“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.”
— Ernest Hemingway
Just after leaving the house where renowned author Ernest Hemingway lived in the 1930s – where he wrote To Have and Have Not, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and Green Hills of Africa – his quote on trust echoed in my mind as my finger hovered over the Super Cruise button in the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Sport 2. Heading north on the Overseas Highway from Key West, it felt like a leap of faith – dare I say, a Farewell to Arms moment? Thankfully, it was not Death in the Afternoon…
This was my first experience of allowing a vehicle to drive itself. And not just any machine – an all-electric, full-size SUV behemoth tipping the scales at 9,134 pounds. That’s a lot of car to hand over to artificial intelligence. But with one brave push of a button, the top of the steering wheel lit up green. I was no longer in control of the throttle or steering – though I could still change speed via a wheel-mounted adjuster, or regain control at any time I wished.
While not every stretch of U.S. 1 is mapped for GM’s self-driving system, there were a few uninterrupted miles where I could relax, sip a soda, enjoy some chips, and observe the road – hands-free, but never mind-free. The system handled most conditions smoothly. But when the lanes narrowed or merged, the car did seem to ‘hunt’ for markings, causing slight lateral drifting. On the Florida Turnpike, however, it executed a clean, automatic lane change to clear the left lane, and effectively followed my turn signal input to change lanes. My trust was earned.
But the biggest surprise wasn’t the Super Cruise tech, or even the standard multi-mode massage seats (also optional for the second row). What impressed me most was how effortless it felt to pilot this all-electric luxury SUV, even after jumping in from my two-door V8 daily driver. GM’s Magnetic Ride Control with adaptive air suspension smooths out uneven pavement and potholes, minimizing undesirable feedback – even on the roughest patches of Florida Keys road. The 35-inch tires add to its presence, yet the low-mounted battery pack and absence of a front-mounted V8 engine provide a surprisingly balanced driving experience.
Despite its size, the Escalade IQ Sport 2 handles tight corners with remarkable composure, thanks in part to four-wheel steering, which dramatically improves maneuverability. Overhead and side-mounted camera views ease tight parking maneuvers – a godsend in tight spots like downtown Key West.
Visually, this luxury SUV lives up to the Escalade legacy. Massive 24-inch diamond-cut wheels with gloss black accents frame an aggressive front end, complete with an illuminated black grille and a waterfall of running lights. Vertical LED headlights (ten up front and styling mirrored by the taillights) reinforce its commanding presence.
My test model came in Black Cherry Tintcoat, offset by a Camelia interior with contrasting Backen Black trim. The cabin is exceptionally spacious and well-appointed; front and second-row seats are plush and roomy, while the third row offers tighter accommodations – premium economy compared to the first-class comfort up front. A panoramic tinted glass roof adds light and a modern sense of space, complemented by black-painted A- and B-pillars.
Inside, it’s all beautiful leather and brushed aluminum, while marble-effect trim spans the dashboard and door tops. At night, customizable LED mood lighting enhances the cabin ambiance. The center console features two wireless phone chargers and a massive storage area. A 40-speaker AKG audio system, including headrest speakers, delivers a 360-degree sound experience.
Up front, a 55-inch pillar-to-pillar LED display dominates the dash. While the driver sees vehicle data and blind-spot views (which appear automatically when signaling), the front passenger can stream apps like YouTube and Hulu or access a built-in web browser. Rear visibility is limited for the driver, as the rear windshield is so very far away, so a digital rearview mirror is essential. The Escalade IQ also boasts night vision, a useful tool for spotting Florida’s Key Deer and other roadside surprises.
Second-row passengers enjoy their own 12-inch touchscreen and control panel, along with stowable, airplane-style tray tables. While third-row seating is tight – particularly where the curved C-pillar and roofline converge, the sunroof having ended – it’s ideal for short trips or kids.
Compared to the ICE-powered Escalade that I drove previously (420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8), the 2025 Escalade IQ Sport 2 offers a seismic upgrade: dual electric motors produce 750 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque in Velocity Max mode, accessed via a steering wheel button, but that does burn your battery range. It can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds, and tops out at 125 mph.
Even in standard mode, it delivers more than enough torque to maneuver through tight highway gaps. It lacks the classic V8 rumble, but the silence and subtle electric whir only enhance the luxury experience.
The estimated maximum range – 460 miles on a full charge – is a major plus. I made the Miami-to-Key West round trip without needing to stop. But I did pause at an Electrify America station to test fast charging claims, and I can confirm: Up to 100 miles were indeed added in about 10 minutes, as I got 335 kW charging. The impressive 800-volt DC architecture and the 24-module Ultium battery stores more than 200 kWh of energy. This thing is a powerhouse – quite literally.
Storage is generous, though the third-row space limits rear cargo to 24 cubic feet. Fortunately, the rear seats fold flat via electric controls. Up front, a ‘frunk’ offers another 12 cubic feet of storage and a slide-out tray with a cargo net – perfect for groceries or small luggage items.
One small gripe: While the power-deployable running boards were a nice touch on previous Escalades, the fixed floor height (due to the battery layout) means you step up onto a stationary platform before entering. But all four doors can be opened electrically from the center console – an elegant feature, especially for chauffeured passengers.
But I think you’ll want to drive this beast plenty yourself. And if you grow tired of doing so, Super Cruise is just a button press away. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Sport 2 starts at $148,200. The model I tested – loaded with premium upgrades – came to $163,305.
Hemingway, a man who understood the finer things in life, always believed that luxury should be earned through hardship. If you’ve done the hard yards, this all-electric luxury SUV is a reward worth savoring.
Images: By Charles Bradley