Name: 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Brand: Chevrolet

2024
Chevrolet Equinox EV

EPA Range: 285 miles

Chevrolet Equinox EV First Drive

Summary

Introduction

New 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Will Start at $34,995. Eventually

Prices have increased since the electric SUV was first announced

Overview

Chevrolet is poised to make a significant shift toward electric vehicles with the imminent release of the Silverado EV pickup truck and Blazer EV, but the Equinox EV has been delayed a few months. Marketed initially as a low-cost electric SUV starting at about $30,000, Chevrolet has since announced that the base price will rise to $34,995, including the destination charge. Further, the initial versions on sale starts at $48,995, with the base model planned to follow later in the year. This follows the rollout strategy used for many EVs: Start with the pricier, more profitable versions, then move down to the entry-level version . . . eventually.

The upside is that there will be a single battery rather than a two-tiered offering, giving the base version about a GM-estimated 319-mile range—up about 70 miles from what was originally announced.

Considered a small SUV, the Equinox EV is based on the company’s Ultium platform that will underpin most of GM’s electric vehicles going forward, and even the upcoming Honda Prologue.

The Equinox EV is offered with a wide range of convenience features, such as a massive infotainment screen, power hatch, and multifunction smartphone app. Plus, it comes with a solid roster of active safety features, and it offers hands-free Super Cruise driver assistance technology.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV is built at GM’s Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, facility.

Here’s what we know so far.

It competes with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, and Volkswagen ID.4.

Impressions

Exterior

The styling is a bit conservative, with few overt clues to signal that it is a Chevrolet. For buyers looking for a bit of flash, LT trims are available with a white roof, and the RS can be had with black.

The smooth front and large charge door on the front driver’s side fender are among the limited cues that this is an EV. The Equinox EV will fit right in with any parking lot; the lack of extroverted styling may add appeal for many buyers.

Wheel sizes range from 19 to 21 inches—rather large on a small SUV.

A neat convenience: Top trims have heated windshield wipers, making it easier to break them free when coated in snow and ice.

Interior

The five-passenger interior looks contemporary, moving in pace with the competition. Available two-tone seating surfaces add some distinct flair.

The knobs flanking the climate control buttons are a welcome sight; some peers have become a bit too innovative in this area.

The base 1LT trim has manual front seats and an 11-inch infotainment screen. Stepping up to the 2LT brings numerous comforts, such as front heated seats, heated steering wheel, and power seat adjustments. It transforms the dash with a huge 17.7-inch infotainment screen. It also allows for numerous options, such as Super Cruise, color interior accents, a hands-free liftgate, and a moonroof.

The RS trims add more equipment and sporty flourishes. Even the well-equipped 3RS offers numerous options, such as a head-up display and Bose stereo. Oddly, customers need to choose the 3LT or 3RS to get dual-zone climate control.

What Drives It

There are two power configurations, each tied to the drive wheel choice.

The front-drive versions have 213 hp and 242 lb.-ft., with 250 to 300 miles of range. The all-wheel-drive Equinox EVs have 288 hp and 346 lb.-ft., with 285miles of range. Chevrolet claims 0-to-60-mph acceleration time of about 6 seconds and towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds for the AWD.

The Equinox EV comes with competitive 11.5-kilowatt Level 2 charging, which GM estimates adds 34 miles of range per hour. It’s also DC fast-charging compatible up to 150 kW, which isn’t a standout. The automaker estimates that a public DC-fast charger can add 70 miles of range in 10 minutes.

The top trim 3RS boasts 19.2-kW Level 2 charging for an estimated charge rate of 51 miles per hour.

In addition to the standard bumper-to-bumper warranty, the battery is protected with an eight-year 100,000-mile warranty.

Safety and Driver Assistance Systems

The Equinox EV comes with Chevy Safety Assist, a suite of features that includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane keeping assistance, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, reverse automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beam headlights.

In addition, buyers can equip their SUV with adaptive cruise control, surround view camera, rearview camera mirror, and a head-up display.

It is available with Super Cruise, a hands-free driver assistance technology that helps relieve fatigue and stress, such as on long highway road trips, automating some acceleration and steering functions. General Motors is doubling the Super Cruise network to 400,000 miles of mapped roads in the U.S. and Canada in late 2022. By the end of 2023, there will be 22 GM models with available Super Cruise.