The upcoming Cadillac Escalade IQL is the longer version of the luxury brand’s full-size electric SUV. As we’ve seen in some exclusive spy shots, the back of the IQL has a decidedly more upright design than the regular Escalade IQ. One of the biggest design differences between the two is the glass between the C and D pillars of the IQL serving as windows for the third row. On the Escalade IQ, the space behind the diagonal trim piece behind the C pillar is all painted.
Cadillac Escalade IQ
Cadillac Escalade IQL
While the Escalade IQ and IQL share that diagonal trim piece design, it’s executed a little differently. On the IQL, the C pillars between the edges of the back doors and that diagonal chrome are painted. This gives the Cadillac Escalade IQL a design element in common with some models from GM’s most mainstream and affordable brand in the U.S.; Chevrolet.
We’re talking about a design cue we’ve been calling the “shark fin.” The most prominent shark fin C-pillar in the Chevy lineup is worn by the Chevy Traverse, which entered its third generation with the 2024 model. The Traverse’s C-pillar rises sharply just behind the rear door before leveling off and falling back down to the vehicle’s shoulder line, creating the appearance of a shark’s dorsal fin.
Chevy Traverse
Cadillac Escalade IQL
The all-new 2025 Chevy Equinox borrows this basic design for its own C-pillars, creating design continuity in the Chevy crossover lineup. In fact, one could argue that it all started with the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer, which has painted C-pillars that flow into the D-pillars in a shark fin-like shape.
Cadillac Escalade IQL
Another thing making the Escalade IQL almost look like it could be a Chevy is the flatter roofline. The roofline of the Escalade IQ has a gentle slope toward the back making it almost look like an SUV coupe in comparison to the IQL, which is much boxier toward the back. Boxy is what the latest Chevy crossover design language is all about from the Trailblazer to the Equinox to the Traverse.
It’s rare to see design elements shared between Chevy and Cadillac, the most mainstream and luxurious GM brands in North America. This could very well be a coincidence more than an intentional design choice. However, if enough people notice the similarity, we may see Cadillac Escalade IQL models getting “sharked.”
Comments
At a quick glance, in profile the IQL looks like a big tall sedan with a cargo shell plopped on top of the trunk because of that chrome molding.
The side view of the IQL had me thinking Hearse!
That was my exact thought too.
The shark fin will be a great place for the hearse scroll bar.
You know it’s a “slow period for GM styling” when the paid cheerleaders can’t stop compulsing about the “shark fin C-Pillar” .
Have you ever heard Toyota/Lexus , “OMG! HAVE YOU SEEN OUR NEW PORPOISE C-PILLAR ???!!!” …. amateurs .
Get some new designers .
Ugly on the Chevy’s. More ugly on a Cadillac.
Oh wait. That’s just a fancy Chevy Tahoe and Suburban. Never mind.
It says Hearse!!
These goofy roof treatments HAVE to end.
It’s not good design.
Reminds me of the the stuff they pulled with the Cadillac Cimarron.
Hate it on Traverse and looks even worse on Escalade
Yuck, it looks like a hearse lol.
Agree, the black one looks like a funeral hearse.
It’s rare to see design elements shared between Chevy and Cadillac
There’s a decades long history of it, especially in the front face of their cars. Compare ’58s.
Ehh, it’s just a Cadillac Escalade designed as a traverse with the iq design blueprint