We take Cadillac’s beautiful land yacht on a mini road trip around the greater Los Angeles area to test, of all things, its range.
Electric Range… Escalated
With an EPA-estimated 460 miles of range, the Escalade IQ far exceeds the capabilities of most EVs. The Lucid Air Grand Touring, a sedan that weighs nearly half that of the big Caddy, is the other range-leader with an EPA-rated 516 miles. Some tests of the Escalade IQ, including mine, have seen over 500 miles of driving range. That’s more than acceptable as we move into a more electric-friendly future – there’s a certain luxury in a lack of range anxiety.
When the range estimate on the dashboard routinely starts with a “4,” or even better, a coveted “5,” my range anxiety melts away. For the first time, I was able to comfortably drive an EV in the same way that I’d drive an internal-combustion car. Look once at the range upon departing, come to the simple conclusion that you’re good for the day, and then just go about business as usual. This represents a massive step forward in EV transportation. Keep in mind I was taking a mini-road trip with friends, so it wasn’t just occasional grocery shopping at stake here. My only recharge was the night before heading out on the trip. I had already been driving the IQ all around LA and was still sitting at 42% on the battery.
The Battery-Shaped Elephant In The Room
Being able to travel about 500 miles per charge is great, but Cadillac gets there by solving the range problem the good old-fashioned way – more battery. The Lucid Air Grand Touring is very efficient, and gets its range from a 117-kWh battery. Meanwhile, the heavy, brick-shaped Escalade IQ needs 205 kWh to achieve the same thing. It’s the biggest battery pack of any consumer EV right now, and it takes forever to charge.
Before you go running to the comments saying “home charging eliminates the problem,” keep in mind this is a vehicle that people will want to road trip, and unless you have a home in every state, it ain’t happening easily. Public charging is still the same unglamorous process of finding a charger that works, waiting in line (as there often are people already waiting for chargers), and then waiting for what seems like years for the electricity to dispense.
Ahead of my mini-road trip, I charged up to 85%, which cost $73.08 and took exactly 40 minutes. You’ll need to find the fastest charger possible, because that battery pack is so massive. Ultimately, fueling the Escalade IQ on a road trip represents a pretty similar cost to a gasoline-powered Escalade and takes more time.
I might be bitter, but public charging right now just isn’t the type of experience someone paying $160,000 for a luxury vehicle will want to have. At the end of the day, it’s our time that is the most precious. I can’t help but think how well rounded this exact Escalade with all it’s style, tech, and luxury would be with a small-block under the hood. Perhaps a muffled/detuned version of the Escalade V’s LT4 would still provide effortless power, and surely bring the 9,100-pound curb weight back down to reality.
Pick A Direction And Drive
Escalade IQ, being a rather accommodating thing, meant that I couldn’t enjoy all the luxury alone. For my “lap of LA” I decided to bring four friends along for the ride. Our key waypoints were Long Beach for a coffee stop, Laguna for breakfast, Silverlake for lunch, Los Angeles for dinner, and of course, Malibu for sunset drinks.
I set off from Santa Monica heading towards Long Beach with about 85% in the battery. Despite not being fully topped-off, the Escalade IQ completed the entire journey from LA to Orange County and back, winding my way through cities, coastlines, and everything in between, without any drama. The electrified Caddy had plenty of range when we returned, resulting in a very “normal” daily driving experience. I was even able to continue driving the next day and not think twice despite the small road trip we’d already embarked on.
Cadillac includes something smart, too – a regen paddle mounted to the steering wheel. It operates as an extra brake pedal, but exclusively uses the regenerative braking to add more electricity back into the battery when coming to a stop. This is a fantastic option for those who don’t like to use one-pedal driving, but still want to play with regen. It feels very video game-like, but can be effective if you want to extract every last mile of range, or more precisely control deceleration at your own pace instead of relying on a general regeneration setting.
To be able to experience a full day’s adventures doing the things you love, in complete comfort, with close friends is a luxury that surpasses the price of the car. The big Caddy was able to accommodate five adults running around from county to county as if it was a leather-wrapped isolation chamber on wheels. It’s far more elegant, in that regard, than its V8-powered counterpart. Its instant power delivery feels extremely effortless. The cabin is far quieter with less unwanted noise from the big bad world outside, while also being softer and offering a more hip, modern, lounge-style environment inside.
You can just jump in and drive, or let the Escalade IQ drive itself on many roads with its brilliant integration of GM’s SuperCruise. Every update brings GM products closer to true self driving, and Escalade IQ is no different. This is by far the smoothest operating version of SuperCruise I’ve experienced. The system works more seamlessly than before, and tends to read the road better, too. Every arrival at out various destinations left us refreshed and ready for the next experience. No matter what was in store, the Escalade IQ delivered it’s occupants in a way that fostered a ready-to-go attitude.
That Thing Puts Out 1000 Horsepower?
