When We Will See the All-New Cadillac Escalade IQ

Cadillac just confirmed last month that it planned to release an EV version of its best-selling Cadillac Escalade large SUV. Now, Cadillac says it will reveal its all-new Cadillac Escalade IQ in New York City on August 9, 2023. Cadillac also released a video tease of the breakthrough vehicle. The Escalade IQ is predicted to be a gamechanger because it will be GM’s first large SUV EV. The GMC HUMMER EV SUV is considered more of a niche vehicle.

See the Video Tease

Reinvention of One of GM’s Most Important Vehicles

As the brand’s first-ever all-electric full-size SUV, ESCALADE IQ represents the reinvention of Cadillac’s most iconic nameplate. The debut of ESCALADE IQ marks the next step in Cadillac’s commitment to offering a fully electric portfolio by the end of the decade. The ESCALADE IQ will be built in Detroit at the plant known as Factory ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center. Factory Zero was renovated and retooled with a $2.2 billion investment to serve as the launchpad for GM’s EV strategy. 

What makes this revelation huge is that Cadillac is pushing EVs into the large luxury SUV segment. Right now, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade is on fire. Cadillac can’t build enough of them. Even the Cadillac Escalade-V with its huge horsepower and $150,000 price tag is in high demand.

Cadillac Pushing EVs into the Vehicles that are Profit Centers

Trucks and SUVs, especially large ones, are where automakers make their profits. Sales of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, 2023 GMC Yukon and 2023 Suburbans are what is financing GM’s investments into future EVs. The same is true of the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado and 2023 GMC Sierras. Chevrolet has proven that it can build a large truck like the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV with a great range of 450 miles. Even though the Silverado EV isn’t out yet, the new, improved range has already been certified by the EPA.

GM’s large trucks and large SUVs share virtually the same front half of the vehicle. They are built using mostly the same architecture. Trucks just have a big bed where SUVs have cargo space or added rows of seating. The underpinnings of the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade are the same. The luxury is built into the suspensions, technology and the interiors.

GM Continuing to Build Gas-Powered Large SUVs

However, GM is not putting all of its eggs in the EV basket. GM confirmed on June 9, 2023, that it is investing $500 million in its Texas plant that builds large internal combustion SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and the GMC Yukons. GM did not say how long it will build the gas-powered SUVs, other than it will be “for years to come”.

At this point, Cadillac is not revealing the price of the Cadillac Escalade IQ or its range estimate. It would make sense that its EV range would be similar the Silverado EV. It is expected to be released as a 2025 model.

Cadillac Photo and Video

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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