger behemoth that hauls and hops in extravagant fashion. Nobody does giant and in cost higher than Cadillac, and their flagship electrical SUV comes with their most superior connectivity options and a good zero-emission vary.
For transparency, it’s difficult to search out a precise curb weight for this car, as Cadillac cheekily exempted any weight figures from their press releases, however just a few respected automotive publications have weighed the Escalade IQ on their very own, and it’s tipped the scales at over 9,100 lbs, or 4,127 kg. That’s heavier than the most important Ford Transit cargo van and even the Mercedes-AMG G63 6X6, however for good motive. The Escalade IQ is provided with each creature consolation discovered on this planet, in abundance. Simply have a look at the quantity and dimension of the cupholders, and there will not be one, however 4 wi-fi charging pads on your smartphones – most fashionable vehicles usually have one, and even then, it’s solely provided on their most costly trims.
When was the final time you noticed 24-inch wheels on a manufacturing car? To our information, solely the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe come geared up with this wheel dimension straight from the manufacturing unit. They add to the Escalade’s grand visible assertion with exaggerated proportions and a tall, imposing stature. The obnoxiously giant frontal space hides a large frunk, however to say it captures consideration on the street is a grave understatement. It cranks necks like witnessing an M4 Sherman tank casually strolling down a crowded Yonge and Bloor.
In comparison with the Vary Rover PHEV SWB that we not too long ago reviewed, this short-wheelbase Escalade IQ has a 457 mm longer wheelbase, is 645 mm longer general, 46 mm wider, and sits 66 mm larger. It additionally weighs 1,400 kg greater than the Brit, the equal of a Porsche 718 Cayman. Notably, the Black Raven paint hides its silhouette successfully in its shadows, however be cautious of brighter colors exaggerating its dimension even additional. If that’s not sufficient, Cadillac provides a long-wheelbase variant referred to as the Escalade IQL, with a 100 mm extension in third-row legroom, and one other 25 mm in headroom.
The inside is cavernous. The 55-inch curved display screen dominates the dashboard and works properly with each contact and rotary dial inputs. Just like the Porsche Taycan and Genesis GV70, the wheel rim blocks a lot of the display screen in entrance, however Google integration permits the Escalade for use like an Android cellphone or Google House. Ask Google to take you dwelling, modify the temperature, or discover the closest charging station utilizing voice instructions. This low studying curve makes it intuitive and easy to transition into possession; nevertheless, it notably lacks Apple CarPlay.
The Cadillac Escalade IQ begins at $157,399, with our Sport 2 take a look at car costing $194,589 earlier than taxes and charges. That places it towards the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 SUV ($158,500), Hummer EV 3X ($144,098), Lucid Gravity Grand Touring ($134,500), and Rivian R1S Twin Normal ($143,890), however all of them lack the inside area and facilities to degree the enjoying discipline towards the Cadillac. The seats are spacious sufficient to suit a twin subsequent to me comfortably, and supportive sufficient with heated, ventilated, and therapeutic massage features to go away me feeling contemporary after a protracted journey. Quite a few changes for lumbar, thigh, and again help guarantee passengers of all sizes can discover their optimum seating place, and the identical goes for the second row of seats.
In case your Escalade is destined for fleet responsibility or ferrying round essential passengers, we extremely suggest the Government Second Row Seating Package deal ($11,395) that transforms the second row right into a first-class seat. Effectively, extra of a mixture of premium economic system and enterprise class with the fold-out tray tables, particular person rear screens, and therapeutic massage, reclining, reminiscence seats, all commanded via the middle touchscreen. Like Rolls-Royces, all 4 doorways, and even the charging port, are electronically automated. From each entrance and rear screens, you possibly can swipe the doorways open and shut them as properly, making the Escalade the proper chauffeuring car, classes realized from Japanese taxis. Drivers can even press the brake pedal after coming into to shut their door mechanically.
Nonetheless, lots of the touchpoints and materials qualities used within the Escalade IQ aren’t as much as the requirements anticipated from a European product. So when you’re migrating over from a Vary Rover or BMW X7 searching for extra spacious lodging, it’s possible you’ll be dissatisfied by the match and end. The middle console cowl is flimsy in its slot, the leather-based is delicate however stiffer and lacks that plushness when grazing your pores and skin, and Cadillac makes use of an excessive amount of black, plastic, shiny panels. The metallic door handles are straight from the half-mil Celestiq, nevertheless it’s tough to miss a budget cupholder partitions and scratchy panels behind the middle console.
Lots of the dials and buttons are properly textured and knurled, however they don’t really feel as satisfying to make use of. Cadillac does make up for it with the sheer amount of them, with loads of storage compartments, hidden cubbies beneath the middle consoles, and the ergonomic superiority of bodily switchgear. Nonetheless, we nonetheless discover it nonsensical that adjusting the rear seat recline needs to be completed through the touchscreen, requiring extra effort and time than needed, particularly when the fold-up tables are up and blocking display screen entry.
Each Escalade IQ comes with the identical electrical powertrain, a 205 kWh lithium-ion battery paired with an electrical motor on every axle, producing a most of 750 hp and 785 lb-ft. Cadillac claims a variety of 748 km, whereas our driving yielded a nonetheless spectacular 732 km, sufficient to shed any issues of vary nervousness, and superior to the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 SUV (510 km), BMW iX xDrive60 (586 km), Volvo EX90 (495 km), and Mercedes-Benz G 580 EQ (398 km).
The Escalade drives as you’d count on: steamrolling and melting every thing beneath its sheer gravity and weight. That monstrous output is absolutely unleashed by activating Vmax mode through the pink ‘V’ button on the steering wheel. The result’s good ol’ original torque steer because the wheels squirm for traction and pull the automotive left to proper, struggling to remain straight. Finest to make use of care if there are vehicles beside you.
In any other case, it’s comparatively straightforward to drive with average steering effort at low speeds. Lateral roll is dealt with fairly properly; it stays flat and in management round medium-speed bends, and stays compliant on glassier surfaces. The place it struggles to keep up composure is with vertical oscillations, leading to a busy experience with an underlying firmness typical of pickup vans. The Escalade doesn’t neutralize smaller suspension actions as ably as a Vary Rover PHEV or Lexus LX 700h, however we don’t doubt that smaller wheels will enhance the experience high quality.
We have now run out of superlatives to explain this massive electrical rig, but when the last-gen Escalade was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, then this IQ is the total double-decker Airbus A380 retrofitted with the newest devices. Cadillac’s flagship isn’t shy about its dimension or grandeur, and embraces it loudly and proudly in typical American fashion. Whereas materials high quality and match and end have by no means been the model’s sturdy swimsuit, its colossal inside, first-rate luxuries, and abundance of screens and wi-fi charging pads are sufficient to remodel anxious commutes into restful journeys.
Mannequin: 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Sport 2 AWD
Paint Kind: Black Raven
Base Worth: $177,499
Worth as Examined: $194,589
Wheelbase(mm): 3,454
Size/Width/Top (mm): 5,697 / 2,093 / 1,933
Curb weight (kg): 4,130 (approx.)
Powertrain: 205 kWh lithium-ion battery, two electrical motors
Horsepower: 750 hp
Torque: 785 lb-ft
Transmission: Direct-drive
Engine & Drive Configuration: Entrance and rear electrical motor, AWD
Claimed Vary: 748 km
Noticed Vary: 732 km
Tires: Michelin Primacy LTX; LT275/50R24
