Cadillac’s new IQ portfolio of all-electric autos — notably the compact Optiq SUV and grandaddy full-size Escalade IQ — has put the corporate on a techier, extra superior, and splendid aircraft. And the shift couldn’t have come quickly sufficient.
The slate of conventional inside combustion engine autos which have come out of Cadillac lately hasn’t fairly matched the degrees of luxurious and tech of its rivals.
Cadillac goals to vary that with its debut of the compact Optiq SUV in addition to the Escalade IQ, which take huge swings on tech and superior options. Importantly, Cadillac gave these two EVs distinct luxurious personalities in an effort to enchantment to completely different shoppers. Name it the Younger and Enjoyable and the Previous Cash Luxe.
Cadillac let me unfastened in Northern California over two days to drive the Optiq SUV and Escalade IQ. Right here’s how the 2 newly launched EVs stacked up.
Youthful Optiq SUV
Once I discovered that engineers from my beloved Cadillac Blackwing had a hand within the Optiq crossover, I used to be instantly intrigued to see what 300 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque would really feel like on this all-wheel drive crossover on the twisties.
It’s fairly darn entertaining. Sure, all EVs have easy energy supply and the power to speed up rapidly out of corners, however not each one has the suspension to again it up.
The dampers right here get what Cadillac calls Passive Plus tuning. Whereas cornering at excessive speeds the automotive stays flat and secure, however it may possibly deal with damaged pavement with out getting upset. Primarily, it may possibly react to each gradual and fast occasions to offer dealing with that’s sporty and comfy, with out the complication of electronics. After all, I’d welcome a future V-Efficiency Optiq with MagneRide dampers for much more giggles, however for now the hotrod child in me loves this factor.
Should you haven’t carved a canyon in an EV earlier than, it may be a bit completely different than in a conventional automobile, because of regenerative braking.
The Optiq offers you the power to show it off and simply depend on the mechanical brakes or preserve them at regular for only a little bit of decelerate once you raise off the throttle. I like most regen because it provides one other degree of ability to raise off the accelerator pedal on the proper second. There’s additionally a paddle behind the steering wheel that may add regen braking even when the system is ready for none. This can also add one other ability ingredient for these trying to take a look at their talents. It’s the gamification of driving.
Escalade IQ, the Electrical Land Yacht
In the meantime, the drive expertise within the three-row Escalade IQ is pure comfortable goodness. Although it sports activities the extra superior MagneRide dampers, these appear to primarily counteract the automobile’s brutal 9,000-pound heft.
The three-row SUV’s full 700 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque are solely accessible in a mode referred to as Velocity Max. In any other case the SUV makes due with 680 ponies and 615 pound-feet of torque going to all 4 wheels. Which may sound like overkill, however this zaftig child wants it. Something much less and it might really feel severely underpowered.
The Escalade IQ is all about easy, comfy driving. U-turns are straightforward because of a rear-wheel steer system that makes the 136-inch wheelbase appear a lot shorter. If you wish to arrive in model an Arrival mode lets the Escalade transfer diagonally right into a parking spot. Simply be cautious of what’s round you because it’s straightforward to underestimate the angle.
Cadillac additionally stacked the Escadale with luxurious and comfort options. Press on the brake pedal and the doorways shut routinely. The automobile additionally comes with heated seats and a therapeutic massage operate.
After which there’s the superior driver help system. Each autos get Cadillac’s SuperCruise normal that permits for hands-free/eyes-up driving on 750,000 miles of highway.
The system can change lanes when the motive force prompts the flip sign or it can do it by itself so as to cross a slower transferring automotive. It was raining and fairly foggy whereas SuperCruising within the Escalade and although the system hesitated whereas executing a lane and a sweeping flip on the similar time, it had no issues studying lane markings by means of the mist.
There are many normal security options on each EVs as nicely. Blind spot monitoring, ahead collision alert and braking, lane-keeping help — all of these options are right here.
