General Motors is making a bold statement in the EV market with the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, proving that size truly matters when it comes to electric vehicles. This all-wheel drive electric SUV isn’t just spacious; it’s designed to maximize battery capacity for an unprecedented driving range. Boasting a massive battery pack weighing over 1.5 tons, the Escalade IQ claims to offer up to 450 miles of range, setting a new benchmark for electric SUVs and positioning itself as a strong contender for the Best All Wheel Suv title.
However, the Cadillac Escalade IQ, a seven-seat, three-row marvel, is not for every SUV buyer. With an expected starting price around $130,000, it enters the luxury segment at a premium. This price point is more than 20% higher than another prominent all-electric, three-row luxury SUV, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. The Escalade IQ aims to justify its cost through superior range and size, targeting discerning customers seeking the best all wheel SUV experience without compromising on luxury or capability.
When comparing electric SUVs in terms of size and range, the GMC Hummer EV SUV emerges as a notable competitor in sheer bulk. Yet, even the Hummer EV SUV cannot overshadow the Escalade IQ’s impressive range. While the Hummer EV SUV starts at a lower price of $98,845 and is wider than the Escalade IQ, it’s also significantly shorter and offers seating for only five. Despite having a comparable battery size, the Hummer’s greater weight reduces its range to 314 miles. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, in its top seven-passenger trim, is priced lower at $127,100, but it is considerably smaller and offers a range that barely touches 300 miles in its rear-wheel-drive base model, and only 285 miles in its all-wheel-drive configuration. Even Tesla’s Model X, starting at $81,630 (or $91,630 for the Plaid version), falls short in comparison. The Model X is much shorter than the Escalade IQ, features a smaller third-row seat, and has a range of 348 miles, further solidifying the Escalade IQ’s lead in range within the best all wheel SUV category.
Alt text: Side profile of the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, a large all-wheel drive electric SUV showcasing its sleek design and spacious proportions.
Despite sharing the Escalade name and design cues with its internal combustion engine counterpart, the Escalade IQ is built upon a different foundation. It utilizes GM’s dedicated Ultium platform for electric vehicles. Interestingly, the Escalade IQ is wider but shorter in length than the extended-length Escalade ESV, demonstrating a strategic shift in proportions for this electric iteration. This Ultium platform is key to the Escalade IQ’s ambition to be recognized as the best all wheel SUV in the electric segment.
Alt text: Front grill and headlight detail of the Cadillac Escalade IQ, highlighting its modern electric vehicle design language and premium aesthetics as a top contender for best all-wheel SUV.
While Cadillac has yet to release the official weight, the Escalade IQ is anticipated to weigh between 8,000 to 9,000 pounds, with the battery pack alone contributing approximately 3,000 pounds. This substantial weight typically impacts an EV’s energy efficiency. Therefore, the 2025 Escalade IQ is expected to be among the less energy-efficient EVs on the market. However, it’s still projected to be more efficient than its traditional gasoline-powered Escalade siblings. This balance of range and efficiency, within the context of a large luxury SUV, will be crucial in determining if the Escalade IQ truly earns the title of the best all wheel SUV.
