While it’s always fun to drive EVs, hearing from owners is often more valuable, since they’ve lived with their cars for months, or even years.
Buddy Boyter is a car guy. Among his current rides: A Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. While he enjoys a good upshift as much as the next enthusiast, he’s definitely not afraid of new tech.
He recently leased his fourth EV, a 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ. He’s previously owned a Tesla Model 3, Model X and a Rivian R1S.
If you’re a regular EV Rider viewer, you might have seen the episode about his previous Rivian SUV. Buddy is uniquely qualified to do a direct comparison between the Escalade IQ, Model X and R1S.
This is one of those week’s where you’ll need to watch the video to get the full story and road test. But if you don’t have time to watch right now, here are several quick facts about Cadillac’s latest EV to tie you over until you can watch the road test:
Selected Cadillac Escalade IQ Highlights
- The Escalade IQ afeatures the ability to fully power your home with what’s known as Vehicle to Home, or V2H.
- The front truck is absolutely huge with 12.2 cubic feet of storage space.
- This Caddy puts the final nail in the coffin of range anxiety. Cadillac estimates the Escalade IQ gets 460 miles per charge, which is more than the gas Escalade can manage with a full tank. The V8 Escalade is EPA-rated for 432 miles per tank in mixed driving.
- Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, the Escalade IQ can add about 100 miles of range in 10 minutes thanks to a rated peak charging speed of 350 kW. To put that in perspective, that’s more than double the peak charging speed of Ford’s Mustang Mach-E.
- The Escalade IQ has Magnetic Ride Control and an Adaptive Air Ride Suspension. That allows for a finely tuned soft or stiff suspension, depending on road conditions. It also allows the big Caddy to be raised or lowered by about two inches.
- Parking and off road maneuvers are a bit easier than you might imagine with a vehicle of this size due to the Escalade IQ’s four-wheel steering feature that Cadillac calls arrival mode, which is demonstrated in the video.
- For those looking for something even bigger, a longer version is coming for 2026. It will be called the Escalade IQL and check in at 228.5-inches long to offer more cargo and passenger space. The IQL will be the longest SUV ever produced by GM. But that’s still not as big as the 1974-1977 Fleetwood 9-passenger sedan, which came in at a whopping 252.2 inches long.
2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL Specifications
Editor’s Note: Most specifications listed for the 2026 Escalade IQL also apply to the 2025 Escalade IQ, although the IQL is a longer vehicle with a bit more cargo and passenger space.
EFFICIENCY
| Cadillac-estimated range1 | 460 miles (724+ km) |
1On a full charge based on development testing and/or analytical projection consistent with SAE J1634 revision 2017 – MCT. Range subject to change prior to production. Actual range may vary based on several factors, including ambient temperature, terrain, battery age and condition, loading, and how you use and maintain your vehicle.
BATTERY SYSTEM:
| Type: | Rechargeable energy storage system comprising multiple linked modules |
| Battery Chemistry: | Lithium-ion NCMA cathode, blended graphite anode |
| Battery Rated Energy: | 205 kWh |
ELECTRIC DRIVE:
| System: | 2 drive units with 1 motor each |
| Motor: | Permanent magnet, bar wound |
| Power1: | 680 hp / 505 kW – Normal Mode 750 hp / 560 kW – Velocity Max |
| Torque1: (lb-ft. / Nm): | 615 lb-ft. / 834 Nm – Normal Mode 785 lb-ft. / 1064 Nm – Velocity Max |
| Final Drive Ratio (:1): | 13.26:1 – front 11.63:1 – rear |
1Based on GM testing
CHARGING TIMES1
| 240V (7.7 kW Including Dual-Level Charge Cord): | Approximately 15 miles of range per hour of charge |
| 240V2 (19.2 kW AC): | Approximately 36 miles of range per hour of charge time |
| DC Fast Charge (Public): | Up to 116 miles of range in 10 minutes of charge time |
1Actual charge times will vary based on battery condition, output of charger, vehicle settings and outside temperature. See the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for additional limitations
2Home charging requires professionally installed 100A dedicated charge station, sold separately.
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
| Front and Rear Suspension: | Short-Long Arm (SLA) suspension with air springs and MagneRide dampers. Balanced ride and handling with premium isolation. |
| Steering Type: | Front: Rack & Pinion Electric Power Steering; Rear: Continuously variable actuator up to 10 degrees. |
| Turning Circle, Curb-to-Curb (ft. / m): | 39.86/ 12.15 |
| Brake Type: | 4-wheel disc with DuraLife™ Rotors |
| Brake Rotor Size OD: (in. / mm): | 13.98 / 355 (front) 14.05 / 356.8 (rear) |
| Wheels: | 24-inch alloy / 22-inch alloy |
| Tires: | LT275/50R24 and LT275/60R22 |
1Lower-profile tires wear faster. Tire and wheel damage may occur on rough or damaged roads or from surfaces, curbs, debris or obstacles. This damage is not covered by the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty. For more details, go to my.cadillac.com/learnabout/tires or see your dealer.
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
| Wheelbase (in. / mm): | 136.2 / 3460 |
| Overall Length (in. / mm): | 228.5 / 5803 |
| Overall Width (in. / mm): | 94.1 / 2389 (with mirrors) 85.3 / 2167 (mirrors folded) |
| Overall Height (in. / mm): | 76.1 / 1933 |
| Track Width (in. / mm): | Front: 68.7 / 1745 Rear: 68.7 / 1745 |
| Ground Clearance (in. / mm): | 6.9 / 175 |
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
| Headroom (in. / mm): | 1st row: 43.5 / 1106 |
| Legroom (in. / mm): | 1st row: 45.2 / 1148 2nd row: 41.4 / 1051 3rd row: 36.7 / 933 |
| Shoulder Room (in. / mm): | 1st row: 65.4 / 1662 2nd row: 63.6 / 1615 3rd row: 57.4 / 1457 |
| Hip Room (in. / mm): | 1st row: 61.1 / 1551 2nd row: 60.3 / 1532 3rd row: 49.2 / 1251 |
CAPACITIES
| EPA Passenger Volume (cu. ft. / L): | 1st row: 1841 2nd row: 1688 3rd row: 1283 |
| Cargo Volume1 (cu. ft. / L): | 125.2 / 3546 (second and third rows folded) 75.4 / 2135 (third row folded) 24.2 / 686 (behind third row) |
| eTrunk Volume1 (cu. ft. / L): | 12.2 / 345.4 |
| Max Trailering Capacity2 (lb. / kg): | 7500/ 3402 |
1Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution
2Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo, and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.