So far, Cadillac has talked a good game about embracing an all-electric future—as every GM brand has—but we haven’t seen much beyond the Lyriq (there’s also the $340,000 Celestiq, but that’s not exactly accessible for most drivers). That is until today when the 2025 Cadillac ESCALADE IQ was officially unveiled to give us a real look at what Cadillac has been working on. To be honest: I’m impressed. It’s clear that Cadillac means business with its electrified lineup, and the ESCALADE IQ has been designed to be the ultimate expression of Cadillac luxury and refinement in a large and powerful SUV. Let’s take a look at what they’ve revealed so far about this impressive piece of machinery…
All-Electric Power and Performance
The moment Cadillac revealed the all-electric ESCALADE IQ, the first thing I wanted to know about was its performance. To me, this is the surest way to know what kind of EV you’re dealing with—will it underwhelm, or is it a clear shot being taken at Tesla to deliver power and performance that will get drivers excited? It’s clear that GM and Cadillac are looking to hit the road hard, and they’re delivering an amazing vehicle that people are going to want to drive.
For starters, the ESCALADE IQ is powered by a pair of motors, one on each axle, giving it electric all-wheel drive performance. It’s powered by an impressive 24-module Ultium battery pack that stores more than 200 kWh of energy, with high-voltage architecture that lets it take advantage of 800-volt DC fast charging, which is the quickest currently available. It has an estimated 450 miles of total range from a full charge, and with 800-volt charging, it can add 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging.
The dual-motor system delivers 680 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque standard. However, when utilizing the Velocity Max mode, performance gets boosted up to 750 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque. This lets it fly from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds based on Cadillac’s current estimates, though we’ll have to see what it can do once it starts hitting the road next year. It’s also expected to be able to tow up to 8,000 lbs, which means it is powerful and fun to drive while also being incredibly capable.
A Gorgeous Exterior
At a glance, the exterior of the ESCALADE IQ is stunning, with sleek curves and a general shape that’s the perfect combination of powerful and stylish. It’s clear that Cadillac’s designers have put a lot of time into this one, and it manages to simultaneously evoke the strength of the modern Escalade while also looking new and more refined. The Ultium Platform and battery system have been designed into the vehicle—this isn’t just a standard Escalade with batteries slapped into it—giving it a sleek profile and a powerful stance. This is increased by the way that Cadillac has shifted the wheels outward toward the corners to create the most aerodynamic full-size SUV GM has ever produced.
Innovative and Luxurious Interior Details
Inside the 2025 Cadillac ESCALADE IQ, you’ll find one of the most stunning and impressive interiors I’ve seen in an SUV like this. For starters, you have the pillar-to-pillar curved 55-inch LED display that dominates the front of the vehicle. This makes a remarkable first impression that not only looks captivating but also provides you with functional information, including traffic updates and more, to create an intuitive driving experience. The interior feels open and spacious while still creating a “command center” feel that puts you in control as it surrounds you with luxury.
A power-folding third-row fits up to seven passengers inside the ESCALADE IQ, but even more remarkable than that is the available Executive Second-Row Seating package. This adds stowable tray tables for the second-row passengers, along with 12.6-inch personal screens, a rear command center display, dual wireless charging pads, and much more. While a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system is standard, you can add an available 40-speaker AKG Studio Reference sound system to create an incredible, 360-degree audio experience. With ultra-premium materials and gorgeous details throughout, including customizable ambient lighting, the inside of the ESCALADE IQ is like nothing else out there.
Cutting-Edge Technology Throughout
Believe it or not, I’ve barely even touched on the impressive selection of technology that’s standard and available for the 2025 ESCALADE IQ. For starters, you have standard Four-Wheel Steer that reduces its turning diameter by more than 6.5 feet at low speeds, allowing for a turning diameter of just over 39 feet. Cadillac Arrival Mode is an available system that allows the ESCALADE IQ to move diagonally, making it easier to get into and out of tight spots, while Low Ride Mode allows it to drive at low speeds with the Air Ride Suspension fully lowered by two inches from its usual position.
Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driving technology isn’t an available option for the ESCALADE IQ…because it’s standard on every trim! This beast is also equipped with Vehicle-to-Home bidirectional charging technology that lets you plug in to charge the ESCALADE IQ at home or send power from the vehicle to your house, letting it work as a backup generator. There’s also an option for Vehicle-to-Load offboard power that will let the ESCALADE IQ provide power to external devices and electronics.
A Cadillac for the Future
Altogether, the features and tech shown off with the ESCALADE IQ make it clear that Cadillac is aiming for the proverbial fences with this one. The brand has cut no corners, and its first all-electric full-size SUV is ready to change everything we expect from this kind of vehicle. I didn’t even get into extra details like One-Pedal Driving and Variable Regen on Demand that lets you further control your driving experience or the fact that the ESCALADE IQ has five-zone climate control to ensure everyone inside is incredibly comfortable. If this is the future of the auto industry, then I’m all in and ready to see what else GM has been working on utilizing the Ultium Platform it is so proud of. There’s no denying that the company wants to be the leader of the industry’s all-electric future, and models like the ESCALADE IQ might just let GM secure that position.
