The 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL Ensures Comfort for Third-Row Passengers at a Price of $135,000

      General Motors

      Measuring 224 inches in length, the Cadillac Escalade IQ is already a large electric vehicle, nearly a foot longer than the conventional gas-powered Escalade. However, for some customers, that’s not sufficient, and GM has confirmed that an even larger fully electric version, the Escalade IQL, is forthcoming; we just need to be patient. Today, we were given our first look at the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL.

      While the name isn’t particularly catchy, it is certainly preferred over “Escalade IQ ESV.” Essentially, this model is a battery-operated Escalade that is 4.2 inches longer than the standard version, with the extra space primarily dedicated to enhancing third-row legroom. Passengers in the rear now enjoy 36.7 inches of footwell space, an increase from 32.3 inches, along with an additional inch of headroom. These dimensions meet or slightly surpass those offered by the ICE-equipped Escalade ESV.

      Importantly, there’s been no sacrifice to the vehicle's range. Although Cadillac has not disclosed the weight of the Escalade IQL (the regular Escalade IQ’s weight was similarly not revealed), the estimated peak range remains at 460 miles, matching that of the standard IQ. According to Cadillac’s specifications, the IQL’s battery is 5 kWh larger, totaling 205 kWh. This is an enormous battery pack, and the company claims that owners should be able to gain up to 116 miles of range—approximately a quarter of its total capacity—within 10 minutes of DC fast charging.

      In all other aspects, this model is essentially just a longer version of the Escalade IQ. It features the same 24-inch wheels fitted with 35-inch tires, which oddly make the vehicle appear smaller in photos due to the lack of size reference. Inside, front-seat passengers have access to the same 55-inch display spanning from pillar to pillar, along with an additional, more iPad-like touchscreen positioned below it and angled towards the driver. The powertrain specs remain at 680 horsepower and 615 lb-ft of torque most of the time, with a temporary boost to 750 hp and 785 lb-ft when Velocity Max mode is engaged. Additionally, thanks to four-wheel steering, it manages a reasonable turning radius for its size, measuring 39.86 feet.

      Cadillac has announced that production of the Escalade IQL is set to commence in the middle of this year, with a starting price of $134,985, including shipping. This marks an increase of around $5,000 over the standard-length Escalade IQ. And for those who find this price steep for a Cadillac, it’s worth noting that we are now in the age of the $340,000 Celestiq. Times have certainly changed.

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