Call the Guinness Book of World Records, this is the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, and it’s the largest SUV available on earth. It’s so massive that it has its own gravity field!
Exterior
The first thing that hits you is how massive it is, and you wouldn’t be mistaken; it completely overshadows all other electric SUVs with a wheelbase that’s over 15 inches longer than a standard Escalade, plus it adds about an extra foot in overall length. The IQ is also wider, but it sits a bit lower than a regular Escalade. That’s what gives it such a sleek look from the side, with this elegant curve tapering off towards the back, which was designed to disguise its enormous size.
Up front, it’s unmistakably Cadillac, and when you get up close, you really see just how big it is. Just look at where the daytime running lights are in relation to a regular person. me. It’s hefty too; the standard model weighs in at 9,100 pounds, but this one, with the Executive 2nd package, tips the scales at 9,250 lbs., which is 3,000 lbs. heavier than a gas-powered Escalade.
Wheels and tires
The IQ comes with huge 24-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Primacy all-season tires sized at 275/50. The brakes are enormous too, the front rotors are 13.98 inches in diameter, and the rears are 14.05 inches.
Under The Frunk
Well, good news, there is a frunk, which opens with one push of a button to the left of the steering wheel. It will accommodate 12 cubic feet of stuff and has what looks like a body loading device on rails. The reality is that it helps load your weekly Costco shop since the hood is so long.
Power and Charging
It features two motors, one located at the front and the other at the back, both of which are permanent-magnet synchronous AC units. Combined power is 750 hp, combined torque is 785 lb.-ft, but that’s only when you activate Velocity Max mode. Normally, it delivers 680 horsepower and 615 pound-feet.
One reason the IQ is so heavy is due to its battery pack, boasting a huge 205 kWh capacity. It comes with an 800-volt electrical system that can charge the battery at a rate of up to 350 kW, which is enough to add 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes, as per Cadillac. The total range is 460 miles, and it can go from 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds.
Crab walk and Rear Wheel Steering
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ comes with a “Crab Walk” mode, or Cadillac Arrival Mode, thanks to its high-tech four-wheel steering system. This feature lets the vehicle move diagonally, making it a breeze to navigate through tight spots and tricky situations. It’s kind of like the Crab Walk feature in the GMC Hummer EV. This system helps shrink the turning radius, which is super handy for parking or towing.
Driving
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ comes with several drive modes that let you customize performance based on your needs and the conditions. You can choose from Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, Tow/Haul, Velocity Max, and My Mode. Each of these modes tweaks things like power delivery, steering, suspension, and traction to give you the best driving experience possible. Plus, the Escalade IQ also has a one-pedal driving mode, which is the most aggressive setting and brings the vehicle to a complete stop.
I set off in Sport mode from a stop by mashing the go pedal, and woah, massive torque steer, and the steering wheel was writhing in my hands like a demented snake. The main thing is to hold on to the wheel and hold it hard. I decided to try VMax mode and did the same thing, mashed the go pedal hard. Surprisingly, the car was much better controlled, so I’m thinking the electronics are sending more power to the rear wheels, virtually eliminating that torque steer.
The standard rear-wheel steering reduces the effort required to turn corners at slower speeds. It’s nearly a perfect match with the steering effort required, and its ability to glide over some of the worst pavement in San Diego was impressive. At higher speeds, the brakes proved very good at stopping the 9,000 lbs+ monster time after time, although thanks to the excellent regen were not needed unless I was practicing panic stops.
Acceleration is grin-inducing given how big the IQ is, from a stop, 60 comes up in less than 5 seconds, but the more impressive stuff happens once its bulk is on the move, 50 -70 mph passing maneuvers are a doddle. Onlookers just can’t quite believe just how fast this behemoth can move.
Interior
Inside, the stylish seats are roomy, well-finished, and hold you in place well. Adjusting the outside mirrors was a bit tricky since the passenger side mirror loses its convex shape, which is legally required for such heavy vehicles. That means to see any vehicles that may be in your blind spot, you have to lean far forward over the steering wheel to see. Not exactly a great experience so Cadillac’s fix is camera mirrors that activate when you signal a turn, and the image shows up in the center infotainment screen. It works, but it takes a bit of getting used to.
Front and center is the massive 55.0-inch screen stretching from pillar to pillar in front of you. Fortunately, it’s somewhat intuitive, placing items you’ll likely need on a smaller central cockpit screen. Usually home to HVAC controls, this screen switches to power door controls when you select Park, and it can also show regenerative braking controls. It even brings up the Arrival mode display when you choose that feature.
Moving further back, the second row is just as spacious and comfy. The third row is more suited for kids, which is why some folks might hold out for the 2026 Escalade IQL, which offers an extra 4.2 inches of length and a slightly less aerodynamic roofline that provides an additional inch of headroom in the third row.
Executive Class Seating
My tester came with the Executive Seating Package, providing an even more luxurious and comfy experience. This package features premium, 14-way power-adjustable captain’s chairs that have heating, ventilation, and massage options. Plus, second-row passengers get a center console with foldable tray tables and dual 12.6-inch entertainment screens in the back.
Cargo Space
As you would expect, it has an enormous amount of cargo space, 24 cubes behind the 3rd row, 69 behind the second and a huge 119 with all the seats flat.
Safety Features
The Escalade IQ takes advantage of GM’s tech surge, featuring the impressive hands-free Super Cruise system. It now operates over 750,000 miles across the U.S. and Canada, and among all driver-assist technologies, it stands out as the most sophisticated and useful. Blind-spot monitors with steering and camera support, a surround-view camera setup, automatic emergency braking that detects pedestrians and cyclists, night vision, and haptic lane-departure warnings that shake the seat to alert you. GM’s parking assist relies on nearby cars to measure and position itself, which can be a bit tricky if you prefer not to park next to another vehicle.
Price
It comes in two trims, Sport and Luxury, with Super Cruise, a head-up display, and a 12-cubic-foot front trunk all included. This one is a Sport 2, and the base price is $148,200. There are a few options: the executive 2nd row seating package for $7,500, Midnight Steel Frost color for almost $6,000, and rear seat entertainment for $1,995. Total price including destination is $166,905.
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Verdict
I’m not sure I trust a lot of people to drive a car that weighs more than 9,000 lbs. and accelerates like this one does. It is by far one of the fastest ways to get to soccer practice with your 5-a-side team.
Props to Cadillac, though. The interior is a delight; it’s super refined and drives like a bat out of hell. What they’ve done here is build a much better Escalade.
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Numbers
BASE PRICE: $148,200
PRICE AS TESTED: $166,905
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door SUV
FRONT MOTOR: Permanent-magnet AC
REAR MOTOR: Permanent-magnet AC
COMBINED POWER: 750 hp
COMBINED TORQUE: 785 lb-ft
BATTERY PACK: Liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 205.0 kWh
PEAK DC FAST CHARGE RATE: 350 kW
TRANSMISSION: 1-speed direct-drive
CURB WEIGHT: 9,250 lb
RANGE: 460 miles
0-60 MPH: 4.7 seconds (est)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB: N/A
CARGO SPACE: 24 cubic feet behind the 3rd row, 69 cubic feet behind the 2nd row, and 119 cubic feet with all seats flat
PROS: Quick for a brick, beautiful interior, super smooth ride, incredible range
CONS: Annoying self-closing and opening doors (you don’t have to check this option)
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Review
