2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is the most powerful, aerodynamic Escalade ever

Cadillac has revealed a number of big-deal EVs as of late, first with its Lyriq and then the halo Celestiq sedan. Important as they are, this reveal, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, is arguably moreso. That's because the Escalade has been one of the biggest sellers and the de facto flagship for the luxury brand. And Cadillac seems to recognize that, making the electric IQ version big, bold, powerful, high-tech and, not surprisingly, expensive.

From the outside, the Escalade IQ is easily identified with its full-size dimensions and relatively boxy and traditional shape, certainly compared to the sleek Lyriq and Celestiq. But what's interesting is that compared with its platform-mates such as the Silverado EV and Sierra EV, the Escalade has a sleeker, cab-rearward shape, one that provides a long and lean nose. The shape is quite aerodynamic, too, as Cadillac says the IQ is the most aerodynamic full-size SUV GM has ever produced with a 15% lower coefficient of drag compared to the last most-aerodynamic full-sizer.

Looking more closely, and the connections to Cadillac's other EVs start to come through. The front fascia features familiar grille designs with illuminated detailing. The IQ's LED headlights of course are more vertically designed, though. And to go with them, there are tall, split taillights, again, like Lyriq and Celestiq, but just taller. The lower lights even have a piano-key texture to them. The rear-most pillar is thick and canted forward like the others, but (say it with me) taller. And while not strictly related to this styling critique, we have to note the enormous 24-inch wheels. Combined with the unique proportions, the Escalade IQ is the leanest, meanest looking Escalade yet.

As big as the wheels may be, the Escalade IQ is still about the same size as a current gas- (or diesel-) powered Escalade ESV, which is the long version. At 224.3 inches long, the IQ is about 3 inches shorter than the ESV, though its 136.2-inch wheelbase is about 2 inches longer. The IQ is also about 4 inches wider than regular Escalades, and is about the same height. Cargo space isn't as much of a priority as passenger comfort, though, since the IQ has more than 20 cubic feet less space in the cabin for cargo with the seats down than the ESV. At least the IQ boasts a frunk with 12 cubic feet to help make up for it, and it can tow up to 8,000 pounds like the ESV.

The Escalade IQ has plenty of grunt for hauling you, your friends and family, their stuff and a trailer, too. It has a pair of electric motors with output mirroring the top-spec Silverado EV and Sierra EV Denali at 680 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque regularly, and then 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque in the Velocity Max mode. While that makes it the most powerful Escalade ever, it's not quite the quickest. With an estimated 0-60 mph time under 5 seconds, we're guessing it doesn't quite match the Escalade V's 4.4-second sprint. This is probably due to an unquestionably huge, but still undisclosed, curb weight.