Not exactly. Cadillac has a clever [ed. note: I’d say ‘irritating’] way of expressing model power levels. In this case, the “1000” badge on the hatch refers to the electric motors’ torque output in newton-meters. In reality, back on Earth, the big-body Caddy puts out 680 horsepower in normal mode or up to 750 horsepower in the designated “Velocity Max” mode engaged by the nifty “V” button on the steering wheel.
I find all of this pretty irrelevant, because the big Caddy isn’t as much about speed as it is just cruising along in complete comfort. Not once did I ever feel the need to hustle it. Rolling along in style and with grace is much more its speed. Its power figures are also the numbers I don’t keep coming back to. It’s always about that impressive range. This is a good thing, too, since the Escalade IQ is so damn comfy, a few hundred miles will go by and you wouldn’t even notice.
That being said, not once will you ever think this vehicle weighs 9,000 pounds. It drives like weighs thousands of pounds less, and the massive power definitely helps in that regard. It feels effortless, and effortless feels rich. It feels special and powerful, but in a way that’s so appropriately Cadillac. I could tell the engineers really spent time in tuning a butter-smooth power delivery.
A Bridge to Celestiq
Sure, the Escalade IQ is expensive, and at first glance, it’s not quite as flashy as some competitors. But that might be for the better. We have entered a new era of “sleeper” where it isn’t so much about hiding power underneath, but rather, intense opulence inside wrapped in a modest shell. The exterior, while elegant, isn’t nearly as striking as Cadillac’s bespoke Celestiq. But you can tell it’s part of the family.
Step inside, though, and your whole perspective changes immediately. The interior is where this SUV really shines. Though the Escalade IQ is a normal production car, built in volume, it still benefits from many of the ultra-special Celestiq’s design and material cues. The wood has a particular shine to it with inlaid bits of metal. The “metal trim” is really metal. Almost every surface is beautifully covered in a material that compliments one another. This is how you trickle down top tier components to the rest of your lineup. BMW and Mercedes-Benz should take notes here.
The massive full-dashboard screen is one of the most impressive pieces of tech I’ve seen in a production car. It can control just about everything, and display so many different types of information. It’s mind-boggling, and especially at night, makes a strong statement. Overall the cabin feels airy, with a massive glass roof. Most of the controls feel upscale, especially the digitally-controlled door handles, which can control all four doors from a secondary screen.
Speaking of screens, the front passenger display can stream your favorite TV show, in which case it will hide itself from the driver, so as to not distract. The rear seat entertainment screens can also stream shows on your favorite streaming service. I personally like the center console screen, which operates as a dual control panel for various vehicle functions and as the main HVAC controls. It’s separate from the more infotainment-oriented functions of the main screen, and that separation and organization help given everything seems to be controlled by a screen now.
That theme of conjoining beautiful materials stems from the Celestiq, and is present in the Escalade IQ, providing an abundantly opulent space. There isn’t much else like it. Yes, $160,000 is a massive price tag, but if we are looking at that price relative to other ultra-luxury SUVs, that price suddenly doesn’t seem like the end of the world. Some competitors are closer to that of the Celestiq’s price, nearing the half-million dollar mark, and aren’t even as impressive.
Stunning isn’t enough to describe it. First I was stunned, then repeatedly impressed, then I found myself melting away into the ultra plush environment that envelops each passenger independently. It’s like being in a rolling isolation chamber, but if that chamber had the best modern amenities.
‘ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; there’s nothing quite like SuperCruising along the highway hands-free driving, listening to your favorite tunes through the optional 40-speaker sound system, two of which are located in each headrest. Turn up the volume significantly, and this AKG system is by far one of the best systems I’ve ever heard from factory. The heated and massaged seats are melting away any woes of the day, and the ultra-plush ride, courtesy of GM’s mix of MagneRide and air springs virtually flattening any imperfect road. Suddenly “The Standard of The World” isn’t really a stretch at all.
Cadillac’s pure luxury roots are back, and it’s proof that the Americans are still very much present and here to compete with the world’s best.
Practicality Meets Luxury
Not only is the Escalade IQ deliciously supple for passengers, it’s surprisingly practical, too. The rear cargo area might not be as square as a normal Escalade, but it does still offer a flat floor, including when the seats are folded. There’s multiple other clever storage solutions all throughout the rest of the cabin as well.
Then, of course, there’s the frunk. It’s a substantial space that is perfect for grocery hauls. Being weatherproof, you wouldn’t have to worry about spills either as this is a compartment that must withstand exterior elements.
Ergonomics are perfected in the Escalade IQ with everything simultaneously within reach, but never cluttered. The position of the cup holders, phone chargers, driver controls, and so on are all well placed. The big SUV even lowers on its own for easier ingress and egress. The Cadillac Escalade IQ makes any drive an absolute breeze, and if there was ever a vehicle designated to keep the heart rate under control, calming the nerves of occupants, this is definitely it.