2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Review: Establishing a New Benchmark

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      The most recent Cadillac showcases a remarkable array of achievements that no other car manufacturer can claim, establishing a new standard in numerous aspects. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is a glimpse into the future, offering power, luxury, advanced technology, and impressive specs, including range and battery, all while also packing a significant weight. While the $340,000 Celestiq stands as the brand’s meticulously crafted flagship, the Escalade IQ has emerged as the new must-have vehicle, likely attracting every prominent buyer's attention.

      No other car in this class offers the same comprehensive features as the Escalade IQ, which highlights why Cadillac is experiencing its best period in two decades.

      Joel Feder

      The Essentials

      Despite the added suffix, the IQ retains the unmistakable Escalade appearance. At 18.7 feet long, it exceeds the standard Escalade by 12.4 inches due to its extended 15.3-inch wheelbase.

      The front boasts a large panel with integrated LED lights in place of a traditional grille, surrounded by a flowing cascade of LED lights serving as the headlights. At night, it puts on quite a light display as it powers up. The Cadillac emblem illuminates gradually, as if each component requires time to activate, accompanied by other light effects. The IQ features a smaller rear window than the gasoline model, giving it a slightly sportier and more compact appearance. The roofline dips for aerodynamic purposes, though this vehicle's aerodynamics may resemble that of a heavy brick. Chrome accents on the front fenders extend into the front doors, adorned with the Cadillac logo, resembling cufflinks on a luxury outfit. It’s striking and assertive, with more visual impact, especially at night, than any other luxury SUV; when all four 24-inch wheels arrive at an event, they are sure to attract attention.

      Inside the electric SUV, the interior resembles a high-tech amphitheater filled with screens, leather, and shiny details. A 55-inch screen spans the dashboard from pillar to pillar, complemented by an 11-inch screen that rises from the center console for managing climate, doors, and seats. It features a volume knob, a scroll wheel, and shortcut keys for accessing vital infotainment functions. The second row of the tested Escalade IQ included the $7,500 Executive Rear Seat Package, which added 12.6-inch touchscreens to the backs of the front seats, heated, ventilated, and massaging captain's chairs separated by a center console with fold-out tables, all managed by an 8-inch touchscreen for seat controls.

      The materials used are primarily of premium quality, wrapped in leather, with wood trim shimmering with gold-like flakes under a glossy finish. The leather may not be as supple as those found in a Bentley or the custom stitched leather from Mercedes-Benz, but it ranks among the best in any GM vehicle outside of the Celestiq.

      Joel Feder

      Driving the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

      Every Escalade IQ comes with a dual-motor powertrain delivering 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. There are no tri- or quad-motor options available. A massive 205-kWh lithium-ion battery paired with an 800-volt electrical system fuels the vehicle, allowing it to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. It features adaptive air suspension and a rear-wheel steering system to help manage its considerable size.

      The Escalade IQ’s 24-inch wheels certainly remind you of its weight, which tips the scales at 9,334 pounds. However, it moves down the road smoothly and confidently, although it's not designed for tight cornering. It's ideal for long highway drives while you enjoy a drink (non-alcoholic) as Super Cruise takes care of the driving for you. It exhibits significantly less body roll compared to a Mercedes-Benz GLS while cornering, despite its hefty weight.

      Joel Feder

      While 4.7 seconds is fast, it's not astonishingly quick compared to today’s standards—but it does deliver a jolt from the weight shift when accelerating. However, it doesn't match the extreme rapidity of the softly-sprung, tri-motor Hummer EV, which can achieve that in under 3.0 seconds. To launch the IQ requires maximum power and activating the Velocity Max mode using a button on the steering wheel. In Tour mode, it outputs only 680 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque, yet it still feels rapid.

      Visibility presents a mixed experience. Forward visibility is comparable to the gasoline Escalade, but the higher hood creates an obstructed view of the road ahead. The large A-pillars lead to substantial blind spots. The reduced size of the rear window further hampers rear visibility, but a standard video-based rearview camera helps mitigate that issue.

      Joel Feder

      The Pros and Cons

      The captivating factor is undeniable. During a poker night, a group