General Motors is making a bold statement in the EV market with larger vehicles that offer extended driving ranges thanks to bigger batteries. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ exemplifies this, boasting over a ton and a half of batteries and an impressive 450-mile range – surpassing any other electric SUV currently available. This positions it as a strong contender for the title of Best Awd Suv in the electric vehicle segment.
However, the three-row, seven-seat Escalade IQ isn’t designed for every SUV buyer. While official pricing is still pending, GM has indicated a starting price around $130,000. This is a significant 20% premium over the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, its main competitor in the true-luxury, three-row all-electric SUV category. When considering the best AWD SUV, price is a crucial factor for many buyers.
In the realm of electric SUVs, the GMC Hummer EV SUV is a notable size competitor, but even it can’t match the Escalade IQ’s range. The Hummer, starting at $98,845, is heavier and wider, though shorter with only five seats and achieves a range of 314 miles despite having a similar battery size. The top-tier, seven-passenger Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, priced at $127,100, remains slightly more affordable than the Escalade IQ’s base model. Yet, it is considerably smaller and offers a range that barely reaches 300 miles in its rear-wheel-drive base trim, and only 285 miles in its all-wheel-drive configuration. Tesla’s Model X, with a starting price of $81,630 ($91,630 for the Plaid version), is significantly shorter and offers a 348-mile range, but its third row is notably smaller. For those prioritizing range and size in an AWD SUV, the Escalade IQ seems to take a definitive lead.
Despite sharing the Escalade name and design cues with its combustion engine counterpart, the Escalade IQ is built upon GM’s dedicated EV Ultium platform. Interestingly, the IQ is wider but shorter than the extended Escalade ESV. This dedicated EV architecture is a key factor in its performance and positions it uniquely within the best AWD SUV conversation, as it’s designed from the ground up for electric power.
While Cadillac hasn’t released official figures, the Escalade IQ is expected to weigh between 8,000 and 9,000 pounds, with the battery pack alone contributing 3,000 pounds. This substantial weight typically impacts energy efficiency in EVs. It’s anticipated that the 2025 Escalade IQ will be among the less energy-efficient EVs on the market, although still more efficient than traditional gasoline-powered SUVs. For consumers seeking the best AWD SUV that balances luxury, range, and size, the Cadillac Escalade IQ presents a compelling, albeit expensive, option.
