After revealing the all-electric Escalade IQ, fans of the legacy nameplate appear split on whether they are accepting of the new ultra-luxury EV SUV or not. Clutching to the internal combustion model won’t save the Escalade name, and there are plenty of reasons to be pumped for the new electric Escalade IQ.
We compare the internal combustion Escalade to the all-electric Escalade IQ in a head-to-head breakdown of flagship proportions.
Escalade’s 6.2-Liter V8 vs. Escalade IQ’s 200-kWh Battery
At some point, we won’t hear car engines running—no cold starts, exhaust notes, turbo whistling, or supercharger whining. Among the EV pessimists are those worried about missing the sounds of an ICE or diesel engine. With the traditional Escalade’s engine lineup, I can sympathize.
The current-generation Cadillac Escalade is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that puts out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the naturally aspirated Escalade moves from zero to 60 mph in approximately six seconds. The supercharged Escalade V model bumps power output up to 683 horsepower and 653 lb-ft of torque, which gets the Escalade V to 60 mph in approximately four seconds.
For the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, no engine can be found under its hood. Instead, a 24-module, 200-kWh Ultium battery located low down in the vehicle powers a dual-motor eAWD system that cranks out up to 750 horsepower and 780 lb-ft of torque in “Velocity Max” mode. Cadillac estimates the Escalade IQ can go from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds.
Gas Escalade vs. Electric Escalade Efficiency and Range
You’re probably not buying an Escalade for the fuel economy because it’s massive. But the Escalade IQ has animpressive all-electricrange thanks to its huge battery pack.
In the non-supercharged gas-burning Escalade, the EPA estimates fuel economy for the 2023 model year to be approximately 16 MPG combined for two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models. The supercharged Escalade V model is rated at 13 MPG combined. On the flip side, the optional 3.0-liter Duramax six-cylinder diesel engine returns an impressive 23 MPG combined. The gas models can go about 400 miles between fill-ups, while the diesel model can go approximately 450 miles.
Cadillac touts that the Escalade IQ can go 450 miles between charges. However, the Escalade IQ has a lot of weight to move around. The Cadillac Escalade IQ is estimated to return 59 MPGe (perCar and Driver). For context, the Cadillac Lyric EV is EPA-rated to achieve 89 MPGe combined.
Traditional and Next-Gen Escalade Design
Every part of the Cadillac Escalade IQ seems to be a carefully designed evolution of what you see in the current-generation Escalade. The gas-powered Escalade is marketed as a premium vehicle and features fancy amenities, but the all-electric Escalade IQ ratchets the luxury level up a few notches over its gas-powered counterpart.
The ICE Escalade builds upon the generation’s past, starting with a bold, boxy look that comes courtesy of its truck-like body-on-frame construction. Featuring Cadillac’s signature vertical taillights, 22-inch wheel options, and modern elements like stainless steel accents and ambient lighting, it’s hard to mistake the Escalade for something else.
Cadillac has completely redefined the Escalade IQ for the company’s all-electric future. The automaker still manages to make the Escalade IQ look like an Escalade, even though it’s different from any Escalade that has come before it.
The vehicle’s silhouette exudes a more modern and sporty appearance with its raked roofline and sharper edges, accented by Cadillac’s updated vertical tail lamp design. The manufacturer upped the Escalade IQ’s wow factor with huge, 24-inch wheels and a wider stance. It does maintain the familiar elongated hood, but when you open it, you’ll find a useful front trunk in place of an engine.
Escalade Technology vs. Escalade IQ Technology
At the time the fifth-generation (2021+) Escalade launched, Cadillac introduced an industry-first 38-inch curved OLED display. Uponrevealing the all-new Escalade IQ in New York City, Cadillac has increased the screen display real estate up to 55 inches. The IQ’s huge display is powered by a Snapdragon Cockpit Platform developed by Qualcomm Technologies, so using it should be a very smooth experience.
The Escalade added several vision-enhancing features, including night vision, augmented reality-enabled navigation, and surround vision for better visibility and capability. Driver assistance technologies like adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic emergency braking are all standard on the Escalade.
Aside from the available executive second-row seating option and motorized power open and closing doors and stowable tray tables, the Escalade IQ gets additional advanced driver assistance features like blind zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, enhanced automatic parking assist, and front pedestrian and bicyclist braking.
Do the Escalade and Escalade IQ Share Anything?
Yes. The Escalade and Escalade don’t share much, if anything, mechanical, but there are some things that both have in common.
General Motors’Super Cruise hands-free advanced driver assistance technologyis available on both Escalades. However, Super Cruise is not standard on the gas-powered Escalade, whereas it will be on the all-electric Escalade IQ. In addition, the Super Cruise version in the IQ model is compatible with up to 400,000 miles of roadways in the US and Canada, nearly double the ICE Escalade.
Both vehicles also feature magnetic ride control and adaptive air suspension, but again, these come standard on the Escalade IQ where they don’t on the Escalade.
The current-generation gas Escalade uses an AKG Studio Reference audio system that includes 36 speakers, which can also be found in the Escalade IQ. With the executive second-row seating option, however, the Escalade IQ cranks sound out of 40 speakers, including ones installed in its seats.
Escalade IQ EV Is Better on Paper, but People Will Miss the Gas-Powered Model
The all-new 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is more powerful, quicker, more luxurious, more modern, and all-around more advanced than its gas-powered counterpart. While it seems the Escalade IQ is better on paper, it’s lacking one of the key components traditionally associated with the Escalade: a big, burley V8 engine under the hood.
While fans might miss the sights and sounds of a gas or diesel engine under the Escalade IQ’s hood, the technology and capability of the new Escalade IQ should pacify any grief being felt over the eventual retirement of the gas Escalade model. The Escalade IQ is fancy and cool and does everything better than the contemporary model ever has.
