General Motors is making a bold statement in the electric vehicle (EV) arena, proving that size indeed matters, especially when it comes to battery capacity and driving range. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ emerges as a frontrunner, boasting a massive battery pack exceeding one and a half tons, enabling an impressive range of up to 450 miles. This figure surpasses any other electric SUV currently on the market, positioning it as a potential leader in the Best Rated Awd Suv category, particularly within the burgeoning electric segment.
However, this three-row, seven-seat luxury SUV is not designed for the average consumer. While official pricing details are still pending, GM has indicated a starting price point of around $130,000. This positions the Escalade IQ over 20% higher in cost than its closest competitor in the true-luxury, three-row all-electric SUV market, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. This premium pricing reflects its ambition to be considered among the best rated AWD SUVs, offering unparalleled features and performance in the electric domain.
When considering electric SUVs, the GMC Hummer EV SUV is a notable contender in terms of size. Yet, even this robust vehicle falls short of the Escalade IQ’s range. While the Hummer EV SUV starts at a lower price of $98,845 and is heavier and wider than the Escalade IQ, it is also significantly shorter and accommodates only five passengers. Despite having a nearly identical battery size, the Hummer’s greater mass limits its range to 314 miles. The top-tier, seven-passenger Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, priced at $127,100, still undercuts the Escalade IQ’s starting price. However, it is considerably smaller, both in length and width, and its range barely exceeds 300 miles in its base rear-wheel-drive configuration, dropping to 285 miles with dual-motor all-wheel drive. Tesla’s Model X, another player in the electric SUV space, starts at a more accessible $81,630 ($91,630 for the Plaid version). Yet, it is significantly shorter than the Escalade IQ, offers a smaller third-row seat, and has a rated range of 348 miles. Therefore, in the quest for the best rated AWD SUV with superior range, the Escalade IQ sets a new benchmark.
Despite sharing the iconic Cadillac Escalade name and design cues, the Escalade IQ is engineered on a different foundation than its internal combustion engine counterpart. It utilizes GM’s dedicated Ultium platform for EVs. Interestingly, the Escalade IQ is wider but shorter than the extended-length Escalade ESV, showcasing a modern approach to SUV dimensions within the electric framework.
Although Cadillac has not yet released the official weight, industry experts anticipate the Escalade IQ to weigh between 8,000 and 9,000 pounds, with the battery pack alone contributing approximately 3,000 pounds. While such weight typically impacts an EV’s energy efficiency, the 2025 Escalade IQ is still expected to outperform its gasoline-powered counterparts in terms of efficiency. As consumers increasingly seek the best rated AWD SUV options in the electric market, the Cadillac Escalade IQ is poised to be a significant, albeit premium-priced, contender, pushing the boundaries of range and size in the luxury electric SUV segment.
