The electric Cadillac Escalade IQ arrived for testing with an indicated range of 440 miles, eliminating any concern about running low on power during a full week of driving. With a massive lithium-ion battery packing over 200 kWh between its axles, range is one aspect this large electric SUV handles with ease.
Design and Platform
Created during a period of higher electric vehicle optimism, the Escalade serves as Cadillac’s declaration that replacing a V8 engine with dual electric motors maintains its grand ambitions. Although General Motors has adjusted its timeline to include a combination of electric and combustion vehicles past 2030, this SUV shares its battery pack and underlying architecture with other full-size GM electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, and the Hummer EVs.
Size and Weight
Similar to its platform siblings, the Escalade is exceptionally large and heavy while remaining compact enough to squeeze into standard parking spaces. Its heavy curb weight pushes it into the Class 3 truck category, featuring flat side mirrors and an official estimate of 460 miles of range on the EPA test cycle. Although federal standards do not mandate them for a vehicle of this size, the SUV is equipped with numerous airbags to support its staggering 9,046-pound curb weight, making the electric model roughly one-third heavier than the previous gas-powered version.
