I RUN THE ELECTRIC ESCALADE IQ OUT OF JUICE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS! OUR FIRST RUN TO ZERO FAILURE

EV Channels Review

The Cadillac Escalade IQ's 'Run to Zero' test revealed significant performance degradation at low states of charge, a critical finding for potential buyers. While the vehicle boasts a large battery capacity (estimated at 215-219 kWh), its ability to maintain highway speeds or even moderate acceleration diminishes drastically below 4% state of charge. The reviewer noted the car became "dangerously too slow" for highway merging and struggled to reach 55 mph even at full throttle. A major concern is that the Escalade IQ died completely at 1% state of charge, failing the test's criteria of reaching 0%. This premature failure, despite the BMS indicating remaining charge, suggests potential BMS confusion or a weak cell issue. While the 2026 model year appears to have fixed the restart issue after a complete shutdown (unlike previous GM models), the severe performance drop and early failure are significant drawbacks. The reviewer advises treating 5% state of charge as the effective 'zero' for highway-capable driving.