2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Review: Great Looks, Great Range, Great Price

With vehicles like the 2024 Equinox EV, Silverado EV, and Blazer EV, Chevrolet’s strategy has been to leverage its most popular nameplates and create new vehicles that embody the spirit of their gas-powered counterparts. But make no mistake, these pure-electric vehicles look different and ride on different platforms from the internal combustion versions. Chevy flew me out to their hometown of Detroit, Michigan, where I gave the 2024 Equinox EV a spin. I came away impressed with this small SUV’s many merits.

At launch, Chevy is offering the Equinox EV in four trims: the 2LT, 2RS, 3LT, and 3RS. All four are available in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations. While these are the mid-grade and top-of-the-line trims, Chevy also plans to launch an entry-level 1LT variant later this year. I spent most of my time driving a front-wheel-drive model in 2RS trim. Compared to the 2024 Equinox, I wholeheartedly prefer the looks of the Equinox EV. And while I like the rugged and truck-like appearance of the upcoming 2025 Equinox, the electric model has a more modern style with a sleeker front end and a smoother overall profile, thanks in part to the door handles that sit flush to its body.

At 190.55 inches long, the EV is about 7 inches longer than the current gas Equinox. It’s also quite a bit shorter, at 64.8 inches versus 72.6 inches, adding to its long, lean looks. All of the Equinox EV trims look great, with the most notable exterior difference being the silver-finish aluminum rims on the LT trims and the black-painted rims on the RS trims. The 2LT has 19-inch wheels, while the 2RS has 20-inch wheels, and the 3RS and 3LT have 21-inch wheels.

The EV has skinny horizontal accent lights that make quite a statement. Rather than a conventional grille, there are small openings for cooling, and the headlights have been set into the second level of the fascia, a design trick we first saw on the Hyundai Kona. The lower level of the front has a faceted plastic section that reflects light nicely and adds to visual interest. While the LT trims have plain black plastic accents, the RS has unique trim elements that reasonably approximate the look of carbon fiber.

Where things get really interesting is how well-priced the Equinox EV is. Notably, it’s one of the few current EVs to qualify for the $7500 U.S. federal tax credit, giving it an even bigger advantage above most competing models. Here’s how the pricing breaks down:

• Equinox EV 1LT FWD – base price: $34,995 / after tax credit: $27,495
• Equinox EV 2LT FWD – base price: $43,295 / after tax credit: $35,795
• Equinox EV 2RS FWD – base price: $44,795 / after tax credit: $37,295
• Equinox EV 3LT FWD – base price: $45,295 / after tax credit: $37,795
• Equinox EV 3RS FWD – base price: $46,795 / after tax credit: $39,295
• Equinox EV 2LT AWD – base price: $46,595 / after tax credit: $39,095
• Equinox EV 2RS AWD – base price: $48,095 / after tax credit: $40,595
• Equinox EV 3LT AWD – base price: $48,595 / after tax credit: $41,095
• Equinox EV 3RS AWD – base price: $50,095 / after tax credit: $42,595

It’s unclear if the 1LT will come in an AWD configuration yet, but by the time the 1LT FWD comes out, you’ll be able to get into one for under $28,000 after the tax credit. That could be a game-changer for EV sales. Anyhow, here’s a neat eye chart that Chevy shared with us that shows how the Equinox EV stacks up to the competition in terms of pricing and driving range:

The Equinox EV has two powertrain options: the front-wheel-drive version has a single motor that produces 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft. of torque, while the all-wheel-drive’s second motor bumps those numbers to 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft. of torque. In either case, the EV is notably zippier than its gas brethren. Like most EVs, low-end torque comes on instantaneously, and the 0-to-30 launch from a dead stop is satisfying. The AWD model does 0-to-60 in less than 6 seconds, while the FWD model loses a little oomph when passing at highway speeds. The AWD has no such problems in that department. The upside of the single-motor SUV is that it has 319 miles of driving range, while the dual-motor can only go 285 miles between charges.

Speaking of charging, the Equinox EV is compatible with DC fast charging at up to 150kW, and its maker says you can add 77 miles of juice to its 85 kWh battery pack in 10 minutes at a properly equipped charging station. Chevy hasn’t yet provided details on 0 to 80% or 0 to 100% charging times. Regardless, I always recommend investing in a home charger to anyone buying an EV. Then it’s just like charging your phone overnight, which makes charging times less relevant.

