Textual content by Tom Appel
2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ Sport
Specs
Class: Premium Giant SUV
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Coloration: Deep Area Metallic
Miles pushed: 331
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | A |
| Gasoline Financial system | A |
| Worth | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 680 |
| Engine Sort | Electrical Motors |
| Transmission | Automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Battery capability: 205 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: N/A
EPA-estimated driving vary: N/A (Cadillac estimated: 460)
Most Cost Fee: 350 kW
Shopper Information vary estimate (splendid situations): 500+ miles
Cost Port Location: Rear driver-side fender
Charging Customary: CCS
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base worth: $127,905 (not together with $2390 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Onyx Package deal ($4250), rear-entertainment system ($1995), particular paint ($625), AKG-brand Bluetooth headphones ($400)
Worth as examined: $137,565
Audio-System Model
AKG
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Glorious
Professionals and Cons
The good: Refined on-road expertise, roomy and comfy cabin
The great: Loads of energy, sportier than it ought to be
The not so good: Costly
Evaluation
I’m bored with conventional merchandise being rebranded as “excessive” in a bid to maintain shopper curiosity piqued. Frito Lay, for instance, presently peddles extreme-branded forms of its Cheetos, Doritos, and Ruffles snacks. And, per this editor’s palate, zesting up an old-school lunchbox favourite with a measured dose of artificial warmth would possibly make for some fascinating packaging alternatives, however does little to reinforce the precise culinary expertise. However some excessive makeovers work higher than others…
“Excessive”
Cadillac just lately elevated its SUV flagship Escalade in rank from over-the-top to utterly excessive by the method of electrification. And by that I imply the brand new model of the Escalade is battery powered, and, even higher for the hassle. Dare I say, extraordinarily higher.
Going Electrical
Dubbed Escalade IQ, the brand new Escalade EV just isn’t precisely a model of the gasoline-powered ‘Slade—it rides on all-new EV-dedicated structure—nevertheless it shares the unique Escalade’s mission. And that mission is to be huge, snug, quick, and, effectively, excessive.
Ultium
New for 2025, the Escalade IQ is certainly one of a number of Common Motors automobiles which might be constructed on the maker’s company Ultium structure. As such, the Escalade is mechanically much like the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the GMC Sierra EV, in addition to the GMC Hummer pickup and SUV.
All that mentioned, the Escalade IQ is about the identical measurement as the traditional Escalade—save for general size–and bears greater than a passing resemblance to the massive, gas-powered Caddy as effectively.
Escalade IQL
For 2025, the IQ was provided solely in a standard-length configuration. At 224 inches from stem to stern, the IQ is absolutely a foot longer than the usual ‘Slade, and is simply 3 inches shorter than the stretched gas-powered ESV variant.
For 2026 a long-wheelbase IQL mannequin has been added to the IQ lineup. That, at 227 inches in size–simply 3 inches greater than the usual IQ–we type of marvel why Cadillac is making the hassle.
Other than the addition of the IQL to the lineup, the Escalade IQ is little modified for 2026.
Costs and Trim Ranges
Trim ranges provided for ’26 embody:
IQ Luxurious ($130,300)
IQ Sport ($130,800)
IQL Luxurious ($133,300)
IQL Sport ($133,800)
IQ Premium Luxurious ($150,600)
IQ Premium Sport ($151,100)
IQL Premium Luxurious ($153,600)
IQL Premium Sport ($154,100)
Powertrains
All Escalade IQ and IQL fashions include a dual-motor AWD drivetrain rated at 680 horsepower and a strong 615 pound-feet of torque. Engaged, a driver-selectable “Velocity Max” mode will quickly up output to 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feel of torque.
Vary
Energy comes from an enormous 205-kWh battery, which, per Cadillac, accepts charging at as much as 350 kW–quicker than most public charging stations can serve up energy. As a result of the Escalade exceeds the load restrict for testing, the EPA doesn’t report an estimated battery vary for the truck. Cadillac claims the Escalade is nice for as much as 460 miles of vary in regular situations. We’ll speak extra about vary in a second…
Lodging
Each Escalade IQ seats 7 passengers by the use of commonplace 2nd-row captains chairs and a 3-passenger 3rd-row bench seat. Order an IQL as a substitute of an IQ, and your way-back passengers will get pleasure from an extra 3 inches of legroom, and just a little further headroom.
