Chevrolet Equinox EV Review
When General Motors announced in 2023 that it was stopping production of the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt EV, it created an uproar. Many had criticized GM for killing the electric car – again.
EV enthusiasts and Bolt owners were sad to see one of North America’s most affordable EVs exit the market after just a short time. The last-generation Bolt was one of the best values when it came to electric motoring. Not only was the purchase price well within reach of many consumers, it also had excellent range – up to 259 EPA Estimated miles – and was packed with features normally found in more expensive vehicles. After such a vivid response to the Bolt’s discontinuation, GM immediately reassured consumers that the Bolt would return in the near future.
GM gets a lot of criticism when it comes to its EV history. But today, it’s working to bring more EV options to a wider range of consumers in North America than any other company. It’s gone from offering only the Bolt EV to now offering a whole range of EVs in different sizes and at different price point through its different brands.
I recently had a chance to drive a 2024 Equinox EV. This is an affordable, stylish, and practical all-electric compact crossover SUV that will make you forget all about the Chevrolet Bolt.
Chevrolet Equinox Exterior Design
The Equinox EV shares nothing with the gasoline-powered Equinox, except its name. All of GM’s new EVs are built on the same Ultium platform – a cutting-edge set of components designed for electric propulsion. That means the Equinox EV has more in common with the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Silverado EV than the regular Equinox.
While the Bolt’s design elicited mixed opinions, the Equinox EV is a super-attractive design that will appeal to a much broader audience looking for an all-electric compact crossover SUV.
Up front, the available thin LED strip that stretches from end to end, above the faux grille, gives the Equinox EV some family resemblance to its electric vehicle siblings. It’s almost wagon-like along its sleek profile, thanks to its lower roofline, high beltline, and 190.6-inch length – more than 27 inches longer than the subcompact Bolt. The Equinox EV is also a bit longer than the Tesla Model Y (187.0 inches), Ford Mustang Mach-E (185.6 inches) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 (182.5 inches). The shark fin-like C-pillar gives the Equinox EV a coupe-like look from the side and rear, and a sloping rear window meets a short body-colored deck lid just above the full-width tail lamps.
The Equinox EV is the only all-electric crossover SUV in this segment that gives you the option of a contrasting two-toned roof. LT trims give you the option for a white roof, while RS trims, like my tester, have an available blacked-out roof which goes well with the blacked-out RS wheels, grille, mirrors, and trim.
Inside the Equinox EV
If you’ve been in the Chevrolet Blazer EV or Silverado EV, you’ll see some familiar interior appointments, as well as some touches unique to the Equinox EV.
Like the Blazer EV, the Equinox EV has similar turbine-design air vents that are reminiscent of the Chevrolet Camaro and other classic Chevy models. LT trims add backlit and translucent blue patterned trim around the vents, dashboard, door panels, and center console, while RS trims replace the blue with a sportier red-grey accent. You can even select from a number of backlit colors to change the ambience of the cabin.
The Equinox EV shares its standard 11-inch driver info screen, 17.7-inch infotainment screen, chunky steering wheel, climate control hard-button cluster, and steering column shifter found on Chevrolet’s other EVs. Even GM’s excellent advanced driver assist system, Super Cruise, is available on all trims.
GM’s new infotainment uses a Google built-in system for better EV charging and route planning. Like the Tesla Model Y, this vehicle doesn’t support Apple CarPlay, but the built-in system is super responsive, user-friendly, and you can even download apps like Spotify and Waze.
There’s a ton of space too, thanks to the Equinox EV’s long wheelbase. Rear seats are spacious and legroom is on par with the Ford Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5. There’s also a bit more room to spread out due to its wider dimensions. The front seats aren’t the most supportive for spirited driving, even in the sportier RS trim, but they’re comfortable. LT trims give you a choice between black or two-tone Sky Cool Gray seating and interior accents. If you like red, you can opt for sporty two-tone Adrenaline Red-themed seating surfaces in the RS trims. All 2024 Equinox EVs come standard with Evotex synthetic leather trim. Ventilated seats are standard on 3LT and 3RS trims.
