First sight: Cadillac’s stunning electric Escalade IQ

The iconic American luxury SUV boasts a new platform, sportier proportions, and design cues inspired by the Celestiq flagship sedan.

Cadillac has unveiled the electrified version of its fabled Escalade SUV, taking one step closer toward its commitment to leave behind the internal combustion engine by 2030. On a recent sweltering afternoon in Hollywood, we were ushered into one of the many private studio spaces lining the streets in the entertainment capital of the world to get a sneak peek ahead of the vehicle’s official debut. 

From the first look, the Escalade exudes striking proportions and a new design language that is still unmistakably Cadillac. “Our approach to this vehicle was different from any Escalade we’ve done before,” Cadillac’s lead exterior designer Robin Krieg tells us during a private walkaround. “We thought, what if Escalade was really sporty and sleek, with a sports car aesthetic? We wanted to make the rear profile faster and really change up the formula for what people think of in a longer SUV.”

When it comes to the Escalade, size really does matter