Blasting Celine Dion In This Bigger Than Life EV

As I used to be Supercruising my manner down the freeway within the all-electric Escalade IQ, by no means actually feeling its huge 24-inch wheels making contact with spring-thawed crater-like potholes as its 10,000-pound construction took within the beating, I puzzled who this automobile was actually for.

The IQ is clearly very costly. It is also as giant as a Ford Tremendous Obligation pickup truck, and loaded with the form of tech, ambient lighting and facilities you’d usually discover in a Vegas limousine taxi. However who has this a lot cash to spend on a automobile that’ll depreciate quicker than it takes a 350-kW fast-charger to cost its battery? A 3-row, full-size electrical SUV geared up with an Govt second-row bundle that primarily renders the third row out of date? Celine Dion, that is who.

Identical to the IQ, Celine is aware of learn how to make an entrance. She’s bigger than life, louder than loud, and all about supplying you with a once-in-a-lifetime musical expertise. Like this electrical Escalade, Celine is the embodiment of “the present should go on”. So, as I embraced the slew of opulent options this Cadillac needed to supply, I blasted The Energy of Love within the IQ’s crystal-clear, 36-speaker AKG audio system, and pretended I used to be Celine’s private chauffeur for a complete week.

The Escalade IQ image here’s a press unit that belongs to the Cadillac Canada press workplace. The automobile was picked up clear and with a full cost. For detailed perception into testing procedures and information assortment, please assessment our methodology coverage.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ First Impressions: Large And Fashionable, However Nonetheless Clearly An Escalade

Whereas the common, gasoline-powered Escalade preserves a conservative, square-jawed look, the IQ goes about its design in a extra modern vogue. Whereas nonetheless primarily a big block on wheels, its edges are smoother, the general form has extra roundness to it and the truck seems considerably extra trendy. But, it is nonetheless immediately recognizable as an Escalade.

It is also huge, tipping the size at greater than 10,000 kilos (an estimate primarily based on its sister fashions). The IQ is 12 inches longer than an everyday, standard-wheelbase Escalade. It is one inch wider and rides on a wheelbase that is 15 inches longer. Cadillac will even promote you an extended, L model.

Lots of the design, nevertheless, is reliant on the truck’s LED lighting, which fantastically decorates the entrance fascia whereas fooling the attention that what you are are grille parts. In actuality, they’re nothing greater than a collection of small LEDs hiding behind a big slab of plastic. So, in an effort to absolutely admire the IQ, it is best when you maintain these headlights on.

Whereas on the subject of exterior lighting, the IQ’s complete rear part is just like Cadillac’s newer electrical automobile (EV) choices; automobiles just like the OPTIQ and VISTIQ SUVs. The symbolic vertical LED taillights have been damaged up into two separate sections, with the underside one ending off in a hockey stick vogue in the direction of the entrance. It undoubtedly provides the IQ a extra elegant look, however from some angles, these taillights additionally look form of bizarre. General, although, I like the way in which this factor seems, particularly painted within the Flare Metallic coloration you see right here.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Exterior Dimensions

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ: Variations Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

Each the U.S. and Canadian markets promote the Escalade IQ in the identical 4 accessible trim ranges: Luxurious 1, Sport 1, Luxurious 2, and Sport 2, and each markets promote it with commonplace dual-motor all-wheel-drive. Each markets additionally promote the identical six paint colours, whereas non-compulsory packages are mainly similar. That features the $8,870 ($9,000 CAD) Govt second-row seating bundle my tester was geared up with.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown And Beginning MSRP (mannequin examined in daring)

Driving Impressions And Efficiency: How Can One thing This Giant Be So Quick?

Like its inside combustion engine (ICE) sibling, the IQ is all about massive numbers. Beneath its Escalade outfit hides a typical structure with the GMC Hummer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and GMC Sierra EV. It is the GM Ultium Giant Platform, with a battery capability that is twice the scale of a Tesla Mannequin S’ at a staggering 205 kWh. The entire mixed output when partaking the Velocity Max mode is 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. When issues are rolled again to its default setting, that output drops to 680 hp and 615 lb-ft. Cadillac says the IQ will hit 60 MPH from a standstill in 4.7 seconds. Let that sink in for a second.

