The Cadillac Escalade IQ electric SUV lineup is set to expand in its second model year—in more ways than one.
Cadillac on Wednesday announced that a stretched Escalade IQL will join the standard Escalade IQ for the 2026 model year as an electric counterpart to the Escalade ESV, the long-wheelbase derivative of the internal-combustion Escalade full-size SUV.
The IQL boasts an additional four inches of legroom and inch of headroom in its third row, at 36.7 inches and 38.2 inches, respectively, according to Cadillac’s press materials. It retains the Executive Second Row Package available on the Escalade IQ, including 12.6-inch monitors, a center console, and 14-way power-adjustable seats with heating, cooling, and massaging, as well as a 12.2-cubic-foot front trunk.
Both the Escalade IQ and IQL are based on a unibody dedicated EV architecture similar to the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, and GMC Hummer EV, rather than the body-on-frame platform of the internal-combustion Escalade. A standard dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain generates 750 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque, getting the Escalade IQL from 0-60 mph in a Cadillac-estimated 4.7 seconds with the Velocity Max launch mode, and enabling a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.
Like the IQ, the IQL comes standard with General Motors’ largest 24-module, double-layer battery pack, with 205 kwh of total capacity. Cadillac estimates the same 460 miles of range as the standard-length Escalade IQ. The IQL can also recover 116 miles of range in 10 minutes of charging at a suitably-powerful DC fast-charging station, and will be equipped for bidirectional charging.
Adaptive air ride and magnetic dampers carry over from the Escalade IQ. They will have their work cut out for them managing the Escalade IQL’s considerable bulk, and counteracting the likely impact of its 24-inch wheels on ride quality.
Other tech features carry over from the Escalade IQ as well, including a 55-inch door-to-door dashboard display, AKG audio systems with up to 42 speakers, and GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist system.
The Escalade IQL will be offered in Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury, and Premium Sport trim levels priced from $132,695 with destination. Production starts later this year at GM’s Factory Zero EV plant in Detroit. By the time the Escalade IQL reaches showrooms, the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq should also be available to customers looking for a three-row electric SUV that isn’t quite as big.