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Shaq Prefers Cadillac Escalade IQ Over Tesla Cybertruck: Video

If you’re a superstar like Shaquille O’Neal, then you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to your preferred method of transportation. Indeed, the NBA legend has no shortage of vehicles at his disposal, including several all-electric SUVs and trucks. That said, Shaq actually prefers the Cadillac Escalade IQ over the Tesla Cybertruck.

A custom 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ owned by Shaq.

In a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, O’Neal dives into the topic of his car collection with comedian Karlous Miller and co-host Adam Lefkoe.

“I was into the Cybertrucks, but they don’t get enough, I wanna say, what’s the word I’m looking for, electric mileage?” Shaq says during the podcast. “And then I just got one of them [Escalade IQs].”

Of course, Shaq has plenty of love for the ICE-based vehicles out there as well, including GM products. “I got a ’64 Impala and a ’66 Cadillac,” Shaq says later. “And a ’69 Ford Galaxy. But I might start collecting old-school cars.”

Check out the full podcast interview below. The conversation switches to car collecting around the 27-minute, 20-second mark:

Funny enough, Shaq buys so many cars, he sometimes forgets which cars he bought. In a post made to social media, @hotfreestyle captured the moment that Shaq takes delivery of one of his new custom Cadillac Escalade IQ SUVs. This particular example is fitted with 26-inch monoblock Travis Scott Forgiato wheels. The interior was also modified to fit Shaq’s enormous seven-foot, one-inch frame.

 

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A post shared by Hot Freestyle (@hotfreestyle)

That particular Escalade IQ was customized by the folks at Effortless Motors. The shop also went to work customizing a few other Cadillac Escalade IQ models for Shaq, including one example fitted with 26-inch Forgiato wheels, a Burgundy-colored wrap, and a starlight headliner. Check it out below:

In another video, Shaq takes delivery of this third Cadillac Escalade IQ from Effortless Motors, but pulls a prank pretending not to like the color.

 

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A post shared by Hot Freestyle (@hotfreestyle)

Which Escalade IQ catches your eye?

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. It looks really good in that burgundy color.

    Not a huge fan of the wheels and I wonder how much they hurt the efficiency (not that he would care).

    Reply
    1. Agreed! That burgundy color looks so darn good. Hopefully Cadillac makes that an official color

      Reply
    2. Onyx package rims look nicer.

      Reply
  2. The vehicle is so huge even 26″ wheels don’t look ridiculous.

    Reply
  3. Really don’t understand why anyone would buy several models of the same car with multiple colors especially the celebrities. A waste of money IMO. I rather have different high-end models and makes at once if I was a multimillionaire which makes better sense than having multiple copies of the same model of that year.

    Reply
    1. It’s called having more money than brains.

      Reply
  4. When you only fly when you travel you need a car at every place you own. He’s not fitting in a rental car lol

    Reply
    1. But this is an EV so the battery will show a charge of 0.00 when he arrives at every place he owns. This wouldn’t happen with an ICE. EVs loose charge just sitting there looking dumb as the vehicle is.

      Reply
  5. In a dozen years, these overpriced Hyundai’s with a worn catalyst and an mis fire will be doing door dash from a Culver’s spewing fumes.

    Reply
  6. Love that Shaq shows off his different taste in suits & vehicles. If I were blessed with Tim Allen, & Jay funds, I’d be doing the same thing

    Reply
  7. My wife and i test drove the escalade iq and I have a cybertruck. Obviously the escalade is way nicer inside. It’s also 60k more than the cybertruck. I did think the escalade has too many screens. I mean the entire front is screens. Visibility in it also sucks, massive front hood. I was nervous driving it and parking even with the cameras. It’s also massive. Really two difference vehicles. Teslas also do some things better, like when you open your door music is playing, the FSD is crazy good. I don’t imagine a normal person would compare the two though. I also don’t think the iq is worth the 50k or so more than the ice version.

    Reply

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