Certain, the IQ could not include the identical aural soundtrack because the Escalade-V, which is definitely a tad faster than this to 60 MPH at a claimed 4.3 seconds. However that is wonderful, because the IQ bends the legal guidelines of physics, abruptly shrinking beneath you, and feeling much more playful than one thing this massive should be. I am not saying it is a nimble machine, nor does it present any form of suggestions. It is all very numb, truly. But it surely’s the extent of athleticism right here that boggles the thoughts.

Oh, here is one other larger-than-life truth concerning the IQ: it is exempt from EPA testing and labeling as a result of its Gross Automobile Weight Score (GVWR) exceeds 10,000 kilos.

Stomp the accelerator from a standstill, and the IQ squats down and lounges ahead with most pressure. You’d higher be hanging on tight to that steering wheel, as a result of this EV will tug and pull when you’re not paying consideration. But, enter a nook too shortly with it, and there is by no means a way that extreme weight is a matter. It is all composed, compliant, and reactive.

The IQ truly feels extra like a really giant hatchback than the semi-body-on-frame rig it truly is. Brakes are additionally sensible, with a agency chew when issues begin getting uncontrolled, which, once more, is mind-blowing contemplating what they’re in control of slowing down. GM’s all the time wonderful and adjustable regenerative braking helps improve the braking efficiency. And sure, you may truly drive the IQ utilizing just one pedal.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Technical Specs

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Vitality Consumption, Vary, And Charging

Like its Ultium siblings, the IQ is provided with an 800-volt structure, permitting it to quick cost at a charge of 350 kW on a suitable charger in optimum circumstances. The onboard charger for stage 2 house charging can fluctuate between 11.5 and 19.2 kW relying on your private home setup. Vary, based on GM, is rated at 460 miles. Oh, here is one other larger-than-life truth concerning the IQ: it is exempt from EPA testing and labeling as a result of its Gross Automobile Weight Score (GVWR) exceeds 10,000 kilos.

As for me, I recorded a 2.5-km (1.6-mile) per kWh common after 800 km (497 miles) of driving. This equates to 513 km (319 miles) of real-world vary. Nonetheless, my sole try at fast-charging the IQ on a 180-kW unit at 12 levels Celsius (54 levels Farenheit) for 18 minutes resulted in disappointing outcomes. The truck barely hit 120 kW, and dwindled in the direction of the 100-kW mark the remainder of the time, with solely a really slight enhance in pace in the direction of the tip of its charging cycle.

EPA And As Examined Vitality Consumption And Vary

Inside Design And Consolation: Welcome To The Nightclub

Maybe the place the IQ makes way more of a press release than its gasoline equal is in its inside. By no means thoughts the huge leather-based seats entrance and rear loaded with massaging and ergonomic options, or all 4 doorways that may be electronically operated from a distance. The IQ’s showpiece is when the solar goes down as its ambient lighting enhances its already jet-set inside. In the meantime, the AKG sound system sounds prefer it was sourced out of a discotheque.

It is all very retromodern in there, too, with a dashboard, steering wheel and door designs that combine queues from previous Cadillacs. The dashboard, beneath a large 55-inch curved show that spans the width of the cabin from pillar to pillar (extra on that later), is basically a big slab of what seems to be marble. It is designed a bit like a shelf, or, as a pal who rode alongside joked, a bar. Sadly, you need not manipulate that slab lengthy to note it is truly simply plastic. It additionally annoyingly cracks and bends while you fiddle with it, which had me questioning my take a look at unit’s almost $200,000 (CDN) price ticket.

The Govt seating bundle for the second row undoubtedly enhances the expertise. Each passengers have entry to a slew of massaging options and seat changes, in addition to the power to function among the automobile’s settings, akin to ambient lighting. Additionally they every get a retractable desk from the middle storage compartment.