Despite its length, the Equinox EV ‘s cargo area behind the rear seats is only 26.4 cu.ft., (748 L). That’s a bit smaller than that in the Mach-E (29.7 cu.ft.), Ioniq 5 (27.7 cu.ft.), and Model Y (30.2 cu.ft.). Unlike some of its competitors, the Equinox EV doesn’t have a front trunk, although there is some storage under the rear cargo floor to help make up for it.
Equinox EV Range and Powertrain Options
The Equinox EV comes in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Chevrolet chose to place the main electric motor at the front axle – similar to the Toyota BZ4X, Subaru Solterra, and Nissan Ariya. In two-wheel drive models, putting the motor up front helps traction on slippery surfaces. It also helps to increase braking power by increasing the amount of regenerative braking at the front of the vehicle, where most of the braking is done. Owners of front-wheel drive Chevrolet and General Motors gas vehicles will find the Equinox EV FWD an easy transition to electric.
FWD models get a relatively modest 213 hp and 236 lb-ft torque. It’s not the most powerful in its class, but that’s more than enough to get the Equinox EV going in a hurry for most people. The modest power output also helps contribute to the Equinox EV’s long range. In AWD models, the more powerful electric motor stays up front, with the rear motor acting as an assist only when more traction and power is needed. Power is up slightly to 288 hp, but torque is up significantly, at 333 lb-ft, making the Equinox much quicker from a standstill and in highway passing maneuvers.
All Equinox EVs get the same large 85-kWh battery that’s available in the bigger Blazer EV. Interestingly, this battery is bigger than the standard and extended range batteries on many competitors. The large battery is mainly what gives the Equinox EV its amazing standard EPA estimated combined range of 319 miles (513 km) for FWD models. That’s significantly higher than most competitors in base and lower trims. AWD trims get 285 miles (459 km) of estimated range, which is on par with many competitors, but less than the extended range Mach-E AWD (300 miles) and Model Y long-range AWD (311 miles).
Chevy Equinox EV Charging
The Equinox EV comes standard with an 11.5-kW (48A) on-board AC charger for all trims. With the right Level 2 home charger, GM says that you can add up to 34 miles (58 km) per hour of charging. That’s enough to charge the Equinox’s large battery from empty to full overnight.
Level 3 DC Fast Charging is a bit of a different story. The Equinox EV’s peak DC charging speed is 150 kW. That’s way ahead of the Bolt’s 55-kW peak charging speed, and on par with the Toyota BZ4X and Mustang Mach-E – but far below the Ioniq 5’s super-fast 200-plus-kW charging speed.
Additionally, the Equinox EV’s battery pack voltage is surprisingly lower than its competitors and even GM’s other Ultium-based EVs. This means that in order to reach its peak DC charging speed and to minimize charging time, it’s better to use a higher power DC fast charger. For example, a 350-kW DC charger will charge the Equinox EV faster than a 150-kW DC charger. Unfortunately, GM doesn’t provide the standard 10 to 80 percent charging time estimate but says that you can get up to 77 miles (124 km) in about 10 minutes.
If you’re mainly charging at home like the majority of EV owners, then you’ll be just fine with the Equinox EV. It’s also sufficient for most people doing the occasional road trip. However, if you’re doing longer road trips more frequently, competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 will charge much faster on Level 3.
GM drivers now have access to the Tesla Supercharger network, which will give Equinox EV owners a variety of options for charging when doing those longer road trips. For now, the Equinox EV is equipped with a CCS port on the driver’s side fender. You’ll need an adapter to charge at a Tesla Supercharger.
Behind the Wheel of the Equinox EV
I had a chance to drive both the FWD and AWD models of the Equinox EV. In most ways they’re similar, but in power and traction they’re significantly different animals.
At lower speeds and around town, you can feel the torque of the FWD model. It’s not the quickest EV, capable of 0-60mph in a modest 8.0 seconds. But that’s plenty quick for most drivers. Passing and acceleration at highway speeds is more gradual, and feels like a small four-cylinder gas engine. That’s okay, since the Equinox’s mission is more about value and range than performance. If you’re coming out of a compact SUV, like a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, you’ll find the Equinox EV’s acceleration similar. But if you’re craving more horsepower, then opt for the AWD model. The rear motor adds more power and torque for very quick acceleration around town and on the highway.
