📋 Table of Contents
⛽ 2025/2026 Cadillac Escalade (Gas)
Available Trims
| Trim | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
| Luxury | ~$93,695 |
| Premium Luxury | ~$99,890 |
| Sport | ~$100,990 |
| Premium Luxury Platinum | ~$110,790 |
| V-Series | ~$155,095 |
| V-Series (top spec) | ~$170,595 |
ESV (extended wheelbase) available across trims — adds ~$3,000–$4,000.
Reviews & Ratings
- Edmunds: 6.5/10 — "still the king of bling"
- Consumer Reports: 2025 predicted less reliable; 2024 rated more reliable
- ⚠️ Known Issue: Valve lifter failures on V8 engines — documented across GM trucks
Pros & Cons
✓ Iconic presence and brand recognition
✓ Best towing in class — 8,100 lbs
✓ Lower starting price ($34K less than IQ)
✓ ESV option for extra cargo / legroom
✓ Huge dealer network, easy to service
✗ 14–16 MPG — ~$5,000+/yr in gas
✗ V8 valve lifter issue risk
✗ Ride less refined than IQ in standard trim
✗ Super Cruise is optional, not standard
⚡ 2025/2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ (Electric)
Available Trims
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury 1 / Luxury | $127,700–$129,795 | Base — very well-equipped |
| Sport 1 / Sport | $128,200–$130,495 | Blacked-out trim, sportier look |
| Luxury 2 / Premium Luxury | $147,700–$151,545 | Executive package options |
| Sport 2 / Premium Sport | $148,200–$150,595 | Top tech + comfort |
| IQL (2026, extended) | ~$130,905+ | +4" of third-row legroom |
2025 uses Luxury 1/2 and Sport 1/2 naming. 2026 uses Luxury/Sport and Premium Luxury/Premium Sport.
Standard Features (All Trims)
- Super Cruise — hands-free highway driving
- 4-Wheel Steering — "Crab Walk" for tight maneuvers
- 12 cu ft Frunk — front trunk storage
- Adaptive Air Ride Suspension with magnetic ride control
- Head-Up Display
- Passenger entertainment screen — YouTube/Hulu (polarized from driver)
- Arrival Mode — vehicle greets you with lights & sounds
- Velocity Max — 750 hp launch at the press of a button
Reviews
- Car & Driver: "Big Presence, Big Numbers, Big Everything"
- MotorTrend: "So Large, So in Charge" — excellent ride quality
- InsideEVs: "I Hate How Much I Love This Thing"
- Edmunds: Recommends base Luxury 1 or Sport 1 — Level 2 not worth $20K more
- U.S. News: Praised Super Cruise and interior luxury
Pros & Cons
✓ Best-in-class range: 460+ EPA, real-world 480–607 miles
✓ Fastest charging: 352 kW peak, 5–80% in ~30 min
✓ 750 hp launch mode — faster than gas V-Series
✓ Near-silent, smooth ride — luxury liner feel
✓ Super Cruise standard on all trims
✓ 4-wheel steering — surprisingly easy to park
✓ No gas costs: save $4,000–6,000/yr
✓ 38-speaker AKG audio — outstanding
✗ $34K premium over gas Escalade base
✗ 9,000 lbs — genuinely heavy
✗ Cramped third row (IQL fixes this)
✗ First-year quality issues: charging errors, wheel stutter, fit/finish
✗ Dealer service: reports of weeks waiting on parts
✗ No federal tax credit — exceeds $80K MSRP cap
✗ Towing range drops significantly under load
📊 Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | ⛽ Escalade (Gas) | ⚡ Escalade IQ |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $93,695 | $127,700 |
| Power | 420 hp (682 hp V-Series) | 680 hp (750 hp launch) |
| 0-60 mph | ~6.1s (4.7s V-Series) | ~4.5s ✓ Winner |
| Range | ~400 mi (gas tank) | 460+ mi ✓ Winner |
| Towing | 8,100 lbs ✓ | 7,500 lbs |
| Annual Fuel Cost | ~$5,000+ gas | ~$800–1,200 ✓ Winner |
| Super Cruise | Optional | Standard ✓ |
| 4-Wheel Steer | No | Standard ✓ |
| Frunk | No | 12 cu ft ✓ |
| Weight | ~5,800 lbs ✓ | ~9,000 lbs |
| Audio | Up to 36 speakers | 38 AKG speakers |
| Extended Option | ESV | IQL (2026) |
| Reliability | V8 lifter issues | First-year EV teething |
| Tax Credit | N/A | Not eligible (over $80K) |
