Well, I’m going all-electric in style this week, with the largest Cadillac electric vehicle ever, the 2025 Escalade IQ. Yes, it is large, it tips the scales at a little over 4 ½- tons, and it is an engineering and technological marvel. Its name follows in the footsteps of other Cadillac electrics, the Lyriq, the Vistiq, Celestiq, and Optiq, but you can’t get away from the iconic (or is it iconiq in this case?) name of the Escalade, hence we have the Escalade IQ and it’s even bigger sister, the Escalade IQL extended version.
Exterior
Escalade has always held a special place in my heart, and I owned one for a lot of years. I am a big fan of the looks and while some automakers make electric vehicles look rather odd, the Escalade IQ stayed true to its roots.
I love the 24” alloy wheels that are beautiful and designed for aerodynamics, and they are surrounded by especially-made Michelin tires that are very wide and tall. The side profile shows off the sloping roofline, large spoiler with the wiper tucked under, and the hatchback-style rear window. There is just the right amount of chrome to be elegant, but not blingy like the gas version Escalade.
Since electric vehicles don’t need a front grill, Cadillac took some liberties to make this one look terrific with angling lines running from the center outward, and at night the grill is lit, and it is stunning. There will be no mistaking what is coming toward you.
Performance
Powering this big SUV are dual electric motors, one in front, one in back, to make it all-wheel drive. The Escalade offers a massive 205-kWh battery pack that sits below the floorboard. Sit down and prepare to be amazed by the stats: This combination results in 750-horses, and 785-pound feet of instant torque. One of the things about electric vehicles that everyone is amazed by no matter which one, is the acceleration and this SUV lives up to the hype in spite of its size and weight. 0-to-60 time is a very rapid 4.5 seconds, it will top out at 125-miles per hour, and it will tow 8,000 pounds.
Trims
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is offered in four trims: Luxury 1 and Luxury 2, plus Sport 1 and Sport 2. Luxury 1 is well-equipped while Luxury 2, which is what my review vehicle is, adds more features. Sport 1 mirrors Luxury 1 but adds blacked-out trim and sportier styling, and Sport 2 upgrades it with all the tech and comfort features found in Luxury 2. There is about a $20,000 difference between the Luxury 1 and 2, and the same difference between Sport 1 and Sport 2.
Interior
Open the driver’s door to reveal a truly luxurious interior with 16-way massaging, cooled, and heated front seats with power lumbar supports. The door panels are very attractive with huge speakers in the doors and all soft-touch materials. There are even speakers in the front headrests.
However, your eyes cannot keep from focusing on the massive 55-inch curved one-piece screen that runs from the left of the vehicle all the way to the passenger side. In front of the driver are configurable gauges. You can change the gauges to your liking quickly and easily or turn the entire screen to a navigation map.
To the right of the gauges, but again, this is all one continuous 55” screen powered by Android Automotive with Google built-in, it offers access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store—eliminating the need for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The front passenger gets a dedicated portion of the screen with a digital privacy filter for distraction-free viewing for the driver, while a secondary and lower 8” touchscreen on the center console handles climate, seat controls, and many of the other Escalade’s controls. Altogether, the system delivers a futuristic, connected experience that elevates tech and comfort for everyone in the vehicle.
There are other settings from the screen to turn on the regenerative braking which allows one-pedal driving, you can check range, find a charging station, but they took it just a little too far with one button that opens the glove box and another one that opens the charging door. If you want to use one-pedal driving, which I love and is good for recharging the battery, there is a paddle on the steering wheel to set the sensitivity.
Also from the screen, you can change drive modes. The IQ offers six drive modes—Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, Tow/Haul, Velocity Max, and customizable My Mode—each adjusting power delivery, steering, suspension, and traction to suit different driving conditions and preferences. The center console floats with lighted storage underneath. On top is the radio volume, a control knob if you prefer not to use the touchscreen, two wireless chargers, and shortcuts to get to the most-used items on the big screen. There are a couple of cupholders, a USB-C port, and power ports. If you look up from the beautiful power tilt steering wheel, you’ll see a large head-up display with traffic sign recognition.