Handling is competent. You do feel some expected understeer that you typically get with a FWD vehicle, especially when pushed into a corner. AWD models feel similar since the system is FWD-biased. I was expecting a bit better handling with my sporty-looking RS tester, but the upgrades on the RS trim are purely aesthetic with no changes to suspension.
Braking is excellent, especially with regenerative brakes and the one-pedal mode set to either normal or high. I find that GM’s one-pedal setup in high mode a bit too strong, even for seasoned EV drivers. It’s often more manageable in normal mode or when varying the amount of regen using the steering wheel paddle.
Equinox EV Competitors and Pricing
The Equinox EV sits in a bit of a different space than its competitors. Chevrolet decided to use a two-prong approach with similar sized EVs – the Equinox EV covering the lower end of the compact SUV segment, and the Blazer EV covering the higher end. That said, the lower trims of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are more comparable to the Equinox EV.
Affordability and value are the Equinox EV’s strengths, especially if you keep to the lower trims. For 2024, the base FWD 2LT starts at an MSRP of $41,900 USD excluding destination, and comes nicely loaded for the price. AWD adds another $3,300. With its standard 319 miles (513 km) of range, this makes it one of the most affordable longer-range EVs in North America. The base 2RS adds some sportier exterior and interior features for $43,400 MSRP. Moving up to the top trims, 3LT or 3RS, adds some premium features, like ventilated driver and front passenger seats, dual zone climate control, and LED headlamps and tail lamps.
At the time of this article, the Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD starts at $44,990 MSRP– that’s not far off from the Equinox EV. For the extra money, you get a bit more range (337 miles), Tesla’s vehicle and supercharger integration, a full glass roof, and faster DC charging speed. Even the AWD at $47,990 MSRP is just slightly above the Equinox 2LT AWD. The Model Y is hard to beat, especially with Tesla’s latest pricing. But if you’re looking for an EV from a legacy automaker, the Equinox EV gives the Model Y a run for its money.
The Mach-E is probably the closest competitor to the Equinox EV, at least in the lower trims. With a starting MSRP of $39,995 for the Select RWD trim, it undercuts the least-expensive 2024 Equinox EV 2LT – but it doesn’t give you some features found in the Equinox EV. The Mach-E Select RWD falls short in range at 250 miles (400 km) due to its smaller 72-kWh battery. Adding AWD to the same trim brings estimated range down to 230 miles (370 km), unless you opt for the more expensive extended-range battery with 300 miles (483 km). Mach-E’s more powerful electric motor(s) and RWD-biased drivetrain gives it much sportier characteristics, especially in GT and Rally trims.
The base 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range has a similar starting price as the Equinox EV at $41,800 MSRP. For that price you get much less range at 220 miles (354 km) due to its smaller battery, but much faster DC fast charging. If you want AWD, you need to step up to the SE AWD, bringing the MSRP to $45,850 – close to the Equinox EV’s 2LT AWD trim. In this trim, the Ioniq 5’s range is similar – plus you get much faster charging and more power. For 2025, the Ioniq 5 will come with a similar size battery as the Equinox EV. Combine that with much faster charging, and the Ioniq 5 will be a hard one to beat.
Changes to the 2025 Equinox EV
For 2025, Chevrolet recently announced a new LT FWD trim with a starting MSRP of just $33,600. You get the same 319-mile estimated range but make do with a manual driver’s seat, smaller wheels, and cloth seats. Chevrolet has also reduced the number of trims. Only the LT and RS trims are available – but now with a choice of packages that add the different features. At that starting price, the Equinox EV is even more affordable, and not far off from the Bolt’s last MSRP of around $27,000. In fact, the new LT FWD model significantly undercuts its compact SUV competitors. It also makes the Equinox EV a great alternative to smaller subcompact EVs, like the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro.
Conclusion: Good Range, Premium Features, Incredible Value
The Equinox EV takes over from where the Bolt left off. It brings the Bolt’s recipe for success to the compact crossover SUV segment – an affordable EV that offers good practicality and versatility, excellent range, and many premium standard features often found in more expensive vehicles. The Equinox EV is an incredible value that’s difficult to beat, especially if you stick to the lower trims. In many ways, it’s a bigger and better Bolt.
All mileage is EPA Estimated.