| 5-Year Fuel Savings | — | ~$20,000–$25,000 |
🏆 Electric SUV Competitors
| Vehicle | Price | Power | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Escalade IQ | $127,700+ | 750 hp | 460+ mi | Best range, most luxurious |
| Rivian R1S | $75K–$95K | 835 hp | ~320 mi | Adventure-focused, off-road |
| Mercedes EQS SUV | $105K–$130K | ~536 hp | ~350 mi | Refined, less range |
| BMW iX M60 | $110K+ | 610 hp | ~280 mi | Sportier, much smaller |
| Tesla Model X Plaid | $95K+ | 670 hp | ~330 mi | Best tech, less luxurious |
| Lucid Gravity | $80K+ | TBD | 440+ mi | Closest range competitor |
🎬 YouTube Reviews (24 Videos)
🔥 Must-Watch First
📐 In-Depth Reviews
🏎️ POV Test Drives
📏 IQL Extended (New for 2026)
🔋 Range & Charging Tests
⚠️ Critical / Honest Takes
🏢 Orange County Cadillac Dealers
1. Costa Mesa Cadillac ~43 IQs IN STOCK
2. Tustin Cadillac
3. Cadillac of Laguna Niguel
📊 SoCal Combined Inventory — 126 Escalade IQs
| Trim | # In Stock | Starting At |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury / Luxury 1 | 39 | $129,795 |
| Sport / Sport 1 | 35 | $130,295 |
| Luxury 2 / Premium Luxury | 24 | $149,990 |
| Sport 2 / Premium Sport | 28 | $150,490 |
Source: SoCal Cadillac Dealers network · February 2026
🚗 Test Drive Guide
What to Bring
- Valid driver's license — that's it!
- No appointment needed at Costa Mesa (confirmed: just show up)
- Calling ahead helps ensure the trim/color you want is ready
10 Things to Test During the Drive
- Velocity Max Mode — Hit the red V button. This is 750hp. Find a safe stretch and floor it.
- Crab Walk / 4-Wheel Steering — Try tight parking lots, U-turns. Rear wheels steer independently.
- Super Cruise — On the highway, activate hands-free driving. Standard on every trim.
- Ride Quality — Toggle Tour (smooth) vs Sport (stiffer). Tour mode is where it shines.
- Third Row — Sit in it. Most common complaint. Ask about the IQL if it matters.
- Frunk — 12 cu ft front trunk. Surprisingly useful.
- 55-inch Display — Passenger screen streams YouTube/Hulu (polarized from driver).
- 38-Speaker AKG Audio — Crank it. One of the best factory systems ever.
- Regenerative Braking — Try one-pedal driving.
- Parking — Find a tight spot. 360° camera + 4-wheel steer = surprisingly easy.
Questions to Ask the Dealer
- "Any markup or discounts?" — 126+ in SoCal = negotiating leverage.
- "2025 vs 2026 differences?" — 2026 adds IQL, Premium trims, Dolby Atmos. A 2025 at discount could be a steal.
- "Home charging install?" — Electrician partnerships? 19.2 kW Level 2 = full charge overnight.
- "Warranty?" — 3yr/36K bumper-to-bumper + 8yr/100K battery/EV.
- "Current incentives?" — GM loyalty, conquest, or lease specials.
⚠️ Tax Info
No $7,500 federal EV tax credit — Escalade IQ exceeds the $80K MSRP cap.
However, Cadillac offers a $10K car loan interest tax deduction on US-assembled vehicles (tax years 2025–2028). Confirm with your tax advisor.
💡 Bottom Line
Which Escalade Is Right for You?
Choose the Gas Escalade if: You want the classic V8 rumble, lower entry price, maximum towing (8,100 lbs), and don't mind ~$5K/yr on gas. The V-Series is a beast at 682 hp. Watch out for the valve lifter issue.
Choose the Escalade IQ if: You want the future — best EV range (460+ mi), fastest charging, 750 hp, Super Cruise standard, and near-silent luxury cruising. Fuel savings (~$4K–5K/yr) help offset the price premium. Note: first-gen EV with some quality teething issues.
💰 Sweet Spot: The Escalade IQ Sport 1 at ~$128–131K is the best value. Sportier look, all core tech, and Edmunds agrees the Level 2 isn't worth $20K more. Need third-row space? The IQL starts at ~$131K.
💪 Negotiating: With 43 IQs at Costa Mesa alone and 126+ across SoCal — you have leverage. Don't pay over MSRP.