I particularly just like the rear digital camera mirror on each autos that provides a wide-angle view of what’s happening behind the automotive. Nevertheless, the Escalade IQ goes a step additional with normal turn-signal activated digital camera show. Positive, the blind-spot monitoring is sufficient, however the video show on the display screen that exhibits the adjoining two lanes is fairly candy.
Vary, vary and extra vary
The little Optiq has an 85 kWh battery with sufficient electrons for 302 miles of driving. The 400-volt system can settle for a DC quick cost of 150 kW, fast sufficient to get about 79 miles of vary in 10 minutes.
The Escalade IQ, nonetheless, goes gigantor with a 205 kWh battery with 460 miles of vary. Just like the associated Hummer EV, the Escalade’s battery is definitely two 400-volt battery packs that may work in collection or parallel, enabling a DC quick cost of as much as 350 kW and the power to achieve 100 miles of vary in 10 minutes. Each are on the CCS charging platform, however a NACS adaptor could be bought from Cadillac for $225.
For dwelling charging, each EVs come normal with an 11.5 kW onboard charger, however a 19.2 kW system could be had as nicely. This could allow about 36 miles per hour when charging at dwelling.
Two inside personalities
The inside of the Optiq positively skews youthful and hipper, with recycled supplies, a clear look and a few nifty storage options.
There’s 33 inches of diagonal display screen house and a significantly kicking 19-speaker AKG Audio system with Dolby Atmos. The Atmos system is fairly dope, with sounds bouncing across the cabin in a manner that delighted even my poor left ear, to say nothing of my fully-functional proper ear.
In the meantime, the Escalade IQ appeals to an older, extra subtle crowd, however nonetheless goes huge on tech with 55 inches of display screen stretching throughout your entire sprint. The passenger display screen can play motion pictures or browse the net, all with out disturbing the motive force.
There’s additionally a middle display screen under that’s used for HVAC controls, switching to computerized door controls when the SUV is in park. The 2 wi-fi charging pads for the entrance row are a pleasant contact. Sadly, the Dolby Atmos isn’t obtainable right here because of growth timelines, however search for it in 2026.
Neither automobile has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as an alternative counting on Google built-in for maps and smartphone interplay.
Whereas I like that Google maps suggests charging stations and estimates remaining vary on the finish of a journey, I had a tough time establishing Google Assistant to learn my textual content messages. I by no means obtained it to work within the Optiq and I needed to have an engineer stroll me by means of it within the Escalade, and even then it took just a few tries. As soon as related my telephone posted a notification after I obtained a textual content message and allowed a voice-to-text reply, however I didn’t have time to see if it may place a name or play a podcast.
Get away the checkbook
The Optiq is the entry-level EV in Cadillac’s portfolio, beginning at $55,615 together with $1,495 for vacation spot for the Luxurious 1 trim. Nevertheless, the Monarch Orange paint with the black roof is just obtainable on the Sport 1 and Sport 2 trims and is nicely price the additional {dollars}.
The Escalade IQ is a complete different ballgame. The Luxurious 1 trim begins at practically $130,000 together with $2,290 for vacation spot. All paint colours can be found throughout all trims, however the Midnight Metal Frost for $5,925 is a stunner. Essentially the most you possibly can drop for a beginning worth is simply over $150,000 for the Sport 2 trim, which has niceties like ventilated second row seats, a 38-speaker AKG sound system, obtainable second row therapeutic massage and second row govt seat bundle in addition to a thermal digital camera for night time imaginative and prescient.
My time within the Optiq left a constructive impression — even when I’m possible a bit older than the meant demographic. The automotive’s on-road manners enchantment to the thrill-seeker in me.
Sure, the Escalade is cool, but it surely’s extra of a life-style and standing marker, one thing that doesn’t get me revved up, should you’ll pardon the expression.
Regardless, each provide up a number of the finest tech within the phase. Security options are all normal as is SuperCruise and the myriad screens give each cabins a futuristic ingredient. I’m not pleased with the dearth of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however that’s one quibble with what are each excellent autos.