However when you plan on using your IQ’s practicality, you may wish to skip the Govt bundle as a consequence of the way it obstructs third-row entry. Getting these massive thrones out of the way in which would require endurance as you maintain down a tiny button hidden behind the C pillar. And as soon as tilted ahead, these seats do not provide you with a lot room to slip your self via. Moreover, third-row passengers will shortly get irritated by how the tall Govt second row blocks most of their ahead visibility.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Inside Dimensions

Expertise And Ease Of Use: Display screen Galore! However With Some Restricted Prospects

In the event you’re not a fan of screens in automobiles, then I counsel you look elsewhere. In whole, the IQ I used to be driving had 5 of them, with the principle one on the dashboard truly composed of three separate screens, totaling eight. It is rather a lot to soak up, however you shortly wrap your head round it. Here is a fast rundown of what every display screen does:

Most important 55-Inch Curved Show

That is the traditional structure that almost all carmakers flock to. That enormous display screen encompasses the infotainment system within the middle, the instrument cluster on the left, and an auxiliary display screen on the appropriate for the entrance passenger. The latter will be related to a separate machine for projection functions. When not in use, it shows primary data, just like the IQ’s vitality consumption and accessible vary.

Typically talking, that is a simple setup to function, both via contact controls or the accessible rotary knob dial. Cadillac additionally places fast bodily keys at your disposal to shortly entry very important menus akin to audio or navigation. That is GM’s newest native Google infotainment interface that requires you to register utilizing a Google account. As soon as that is accomplished, you may instantly obtain your apps onto the system such as you would on every other machine. YouTube, as an illustration, will be downloaded onto the central display screen for viewing when parked. Sadly, these streaming apps can’t be despatched to the automobile’s different screens on your passengers to get pleasure from, which is a large letdown.

Two Smaller Central Screens

Each entrance and rear passengers have entry to a smaller, tablet-like display screen to function among the IQ’s key features, such because the local weather management system, ambient lighting, seat options, regenerative braking efficiency, the electronically-operated doorways, ambient lighting, and even the accessible crab stroll characteristic because of rear-wheel-steering.

Rear Leisure Screens

Lastly, a set of rear leisure screens have been put there on your passengers to connect with an exterior machine through an HDMI port in an effort to view a film, a TV collection or play a online game. These screens additionally mean you can independently sync a pair of headphones. When not related to something, they show primary details about the automobile, just like the entrance passenger display screen.

Cargo And Storage Area: Entrance Or Rear, There’s Loads Of Room

One profit of getting the Govt bundle was that I made a decision to mainly ignore the third row altogether, and lowered it flat to grant me extra cargo house. This was excellent for carrying the canine round, as I knew I might additionally depend on the IQ’s entrance trunk (frunk) for the rest of my cargo. Curiously sufficient, though the IQ is a much bigger SUV than the common Escalade (25.5 cu-ft/72.9 cu-ft/120.5 cu-ft), it would not essentially supply extra cargo house, both when its rear seats are in place or not. That being stated, the presence of a entrance storage compartment permits the IQ to make up for its cargo house deficit.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Cargo Area

The New King Of SUVs Is An EV

The Escalade nameplate has rather a lot resting on its shoulders. It is Cadillac’s best-selling automobile, but in addition its flagship. With that comes the status for being the most important and baddest SUV on sale. Due to its assortment of huge numbers and a very ostentatious presence, the Escalade is the undisputed king of SUVs.

Does the IQ have what it takes to hold that crown? From the numbers alone, it positive can. My instance additionally attracted quite a lot of consideration and stares, so the IQ undoubtedly has highway presence. It additionally loses not one of the bling and get together animal vibes of its sibling. If something, electrification has elevated the Escalade nameplate’s stage of refinement and efficiency, whereas enhancing its luxurious expertise. Solely time will inform if consumers will embrace it. However the IQ positive carries that crown properly, as it is a Titanic SUV. If Celine Dion have been seeking to improve her private fleet, then the IQ could be a worthy candidate.