A hands-free power liftgate is to be expected on a luxury SUV with a six-digit price tag. However, the one on the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ EV is a little different from some of its rivals. Cadillac calls it the Autosense power liftgate and made the following video walking us through how it works.
This part might seem obvious, but it starts with activating the feature in the Cadillac’s infotainment system. The video starts with a demonstration of navigating the menus to get to the “Hands-Free Exterior Storage Access” menu. Once you’re there, the two options are “Off” and “Open Only.” Select “Open Only” to enable the feature.
“Once enabled, walk to the rear of the vehicle with the key fob in hand,” Cadillac Marketing Manager Donnelly Baxter explains. “You’ll hear four beeps, you’ll see the four accompanying taillamp flashes, and the liftgate will open automatically. To close, simply press the button.”
Another way to open the liftgate of the Cadillac Escalade IQ is to touch the Cadillac crest above the license plate. However, it doesn’t appear to be an actual button with haptic feedback. “I find a slight swiping helps best,” Baxter says in the video, swiping the crest with his finger to open the liftgate.
But what if the liftgate starts opening while you’re standing behind the car, but you don’t want it to open? If you’re in the Authentication Zone, which is within one meter behind the Cadillac Escalade IQ, you can cancel the liftgate from opening by either stepping out of the zone, pressing the liftgate switch on the Cadillac crest, or performing a single press on the liftgate button on the key fob. You can disable the feature without digging in the menus by holding down the liftgate switch for five seconds while the key is in the Authentication Zone. If the taillights flash, the feature is disabled.
Of note, the Escalade IQ’s Autosense liftgate does not have a hands-free closing feature. While many foot-activated, hands-free power liftgates can open and close without pushing any buttons, the Escalade IQ’s liftgate requires pushing the button on the liftgate, key fob, or inside the cabin to close.
As first reported by GM Authority, 2025 Escalade IQ pricing starts at $129,990 for the entry-level Luxury 1 trim, while the most expensive model – the Sport 2 – carries an MSRP of up to $150,490. The online configurator is live, so interested buyers can try out various builds.
Comments
Imagine walking too close to your car while washing it.
“Turn signal-activated view”
Quite possibly the best feature to come to both I.C.E. and IQ Escalades based on their size and dimensions. I wondered how long GM would allow Hyundai to get away with that feature.