Big SUVs, Big Energy: Escalade IQ Takes Its Lumps, Baby Land Cruiser FJ Hints at More Muscle

Two very different SUVs made noise today—one literally, one figuratively. Cadillac’s electric Escalade IQ just squared up against its supercharged V8 sibling in a U-drag showdown and learned a humbling lesson about weight, brakes, and momentum. Meanwhile, Toyota’s “baby” Land Cruiser FJ is rumored to be getting the engine buyers actually asked for. Different ends of the food chain, same question: how much grunt is enough?

Cadillac Escalade IQ vs Escalade V: The U-Drag Reality Check

I’ve driven the Escalade V on a track day—which felt equal parts hilarious and heroic—and it’s every bit the rowdy luxury hotrod its quad tips imply. The electric Escalade IQ I sampled was the polar opposite: serene, silken, and shockingly quick from a standstill. But drag racing doesn’t end at 60. On a U-drag (launch to a marker, hard brake, return sprint), physics gets a vote.

In the latest head-to-head, the EV’s insta-torque launch couldn’t offset two things: massive curb weight and the kind of heat you build in brakes when you’re trying to stop a luxury condo on wheels. The V8, lighter and happier to breathe up top, clawed back time on the return leg and under braking. You could almost hear the supercharger snicker.

• Off-the-line: IQ pounces; the V isn’t sleeping, just slightly less instantaneous.
• Mid-range pull: The V’s top-end keeps charging; the EV feels strong but carries a lot of inertia.
• Braking/turnaround: Advantage V—less mass to settle and less heat to shed.
• Consistency: The V’s traditional hardware shrugs off back-to-back runs; the IQ is managing weight, temps, and regen priorities.

Spec Snapshot: Escalade V vs Escalade IQ

Real-world call? If your life is valet stands and fast passes, the V still feels like the showpiece—loud, quick, unapologetic. The IQ shines in the parts of driving we do most: creeping through school zones in silence, gliding over potholes with air suspension, devouring commutes without a whiff of fuel. Towing a pair of sleds to the mountains? The V will laugh at the grades and gas stops; the IQ will do it, but you’ll plan charging and watch range tick faster in the cold. Horses for courses.

Baby Land Cruiser FJ: The Engine Buyers Asked For (Finally)

The charming, squared-off “baby” Land Cruiser FJ landed with tons of nostalgia and not quite enough oomph for some folks. Now, fresh reporting suggests Toyota is lining up a powertrain that skews more “trail boss” than “city scout.” The headline: more displacement and, crucially, more torque where you actually use it—low and mid revs.

I’ve talked to a few recent Toyota truck owners who love the brand’s durability but crave stronger passing power and towing confidence in smaller packages. In an upright, boxy rig with real-deal off-road angles, torque is king. A punchier four-cylinder—potentially turbocharged and possibly hybridized—would square the FJ’s looks with its mission, improving:

• Highway merging and two-lane passes with a roof rack and gear on board.
• Trail crawling, especially on rocky climbs where low-end twist keeps you moving without drama.
• Towing headroom for a teardrop camper or a pair of dirt bikes.
• Overall drivability at altitude, where naturally aspirated engines can feel winded.

Trade-offs? Likely a small bump in price and weight, maybe a smidge of fuel economy given back in exchange for capability. If Toyota pairs a turbo four with a hybrid system—its recent playbook—that could preserve efficiency while adding the shove buyers want. The point isn’t to build a mini Baja truck; it’s to match the FJ’s honest, go-anywhere vibe with an engine that doesn’t need a pep talk.

Where These Two Stories Meet

It’s 2026, and the SUV spectrum is stretching. At one pole: a six-figure EV leviathan learning that not all “quicker” is quicker when the course adds braking and direction changes. At the other: a compact, old-school-styled 4x4 that might finally get modern muscle in a sensible size. Different solutions, same lesson—power is context. Use matters.

Conclusion

The Escalade V’s victory lap should reassure traditionalists that internal combustion still has claws in dynamic, repeatable performance. The Escalade IQ remains the better luxury appliance most days—quiet, plush, and deceptively swift—just not the king of the U-turn sprint. And if Toyota gives the baby Land Cruiser FJ the torque-rich engine it deserves, the most honest SUV in the room might also become the most compelling to drive.

FAQ

• Is the Escalade IQ faster than the Escalade V?
  From a dig to typical street speeds, the IQ can feel just as quick thanks to instant torque. In U-drag style tests with heavy braking and a return sprint, the V8’s lighter mass and top-end pull tend to win.
• Which Escalade is better for towing and road trips?
  Both can tow, but the V simplifies long-haul travel with quick refueling. The IQ tows smoothly and quietly, yet you’ll plan charging stops and see range drop faster when towing or in cold weather.
• What engine is the Baby Land Cruiser FJ getting?
  Reports point to a more powerful, torque-rich four-cylinder—likely turbocharged and potentially hybridized. Exact output and specs haven’t been announced.
• Will the Baby Land Cruiser FJ come to the U.S.?
  Market availability hasn’t been confirmed. Toyota has been aggressive with the Land Cruiser family lately, so watch for official word by region.
• Should I wait for the updated FJ or buy now?
  If you value stronger towing and easier highway passing, it’s worth waiting for the more muscular engine. If you mostly do city duty and light trails, the current setup may suit you fine—and possibly at a better price.