Cadillac’s electric Escalade packs 750 horsepower and promises 460 miles of range. At $130,000, this three-row luxury beast costs twice what many EVs do. Everyone agrees it’s got serious muscle and loaded with tech. What’s less clear is whether you should actually spend this much money on one.

• The 2026 Escalade IQ starts at $127,405 but realistically costs closer to $150,000 once you add desirable features, putting it in rarified air among electric SUVs.
• With 750 horsepower and a massive 205 kWh battery, the Escalade IQ delivers supercar acceleration (0-60 in 4.7 seconds) wrapped in a seven-passenger luxury package that can tow 8,000 pounds.
• Real-world highway testing shows the Escalade IQ travels about 380 miles on a charge. That’s still solid, but it falls short of Cadillac’s 460-mile estimate. You’ll also need deep pockets when that giant battery eventually needs replacement.

What You’re Actually Getting for $130,000

Cadillac didn’t hold back on the Escalade IQ’s price, and they didn’t hold back on the features either. That $130,000 base price buys you a 55-inch curved display stretching across the dashboard, Super Cruise hands-free driving (which actually works well), and a 21-speaker AKG sound system. The dual-motor setup cranks out 750 horses, which feels absurd in something weighing 9,000 pounds.

Look at that battery for a second. At 205 kWh, it’s the largest pack you can buy in a production vehicle right now. Cadillac says you’ll get 460 miles per charge. Car and Driver tested one at 75 mph on the highway and got 380 miles. Still good, but that’s a 17% difference from the estimate. Around town you’ll do better, but this thing weighs as much as two Honda Civics, so getting great mileage was never the goal.

Charging moves reasonably fast thanks to 800-volt architecture. Plug into a DC fast charger and you can add about 100 miles in 10 minutes, which helps when you’re road-tripping in something this large. At home on a Level 2 charger, expect a full charge to take most of the night.

How It Stacks Up Against Competitors

Rivian’s R1S starts around $75,000 and gives you three rows, serious off-road capability, and up to 410 miles of range. Mercedes asks about $91,100 for the EQS SUV, which delivers a smoother ride and better range per kilowatt-hour. BMW’s iX starts at $87,100 with sharp handling and 290 miles of range.

None of those trucks match what the Escalade IQ brings in terms of presence or power. But they all cost $40,000 to $55,000 less. That’s real money, even for wealthy buyers. You could buy a loaded R1S and a used Toyota 4Runner for weekend adventures and still have cash left over.

The Cadillac Alternative That Makes More Sense

Here’s where things get interesting. Cadillac’s own LYRIQ electric SUV starts around $60,000, less than half the Escalade IQ’s price. You get 326 miles of range with the rear-wheel-drive version, or 303-319 miles with all-wheel drive. That’s a 102 kWh battery delivering comparable real-world range per kilowatt-hour, so it actually goes further on less battery capacity.

Seating drops to five instead of seven, so it won’t work if you regularly haul that many people. But most three-row SUVs rarely use that third row anyway. You still get Super Cruise, you still get that gorgeous 33-inch curved display, and you still get instant electric torque from the Ultium platform. You’re just not paying for the Escalade’s size and status.

If you’re shopping at a Cadillac LYRIQ Lebanon, OH, dealer, you can actually sit in both vehicles and feel the difference. LYRIQ offers 90% of the Escalade IQ’s luxury experience at 46% of the cost. That math is hard to ignore.

Who Should Actually Buy This Thing

This SUV makes sense if you genuinely need three rows and 8,000 pounds of towing capacity in an electric package. It also makes sense if you simply have the budget and want the biggest, hardest-hitting electric SUV you can buy. There’s nothing wrong with that. Some people want the flagship product, and Cadillac built one.

But for most families, the size and price create practical problems. It’s 224 inches long (nearly 19 feet), which makes parking difficult. Weight means you’ll burn through tires faster than a lighter EV. And that $130,000-$150,000 price tag means you’re financing about $2,000 per month even with good credit.

The Real Question You Need to Answer

Step back and think about what you actually do with your vehicle. Do you regularly seat seven people? Do you tow heavy trailers weekly? If yes, the Escalade IQ starts making sense, assuming you have the budget. If not, you’re paying $70,000 extra for capabilities you’ll rarely use.

LYRIQ handles most luxury EV needs at a price that won’t require explaining to your accountant. You could buy one, take your family on a nice vacation with the savings, and still come out ahead. Escalade IQ is a technical achievement, but it’s also a very specific tool for a very specific buyer. Make sure you’re actually that buyer before signing.