2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Boasts Massive 35-Inch Tires, Similar to Ford Raptor

Yet, that’s precisely the case.

Every aspect of the Escalade IQ screams extravagance, from its impressive 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque to its colossal 55-inch dashboard screen. Given these factors, the use of such massive Michelins shouldn’t be all that surprising. These tires, officially listed at 275/50R24, are indeed unique in the market.

Discount Tire offers the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2s in this size for $566 each, specifying that they are designed for heavy electric vehicles—crucial for a vehicle like the Escalade IQ, estimated to weigh around 9,000 pounds. These tires weigh 56 pounds each, a substantial weight but not outlandish, with a load index rating of 121.

A useful load index rating chart indicates that each of the Escalade IQ’s tires can support a weight of 3,197 pounds. It’s challenging to estimate the SUV’s curb weight based solely on tire information, but it’s clear that they are built to handle substantial loads. For comparison, the 9,063-pound GMC Hummer EV features tires with a load index rating of 126. While it’s possible that the Hummer EV’s tires were engineered with extra capacity for increased dynamic loads, this remains speculative.

Additionally, Cadillac estimates a maximum towing capacity of 8,000 pounds for this luxury behemoth.

In any scenario, the Cadillac’s massive wheels are noteworthy, particularly considering it’s essentially the antithesis of an off-road vehicle. While General Motors offers a few other models with 35-inch tires, they are typically all-purpose vehicles; examples include the GMC Hummer EV, Chevy Silverado HD ZR2, and Colorado ZR2 Bison. Factory-fitted 35-inch tires are also found on the Ford F-150 Raptor and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X.

What makes it even more intriguing is the seemingly ordinary appearance of the Escalade IQ’s tires. When mounted on 24-inch wheels, there is notably less sidewall. To illustrate, compare them to a Wrangler outfitted with 35-inch tires:

The new Cadillac embodies everything we envisioned an electric Escalade to be and more. It exceeds the gas model’s length by 12.4 inches and width by 4.3 inches. Its power output surpasses the Escalade V’s 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. While the starting price of “around $130,000” may seem steep, surprisingly, you can customize a gasoline model to a higher cost.

It’s a prime example of excess, no matter how you analyze it. It’s astonishing to witness a stock Escalade fitted with 35-inch tires straight from the factory.

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