General Motors is making a bold statement in the EV market with the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, proving that size and battery capacity are key to achieving exceptional driving range in electric vehicles. This substantial SUV packs over a ton and a half of batteries, boasting an impressive range of up to 450 miles – surpassing any other electric SUV currently available and positioning itself as a strong contender for the Best Suv Awd.
While the three-row, seven-seat Escalade IQ caters to a specific segment of SUV shoppers, its luxury and capabilities are undeniable. Although official pricing details are still pending, GM has indicated a starting price around $130,000. This places it above the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, another prominent all-electric, three-row luxury SUV.
In the realm of electric SUVs, the GMC Hummer EV SUV is a notable size competitor, yet even it cannot match the Escalade IQ’s range. The Hummer EV SUV, starting at $98,845, is heavier and wider than the Escalade IQ, albeit shorter and with only five seats. Despite having a similar battery size, its range is less at 314 miles due to its greater mass. The top-tier, seven-passenger Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, priced at $127,100, remains slightly more affordable than the Escalade IQ’s anticipated starting price. However, it is significantly smaller, and its range in the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration is only 285 miles, barely crossing the 300-mile threshold even in its base rear-wheel-drive version. Tesla’s Model X, with a starting price of $81,630 (or $91,630 for the Plaid variant), is considerably shorter than the Escalade IQ, features a smaller third row, and offers an official range of 348 miles.
Despite sharing the Escalade name and design cues with its combustion engine counterpart, the Escalade IQ is engineered on GM’s dedicated Ultium platform for EVs. Interestingly, the Escalade IQ is wider but shorter in length compared to the extended Escalade ESV version.
Anticipated to weigh between 8,000 to 9,000 pounds, with the battery pack alone contributing 3,000 pounds, the Cadillac Escalade IQ is a substantial vehicle. While its weight might typically impact energy efficiency in EVs, it’s expected to be more efficient than traditional gasoline-powered SUVs of comparable size. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is setting new benchmarks for range and size in the electric SUV category, firmly establishing itself as a top contender for those seeking the best SUV AWD with electric power.
