The Cadillac Escalade IQ was unveiled in August of 2023 as an all-new, all-electric addition to the iconic SUV lineup, offering up all the luxury and refinement expected of the nameplate, plus GM’s latest battery-drive propulsion system technology under the skin. As anticipated, the IQ will be joined by the new all-electric Escalade IQL, a bigger variant that serves a similar role as the Escalade ESV in the ICE-based Escalade lineup. Although the IQ and IQL are quite similar, there are a few design differences worth pointing out, as outlined in the following GM Authority Design Comparison.
IQ
IQL
Starting up front, the Cadillac Escalade IQ and IQL look identical. Both show a sleek, blocked-off grille section with illuminated inner styling elements and a pair slim lower air intakes. The lighting includes vertical signatures in the sides of the fascia, plus vertical lights for the primary illumination.
However, moving into the sides, we find the real differences between the IQ and IQL are around the C-pillar.
IQ
IQL
The styling trim around the windows shows a similar shape between the two models, but the IQL incorporates a large shark fin-shaped body panel just behind the rear side windows. By comparison, the IQ extends the side glass, then finishes off with a body panel leading into the rear hatch. The IQL finishes with additional glass that connects the shark fin-shaped pillar to the hatch.
The difference continue into the rear end, where the IQ has a more angled rear glass section, slanting down from the roof-mounted spoiler at steep angle. By comparison, the IQL has a more upright rear glass section, making the rear end appear boxier by comparison.
IQ
IQL
Unlike the ICE-based Escalade and Escalade ESV, the Escalade IQ and IQL appear to have identical wheelbases. However, the IQL manages to offer more rear room thanks to an extended rear overhang compared to the standard-length IQ. Finally, the rear lighting treatment is slightly different between the two, which is a result of the extended rear overhang and restyled rear end.
Both models equip GM Ultium batteries and GM Ultium Drive motors, riding on the GM BT1 platform, while production takes place at the GM Factory Zero plant in Michigan.
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Comments
Who cares? But the shorter one looks far better.
IMO, they both look fantastic. The IQ is sportier while the IQL is more of a traditional ultra luxury barge similar to Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.
For me, I’ll take an old Cadillac any day of the week. I don’t think either of these is attractive. The big one reminds me of a ‘58 Buick.
It gives me No pleasure to say that. I want Cadillac to succeed but after so many beautiful concepts, it’s very disappointing that this and the Celestiq are the best they can do on production vehicles.
The rear of the greenhouse on a dark colored IQL looks like a hearse….
Having seen spy photos of it in white with the Sport Trim it looks much better in my opinion than this hearse version. Maybe it can corner the hearse market in a few years though as it would be a good use case!