The Cadillac Escalade IQL is priced at $40,000 more than the V8 Escalade ESV. Is it worth that extra $40,000?

      2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL

      Drivers frequently mention sticker shock as a deterrent to purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), and the new 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL is unlikely to change that perception. This long-wheelbase SUV has a starting price of $132,695, which includes destination charges, making it roughly 40% pricier than the V8-equipped Escalade ESV.

      To provide some perspective, the gas-powered Escalade has a starting price of $90,095 for the rear-wheel-drive model, while the long-wheelbase ESV begins at $93,095. Opting for four-wheel drive adds an additional $3,000, regardless of the wheelbase, and both prices encompass a $1,995 destination fee. If you're interested in an EV, the shorter Escalade IQ costs $129,990, which also includes a destination charge of $2,290.

      Cadillac has not merely substituted the 6.2-liter V8 with an electric motor and called it complete. Aside from the name and a few design elements, the gas and electric versions of the Escalade are fundamentally distinct vehicles. The V8 variant uses the T1XX architecture, which also supports Chevrolet’s Tahoe, Suburban, and Silverado, along with their GMC counterparts. The EV is constructed on the BT1 architecture, shared with the GMC Hummer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and GMC Sierra EV. One is an old-fashioned body-on-frame truck, while the other is a cutting-edge electric truck boasting the much-touted "software-defined" label that car manufacturers often use.

      Advanced technology and batteries contribute to the higher costs of vehicles, and the Escalade IQL is packed with both. But does it really deliver 40% more value compared to the Escalade ESV?

      On paper, not significantly. The IQL measures approximately 228 inches in length, 85 inches in width, and 76 inches in height. In comparison, the ESV is 227 inches long, 81 inches wide, and also 76 inches tall, making them nearly the same size. The interior space is nearly equivalent as well. The IQL offers 45.2 inches of legroom in the first row, 41.4 inches in the second, and 36.7 inches in the third. For the ESV, those measurements are 44.5, 41.7, and 36.7 inches, respectively. However, passengers in the IQL's first and second rows enjoy about an inch more headroom.

      Cargo capacity is reduced, likely due to the IQL's slightly more tapered shape. It provides 125.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows flat and 24.2 cubic feet behind the third row. There’s also a 12-cubic-foot front trunk, which the ESV lacks, but the ESV offers considerably more cargo room. It boasts 142.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows down and 41.5 cubic feet with the third row up.

      The gap widens further when comparing technical specs. The IQL is equipped with two electric motors (one for each axle) powered by a large 205-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, producing 750 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque in Velocity Max mode. In standard mode, it generates 680 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque, with a driving range of up to 460 miles. The 0-60 mph acceleration takes 4.7 seconds in Velocity Max, and this 19-foot-long electric Escalade can tow up to 7,500 pounds.

      On the internal combustion engine side, the ESV features a 6.2-liter V8 that delivers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 8,000 pounds with rear-wheel drive, though its driving range unexpectedly falls short of the electric version’s. The EPA does not provide specific range figures for the ESV, but the short-wheelbase Escalade claims a range of 408 miles with rear-wheel drive and 384 miles with all-wheel drive.

      Standard features for the IQL include Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, an air suspension system, four-wheel steering, power-folding third-row seats, a 55-inch display (for reference, the original Mini was about 56 inches wide), a 21-speaker sound system, and Super Cruise. In contrast, the ESV's standard features list is more limited: Magnetic Ride Control and air suspension are optional, four-wheel steering is not available, and its standard sound system has only 19 speakers. However, the display, power-folding third row, and Super Cruise are included as standard.

      In terms of features, the Escalade IQL and the Escalade ESV are not vastly different. They likely don’t justify a $40,000 price difference (or $36,000 if you