A sliding window assembly for a vehicle, a cable drive system for a vehicle, and methods of operating the same, are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a track adapted to be coupled to the vehicle, and a sliding panel movable relative to the track between an open position and a closed position. A heating element is coupled to the sliding panel for heating the sliding panel. The sliding window assembly further includes a conductive cable coupled to the sliding panel and the heating element. The conductive cable is configured to transfer electrical current to energize the heating element and to undergo mechanical force to move the sliding panel relative to the track between the open and closed positions.