Introducing The All-Electric 2025 Cadillac ESCALADE IQ

Feast your eyes on the first-ever all-electric 2025 Cadillac ESCALADE IQ, a reimagination of the luxury full-size SUV experience, brimming with iconic design, the highest level of craftsmanship and the latest automotive technology.

Offering an estimated 450 miles of range, the Cadillac ESCALADE IQ features a whole slew of features, including a curved pillar-to-pillar 55-inch LED display, available Super Cruise driver assistance technology, vehicle-to-home bidirectional charging technology with GM Energy’s available Ultium Home products, luxurious appointments with a bold interior and exterior design, no-compromise performance, and zero tailpipe emissions.

This is about as far removed from the rip-roaring, gas-guzzling 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V that we drove last year. With 682 horsepower and 653 lb-ft of torque on tap, that sucker delivered sportscar like performance despite its massive size, rocketing from 0-60 in just 4.4 seconds and clearing the quarter-mile in 12.74 seconds at 110 mph. But that’s not to say the ESCALADE IQ isn’t plenty fast in its own right.

“ESCALADE IQ raises the standard just as the original Escalade redefined luxury a quarter-century ago,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. “This reimagining of an icon marks the next step in Cadillac’s all-electric future. For more than 120 years, Cadillac’s bold innovative spirit has defined American luxury.“The ESCALADE IQ embodies this spirit in the most sophisticated form.”

The ESCALADE IQ was envisioned to be the best-driving, most maneuverable Escalade to date, and the collaboration between Cadillac Engineering and Design ensured the production model remained faithful to the goal.

It’s the first full-size SUV from Cadillac built on GM’s innovative and modular EV propulsion architecture, the Ultium Platform, and incorporates GM’s Ultifi software platform to support and deliver software updates to its expansive technologies. Its dedicated EV architecture enables ESCALADE IQ’s bold design and performance characteristics, from its expressive silhouette and generous space — for passengers and cargo — to its driving performance.

“ESCALADE IQ is first and foremost a Cadillac and delivers on a promise of innovative design supported by spirited performance and cutting-edge technologies,” said Jamie Brewer, executive chief engineer, ESCALADE IQ. “The EV-specific architecture allows us to deliver a driving experience aligned with Cadillac’s philosophy of isolated precision — quiet, smooth and effortless with a strong connection to the road for an engaging experience.”

When it comes to performance, ESCALADE IQ features independent front and rear suspension, with power transferred to 24-inch wheels with 35-inch tires via front and rear drive motors that work in conjunction as an eAWD system.

A suite of fully integrated advanced technologies including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and Adaptive Air Ride Suspension isolate passengers from undesirable road surfaces while providing precise steering and feel. The Adaptive Air Ride Suspension system enables the vehicle to be lowered up to 2-inches and raised 1-inch, while additional features such as the standard Four-Wheel Steer, available Cadillac Arrival Mode and Low Ride Mode enhance capability as well as the ESCALADE IQ’s presence.

Four-Wheel Steer reduces the turning diameter to only 39.4 feet at lower speeds and reduces the turning diameter by more than 6.5 feet for greater maneuverability in parking lots and tighter overall turning radius. It also enhances handling and stability at higher speed, particularly when trailering.

Cadillac Arrival Mode is a unique Four-Wheel Steer feature that allows the ESCALADE IQ to move diagonally, making it easier when pulling into or out of tight spaces, while making a statement. (Similar to the GMC Hummer EV Crab Walk feature)

Low Ride Mode enables the ESCALADE IQ to be driven at low speeds with the suspension fully lowered. Not sure what the use case is for this, but it sounds… interesting.

A 24-module Ultium battery serves as the foundation of the Cadillac ESCALADE IQ, producing more than 200 kWh of available energy. It also employs a flexible, high-voltage architecture that enables 800-volt DC fast charging, the quickest form of charging currently available, providing up to 100 miles of range in 10 minutes of charge time.. assuming you can find a charging station that offers this kind of power/speed.

ESCALADE IQ also will be equipped with Vehicle-to-Home bidirectional charging technology with GM Energy’s available Ultium Home products, providing customers with the ability to send power directly from the vehicle to a properly equipped home. This capability will be enabled via an over-the-air software update for the 2025 model year. ESCALADE IQ will also offer the option of Vehicle-to-Load offboard power, allowing the SUV to power other devices.

The ESCALADE IQ uses its Ultium battery pack as part of its fundamental body structure. This allows the battery pack to provide the vehicle’s impressive Cadillac-estimated 450 miles of range while also protecting the battery in the event of a crash and adding overall strength and rigidity to the vehicle.

