We've all gotten a little desensitized to large cars on the roads, it seems.
Americans in particular seem taken by large SUVs with increased carrying and storage capacity. Surely (but not so slowly), most popular SUVs are getting larger and and more popular on the road. Car dealers say they routinely hear customers saying they want more headroom, more cargo space, and more towing ability.
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Some of this country's most popular SUVs, such as the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, Toyota Highlander, and Ford Expedition, have increased in size over the past several years.
Industry analysts call it "size creep."
But there's a problem with many of the larger SUVs on the road today. They're gas guzzlers. A 2022 Chevrolet Suburban gets a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg. That's not much better than a Ford F-150, one of the most popular truck in America, which gets about 20 city/24 highway mpg. Consider that the Suburban is likely being driven by a parent, making trips to various appointments, practices, and holiday vacations, and those gas dollars really start to add up.
It's easy to understand, then, why some resourceful car manufacturers would start churning out electric SUVs that don't compromise on size or luxury. And that's exactly what Cadillac has done with its all-new 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ.
General Motors Cadillac
Cadillac unveils brand new electric Escalade IQ
Cadillac parent company General Motors (GM) -) on Wednesday released a first look at its brand new electric Escalade IQ. It's a major move toward its push to be emission-free by 2035, and by the looks of it, it could make a sizable difference. Emphasis on the size.
Some of its flashy features include:
- Standard 55-inch touchscreen display
- 11-inch touchscreen
- Standard 24-inch wheels
- Standard rear-wheel steering
- Up to 750 horsepower
- Up to 8,000 pounds of towing capability
- Up to an estimated 450 miles of range
- 24-module battery pack
- Executive Second Row with 12.6-inch rear headrest monitors
- Heated, ventilated, and massage seats
- AKG speakers
- 12 cubic feet of storage in the "e-trunk"
- Parallel parking assist
- Super Cruise hands-free driving
- Space for a purse or handbag under the center console
For female drivers and those who travel with handbags, actually having designated space for a handbag is nothing short of a miracle. Few cars actually carry this feature despite their growing storage capacity in the rear, so Cadillac has really outdone itself here.
See the first look below:
Notably, many of the features here aren't based on the Chevy Tahoe or Suburban, but instead takes cues from both the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Its new design is what's being referred to as a clean-sheet design.
Also very nice: the Cadillac Escalade IQ will feature what's an already-beloved feature by many current gas-powered drivers: the Adaptive Air Ride Suspension system, which uses air springs to adjust to rough roads or terrain to make a ride feel much smoother. We aren't sure who's taking their Cadillac over-landing, but I'm told it makes driving over potholes feel just fine.
The SUV is expected to roll out onto lots next summer and will go into production shortly at GM’s electric vehicle Factory Zero in Michigan. It will begin at a retail price of $130,000 -- but it will get pricier if you select any add-ons.
Currently, gas-powered Cadillacs retail for approximately $109,000 on average but start at around $81,000.
