An electric powertrain and a sleeker look isn’t all that separates battery-powered Cadillac Escalade from its gas-powered sibling.
The traditional version of the hulking luxury SUV has long been one of the least efficient cars on the road, but the upcoming EV version might just be the opposite, according to Car and Driver. General Motors has revealed that Escalade IQ, which will arrive at dealers before the end of the year, will have an estimated range of 460-miles.
That range is 10 miles better than the number GM said it was aiming for at the Escalade IQ’s unveiling. It also immediately makes the SUV one of the longest-range EVs on the market. In fact, with the exception of the Lucid Air Grand Touring, which has a range of 512 miles, there isn’t a longer-range EV you can buy in the U.S., and that includes those made by Tesla. A high-range and efficiency aren’t exactly the same thing, but it’s a good way of illustrating that EV truly is a different kind of Escalade.
Cadillac Escalade IQ
Cadillac
That range doesn’t come at the cost of power. The vehicle’s quad-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain will produce 750 hp 785 ft lbs of torque, as the company said it would back in the summer. Its stellar driving range is a result of its absolutely gigantic 200 kWh battery pack, which is bigger than that found in every other battery-powered vehicle other than the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Hummer EV. Despite its size, the battery can be charged relatively quickly. GM says Escalade IQ driver will be able to add up to 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes with a 800-volt DC fast charger.
Along with the final range figure, Cadillac has revealed that Escalade IQ will be available in two trims at launch, each of which will have two different tiers of its own. The Luxury 1 package includes Galvano door handles and 24-inch seven-spoke wheels, while Luxury 2 adds slim-line LED headlights, massaging front seats, and a 36-speaker AKG sound system. Sport 1 includes Obsidian chrome trim and a special illuminated grille, while Sport 2 adds everything from the Luxury 2 package along with an adaptive forward lighting system and cornering night vision.
Inside the Escalade IQ
Cadillac
The Escalade IQ starts at $129,990 with the Luxury 1 trim package and $130,490 with the Sport 1 package. That number can quickly climb, though. Moving up a trim package tier adds $20,000 to the price of the EV.