Driving the Equinox EV is a pleasure. Thanks to its low center of gravity and low overall height, it has little body roll and handles nicely when cornering or changing lanes. One thing you won’t get with the Equinox EV is a frunk. Raise the hood, and it’s much like a conventional car, though the motors, wiring, and cooling equipment might look foreign if you’re used to seeing a gas engine and its accouterments. The hood is also shorter than the gas-powered Equinox, giving the EV a more balanced look from the outside.

There’s a lot to like about the interior of the Equinox EV. For starters, the screens are great. No matter which trim you go with, you’ll get a dynamic duo of digital goodness – an 11-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a sizeable 17.7-inch touchscreen for the multimedia system. There’s a laundry list of standard safety tech included too, including Automatic Emergency Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Departure Assist, IntelliBeam headlights, Rear Pedestrian Alert, Rear Park Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Side Bicyclist Alert, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Safety Alert Seat, HD Surround Vision, Adaptive Cruise Control, and more.

GM’s awesome Super Cruise functionality got its start in high-ticket Cadillacs but has started to trickle down to more affordable vehicles. While it does add $2700 to the price tag, this optional system is the cream of the crop for hands-free highway driving. When a highway is available for Super Cruise driving, a green light appears on the steering wheel, and you can take your hands off while the car maintains your speed, a safe interval, and keeps you centered in the lane. It can also automatically change lanes when approaching a slower-moving vehicle and then change back once it passes. It works like magic; all you need to do is keep your eyes on the road. Sensors can tell when you aren’t looking ahead, and the system will alert you and then disable itself if you don’t pay attention. Currently, this system works on more than 400,000 miles of U.S. highways, including some two-lane country roads, and GM expects to expand that to 750,000 miles by the end of 2025.

The RS trim has a sporty style, which includes black Evotex synthetic leather seats with red stitching, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and a sprinkling of red accents throughout the cabin. I especially like the black-to-red gradient door panels. While most of the materials are still plastic, Chevy did a great job doing something creative to dress them up and make everything look nicer.

Since there’s no need for a console-mounted gear shifter or a transmission tunnel, the center console is roomy for a vehicle of this size. Up front, there’s a slip-resistant storage tray with enough space for two phones and another spot behind the dual USB-C chargers. There’s also a large open space under the console perfect for a purse or that bag of fast food you just picked up at the drive-thru. In addition to that, there’s a small storage bin under the armrest.

That missing transmission tunnel really comes into play in the back row. With no hump to get in the way in the middle, three adults can sit back here in comfort. There’s an above-average amount of headroom and legroom in the back row, and passengers will enjoy individual climate vents and a pair of USB-C charging ports as well.

Getting back to that beautiful touchscreen, there is a catch. While the display is crystal clear, responsive, and vibrant, it has one big gotcha. Chevrolet’s new EVs do not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration. The built-in Google system is quite good, though. You get real-time Google map updates, access to apps in the Google Play Store, and Google Voice Assistant features. The navigation system even displays how many miles of charge you’ll have left when you reach your destination, and you can toss the map onto the instrument cluster if you’d like. Chevy is sticking to their guns that this offers a better user experience overall, but if you’re used to those phone-based systems, it can feel like a step backward. You can still connect a phone via Bluetooth for making calls, streaming music, and checking text messages, but you have to use your phone’s voice assistant or look at its screen to interact with it.

Because it’s shorter than the regular Equinox, there’s a little less cargo space in the EV, but still plenty for most everyday needs. With the rear seats occupied, there’s 26.4 cubic feet of space, enough for a few roller bags or groceries for a family of five for the week. Drop the split-folding second row, and that climbs to 57.2 cubic feet. For comparison’s sake, the gas Equinox has 63.9 cubic feet with the seats down.

I think Chevrolet has a winner on its hands with the Equinox EV. It’s got a dynamic and modern style outside and in, a zippy drivetrain, great passenger space, and an ample assortment of modern technology. What makes it even more compelling is that it will be one of the best-priced EVs ever to hit the streets in America, with the base model starting at less than $28,000 after applying the federal tax credit. Sure, most buyers will probably opt for one of the higher trims or an AWD version, but even those versions are well-priced. Top that off with an excellent driving range and an 8-year, 100-000 mile electrical system warranty, and I think Chevy has a good chance of breaking out big in the EV market.