The Cadillac ESCALADE IQ has captured the prestigious MotorTrend 2026 SUV of the Year award, marking a milestone for General Motors and chief engineer Al Oppenheiser. This groundbreaking electric SUV not only sets a new benchmark for luxury and innovation but is also the first SUV assembled in Michigan to receive this honor.
A Legacy of Excellence
MotorTrend’s “Car of the Year” award dates back to 1949, with Cadillac claiming the first-ever title. Over the years, General Motors has secured numerous “of the year” victories, continuously demonstrating engineering ingenuity and setting industry standards. Al Oppenheiser, a 40-year GM veteran, makes history yet again, having already led the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro to MotorTrend’s Car of the Year in 2016. With the ESCALADE IQ, Oppenheiser becomes the first chief engineer to win both accolades.
What It Takes to Win
Each year, MotorTrend evaluates vehicles using six rigorous criteria: efficiency, advancement in design, value, engineering excellence, performance of intended function, and safety. The ESCALADE IQ stands out due to its robust architecture—a foundation shared with GM’s battery-electric trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC HUMMER EV. This platform not only enables advanced features such as 4-Wheel Steer and CrabWalk, but also exemplifies attention to detail, from its gently sloping roofline (enhancing aerodynamics for an estimated 465-mile range) to its narrow A-pillars (improving visibility).
Teamwork and Innovation Lead the Way
Oppenheiser credits the MotorTrend award to the ESCALADE IQ team’s relentless pursuit of excellence. Building a “halo vehicle” like the ESCALADE IQ means earning the Cadillac name by pushing boundaries and sweating every detail. As Oppenheiser explains, “This award belongs to everyone on the ESCALADE IQ team, and it’s a recognition of the thousands of hours of hard work that they put into this vehicle”.
Looking to the Future
General Motors is not slowing down. The engineering team is already focused on future advancements, including the 2028 ESCALADE IQ’s debut of eyes-off Super Cruise capabilities and the integration of GM’s new centralized computing platform. Oppenheiser sees the ESCALADE IQ as the perfect platform to introduce cutting-edge technology, underscoring the company’s commitment to continuous innovation.
Cadillac’s ESCALADE IQ isn’t just an SUV—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when design, technology, and teamwork lead the way in automotive excellence.
