The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ: A Glitzy Juggernaut with a Lightning Bolt for a Heart

Ah, the Cadillac Escalade—an institution in itself, synonymous with opulence, size, and a touch of swagger. For years, it’s been the go-to vehicle for those who like their luxury vehicles large and unapologetic. Now, Cadillac has decided to electrify their iconic behemoth, and the result is the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ—a vehicle that blends cutting-edge EV tech with the Escalade’s famous blend of luxury and excess. Yes, it’s enormous. Yes, it’s electric. And yes, it’s still brimming with all the bling you’d expect from a vehicle with a six-figure price tag.

But what is this electrified monster really like? Let’s take a deep dive into the Escalade IQ and see if Cadillac has managed to pull off the impossible: making a giant electric SUV feel like anything more than an oxymoronic marvel.

The Numbers That Matter

When you talk about a vehicle like the Escalade IQ, it’s all about the numbers—and boy, does this thing deliver. The starting price comes in at a cool $130,000, so if you were expecting a budget-friendly entry into the world of electric SUVs, look elsewhere. But for those with deep pockets, the Escalade IQ promises 750 horsepower, a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds, and a range of 450 miles on a full charge. And because this is still, at heart, a utility vehicle, it can tow up to 8,000 pounds.

Let’s just take a moment to appreciate those figures. We’re talking about an electric SUV that weighs as much as a small moon and still manages to hit 60 mph in four seconds. That’s faster than most hot hatches. And with a towing capacity that’s robust enough to haul yachts, it’s clear that Cadillac hasn’t compromised on the Escalade’s essential brawn, even in the shift to electric power.

For some perspective, Competitor A (we’ll call it “the green rival”) comes in at $120,000, with 680 horsepower and a range of 400 miles. Competitor B, an equally luxurious alternative, starts at a heftier $140,000 but can only muster 720 horsepower and a slightly lower range of 420 miles. So, on paper, the Escalade IQ seems to offer more bang for your electric buck.

Driving an Electric Mansion

Behind the wheel, the Escalade IQ feels like what you’d expect: massive, but with a whisper of menace underfoot. The instant torque from the electric motors is nothing short of breathtaking. Step on the accelerator, and this two-and-a-half-ton luxury land yacht surges forward with the kind of ferocity that leaves your passengers questioning the laws of physics.

There’s no V8 growl here, of course, but the eerie silence of the electric powertrain lends an entirely different kind of gravitas. It’s quiet, sure, but there’s a certain tension in the air when you realize you’re piloting what feels like a cross between a penthouse suite and a guided missile.

The handling? Well, it’s still an Escalade, so expecting it to feel nimble is like expecting a sumo wrestler to win gold in gymnastics. But Cadillac has done a good job with the air suspension and adaptive dampers, making the ride feel smoother than you’d expect from a vehicle this size. Corners are negotiated with competence, but there’s no denying that this is a vehicle meant for cruising in a straight line rather than tearing up twisty mountain roads.

The Interior: As Luxurious as Your Living Room—If Your Living Room Costs $130,000

Inside, the Escalade IQ is all about indulgence. Cadillac has packed it with the latest tech, including a 55-inch curved display that stretches across the dashboard, encompassing everything from infotainment to navigation. The materials are what you’d expect in a vehicle of this caliber: leather, real wood, and metal accents, all of which scream “luxury.”

And because this is an electric vehicle, the cabin is whisper-quiet. There’s no engine noise to contend with, and Cadillac has used every trick in the book to ensure that road and wind noise are kept to an absolute minimum. It’s so quiet, in fact, that you’ll be able to hear your thoughts—or, more likely, the complaints from your children about how bored they are. Luckily, there’s enough onboard entertainment to keep them occupied for even the longest road trips.

The Range Dilemma: 450 Miles, But Is It Enough?

One of the major selling points of the Escalade IQ is its impressive 450-mile range, which is more than enough for most daily driving and long trips. But here’s the thing: the Escalade IQ is big, heavy, and will likely be laden with all the creature comforts you’d expect from a luxury SUV. If you drive it like the luxury limo it is, you’ll get that 450-mile range. If you drive it like the 750-horsepower, road-devouring beast that it can be, don’t be surprised if that number dips considerably.

For most buyers, though, the range will be more than sufficient. And with fast-charging capabilities that allow you to recharge a significant portion of the battery in under 30 minutes, range anxiety should be a thing of the past. Still, it’s worth keeping in mind that with great power comes great energy consumption.

Towing: Because What’s the Point of an SUV If It Can’t Tow?

One of the key metrics for any SUV, electric or otherwise, is its towing capacity. With 8,000 pounds on tap, the Escalade IQ is more than capable of hauling just about anything you could reasonably want to tow—boats, trailers, small houses, you name it. It’s a testament to the fact that even as the automotive world shifts to electric, certain fundamental aspects of utility aren’t being sacrificed.

Competitor A, in contrast, manages a respectable 7,500 pounds, while Competitor B comes in at 7,800 pounds. In this regard, the Escalade IQ edges out its rivals, but the difference is marginal. The real takeaway here is that all of these luxury electric SUVs are capable of serious towing, which will come as a relief to anyone who thought that going electric meant giving up their weekend toys.

A Showstopper or Over-the-Top?

So, what’s the final verdict on the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ? Well, it’s big, it’s brash, and it’s absolutely loaded with tech and luxury. For those who want an electric SUV that doesn’t compromise on performance, utility, or sheer road presence, the Escalade IQ is tough to beat. It’s faster, more powerful, and arguably more luxurious than its competitors, all while maintaining the kind of swagger that’s become synonymous with the Escalade name.

That being said, the Escalade IQ isn’t for everyone. It’s expensive—$130,000 is no small sum—and its size alone may be off-putting for those who don’t need an SUV the size of a small apartment. But for those who do, for the buyers who want all the opulence and none of the compromises, the Escalade IQ might just be the ultimate statement vehicle.

In the end, Cadillac has done something remarkable: they’ve taken the traditional Escalade formula and electrified it without losing any of the car’s character. It’s still big, it’s still loud (in a metaphorical sense), and it’s still the go-to vehicle for those who want to arrive in style. Only now, it does all of that with zero emissions and a sense of quiet confidence.