Wheels
All Escalades include both 22-inch or 24-inch wheels. The 24-inch wheels may be ordered as an choice on examples with the usual 22s.
Check Automobile
Shopper Information just lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2026 Escalade IQ Sport in Deep Area Metallic and geared up with the Onyx Package deal, which incorporates the 24-inch wheels. All advised, our take a look at truck got here to $137,565, together with vacation spot cost.
Actual-world Vary
Now, about that vary…
Our take a look at automotive arrived on a warmish November day right here in Chicago. With temperatures within the forties, our take a look at IQ reported 504 miles of vary with the battery at a 90-percent state of cost. We had been impressed.
Later throughout our take a look at week, temperatures plunged into the only digits—however our vary was seemingly little affected. Regardless of some prolonged freeway use—within the chilly—we estimate our true vary, had we utterly depleted the battery, would have are available round 460 miles. We remained impressed.
Evaluating Escalade and Escalade IQ
As for the driving expertise, the Escalade IQ may be very very similar to the gas-powered Escalade, however higher in virtually each manner. A fast recap:
In comparison with the “commonplace” Escalade, the IQ is…
- Faster
- Quieter
- Roomier
- Higher using
- Higher dealing with
- Higher wanting (to those eyes)
- Extra power environment friendly
Controls and Instrumentation
Inside, the IQ does a pleasant job of delivering all the data any driver might probably need, in a fashion than avoids overkill. The large 55-inch dashboard-spanning touchscreen is neat, clear, and simple to learn, and may be configured to ship the data you need the place you need.
A couple of major capabilities, together with local weather management, are dealt with by a smaller display positioned decrease on the console. Although we’d desire precise knobs and switches for local weather management, we discovered display administration of those operations easy sufficient.
Room and Consolation
Area is ample, and even the biggest and tallest of us will discover the IQ simple to enter and comfy, even for lengthy voyages. Even the threerd-row is accommodating, although the journey again to that seat is usually a little difficult.
There’s all kinds of cargo house aft of the rear seat, about 24 cubic ft, if Cadillac is to be believed. Fold all of the seatbacks flat, and that house expands to a minivan-like 119 ft—sufficient quantity to move a dorm room, or two.
Décor
Cabin appointments are high notch, and the IQ décor comes off as just a little extra restrained—and barely extra high-tech—than that within the gas-powered Escalade. As an added bonus, the “commonplace” AKG audio system delights with sturdy, clear sound. We’re eager to pattern accessible improve AKG setup, however don’t have any complaints relating to the no-cost outfit.
Experience and Dealing with
On the highway the IQ feels quick and sporty—sportier than something this massive–and this heavy–ought to. The steering is just a little lighter than we’d like, however the sturdy brakes, effectively managed cornering lean, and basic responsiveness, give this huge Cadillac an uncanny athleticism that defies its mass.
And about that energy…
Energy and Efficiency
Like most electrical automobiles, the Escalade IQ surges easily from a cease, and accelerates with predictable muscle. Add to that the IQ’s deep effectively of reserve energy, which is well tapped for fearless passing and merging, and rocketlike on-ramp prices.
Worth
Sure the Escalade IQ is pricey, nevertheless it does reside on the fashionable pinnacle of efficiency, passenger consolation, and know-how. We discovered our time on this electrical Cadillac each satisfying and even guilt inducing. Ought to we ever be this snug driving a take a look at automotive?
Add to the consolation and efficiency the IQ’s spectacular battery vary, and you’ve got a compelling different to the gas-powered competitors within the huge, luxury-truck section. Able to go luxurious electrical? Be certain to take an Escalade IQ for a take a look at drive. And, simply asking, ought to Cadillac simply have named the IQ Escalade Excessive?
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