Powering the Escalade IQ is a 24-module Ultium battery that generates more than 200 kilowatt-hours of energy and allows for 800-volt fast charging, which Cadillac says can restore 100 miles of range in 10 minutes.
The seven-seat SUV is equipped with drive motors in the front and rear that put out 680 hp and 615 pound-feet of torque, Cadillac said. Velocity Max drive mode, a standard feature, boosts output to as much as 750 hp and 785 pound-feet of torque, for a 0 to 60 mph time of less than 5 seconds, Cadillac said. GM estimates the Escalade IQ can tow up to 8,000 pounds.
The Escalade IQ rides on 24-inch wheels and 35-inch tires. Cadillac aims to provide a smooth ride through its Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and Adaptive Air Ride Suspension technologies. A four-wheel steering system helps drivers navigate tight corners by reducing the turning diameter by more than 6.5 feet, while Arrival Mode enables the vehicle to drive diagonally. Arrival Mode is a similar feature to GMC’s CrabWalk, which debuted on the Hummer EV pickup.
“There’s nothing quite as exhilarating for an engineer or a designer to have the creative freedom that we had on Escalade IQ,” said Mandi Damman, the Escalade IQ’s chief engineer.
“More than any other single factor, Ultium gave our teams the freedom to achieve a new level of luxury from the ground up,” she said. “Our engineering team worked tirelessly to ensure the powerful electric propulsion delivers a thrilling experience that lives up to Cadillac’s standards. Along with performance, we blended technologies that make Escalade IQ easier to drive and feel much smaller than it actually is.”
Bidirectional charging allows the Escalade IQ to power a home, while an offboard power system can charge outside devices. Bidirectional charging capability is enabled by an over-the-air update via GM’s Ultifi software platform and will become standard on all of the company’s EVs by 2026.
Aerodynamic design features contribute to a drag coefficient about 15 percent lower than previous generations of the Escalade and enable its estimated 450-mile range, Damman said.
That estimated range is on par with the Chevrolet Silverado EV 4WT work truck debuting this year and tops the less-expensive GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV.
