Cadillac Escalade IQ: electric giant with 725 kilometers of range

The Cadillac Escalade has been the model of which Cadillac sells the most copies annually for several years. The Escalade started life in 1999 as a Cadillac-badged and more pampering GMC Yukon Denali, but after its first generation change it really got its own body. Although the Escalade always remained the Cadillac version of cars like the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban, it was never seen from the outside again. The Escalade became wildly popular in video clips and films and acquired a reputation as an opulent pats SUV at the start of this decade. Although the SUV, especially in its home country of the United States, enjoys a different appearance than here in Europe, the Escalade has never been modest. Although the previous Escalade was also available with a hybrid powertrain, the current one is only available with V8 petrol engines and with a six-in-line diesel. That remains the case. However, it is this brand new Cadillac Escalade IQ that connects the Escalade name with the real electric world.

More than spacious

The current generation Escalade, which has only been running since 2021, will have an electric sister model in the form of this Cadillac Escalade IQ. The Escalade IQ is Caddy’s answer to cars like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and, like the electric Lyriq and Celestiq, is on General Motors’ Ultium platform. That basis is also under cars such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV and even under the Prologue from Honda.

Cadillac Escalade IQ: Complete with huge frunk.

The electric Cadillac Escalade IQ measures 5.7 meters in length and is therefore more than 30 centimeters longer than the regular current Escalade with combustion engines, but is about 6 centimeters shorter than its extended version. Its wheelbase is a decent 3.46 meters. The colossus is 2.17 meters wide (excluding side mirrors…), 1.93 meters high and stands on no less than 24-inch measuring slippers. The Escalade IQ is also a seven-seater and, according to the Americans, you should be able to store 670 liters of stuff behind the third row of seats. Fiercely. In addition, the Escalade IQ also under the front cover – the frunk – has a usable luggage compartment with a capacity of 345 litres.

Heavy power, heavy range

Cadillac can of course give the Escalade IQ a pretty hefty powertrain. So it does. Two electric motors together are basically good for 687 hp and 834 Nm, but pump into what Cadillac de Velocity Maxmode calls a whopping 761 hp and 1,064 Nm to the asphalt. In that mode, the electric giant sprints to a speed of 97 km/h (60 mph) in less than 5 seconds. Those electric motors draw their zest for life from a 200 kWh battery pack. According to Cadillac, the Escalade will get there more than 725 kilometers. In 10 minutes you should be able to recharge for 160 kilometers of electric pleasure.

Cadillac Escalade

In terms of design, the Escalade IQ fits neatly between the aforementioned Lyriq, Celestiq and the Optiq, which is yet to be officially revealed. The model has an impressive front with large vertical light units and LED daytime running elements centrally in the muzzle. The taillights are cut into two parts just like the other two existing electric Cadillacs. Cadillac screws a huge 55-inch curved screen into the Escalade IQ and of course brings its Super Cruise driving system that enables semi-autonomous driving to its EV. Thanks to four-wheel steering, the giant should also be relatively easy to steer around a tight corner. Parking convenience with an Escalade, it exists.

The Cadillac Escalade IQ will cost a minimum of $130,000 in the United States. A regular Escalade costs at least about $81,000. The electric Lyriq changes hands from about $ 59,000. The Celestiq – the absolute top model – is many times more expensive and has a starting price of around $340,000.