The Cadillac Escalade has long stood for American luxury, boldness, and presence. It has been the SUV of choice for celebrities, families, and executives alike. Now, Cadillac is taking its biggest icon into the future with the arrival of the 2025 Escalade IQ a fully electric, full-size SUV designed to lead a new generation.
Unlike many electric crossovers trying to blend in, the Escalade IQ stays true to what made the original great: size, strength, and style. Only now, it moves with silent power, cutting-edge technology, and enough luxury to make it clear this is no ordinary EV.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ.
Big, Bold, and Still an Escalade
Cadillac designers faced a tough challenge. They needed to modernize the Escalade for the electric era without losing the swagger buyers expected. Judging by first impressions, they nailed it.
The Escalade IQ is massive, sleek, and unmistakably Cadillac. The front features a tall, shield-shaped grille framed by vertical LED running lights. It doesn’t need air like a gas-powered SUV, but Cadillac still gave it a bold face that commands attention.
The sides are smooth and sculpted, helping the IQ cut through the air more efficiently. The rear continues the theme with tall LED taillights and a full-width light bar. It is a clean, futuristic design without losing the intimidating presence people love about the Escalade.
Even small details matter. Flush door handles, massive wheels, and carefully sculpted fenders remind you that this SUV is designed to impress whether you are pulling up to a five-star hotel or rolling through city streets.
Serious Power Underneath
The Escalade IQ uses GM’s Ultium battery platform, the same technology underpinning the Hummer EV and Silverado EV. It comes with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup. In standard mode, drivers get 680 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque. Engage Velocity Max mode, and output rises to 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque.
That kind of power launches the Escalade IQ from a stop to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds. For an SUV this size, that is remarkable. Even more impressive, the acceleration feels smooth and controlled rather than frantic.
Power delivery is instant and silent. Without a traditional transmission, the Escalade IQ offers seamless acceleration from any speed. Merging onto highways or passing slower traffic becomes effortless.
Cadillac also gave the IQ four-wheel steering. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels, making the big SUV much easier to park and maneuver. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn with the front wheels, improving stability and cornering confidence.
Range and Charging: Designed for Real Life
Long road trips are part of Escalade culture. Cadillac made sure the IQ lives up to the name.
The battery pack holds over 200 kilowatt-hours of energy, one of the biggest on the market. Estimated range is about 450 miles on a full charge. That is enough for a family vacation, a day of errands, and a night out without worrying about plugging in.
When it is time to recharge, the Escalade IQ supports 800-volt DC fast charging. Under ideal conditions, you can add about 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. Cadillac will also include access to major charging networks like EVgo and Electrify America, making it easier to find fast chargers on long trips.
For daily use, most owners will rely on Level 2 home charging. Cadillac plans to offer installation packages to make setting up home chargers simple.
With this kind of range and charging speed, the Escalade IQ isn’t just an urban commuter. It is ready for real family adventures.
Interior: A New Level of Escalade Luxury
Step inside the Escalade IQ and you are greeted by a cabin that feels both futuristic and inviting.
The dashboard is dominated by a massive 55-inch curved display. This screen stretches from the driver’s side across the passenger side, combining digital gauges, infotainment, and entertainment into one sweeping piece of glass. It looks like it belongs in a concept car, but Cadillac made it functional and clear.
Materials are what you expect from a top-tier Cadillac. Rich leather, open-pore wood, aluminum trim, and detailed stitching cover every surface you touch. Even the control knobs and buttons feel solid and precise.
Front seats offer heating, cooling, and massaging functions. Rear passengers are treated to their own entertainment screens, wireless device charging, and climate controls. Optional executive rear seating adds reclining chairs, additional storage, and even more luxury.
The panoramic glass roof lets light flood the cabin. It can tint electronically to block out harsh sunlight or create a more private atmosphere at night.
Ambient lighting runs throughout the interior, with customizable colors that let you change the mood to match your drive.
Technology: Cadillac’s Most Advanced SUV
Beyond the massive screen, the Escalade IQ is packed with technology designed to make driving easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
The SUV features the latest version of Cadillac’s Super Cruise system. This hands-free driving technology works on mapped highways across North America. It can change lanes, maintain speed, and navigate traffic without driver input, although the driver must stay attentive.
Other standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates, a premium AKG Studio Reference sound system, and multiple USB-C ports in all three rows.
An augmented reality head-up display projects navigation and driving information directly onto the windshield, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road.
Cadillac even added a vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature. This allows the Escalade IQ to power external devices like camping gear, tools, or even another EV if needed.
Real-World Space and Versatility
The Escalade IQ does not sacrifice space in the name of style. It offers three full rows of seating, with room for up to seven passengers.
Second-row captain’s chairs are standard, offering business-class comfort. The third row is adult-friendly, with enough legroom and headroom for real-world use.
Behind the third row, there is plenty of cargo space for groceries, sports equipment, or luggage. Fold down the third and second rows, and you can load everything from bicycles to furniture without a problem.
There is also a front trunk, or “frunk,” thanks to the lack of a gas engine. It is perfect for smaller items you want to keep clean and secure.
Cadillac designed the Escalade IQ to handle daily life, not just special occasions.
Price and Trims
Luxury has a price, and the Escalade IQ is no exception.
Cadillac expects base models to start around $130,000. Well-equipped models will easily pass $150,000, especially if buyers choose optional features like the executive seating package, custom paint finishes, and upgraded wheels.
Two main versions will be offered: Luxury and Sport.
The Luxury trim focuses on traditional bright finishes, a smoother ride, and classic Cadillac styling. The Sport trim adds darker accents, a more aggressive look, and a slightly firmer suspension for buyers who want a sportier driving experience.
A limited First Edition package will also be available at launch, featuring exclusive colors, interior treatments, and bundled options.
Compared to rivals like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Tesla Model X, and Rivian R1S, the Escalade IQ holds its own by offering more space, more luxury, and more presence.
Final Verdict: Cadillac’s Best Move Yet
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ proves that going electric does not mean giving up identity.
It still feels like an Escalade in all the ways that matter. It is big, bold, luxurious, and loaded with presence. But it also offers silent power, massive range, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to the future.
If Cadillac delivers on everything they have promised, the Escalade IQ could easily become the new standard for full-size luxury SUVs not just among electric vehicles, but across the entire market.
For families, business owners, and anyone who wants the best of the best in a luxury SUV, the Escalade IQ looks like it will be worth the wait.
