The Cadillac Escalade has gone electric, offering all the luxury and technology of its gas-powered counterpart with an impressive electric range and refined styling. Now entering its second year on sale, the full-size luxury SUV gained a few meaningful changes.
2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL
Updates for the 2026 model year include a new Escalade IQL variant, which offers an extended wheelbase and more interior space. It also features a larger frunk (front trunk), with up to 12.2 cubic feet of space, and the extra interior space affords more room for gear in the back.
Design
The Escalade IQ and IQL are quite similar to their gas-powered counterparts, but they take a sleeker, more modern look overall. The front end features unique lighting elements and a large grille with an illuminated Cadillac badge. A range of wheel options are available, reaching 24 inches in size.
Powertrain
Both Escalade variants come with an electric powertrain capable of producing up to 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque in some drive modes. Cadillac quotes a 460-mile range and a DC fast-charging time of 10 minutes to add 116 miles. The powertrain’s prodigious output can propel the hefty SUV to 60 mph from a standstill in 4.7 seconds, and it can tow up to 7,500 pounds. Magnetic Ride Control and adaptive air suspension are standard, along with independent front and rear suspension and more.
Interior
The Escalade IQL is available with an Executive Second Row package that brings stowable tray tables, dual 12.6-inch screens, a rear touchscreen control station, dual wireless phone charging, and massaging/heated/ventilated seats. The IQL’s extended wheelbase adds four inches of third-row legroom and an additional inch of headroom. Other features include a panoramic glass roof, a 126-color ambient interior lighting system, and Cadillac offers unique interior trim materials like laser-etched wood, metals, and leathers. Two interior color schemes are available, including a tan leather package with black accents and a dark blue package with black accents. Power-folding second-row seats are standard.
Technology
The Escalade has long been Cadillac’s technology flagship, and the IQ models don’t disappoint. They feature 55 inches of total diagonal display real estate across the dash, including a large passenger-side display. The lower dash features a separate touch control panel for some vehicle systems. Cadillac equips a 21-speaker AKG Studio sound system, and two upgrades are available, including 38- and 42-speaker AKG systems.
Safety
The 2026 Escalade IQ and IQL have not yet been crash-tested, but they come equipped with a generous number of driver-assistance features. The list includes an HD surround-view camera, front pedestrian and cyclist braking, automatic parking assistance, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, and more. Super Cruise is also standard, offering hands-free driving on limited-access highways and interstates.
Pricing and Release Date
As of the time of this writing, the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL starts at $154,220, which includes a stout $2,390 destination fee. Pricing for the standard Escalade IQ starts at $129,795.
