Cadillac introduces the electric Escalade
Cadillac has unveiled the Escalade IQ, an all-electric “full-size SUV” that is scheduled to go into production in the summer of 2024. Based on General Motors’ Ultium platform, the Cadillac Escalade IQ gets an enormous battery.
The Escalade IQ, which will debut with the 2025 model year, has up to 559 kW of all-wheel drive with two engines. That’s about on par with other Ultium models with the two-motor all-wheel drive system (562 kW in the GMC Sierra EV, for example). It is not clear from the announcement whether the electric Escalade will also receive the option of the three-motor all-wheel drive system at a later date. In the GMC Hummer EV, this system produces up to 735 kW. Prices for the Cadillac Escalade IQ are expected to start at around US$130,000.
What is clear, however, is that the Hummer EV, Sierra EQ and Escalade IQ share the same battery with more than 200 kWh of usable energy. In the large (and especially tall) Ultium models, two 100 kWh packs of 400 volts each can be stacked on top of each other and combined into an 800-volt system. In the smaller models like the Cadillac Lyriq, on the other hand, there is only room for one pack. In the Escalade IQ, the 200 kWh should enable ranges of 450 miles (724 kilometres). This would correspond to a standard consumption of 27.6 kWh/100km.
In line with GM’s recent announcement to offer all Ultium models with bi-directional vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging technology from the 2026 model year, the Escalade IQ will already have this system when it debuts with the 2025 model year – offering the vehicle without the V2H technology for only one year would not have made sense. When the car is combined with the corresponding ‘Ultium Home’ products from GM Energy, customers will be able to “send power from the vehicle’s battery to a properly equipped home”. In addition, there will also be the option of off-board power Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) to power external devices. It is not clear from the announcement which connections and what power this will be possible with for the Escalade IQ.
While the Escalade IQ also inherits some features from the Hummer EV (such as the ability to drive diagonally thanks to the all-wheel steering in the “Crab Walk”), the focus for Cadillac, unlike previous electric pickups, was less on utility and off-road capability and more on on-road comfort. For example, Cadillac emphasises that systems such as Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and Adaptive Air Ride Suspension are designed to isolate passengers “from undesirable road surfaces” while providing precise steering and feel.
The air suspension can lower the vehicle by up to 50 millimetres or raise it by 25 millimetres. The turning circle is said to be around twelve metres thanks to the all-wheel steering. At higher speeds, the system provides better handling and more stability “especially when towing a trailer”, Cadillac wrote. The final towing capacity is not yet specified, but the company says it is estimated at 8,000 pounds – the equivalent of 3.6 tonnes.
In terms of size, the Escalade IQ is 5.70 metres long (with a 3.46 metre wheelbase), 2.39 metres wide with exterior mirrors and 1.93 metres high. Ground clearance is 17.5 centimetres. The boot holds between 670 and 3,374 litres, depending on the seat configuration, and a further 345 litres can be stowed in the frunk. However, Cadillac does not specify the kerb weight in the announcement.
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