This is big—really big

Let’s start with the “elephant in the showroom,” to twist the idiom. This car is more than 19 feet long, almost eight feet wide (mirror-to-mirror), more than 6½ feet tall and weighs more than 4½ tons. It’s the biggest Caddy, but it’s really only slightly longer than several other Escalade models.

We thought the Cadillac Vistiq SUV we reviewed in February was big, but the Escalade IQL adds more than a foot more between the front and rear wheels compared to the Vistiq. Everything is supersized here—vehicle, range, weight, passenger and luggage room and, of course, price. Let’s go through those elements.

Our 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL is huge; we’ve established that. That size has a purpose. Our Black Raven paint job hinted at what this extended version is all about—serving as transportation for executives. The second/middle row of seats (there’s a third row, too, we guess for junior executives) extends legroom to 45 inches so riding there is comparable to an airline’s first class seating.

Our test car had an optional $2,395 second-row entertainment system, complete with AKG Bluetooth headphones that would allow that executive to surf the internet or just enjoy videos in private luxury.

Alternatively, this is luxury-class transportation for a well-heeled family, although it would seem the four-inch shorter IQ model is a more likely candidate. The kids probably don’t need 16-way power heated and ventilated seats with lumbar massage.

Big power, big range, big tech

To move a 9,134-pound electric car takes a ton of electrons. Two electric motors creating 750 horsepower and 785 ft.-lb. of torque are fed by a (surprise!) huge 205 kWh battery, more than twice the size of the battery in Cadillac’s compact Optiq EV. All that power makes the IQL deceptively fast. Cadillac claims it will get to 60 mph from a dead stop in 4.7 seconds. If you are prudent about drag racing, that massive battery will take you 460 miles. 

Another clever use of technology makes this hefty vehicle feel like it’s not nearly as massive as it is. All-wheel steering effectively shortens the 11-foot-plus wheelbase so it maneuvers like a much smaller car. That and the air ride adaptive suspension with magnetic ride control set a high standard of road comfort while leaving behind the classic Cadillac float.

The IQL comes standard with 22-inch wheels, but offers 24-inchers as options. It rides high with 6.9 inches of ground clearance. The step-in is tall, but thoughtfully the IQL can “kneel” to make ingress and egress easier. It also can be set to automatically open and close doors with the touch of a button. The rear lift gate and front frunk are even easier. The open automatically option lets the lift gate and frunk open on their own when you approach with the key fob in your pocket and arms full.

Inside Tech 

Standard Super Cruise adds ease of use and a sophisticated level of driver assistance that brings the IQL squarely into the 21st century. The Escalade name has had a good reputation for years, moving beyond its early Cadillac-badged Chevy Suburban image. This model wraps all those positive brand attributes in a large electric package.

Inside, the tech assault continues with a 55-inch curved dash screen stretching across the dash. Of course, it has an AKG 21-speaker audio system and a panoramic roof that makes rear seat passengers feel like they’re outside. A 5-zone HVAC system assures all occupants have a say in their environment. Google is built-in, but Apple Car Play has been exiled.

All this starts at just north of $130,000. Not many options are available—although the rear-seat entertainment system is a big-ticket item—because almost everything is standard. All you need is a driver and you’re set.