Chevrolet is finally starting to sell its highly anticipated Equinox EV, but before that, I received an invitation to Detroit to test it out for myself. I was certainly skeptical of this electric vehicle, but once behind the wheel I realized that the new Equinox is a well-built model with plenty of features and attractive prices to boot. Be sure to check out my driving impressions in the full video below.
The Chevrolet Equinox EV took a long time to arrive
As always, I like to start with a little refresher course on how we got to today, with the Chevrolet Equinox EV about to reach its first customers in the United States. Chevrolet has been teasing an all-electric Equinox since early 2022 when it revealed plans for the model and promised to deliver it at a starting price. of $30,000…sorry, “around $30,000”.
Even at around $30,000, that’s a game-changing price for a crossover electric vehicle, and GM stuck with that price over the next couple of years as we learned more about the Equinox, including photos of its two-tone exterior. However, we still had to guess at essential parameters such as battery life, battery size and, of course, verified prices.
As the official launch approaches, we learned that the Equinox EV will enter production in 2024, and Chevrolet is counting heavily on its success. In February of this year, we learned that “priced around $30,000” actually meant “$35,000,” which is higher than expected but still affordable. Additionally, the Equinox offers a range of 319 miles.
Chevrolet even began pulling the demand levers ahead of Equinox EV deliveries, offering Bolt owners $3,000 off for making the switch. The American automaker has publicly stated that it hopes this new all-electric model will help it regain some of its market share, and after driving the crossover SUV, I think that could happen. Here are my thoughts.
-
Source: Scooter Doll -
FWD 3LT Chevy Equinox EV Performance Specs
For this driving event, the media traveled to Motor City, home of GM and Chevrolet, where we all got to test drive various front-wheel drive versions of the Equinox EV. My driving partner (shout out to Jared) came down early and bought us the only two-tone version, which turned out to be the 3LT version, the second highest grade below the top 3RS trim.
The Equinox comes with 19- or 21-inch aluminum wheels and self-sealing all-season tires driven by a single front-wheel-drive motor. GM estimates that FWD versions of the Equinox EV will offer 319 miles of range on a single charge. For comparison, eAWD versions offer an estimated range of 285 miles.
The 3LT makes 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds, while eAWD versions are slightly more powerful thanks to a smaller air-cooled induction motor in the rear . These models offer 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds.
Those aren’t incredibly impressive acceleration times, but the Chevrolet team told us that through their research they’ve determined that potential customers in the BEV crossover segment aren’t looking for blazing speed. What the BEV lacks in dizziness, it makes up for in range, charging, and smoothness.
Finally, all versions of the Equinox EV have DC fast charging capabilities up to 150 kW, allowing a GM-estimated range of 77 miles during a 10-minute session. Level 2 rates peak at 11.5 kW, restoring an estimated range of 34 miles every hour. Before we get to my driving impressions and video review, let’s look at the Chevrolet Equinox EV inside and out.
A “sporty” exterior matched with a simple and refined interior
At first glance at the Equinox’s exterior, it appears sleek and aerodynamic, without sacrificing its side profile so much that it feels like a top-heavy sedan. The headlights all across the front are slim and sleek, and the air louvers tie it all together nicely as you move to the side and really notice the two-tone paint job.
I’m not usually a fan of chrome, but Chevy’s subtle use of it along the wheelbase and windows really works in my opinion. Having the “Riptide Metallic Blue” was great to photograph in the sun and overcast skies, but the color closely matched the Equinox badge on the rear, so my riding partner and I, along with passers-by, joked that the SUV was called the “Quinox” (see for yourself above).
The trunk had plenty of storage space and an additional small tub under the carpet that looked like it could double as a cooler. I liked that you could pull a lever to drop the seats out of the trunk rather than walking to the back seats and doing it yourself. This crossover offers 57.2 cubic feet (1,614 liters) of maximum cargo space with the rear seat and was surprisingly roomy.
