The Cadillac Escalade is a legend in the automotive world. It's the epitome of luxury, power, and style. It's also a symbol of excess, gas-guzzling, and environmental irresponsibility. But what if there was a way to enjoy the Escalade without the guilt? What if there was an Escalade that was electric, efficient, and eco-friendly?
That's exactly what Cadillac has done with the 2025 Escalade IQ, the first all-electric version of its flagship SUV. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is not just a regular Escalade with a battery pack and an electric motor. It's a completely new vehicle that redefines what an electric SUV can be. It's also a vehicle that appeals to human drivers who value performance, comfort, and control.
The Power of Ultium
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is based on GM's Ultium platform, which is also used for the Buick Envista, the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the GMC Hummer EV. The Ultium platform consists of a modular battery pack and electric motors that can be configured in different ways to suit different vehicles.
The Escalade IQ uses a 24-module battery pack with over 200 kWh of capacity, which is one of the largest in the industry. This gives it an estimated range of 450 miles on a single charge, which is more than enough for most trips. The battery pack also supports fast charging at up to 350 kW, which can add 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
The battery pack powers two electric motors, one on each axle, that deliver a combined output of 680 horsepower and 615 lb-ft of torque in normal mode. That's already impressive, but there's more. The Escalade IQ also has a Velocity Max mode, which boosts the power to 750 horsepower and 730 lb-ft of torque for maximum acceleration. In this mode, the Escalade IQ can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds, which is faster than some sports cars.
The Escalade IQ also has rear-wheel steering and air suspension, which enhance its handling and ride quality. The rear wheels can turn up to 10 degrees in either direction, which reduces the turning radius and improves maneuverability. The air suspension can raise or lower the vehicle by up to two inches, depending on the driving mode and road conditions.
The Luxury of Cadillac
The Escalade IQ is not just a powerful electric SUV. It's also a luxurious Cadillac that offers a premium experience for its occupants. The exterior design is sleek and futuristic, with LED lighting elements that create a distinctive signature. The front grille features a light show that greets the driver on arrival and departure. The wheels are massive 24-inch alloys wrapped in 35-inch tires. The doors can be opened and closed with a push of a button.
The interior is spacious and elegant, with high-quality materials and advanced technology. The dashboard is dominated by a curved pillar-to-pillar LED display that measures 55 inches diagonally and has 8K resolution for the driver and 4K resolution for the passenger. The display provides access to various functions and features, such as navigation, entertainment, climate control, and vehicle settings.
The sound system is equally impressive, with an AKG Studio Reference 40-speaker audio system that delivers studio-quality sound. The speakers are strategically placed throughout the cabin, including in the front and second-row headrests.
The seats are comfortable and supportive, with leather upholstery and heating, cooling, and massage functions. The second-row seats are available as either captain's chairs or bench seats, while the third-row seats are power-folding and have ample legroom.
The cargo space is generous as well, with up to 120 cubic feet of volume behind the first-row seats. There's also a front trunk under the hood that offers an additional 12 cubic feet of space.
The Control of Human Driving
The Escalade IQ is not just a luxurious electric SUV. It's also a vehicle that respects human drivers who want to have fun behind the wheel. Unlike some other electric vehicles that rely heavily on automation and artificial intelligence, the Escalade IQ gives the driver full control over the driving experience.
The Escalade IQ comes standard with Super Cruise, which is GM's hands-free driver assistance system that works on over 400,000 miles of compatible roads in the U.S. and Canada. Super Cruise uses cameras, sensors, GPS, and maps to monitor the road conditions and steer the vehicle accordingly. It also monitors the driver's attention level and alerts them if they need to take over.
Super Cruise is a convenient feature for long-distance trips or highway driving, but it's not mandatory. The driver can choose to turn it off at any time and enjoy driving the Escalade IQ manually. The steering wheel has paddle shifters that allow the driver to adjust the level of regenerative braking, which affects how the vehicle slows down when the accelerator pedal is released. The driver can also select from different driving modes, such as Tour, Sport, Off-Road, and Tow, which alter the performance and behavior of the vehicle.
The Escalade IQ also has a unique feature called Cadillac Arrival Mode, which is similar to the CrabWalk feature on the Hummer EV. This feature allows the rear wheels to turn in the same direction as the front wheels, which enables the vehicle to move diagonally. This can be useful for parking or maneuvering in tight spaces.
The Escalade IQ is a vehicle that celebrates human driving and gives the driver the freedom to choose how they want to drive. It's not a vehicle that takes away the joy of driving or forces the driver to follow a predetermined path.
The Future of Electric SUVs
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is a game-changer in the electric SUV market. It's a vehicle that combines power, luxury, and control in a way that no other electric SUV can match. It's a vehicle that offers an unparalleled range, performance, and comfort. It's a vehicle that appeals to human drivers who want to have fun behind the wheel.
The Escalade IQ is not just an electric version of the Escalade. It's a new kind of Escalade that redefines what an Escalade can be. It's an Escalade that's electric, efficient, and eco-friendly. It's an Escalade that's ready for the future.
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ will go on sale in summer 2024 with a starting price of around $130,000. It will be available in two trim levels: Luxury and Sport. It will be built at GM's Factory Zero in Detroit, where the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV are also produced.
If you're looking for the ultimate electric SUV for human drivers, look no further than the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ. It's the Escalade you know and love, but better.