As you head to the back seat, they are as comfortable as the front ones are, leg room is good, and the roofline still allows for a nice amount of head room. Second- row passengers have their own command center screen to operate climate, heated but not cooled seats, there are air vents, and USB-C and HDMI ports.
They can also utilize the optional rear seat entertainment system that features two independently controlled 12.6inch HD touchscreens mounted on the front seat backs and they can enjoy web browsing, vehicle info access, and Bluetooth headphone pairing—perfect for keeping passengers entertained on long trips.
One button will fold the 2nd row captain’s chairs out of the way for entry to the 3rd row, or in this model, there is no center console in the 2nd row, so you can enter the rear that way. 3rd row seat room was not as roomy as I envisioned, but it would still be OK for two adults, even up to 6-feet tall. The very back passengers do get USB-C ports, cup holders, and A/C vents in the ceiling.
Utility
Touch the Cadillac emblem on the tailgate to reveal a nice cargo area with a deep hidden area underneath it and a cargo cover. You’ll get 24-cubic feet of storage with the back seat intact, but if you push two buttons in the cargo area and fold the seats down, it opens up to 69-cubic feet. In the cargo area there is LED lighting and a home power source.
Standard Features and Options
Standard features on the Luxury 2 trim of the 2025 Escalade IQ has a 19.2 kW onboard charger, power open/close doors, a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system, Night Vision thermal imaging, a 9-module adaptive headlamp system with cornering, a panoramic fixed glass roof, heated and ventilated massaging 16-way front seats (with power bolsters), heated second-row buckets, power-folding third row, active noise cancellation, HD surround vision, blind zone steering assist, head-up display, heated steering wheel, 5-zone climate control, Air Ride suspension with Magnetic Ride Control and 4-wheel steering.
Safety
On the safety side, you get enhanced automatic emergency braking with intersection, forward collision, pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane-keep assist with departure warning, blind zone steering assist, rear pedestrian alert and rear cross-traffic braking, HD surround vision and rear-vision camera, IntelliBeam adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control with automatic lane change, Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance (with a 3-year OnStar Super Cruise plan), plus Cadillac Arrival Mode, which is a low-speed, four-wheel steering feature that turns the rear wheels up to 10 degrees in either direction—allowing the massive SUV to move diagonally or pivot in tight spaces for nimble maneuvering around obstacles-think Crab Walk like I showed you on the electric Hummer.
Options
My tester has $3,615 in options, which includes $1,995 for the rear seat entertainment system, the really cool frunk organizer for $995, and $625 for the stunning Deep Space Metallic paint.
Favorite Features
- The power opening and closing doors. The power open and close doors are standard on Luxury 2 and Sport 2 trims, adding a hands-free luxury touch to the electric SUV. Each door can be opened or closed using a button on the handle, interior controls, or the key fob, with sensors that detect nearby objects and adjust the door swing accordingly. Drivers can also control how far the doors open—ideal for tight garages or curbs—and the front doors will even close automatically when the brake pedal is pressed. The system enhances convenience and elevates the premium feel, especially when loading passengers or cargo with arms full.
- The e-trunk organizer delivers a spacious 12.2 cu ft of front-storage space, featuring carpet lining, integrated lighting, a 110 V power outlet, and tie-downs for securing cargo—all lockable for privacy. The optional frunk organizer features sliding rails with a removable tray that you can put cargo on and slide it in or out of the power opening and closing hood. It’s a really neat and useful feature.
- I love the blind-spot detection system on the Escalade. It features turn-signal activated sideview cameras mounted in the side mirrors that automatically display a live feed on the center screen whenever you signal a lane change or turning maneuver. This gives you a clear view of your vehicle’s flank and blindspot area for two seconds—helpful for spotting curbs, vehicles, trailers, and other obstacles that might not be visible in the mirrors—enhancing safety and precision during lane changes.
