Escalade IQ and IQL Wins 2026 MotorTrend SUV of the Year

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ and its larger variation, the IQL, have been named the 2026 MotorTrend SUV of the Year. One of the few all-electric SUVs to ever win the award, this full-size model has gained widespread recognition for its bold design and capabilities. If you’re interested in seeing one in action, contact us at Napleton Cadillac of Libertyville for a test drive.

MotorTrend SUV of the Year

Looking at the justification for the award reveals several facets of this model that made it stand out from the competition. For starters, it brings a 465-mile estimated range¹, the longest of any EV SUV on the market today. That capability is wrapped in a gorgeous shell adorned with mainstay LED headlights and a raked roofline. Inside, style and relaxation meet with available heated, ventilated, and massaging seats as well as a standard panoramic fixed-glass roof. The classical elegance is met with various technological advancements, including large screens and standard wireless phone chargers. The 2026 Escalade IQ and IQL are the culmination of thousands of hours of new work that also build upon the brand’s past successes. Ultimately, the SUV’s ingenuity and willingness to hearken back to the full-size luxury SUV archetype it helped create made these models the clear choice for the MotorTrend SUV of the Year Award.

2026 Escalade IQ and IQL

The 2026 Escalade IQ and IQL have many other features that make them desirable vehicles. Aside from the lasting presence on the road stemming from using the GM Ultium platform, drivers also get heightened levels of power output with an available 750 horsepower and 785 lb.-ft. of torque. When the time comes to charge this vehicle, simply plug it into a DC Fast Charging System and obtain 117 miles of range in just 10 minutes². The standard 55-inch Horizon Display™³ provides infotainment details, simple smartphone app integration, and the opportunity for your front passenger to interface with the car. In the available Executive Second Row, passengers get added leg room and entertainment screens of their own. We’ve only covered a fraction of the capabilities of the 2026 IQ and IQL here, so we encourage you to take your time with our sales team to review the many features that can positively impact your travels.

Looking Ahead

The teams responsible for developing the 2026 Escalade IQ and IQL are not going to rest on their much-deserved laurels. Instead, they’re forging ahead into the next generation with the goal of adding to the models’ considerable kit. For example, the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ is set to introduce eyes-off driving⁴, giving the pilot the chance to relax on their commute. Coming a bit sooner in 2027 is the integration of conversational AI via Google Gemini. That system will help you send messages on the go, find the fastest route to your destination after a detour, or get weather information. As a whole, GM’s Vehicle Intelligence Platform is going to get much smarter, getting much more frequent software updates than past systems while having up to 1,000 times more bandwidth to support the workload of the integrated AI systems. In short, you should not be surprised if the Escalade IQ and IQL win MotorTrend SUV of the Year again in the near future. If you’re interested in pairing the award-winning vehicle with our celebrated customer service for an unforgettable buying experience, come by our showroom at your convenience!

1. Cadillac-estimated 465 miles. On a full charge based on development testing and/or analytical projection consistent with SAE J1634 revision 2017 – MCT. Range subject to change prior to production. Actual range may vary based on several factors, including ambient temperature, terrain, battery age and condition, loading, and how you use and maintain your vehicle.
2. Based on 350 kW charge speed. Actual charge times will vary based on battery starting state of charge, battery condition, output of charger, vehicle settings and battery temperature. See the Owner’s Manuals for your vehicle and charger for additional details & limitations.
3. Measured diagonally.
4. Availability and permissible use by state.

Napleton Cadillac of Libertyville note:

For Lake Forest and Libertyville shoppers comparing electric Cadillacs, our team usually recommends starting with range, home-charging setup, and a monthly payment target before locking a trim. Book an EV test drive and we’ll walk you through it.