Comparison: Cadillac Escalade IQ vs. Tesla Model X

The EV SUV segment heats up as Cadillac prepares to unleash the Escalade IQ. See how it compares to the Tesla Model X.

Cadillac, the all-American Luxury brand from GM, announced that its high-end full-size SUV, the Escalade, is going all-electric. The iconic SUV from Cadillac is one of the brand's most coveted vehicles, and it too will be joining the battery electric vehicle (BEV) segment, with production set to start in 2024, and the model year for the initial production run of the big SUV being 2025. But when thinking of all-electric SUVs, or any other car for that matter, it's hard not to think about the alternatives Tesla has to offer.

Tesla has helped create a demand and develop the market for all-electric vehicles, establishing itself as a benchmark in the segment. Most other brands had to follow suit and chase Tesla's significant lead due to its early head start and Elon Musk's entrepreneurship and marketing genius. In the SUV/Crossover BEV market, Tesla has the successful Model X, a mid-size luxury crossover/SUV, and the smaller Model Y. Since the Model X is Tesla's largest SUV, it gets to be compared to the upcoming full-size Cadillac Escalade IQ.

Expert Opinion: The first-ever all-electric 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is a luxurious flagship electric SUV with impressive performance abilities. It employs a pair of motors to generate 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet in Velocity Max Mode. The top-of-the-range EV is built on GM's Ultium Large platform, which gives it imposing exterior dimensions and favorable interior space. The range starts at $130,000, but is equipped with a long list of safety, comfort, and convenience features including GM's Super Cruise driving assist system.

Expert Opinion: The Model X started its life as a futuristic electric SUV, boasting good performance, luxury and technology. Its falcon-wing doors help get in an out of the car while parked in tight spaces and even though it's a mid-size SUV it offers enough interior space to accommodate up to 7 passengers with relative comfort. The Model X can be powered by two or three electric motors and its overall performance ranges from pretty good to ludicrous, as Tesla likes to say.

RELATED: 10 Things You Should Know About The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ EV

Both SUVs come with more than adequate performance, with a big edge for the Model X Plaid with its ludicrous 1,020 horsepower tri-motor configuration. The Escalade has more than enough to be the top performer Escalade to date. And it wins over with great range. We'll see if it pans out according to what Cadillac is projecting.

The Model X is built using the same platform as the full-size sedan Model S, and like the sedan, it too has a Plaid trim with astonishing performance numbers. But the Cadillac Escalade IQ seems to be a little more biased towards range to win over some potential Model S customers. That isn't saying, however, that the Escalade IQ will have low power, quite the contrary, it will have plenty of power and be just as fast, if not more than the current top performer of its lineup, the 6.2-Liter supercharged Escalade V, the most potent full-size SUV on the market today.

Here it is important to point out that the 2.5 seconds 0-60 MPH time of the Model X Plaid is with rollout subtracted. From a dead stop, the model X Plaid will do 0-60 MPH in just under three seconds. On the same note, Cadillac's numbers shown in the table above are on the driver-selectable Velocity Max mode. In normal mode, the Escalade IQ motors will be putting out a combined output of 680 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque. Even in this mode, it should be plenty fast for a full-size SUV, more than what most drivers would ever need while driving around in it. It's not that the Cadillac lacks power by any means, it's just that the Model X Plaid has way too much of it that it eclipses most of its competitors.

Model X Standard Range

Model X

Model X Plaid

Cadillac IQ

Range

269 miles

348 miles

333 miles

450 miles

Horsepower

670 hp

670 hp

1020 hp

750 hp

Torque

TBA

TBA

TBA

785 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.4 seconds

3.8 seconds

2.5 seconds

Sub 5 sec. (est.)

It is safe to assume the 450-mile range of the Cadillac would only be reached in normal mode, and under ideal driving conditions. But it still is quite a leap from what the Model X currently has. It is also reasonable to expect that the Escalade will be quite a heavy vehicle. There's no official information on it at the moment, but as a base, lighter reference, the Model X has a curb weight of 5,437 pounds, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of well over 6,000 pounds. The current gas-powered Cadillac Escalade has a curb weight starting at 5,729 pounds. The Escalade IQ wheelbase, width, and exterior dimensions are similar to that of the Escalade ESV, which stands for 'Escalade Stretch Vehicle'. Since BEVs tend to weigh more than internal combustion engine vehicles due mainly to their battery packs, we could speculate that the Escalade IQ will come weighing in somewhere between 7,500 to 8,500 pounds.

RELATED: Why The Tesla Model X Needs A Successor

Tesla's supercharger network, which will also be used by Ford and GM, is able to charge both SUVs in a few minutes. But the range promised by Cadillac is significantly better than that of the Tesla Model X. Charging these EVs take a lot of time in a regular 120 volt outlet. So a powerful charging station will be the go-to option for people who drive long distances.

Going on a long trip? The Cadillac Escalade IQ is promising 450 miles of range. That range also provides some added versatility to the model. Towing a heavy trailer, for example, will significantly reduce the total range of the SUV, but having 450 miles of range under normal driving conditions means there will be still enough juice left for long stretches of road while towing or driving in cold weather.

