All New Cadillac Escalade IQ Price, Range, Release Date, and More

The much-awaited Cadillac’s legacy SUV the Escalade goes electric which will be called the Escalade IQ. The pre-production car revealed on August 9^th 2023, it will be Cadillac’s first electric three-row luxury SUV, and the third EV from Cadillac after the Lyriq and Celestiq. Like the Lyriq, the Escalade IQ is based on GM’s Ultium platform, the foundation for the Hummer EV, Silverado EV, and the opulent Celestiq, solidifies the Escalade IQ's status as a flagship EV. The Escalade IQ emerges as a highly anticipated legacy product, weaving together Cadillac's storied history with a progressive electric future. For those eager to delve into the details, here's a closer look at what makes the Escalade IQ a pivotal addition to GM’s electric vehicle portfolio.

Battery Pack & Charging

Like the Hummer EV, the Escalade IQ will have more than 200kWh of usable battery capacity which Cadillac claims will enable it to cover 450 miles between charges. While the official figure for battery capacity remains undisclosed, the Escalade IQ is designed with as many as 24 modules, utilizing an NCMA (Nickel Cobalt Manganese Aluminum) chemistry. This chemistry aims to reduce cobalt content, employing aluminum to lower costs. The modules comprise of pouch cells crafted by Ultium Cells LLC – a joint venture between LG Energy Solutions and General Motors.

It will support 350kW of peak charging speed on a Level-3 DC fast charger, and it can add 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. As for Level-2 charging, it has a 19.2kW on-board charger with specific charging times yet to be unveiled for both Level-3 and Level-2 AC charging. The car on display has the CCS Type-1 port, however it remains to be seen if Cadillac will use the Tesla connector or NACS (North American Charging Standard) as GM’s commitment to use a NACS port on all models starting from 2025. Lastly, it will support bi-directional charging with V2L and V2V capabilities enabling it to charge other EVs and power electrical appliances.

Drivetrain

The Escalade IQ will offer a single powertrain option of a dual-motor, employing permanent magnet synchronous motors, mounted on each axle, to deliver a peak power output of 750hp and 785lb.ft of torque enabling a 0-60mph sprint of less than 5 seconds in the Velocity Max Mode. In normal mode, the Escalade will deliver 680hp and 615 lb.-ft of torque which will be more than adequate for daily driving situations. Lastly, Cadillac boasts an 8000 lbs. towing capacity, and it remains to be seen the range it will deliver when towing.

Exterior

The exterior is as attention grabbing as a Cadillac should be with the new front. The new front design is striking, featuring converging diagonal elements with the Cadillac emblem placed at the center. Moving away from the center are the horizontal strip of dotted lights followed by another vertical strip of dotted lights with a second vertical strip of light bar all of which lacks a seamless flow. It is not a clean design as the elements lack flow, and I wish there was another strip of light bar above the Cadillac emblem connected with the vertical light strips which could have added some flow to the design. Lastly, a welcome addition is a 12.2 cubic feet (340 liter) frunk, called the E-trunk, which is enough to store two golf bags and will come in handy in airport runs. The E-trunk will be powered when it goes on sale later this year.

Moving to the side and the design is noticeably cleaner with a neat flowing line from the front all the way to the rear. The sloping roof adds a touch of modernity, and there are options for dual-tone roofs, allowing for personalization. The area below the raked D-pillar is reminiscent of a Rolls Royce Cullinan or Range Rover which is good at enhancing its premium appeal. The charging port is located behind the rear wheel arch, and once the charging flap is opened the port seems tiny in comparison with the car.  Lower down, it gets massive 24” wheels with aero inserts to enhance efficiency.  

The design at the rear becomes a mixed bag, primarily due to the split vertical lights lacking a cohesive flow. However I do like the elements inside the taillights which resemble a piano that is a neat touch. Again, another reminiscent element from the Range Rover is the raked windscreen and the spoiler with brake lights with a kink making it look and feel expensive. Car designs are a subjective matter, and overall, the Escalade IQ is as attention grabbing as a Cadillac should be.  

Interior & Tech

Upon stepping into the car, the Escalade IQ’s interior is dominated by a massive 55” inch curved touchscreen spanning across the width of the dash. It will be powered by a Qualcomm processor with Google-based user interface and 5G connectivity. The screen comes with a roughly 66/33 split for the driver and co-driver. The co-driver will have a dedicated screen to watch their own content and it will be polarized to avoid distractions to the driver on the move. Like the 55” screen, the air vents span the entire width of the dash. There is a two-spoke steering wheel with touch sensitive buttons and toggle switches. Although the touch-sensitive buttons, while modern, have been noted for their fidgety usability while driving.

Moving down below the 55” screen, there is another screen on the lower part of the dash which controls air conditioning, a 126-color ambient lighting, drive modes, and other vehicle settings. Further back, there is a space to put a phone and cupholders which are placed closer to the front passenger seat. There is no transmission tunnel which has liberated space under the center console allowing for more storage spaces. As for the front seats, they will come with ventilated, heated, and massaging seats and a unique upholstery design with diagonal elements as seen on the front. A cool feature is the speakers integrated into the headrests.

Moving to the second row, it can be optioned with executive captain seats with the center console extending all the way back with another screen that will control the air con, and the doors for passengers. With the executive seats option, the captain seats will be heated, ventilated, and come with massaging functions. Again, the center console at the rear has storage spaces below it with two type-C charging ports. In addition to the center screen, the passengers will further get their own dedicated 12.6” screens for personalized entertainment to catch up on their shows or content on the move. Mirroring the front seats, the rear seats will have speakers integrated into the headrest with the optional 40-speaker AKG sound system. There is a third row which can be electrically folded down to accommodate more luggage, and we will wait for Cadillac to reveal the exact trunk capacity later.

In terms of tech, the Escalade IQ has rear-wheel steering which can make the rear wheels turn up to 10 degrees to make it maneuverable and allow shorter turning radius. Furthermore, it can crab walk like the Hummer EV, however Cadillac calls it the arrival mode. As for driver assistance systems, it will come with GM’s Super Cruise when launched, and in addition, it will have the hardware for the yet-to-be released Ultra Cruise. The Ultra Cruise will come via a software update later.

Pricing and Launch Timeline

The Escalade IQ will start from $130,000 which will be higher compared to its rivals mainly the Tesla Model X, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, and the GMC Hummer EV. The Escalade IQ’s price exceeds the maximum price value of $80,000 for the $7500 federal tax credit, making it ineligible to receive the $7500 federal tax credit. Production will commence around June 2024 at the Factory Zero Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Center along with GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq with deliveries set to kick off in the later half of the year. Given Escalade’s legacy nameplate, could we expect the Chevy Suburban and the GMC Yukon to get electric versions in the future? As the ICE versions of all those three SUVs share the same platform. We hope GM will spawn electric counterparts of the Suburban and the Yukon soon, fingers crossed.  

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