Text by Tom Appel
2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ Sport
Specs
Class: Premium Large SUV
Country of Manufacture: U.S.
Color: Deep Space Metallic
Miles driven: 331
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | A |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 680 |
| Engine Type | Electric Motors |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Battery capacity: 205 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: N/A
EPA-estimated driving range: N/A (Cadillac estimated: 460)
Maximum Charge Rate: 350 kW
Consumer Guide range estimate (ideal conditions): 500+ miles
Charge Port Location: Rear driver-side fender
Charging Standard: CCS
Snow Performance: N/A
Base price: $127,905 (not including $2390 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Onyx Package ($4250), rear-entertainment system ($1995), special paint ($625), AKG-brand Bluetooth headphones ($400)
Price as tested: $137,565
Audio-System Brand
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Refined on-road experience, roomy and comfortable cabin
The good: Plenty of power, sportier than it should be
The not so good: Expensive
Review
I’m tired of traditional products being rebranded as “extreme” in a bid to keep consumer interest piqued. Frito Lay, for example, currently peddles extreme-branded varieties of its Cheetos, Doritos, and Ruffles snacks. And, per this editor’s palate, zesting up an old-school lunchbox favorite with a measured dose of synthetic heat might make for some interesting packaging opportunities, but does little to enhance the actual culinary experience. But some extreme makeovers work better than others…
“Extreme”
Cadillac recently elevated its SUV flagship Escalade in rank from over-the-top to completely extreme through the process of electrification. And by that I mean the new version of the Escalade is battery powered, and, even better for the effort. Dare I say, extremely better.
Going Electric
Dubbed Escalade IQ, the new Escalade EV is not exactly a version of the gasoline-powered ‘Slade—it rides on all-new EV-dedicated architecture—but it shares the original Escalade’s mission. And that mission is to be big, comfortable, fast, and, well, extreme.
Ultium
New for 2025, the Escalade IQ is one of several General Motors vehicles that are built on the maker’s corporate Ultium architecture. As such, the Escalade is mechanically similar to the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the GMC Sierra EV, as well as the GMC Hummer pickup and SUV.
All that said, the Escalade IQ is about the same size as the conventional Escalade—save for overall length–and bears more than a passing resemblance to the big, gas-powered Caddy as well.
Escalade IQL
For 2025, the IQ was offered only in a standard-length configuration. At 224 inches from stem to stern, the IQ is fully a foot longer than the standard ‘Slade, and is only 3 inches shorter than the stretched gas-powered ESV variant.
For 2026 a long-wheelbase IQL model has been added to the IQ lineup. That, at 227 inches in length–just 3 inches more than the standard IQ–we sort of wonder why Cadillac is making the effort.
Apart from the addition of the IQL to the lineup, the Escalade IQ is little changed for 2026.
Prices and Trim Levels
Trim levels offered for ’26 include:
IQ Luxury ($130,300)
IQ Sport ($130,800)
IQL Luxury ($133,300)
IQL Sport ($133,800)
IQ Premium Luxury ($150,600)
IQ Premium Sport ($151,100)
IQL Premium Luxury ($153,600)
IQL Premium Sport ($154,100)
Powertrains
All Escalade IQ and IQL models come with a dual-motor AWD drivetrain rated at 680 horsepower and a robust 615 pound-feet of torque. Engaged, a driver-selectable “Velocity Max” mode will temporarily up output to 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feel of torque.
Range
Power comes from a massive 205-kWh battery, which, per Cadillac, accepts charging at up to 350 kW–faster than most public charging stations can serve up power. Because the Escalade exceeds the weight limit for testing, the EPA does not report an estimated battery range for the truck. Cadillac claims the Escalade is good for up to 460 miles of range in normal conditions. We’ll talk more about range in a moment…
Accommodations
Every Escalade IQ seats 7 passengers by way of standard 2nd-row captains chairs and a 3-passenger 3rd-row bench seat. Order an IQL instead of an IQ, and your way-back passengers will enjoy an additional 3 inches of legroom, and a little extra headroom.
Wheels
All Escalades come with either 22-inch or 24-inch wheels. The 24-inch wheels can be ordered as an option on examples with the standard 22s.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2026 Escalade IQ Sport in Deep Space Metallic and equipped with the Onyx Package, which includes the 24-inch wheels. All told, our test truck came to $137,565, including destination charge.
Real-world Range
Now, about that range…
Our test car arrived on a warmish November day here in Chicago. With temperatures in the forties, our test IQ reported 504 miles of range with the battery at a 90-percent state of charge. We were impressed.
Later during our test week, temperatures plunged into the single digits—but our range was seemingly little affected. Despite some extended highway use—in the cold—we estimate our true range, had we completely depleted the battery, would have come in around 460 miles. We remained impressed.
Comparing Escalade and Escalade IQ
As for the driving experience, the Escalade IQ is very much like the gas-powered Escalade, but better in almost every way. A quick recap:
Compared to the “standard” Escalade, the IQ is…
- Quicker
- Quieter
- Roomier
- Better riding
- Better handling
- Better looking (to these eyes)
- More energy efficient
Controls and Instrumentation
Inside, the IQ does a nice job of delivering all the information any driver could possibly want, in a manner than avoids overkill. The massive 55-inch dashboard-spanning touchscreen is neat, clean, and easy to read, and can be configured to deliver the info you want where you want.
A few primary functions, including climate control, are handled by a smaller screen located lower on the console. Though we’d prefer actual knobs and switches for climate control, we found screen management of these operations simple enough.
Room and Comfort
Space is abundant, and even the largest and tallest folks will find the IQ easy to enter and comfortable, even for long voyages. Even the 3rd-row is accommodating, though the trip back to that seat can be a little challenging.
There is all sorts of cargo space aft of the rear seat, about 24 cubic feet, if Cadillac is to be believed. Fold all the seatbacks flat, and that space expands to a minivan-like 119 feet—enough volume to transport a dorm room, or two.
Décor
Cabin appointments are top notch, and the IQ décor comes off as a little more restrained—and slightly more high-tech—than that in the gas-powered Escalade. As an added bonus, the “standard” AKG audio system delights with strong, clean sound. We’re keen to sample available upgrade AKG setup, but have no complaints regarding the no-cost outfit.
Ride and Handling
On the road the IQ feels fast and sporty—sportier than anything this large–and this heavy–should. The steering is a little lighter than we’d like, but the strong brakes, well controlled cornering lean, and general responsiveness, give this big Cadillac an uncanny athleticism that defies its mass.
And about that power…
Power and Performance
Like most electric vehicles, the Escalade IQ surges smoothly from a stop, and accelerates with predictable muscle. Add to that the IQ’s deep well of reserve power, which is easily tapped for fearless passing and merging, and rocketlike on-ramp charges.
Value
Yes the Escalade IQ is expensive, but it does reside at the modern pinnacle of performance, passenger comfort, and technology. We found our time in this electric Cadillac both satisfying and even guilt inducing. Should we ever be this comfortable driving a test car?
Add to the comfort and performance the IQ’s impressive battery range, and you have a compelling alternative to the gas-powered competition in the big, luxury-truck segment. Ready to go luxury electric? Make sure to take an Escalade IQ for a test drive. And, just asking, should Cadillac just have named the IQ Escalade Extreme?
Listen to the Car Stuff Podcast
2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ Sport Pictures
