General Motors (GM) has unveiled a pre-production model of its largest electric SUV yet. It’s the 7-seater Cadillac Escalade IQ that comes with a starting price of $US130,000.
This equates to nearly $A200,000 before any options, making it one of the most expensive SUVs in the market. It also comes with a 200kWh battery – about four times bigger than the original Tesla Model 3. That will raise questions about sustainability and payback times, and the obsession with size.
For that substantial price, GM promises to offer a luxury experience. At nearly 5.7 metres in length, it has a lot of interior space. For some size comparison, it’s nearly as long as the 5.9 metre Ford F150 Lightning truck.
You can’t reinvent the wheel, but the all-electric #ESCALADEIQ is here to declare that you can boldly reimagine it. #BeIconic pic.twitter.com/AZgS0GgBqP
— Cadillac (@Cadillac) August 9, 2023
In the showcase by GM, it unveiled a large frunk area, along with some unique features like:
- 200 kWh battery pack
- Range of over 700 km
- Motors to provide 560 kW of power
- Over 1,000 Nm of torque
- 0-100 km/h in around 5 seconds
- Four-wheel steering
- Over 3.6 Tonne of towing capacity
- Suspension system with magnetic ride control
- 24-inch wheels
- 55-inch full interior width infotainment screen setup
- Bi-directional charging
On top of the above, several options were also teased. These included 40-speakers sound system and automatic opening doors.
Given the showcase involved a pre-production vehicle, it’s unclear how many of these features will make it to the production line.
The starting price will make many believe that everything unveiled should make it to production and that’s what many will be watching.
To remain iconic, you must do more than evolve. You must start a revolution. Introducing the luxurious, all-electric ESCALADE IQ. #ESCALADEIQ #BeIconic
— Cadillac (@Cadillac) August 9, 2023
Currently, Cadillac Escalade is offered in ICE powertrain so this will be the first time GM will introduce an electric version under the IQ series.
In 2022, GM sold 24,290 Escalade models, down from the year before when the brand sold 40,505 according to data compiled by GMA. That’s a significant volume for a vehicle of this size. For comparison, in 2021, Australia’s best-selling SUV was the Toyota Rav4 with under 36,000 sales.
As the market for electric vehicles continues to grow at a rapid pace, large SUV segments will also need to be addressed. GM’s attempt to offer electric powertrains in one of its iconic large SUV indicates a big move by the brand.
Production of the Cadillac Escalade IQ will begin same time in 2024 with the first production run likely to be the 2025 Model Year vehicles.
Cadillac Escalade IQ Preview by MKBHD on YouTube
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.