Entering the cabin, the Equinox EV’s dashboard and steering wheel are familiar if you’ve driven other Chevrolet models (or the Honda Prologue or Acura ZDX). The leather is a nice touch that adds to the premium feel, but there’s admittedly nothing special about the cockpit. That being said, it’s more than adequate and in no way feels cheap or plasticky.
The blue brushed aluminum accents are just subtle enough to not overpower the look and feel of the front seat, but I’m still not sure how I feel about it. To me it looks like metal that still has a protective film on it. I still wanted to take it off and post it on r/OddlySatisfying.
My 3LT came with heated seats but no air conditioning. This is a potential deal breaker for me personally, but I’m sure most people don’t care. The seats are nevertheless very comfortable.
The rear is clean but admittedly simple. There’s not much to say here. There’s more leather on the seats and a few USB-C ports in the back of the center console, but no HVAC controls. I had plenty of legroom when I was there, taking the photos you’ll see below.
The dashboard has two screens: an 11-inch driver’s screen and a 17.7-inch central screen on which you can control practically everything, including the personalized ambient lighting of the cabin. As we rode during the day, I wasn’t able to take full advantage of the effect, but it’s a nice touch for fun on the road at night.
You can also control the Equinox’s four driving modes from the center display, which I’ll talk about in my impressions of this Chevrolet EV on the road.
Driving impressions: SuperCruise does it again
The Chevrolet Equinox EV has four driving modes: Normal, Snow/Ice, a customizable “My Mode,” and Sport mode, which I used most of the time. Since it comes with a single FWD engine, you don’t feel much difference in driving.
The navigation system worked well, but admittedly I always miss Apple Carplay when I don’t have it. It’s easier. Several times throughout the ride, my partner and I (half) jokingly shouted, “Bring back CarPlay…and bring back the Bolt ASAP, dammit!”
As I experienced in my recent Silverado EV drive and every other Ultium vehicle I’ve driven, SuperCruise shined. Hands-free ADAS is easy to use and makes long highway journeys much more enjoyable. It also allowed me to quickly take photos of my trip, like the one below.
I found the Equinox didn’t try to change lanes as often as the Silverado EV, but that could have just been the road I was taking. Still, I can’t say enough good things about this technology: it seems so much more useful and realistic at this point than fully autonomous driving.
Overall, the cabin experience was calm and smooth. Road and wind noise were minimal, and bumps were well dampened by the SUV’s suspension. This made for a pleasant experience on the highway, in a neighborhood, or on a service road.
Chevy Equinox EV pricing, availability and video review
Overall, the Chevrolet Equinox EV has all the makings to be a real winner in the crossover segment and the BEV market in general. It won’t necessarily blow you away with its bells and whistles inside, but it’s more than good enough. It doesn’t appear to be as quickly developed and assembled as it was (Chevy said it was the fastest BEV brought to market, aside from the Hummer).
The ride is smooth and relatively quiet, and the estimated range of 319 miles (if confirmed by the EPA) will be a huge selling point for consumers who still don’t understand that they don’t need more of 300 miles of range most of the time. .
Even though Chevrolet got a starting MSRP a little higher than initially expected, $35,000 for a crossover at this level is a real steal, and one I think many potential consumers will bite. The 3LT FWD version I drove starts at an MSRP of $45,295 before taxes and destination charges. Add in the total federal tax credit potential of $7,500 and you get a solid BEV for less than $40,000, which is significantly better range than its competitors.
The Chevy Equinox EV is now available to configure and order in FWD and eAWD trims, including the 2LT, 3LT, 2RS and 3RS. According to Chevrolet, the base $35,000 LT is expected to hit the market later this year and should still offer 319 miles of estimated range. It will be interesting to see how these features and specs compare to current options, and hopefully we’ll report back and hopefully get behind the wheel of one soon.
In the meantime, you can check out my full video review of my ride in the Chevy Equinox 3LT EV below:
FTC: We use automatic, revenue-generating affiliate links. More.
