Cadillac Escalading the 2025 SUV EV Wars

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Cadillac (NYSE:GM) showed today its first-ever all-electric full-size SUV, the 2025 Escalade IQ, in New York City. It has a Cadillac-estimated 450 miles of range (footnote 1), Super Cruise driver assistance technology, bi-directional charging capability, different interior and exterior designs, and zero tailpipe emissions. The Power folding third row allows for seven total passengers and folds flat for more storage. The so-called eTrunk compartment under the hood has 12 cubic feet of storage. Pricing starts at ~$130,000 including destination charges. (AutoInformed: Vehicle-to-Home Bidirectional Charging Coming on All GM EVs)

“Escalade IQ raises the standard just as the original Escalade redefined luxury a quarter-century ago,” claimed John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. “This re-imagining of an icon marks the next step in Cadillac’s all-electric future.”

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Notable at first glance are the curved pillar-to-pillar 55-inch total diagonal LED display, optional Super Cruise® driver assistance technology (2), vehicle-to-home bidirectional charging technology with GM Energy’s – optional and not completely priced yet – Ultium Home products.

Escalade IQ is built off of  GM’s and modular EV propulsion architecture, the Ultium Platform, and incorporates GM’s Ultifi software platform to support and deliver ongoing software updates to its sometimes-bewildering multiple technologies.

Escalade IQ has independent front and rear suspension, with power transferred to gigantic range-robbing 24-inch wheels with LT275/50R24 tires via front- and rear-drive motors that work in conjunction with the eAWD system.

Advanced technologies include Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and Adaptive Air Ride Suspension that claims to isolate passengers from undesirable road surfaces while providing precise steering and feel.

The Adaptive Air Ride Suspension system enables the SUV to be lowered up to 2 inches (50 mm) and raised 1 inch (25 mm), while additional pieces such as the standard Four-Wheel Steer, optional Cadillac Arrival Mode (3)  and Low Ride Mode claim to enhance capability.

Four-Wheel Steer reduces the turning diameter to 39.4 feet (12 meters) at lower speeds and reduces the turning diameter by more than 6.5 feet for greater maneuverability in parking lots and tighter overall turning radius. It also  is said to improve handling and stability at higher speed, particularly when trailering.

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Escalade IQ also has some  standard active safety and driver assistance¹¹ items, including:

• Blind Zone Steering Assist: Can provide a brief, firm turn of the steering wheel when a potential crash is detected with a moving vehicle in the lane the vehicle is entering
• Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking: Can help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of an intersection collision with a detected cross-traffic vehicle
• HD Surround Vision: Provides selectable digital camera views of the area around the vehicle and can help drivers park or avoid vehicles and objects
• Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist: Can automatically steer, brake and shift gears to park the vehicle into a dedicated parallel or perpendicular parking space and can help unpark the vehicle
• Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking: At speeds between 5 and 50 mph, can help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of a collision with a pedestrian or bicyclist it detects directly in front of them

 Inevitable Escalade IQ Lawyer Speak Footnotes

1. ¹On a full charge based on development testing and/or analytical projection consistent with SAE J1634 revision 2017 – MCT. EPA estimate is not yet available. A 24-module Ultium battery produces more than 200 kWh of available energy. It also employs a flexible, high-voltage architecture that enables 800-volt DC fast charging, the quickest form of charging currently available, providing up to 100 miles of range in 10 minutes of charge time (4). Range subject to change prior to production. Actual range may vary – almost certainly by AutoInformed’s testing experience of -20% to -40% – based on several influences, including ambient temperature, terrain, battery age and condition, loading, and how you use and maintain your vehicle.
2. ²Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply. Visit cadillac.com/supercruise for compatible roads and full details.
3. ³Limited to low speeds. Read the vehicle Owner’s Manual for important feature limitations and information.
4. ⁴Actual charge times will vary based on battery starting state of charge, battery condition, output of charger, vehicle settings and battery temperature. See the Owner’s Manuals for your vehicle and charger for additional details & limitations.
5. ⁵On a closed course.
6. ⁶On a closed course only. Based on initial vehicle movement.
7. ⁷Maximum trailering ratings are intended for comparison purposes only. Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The trailering capacity of your specific vehicle may vary. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can trailer.
8. ⁸Feature may be limited when the battery temperatures are extremely cold or hot or when battery is near full charge. Always use the brake pedal when you need to stop immediately. See Owner’s Manual for details.
9. ⁹Feature may be limited when the battery temperatures are extremely cold or hot or when battery is near full charge. See Owner’s Manual for details.
10. ¹⁰ After initial 3-year period, an eligible OnStar Super Cruise plan must be purchased. Services vary by vehicle and model and require active service plan, working electrical system, cell reception and GPS signal. Does not include safety services. Super Cruise vehicles are connected to emergency services. See onstar.com for details and limitations.
11. ¹¹Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. The driver should remain attentive to traffic, surroundings and road conditions at all times. Visibility, weather, and road conditions may affect feature performance. Read the vehicle’s owner’s manual for more important feature limitations and information.
12. ¹²Snapdragon branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.
13. ¹³ Google built-in services are subject to limitations and availability may vary by vehicle, infotainment system, and location. Select service plan required. Certain Google actions and functionality may require account linking. User terms and privacy statements apply.
14. ¹⁴ Service availability, features and functionality are subject to limitations and vary by vehicle, device, location and active service plan. Device data connection is required. Google Actions require account linking to use. Lock/unlock feature requires automatic locks. Remote start/stop requires GM factory-installed and -enabled remote start system. See onstar.com for details and limitations. ^®2023 Google LLC. All rights reserved. Google, Android, Google Assistant and other related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC.
15. ¹⁵The system wirelessly charges one compatible mobile device. Some phones have built-in wireless charging technology and others require a special adaptor/back cover. To check for phone or other device compatibility, see my.cadillac.com/learn or consult your carrier.
16. ¹⁶Not compatible with all devices.
17. ¹⁷See onstar.com for details and limitations. Services vary by model. Service plan required.
18. ¹⁸Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution.
19. ¹⁹The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price.