The powerful electric propulsion configuration — consisting of the battery pack, power electronics and a two-motor eAWD system — offers great power on demand and surprising performance, including:

• Up to 750 horsepower (with driver-selectable Velocity Max, Cadillac estimate)
• Up to 785 lb-ft of torque (with driver-selectable Velocity Max, Cadillac estimate)
• 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds (with driver-selectable Velocity Max, Cadillac estimate)
• Up to 8,000 pounds of towing capability (Cadillac estimate)

Additionally, ESCALADE IQ offers One-Pedal Driving and Variable Regen on Demand to allow customers to feel more connected to their drive. Plus, Ultium Energy Recovery — an innovative heat pump thermal system — allows for energy to transfer between the battery/power electronics and the cabin, using every watt possible to optimize range and minimizing the power from the high-voltage battery used for five-zone climate control.

ESCALADE IQ also features a suite of standard active safety and driver assistance features, with highlights including:

• Blind Zone Steering Assist: Can provide a brief, firm turn of the steering wheel when a potential crash is detected with a moving vehicle in the lane the vehicle is entering
• Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking: Can help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of an intersection collision with a detected cross-traffic vehicle
• HD Surround Vision: Provides selectable digital camera views of the area around the vehicle and can help drivers park or avoid vehicles and objects
• Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist: Can automatically steer, brake and shift gears to park the vehicle into a dedicated parallel or perpendicular parking space and can help unpark the vehicle
• Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking: At speeds between 5 and 50 mph, can help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of a collision with a pedestrian or bicyclist it detects directly in front of them

The design of ESCALADE IQ captures the bold presence of its predecessors, but its dedicated EV architecture provided the design team a blank-slate approach to its styling. The result is a reimagined yet familiar Escalade — one that makes a statement without compromises. The electric architecture enables a sleeker profile, but one with a silhouette that remains instantly recognizable as an Escalade. It also enables a lower, flatter interior floor that contributes to ESCALADE IQ’s exceptional spaciousness.

“Our intent for the ESCALADE IQ was to amplify the Escalade DNA with a distinctively premium profile and heroic stance, while complementing the Cadillac EV showroom. With the pillar-to-pillar 55-inch-total-diagonal screen, and available executive second row seating, the ESCALADE IQ is another proud expression of Cadillac’s artful integration of leading innovation,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Global Cadillac Design.

ESCALADE IQ’s new design pushed the wheels farther to the corners, for a more powerful-looking and planted stance. The proportions speak to its presence and scale. Starting with a long, dynamic hood and ending with a faster-sloping roofline at the rear, all of which contributes to a sportier aesthetic.

Much of the ESCALADE IQ’s sophistication is derived from carefully and beautifully sculpted surfaces. The design team looked to create a dynamic balance between crispness and curvature. ESCALADE IQ’s side profile features flush side glass and a large glass roof that gives the appearance of seamless body lines.

“We have added more sculpture to every surface,” said Jawook Koo, design manager, Cadillac Exteriors. “It looks simple, but you see a graceful transition of every surface along with strong bodylines with gesture. It’s such attention to detail that makes it more expressive.”

The artful integration of lighting reinforces ESCALADE IQ’s expressive design, helping to deepen the connection between the customer and their vehicle. The ESCALADE IQ features a strong vertical light signature for both day and night, with tall front daytime running light blades and vertically oriented high/low beams. Dramatic lighting choreography at both approach and departure showcases the technical prowess of Cadillac design while also creating a unique rhythm — a dynamic symphony of light with an impressive chorus of LEDs.

Additional ESCALADE IQ exterior details include:

• Available power open-and-close exterior door entry system. All four doors power open and close at the touch of a button, and if activated, the driver’s door will automatically open as the driver approaches with the key fob
• Motorized charge port door that opens automatically with a touch
• Large eTrunk compartment under the hood with 12 cubic feet of storage
• Dynamic 24-inch wheel designs

In keeping with other vehicles in the Cadillac portfolio, ESCALADE IQ delineates itself with two personas: Luxury and Sport. This trim strategy enables the customer to choose a vehicle that matches their own personality and preferences. Each offers distinctive appearances, including brushed aluminum metallic finishes on areas such as the wheels and exterior moldings on Luxury, and a darkened metal finish on Sport.

Cadillac has really knocked it out of the park with the new ESCALADE IQ. But with a hefty starting price of around $130,000, it’s hard to say if buyers will pony up for this electrified luxury full-size SUV. Production of the 2025 Cadillac ESCALADE IQ begins next summer.

What do you think of the 2025 Cadillac ESCALADE IQ?