The Cadillac will employ a high-voltage architecture for 800-volt charging, and Cadillac claims this is good for a 100-mile range boost in 10 minutes. Tesla, on the other hand, offers its superchargers that are the quickest way to replenish battery charge away from home, and claims it can charge up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes. The Escalade IQ will have bidirectional charging, allowing it to send power to a home and also to power external devices. It is expected Tesla will adopt bidirectional charging by 2025 as well.

Offering up to 348 miles of range, the Model X doesn't lack in that category, but the 100+ extra miles promised by the Cadillac can be the difference between having to schedule a stop for recharging during a road trip or just going directly to your destination, plug it in, and go on about your leisure activities.

Tesla Model X Standard Range

Tesla Model X

Tesla Model X Plaid

Cadillac Escalade IQ

Range

269 Miles

348 Miles

333 Miles

450 Miles

Charging Time

Up to 200 miles in 15 Min. at a Supercharger

Up to 200 miles in 15 Min. at a Supercharger

Up to 200 miles in 15 Min. at a Supercharger

Up to 100 miles in 10 minutes at a public DC Fast Charge

Related: Comparison: Cadillac Escalade IQ vs. GMC Hummer SUV

Both the Tesla Model X and the upcoming Cadillac Escalade IQ feature the latest automotive tech in regard to safety and driver aids. Tesla continues to develop and provide over-the-air updates (OTA) for its self-driving system. Cadillac has its own driver assistance technology available, the Super Cruise, which is a hands-free driving technology that utilizes LiDAR map data, radars, GPS, and cameras to keep the vehicle traveling along compatible roads in the U.S. and Canada. The Escalade IQ is the first full-size SUV built on GM's Ultium Platform, and OTA is also available for future software updates.

Tesla has a much cleaner and somewhat conservative design philosophy. It uses premium materials, but there's less excess of anything in it, giving it an almost too rational feeling. The Escalade flaunts its status and looks more like an ultra-luxury vehicle than anything. If that's the deciding factor, the Escalade wins at interior design.

The space and materials inside the Escalade IQ put it at a noticeable advantage over the Model X. Whether you're in the driver's seat or relaxing at the back, the Escalade IQ provides ultra-luxury levels of comfort, amenities, and convenience for its occupants. This full-size electric SUV has a 55-inch LED display over the whole dashboard. Its touch screens allow access to various IQ features such as the built-in Google software, and interior lighting.

Both SUVs have front and rear motors working together for an efficient AWD system. The Model S Plaid has three motors to produce its peak, 1,020 horsepower. Another point where both SUVs compare is that they feature adaptive independent air suspensions front and rear, improving ride comfort and overall performance when dealing with uneven road surfaces. One extra point goes to the Escalade IQ for having four-wheel steering as standard, a feature that will certainly help in maneuvering the big SUV in parking lots and slow-speed city driving. The turning radius is reduced by more than 6.5 feet according to Cadillac, staying at a manageable 39.4 feet total.

Tesla Model X

Cadillac Escalade IQ

Length

199.1 Inches

224.3 Inches

Width

89.4 Inches

94.1 Inches

Height

68.5 Inches

76.1 Inches

Wheelbase

116.7 Inches

136.2 Inches

Cargo space on for the Model X is 88 cubic feet, while the Cadillac has up to 119.2 cubic feet. The Model X's height varies according to the suspension setting. If it's set to medium, its height is 66.1 inches. If it's set to highest, then it's 68.5 inches. The Cadillac's exterior dimensions point to a much more imposing presence on the road.

Related: Comparison: Cadillac Escalade IQ vs. Mercedes EQS SUV

Tesla's prices for the Model X are as follows:

The Escalade, being first and foremost a high-end, luxury vehicle, is expected to start at $130,000 according to Cadillac. Tesla sells its cars directly to customers without relying on a network of dealerships. This gives Tesla an advantage as the customer knows exactly what he's going to be paying for his Tesla. Dealership markups and sales tactics can sometimes create a not-so-favorable customer experience when buying a new vehicle. However, Cadillac is aware of this and has been working with its dealers to improve the brand experience and customer satisfaction.

Like with the upcoming Celestiq EV, Cadillac will offer customers several different exterior and interior options, so that the customer's own personality traits and taste are reflected in the Escalade IQ. For that 'shopping' experience, Cadillac dealers will have a concierge available at the dealerships to accompany and advise the customer throughout this process. That personalized touch and professional advice are bound to promote a more satisfying purchasing experience and will likely be sought after by high-profile customers who expect the best service level available when they're out spending the big bucks.

Considering all the standard features, size, comfort, looks, and technology available on the Cadillac, it should steal some Model X customers to be sure, especially if that base price is actually feasible for customers negotiating its purchase with dealers in the near future.

A car and motorcycle enthusiast, Bruno enjoys writing about and following up on what's happening in the industry. He's easy and friendly. Known to drop the bass on occasion.