Deal Killer for Me
This SUV is wonderful in so many ways. But one thing would keep me from leasing one: The fixed panoramic glass. It was in the upper 90’s as I was writing this, and I was baking in the second row checking the rear entertainment system. SoCal, you guys will be OK most of the year, but in Texas where I am, this dog won’t hunt. I’d lots rather have just a regular headliner. The glass is dark-tinted and UV-treated to filter out sunlight and heat, but it is not enough where I am and for many parts of our country. To be fair, there is a dealer-installed cover you can purchase, but it’s a pain to install, and if you want to enjoy the roof, say in the winter, then you have to stow the cover. It is just not what you expect for a $150,000 SUV. GM: Do better.
Charging Times & Range
Let’s talk charging times and why you will be thankful for the 19.2 KW charging module. At a DC fast charger, you can pick up 100-miles of range in just 10 minutes. You get a GM stated total range of, get this: 460-miles AND it is compatible with the Tesla chargers. Here’s the shocker: WITHOUT TRYING, and driving my usual hell on wheel way, it was tracking to go over 500 miles on one charge. This is the most miles I have gotten out of an EV.
I have a Level 2 charger at home, and it will pick up 36-miles of range per hour. That will get you to 80% from 0 in just about 10 hours, perfect for overnight charging when electricity rates are cheaper. Or you can plug it into a regular 110 outlet. Just know that if you do, you’ll gain 3-miles of range per hour. A full charge this way will take almost six days of continuous charging. Please, take my advice and get a home charger. I tell you all about my charger here:
I Got A Home Electric Charger →
Ride and Drive
The acceleration of EVs always takes me by surprise, you’d think I’d be used to it by now. For a heavy SUV, this one will really get up and go. The interior quietness is exceptional, and GM went to great lengths to make sure of that. You can activate a fake engine noise in the cabin, which is not a first, but unlike some of the others, it is not annoying. The Cadillac Active Noise Cancellation measures road vibration and uses the AKG speaker system to help actively cancel road-induced noise. That technology, wind-tunnel testing, and acoustic laminated glass really make a difference. This is cutting edge stuff right here.
The ride, handling, and steering feedback is terrific. Handling is very good with the big battery in the belly of the beast, and the ride is exactly what you’d want in a luxury SUV. The battery under the floorboard gives this SUV a very low center of gravity and is one of the reasons its ride quality is so good. In addition, the IQ has a sophisticated suspension setup that includes Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control and a four-corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension system, working together to continuously adjust damping and ride height based on road conditions and drive mode. Magnetic Ride Control reads the road up to 1,000 times per second for precise handling and comfort, while the air suspension can raise or lower the vehicle for easier entry, improved aerodynamics, or increased ground clearance when needed—delivering a smooth, composed ride regardless of terrain.
eMPG and MSRP
E-fuel economy is not rated because this big boy has an over 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating. MSRP as equipped and super-loaded like my tester is $153,605 and the price keeps it from qualifying for the $7,500 federal rebate, but it is going away soon anyway. As I always suggest to ALL electric car buyers, if you can lease, it is a good idea. We don’t know where the EV market is headed, and leasing takes all the guess work out of it.
Verdict
If you need an SUV this size, and you want to go electric, the Escalade IQ is nothing short of amazing.
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ
- What I liked most: The range, the interior & exterior looks, the unique features, acceleration, and ride.
- What I would change: A panoramic roof cover GM! It should be power for this kind of money, but a manual slider would be better than nothing.
- MSRP: Base price $147,700 as equipped $153,605.
- Fuel Economy: Not applicable.
- Official Color: Deep Space Metallic.
- Odometer reading when tested: 1,700 miles.
- Weight: 9,134 pounds/Over 10,000 pound GVWR.
- Spare Tire: Inflator kit.
- Length-Width-Height: 224.3” long/82.4” wide with mirrors folded in/76.1” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: N/A. Charging port on driver’s side rear fender behind an electric-opening door.
- Towing Capacity: 8,000 pounds.
- 2025 Escalade IQ in a few words: An outstanding electric luxury SUV with amazing range and power, wrapped in pure luxury.
- Warranty: 4-years/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper with roadside assistance, 8-year/100,000 mile battery and propulsion component warranty, and the first maintenance visit is free.
- Final Assembly Location: Detroit, MI.
- Manufacturers website: Cadillac
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