The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV is considered one of this yr’s most vital new electrical autos. Nominally a compact crossover SUV with 285 to 319 miles of EPA-estimated vary, it’s priced competitively, with costs beginning at $43,295 (together with a compulsory $1,395 supply payment).
And an entry-level trim beginning at $34,995 stays promised for “later this yr.”
The front-wheel-drive Chevy Equinox EV (319 miles, $43,295) successfully equals the Tesla Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary RWD (320 miles, $46,630) on vary however undercuts it barely on worth. As of now, each model of each vehicles qualifies for the $7,500 EV tax credit score—now a point-of-sale buy rebate for eligible patrons. NOTE: EV powerhouse Tesla alters its specs and costs so typically that it’s best to verify this for your self.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Equinox EV is “regular” for mass market
Crucially, the electrical Equinox has few of the peculiarities that may make EVs appear international to first-time buyers. Its controls are largely standard, together with a stalk for the windshield wipers, and knobs or switches for local weather management and audio quantity. Regenerative braking and one-pedal driving are in-built, however you possibly can dispense with them totally to make the Equinox EV drive as if it had a standard torque-converter computerized transmission. On the draw back, it forgoes a entrance trunk—a wasted alternative, for the reason that included moveable charging twine lives deep below the rear cargo bay, which means all baggage should be eliminated to retrieve it.
All this differentiates Chevy’s smallest EV from the Tesla Mannequin Y—which final yr was not simply the world’s best-selling EV however its hottest single automobile by gross sales. Different small-SUV EV rivals embrace the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, and Volkswagen ID.4.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
The Equinox EV has been a very long time coming, and it’s meant to be Chevy’s highest-volume EV. Its projected 2023 arrival is why Bolt EV manufacturing ended final yr, in response to GM.
The following—and humiliating—12-to-18-month delay in getting Ultium autos into manufacturing wasn’t as a consequence of issues at GM’s cell crops, however a vendor’s incapability to offer dependable, high-speed automated equipment to assemble giant, complicated Ultium battery modules. With Blazer EV, Silverado EV, and (front-wheel-drive) Equinox EV fashions now arriving at GM sellers, these issues appear to be within the rear-view mirror—completely, GM hopes.
We spent a day and greater than 100 miles with two Equinox EVs in mid-Might, and located ourselves impressed. Most of our time was in an LT mannequin with front-wheel drive; we additionally drove an AWD model briefly. By the point you learn this evaluation, most Chevy sellers ought to have Equinox EVs in inventory.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Equinox EV sizes up compact—once more
Chevy might name the Equinox EV a “compact crossover” SUV. That section is the biggest single piece of the U.S. market, accounting for 1 in 4 autos offered (greater than midsize SUVs or full-size pickups), however the Equinox EV is giant for the section. Versus a gasoline Equinox (the 2 share no construction), the electrical Equinox is about 8 inches longer (at 191 inches), 12 inches wider (85 inches with mirrors out), and the identical peak (65 inches). Its 116-inch wheelbase is about 9 inches longer. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4 are about 8 inches and 11 inches shorter, respectively. However the “compact” Equinox provides substantial inside room entrance and rear, together with a flat ground for rear-seat riders.
We just like the styling of the Equinox EV greater than that of the larger Blazer EV. The Chevy “forehead” and bowtie stay on the entrance, however the easily sculpted sides keep away from uncommon creases or accent strains. The rear has a smooth, full-width mild dividing the ducktail liftgate, but it surely all one way or the other works. We didn’t get a coefficient of drag, however that is a wholly normal-looking crossover SUV—and we discovered it good-looking at that. We have been fairly taken by our take a look at automotive’s Galaxy Gray metallic paint; it has a touch of pink or lilac, for a hanging hue that was interesting and distinctive. (Sure, you may get predictable, boring silver in the event you favor.)
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Inside, the usual Chevrolet suite of digital instrument cluster in entrance of the motive force and central touchscreen for driver and entrance passenger defines the cabin width. Chevy’s comparability sheet particularly notes its middle display is bigger (17.7 inches) than that of the Tesla Mannequin Y (15.4 inches). The Mannequin Y has no instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, whereas the Chevy cluster is 11.1 inches.
Our 2LT take a look at automotive had a largely grey and black inside, with accents in blue and silver matte trim that livened up the colour scheme a bit. The low, huge screens underscored the horizontal sprint, which had two giant outboard eyeball vents (however, oddly, two rectangular ones within the middle).
Equinox EV efficiency: No kick within the kidneys
All variations of the Equinox EV are powered by an Ultium battery pack, which GM says has 85 kilowatt-hours of usable capability. Its NMCA cells come from joint-venture GM-LG cell crops. Two of these crops (Lordstown, Ohio, and Spring Hill, Tennessee) at the moment are up and operating, with a 3rd in Lansing, Michigan, now below building.
The permanent-magnet motor that powers the entrance wheels in each Equinox EV is rated at 157 kilowatts (213 horsepower) and 236 pound-feet of torque, with 0-to-60-mph acceleration quoted at 8.0 seconds. In order for you all-wheel drive, patrons can add an induction motor powering the rear axle, for a mixed energy of 212 kw (288 hp) and 333 lb-ft of torque, That cuts 2 seconds off the quoted 0-to-60-mph acceleration, but it surely knocks 34 miles off the rated EPA vary, taking it from 319 to 285 miles. That’s nonetheless greater than most rivals however beneath the magic 300-mile mark.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Nonetheless, the FWD Equinox EV’s highest vary of 319 miles equals the RWD Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary (320 miles), with the Ioniq 5, Ariya, and ID.4 trailing behind at 291 to 304 miles. On the highway in a FWD 2LT mannequin, our tough observations prompt Chevrolet’s remaining-range estimator was correct: Protecting 102 miles decreased the indicated vary by 106 miles—and it took battery capability from 98 p.c to 66 p.c. Chevy suggests these ranges will let drivers deal with it “like a tank of fuel,” which means they gained’t need to plug in each day in common utilization.
Acceleration is fast sufficient to maintain up with most site visitors, although the accelerator is much from hair-trigger: It’s essential to ask for the additional oomph to get it, and also you gained’t get the kick-in-the-kidneys expertise right here. The AWD mannequin is considerably faster, although not considerably so, and we observed some torque steer in it that was totally absent from the FWD model.
The electrical Equinox is about 1,600 kilos heavier than the gasoline model of the identical title. That and its lengthy wheelbase make it clean and assured on the highway. The 38-foot turning circle is common for the class (although bigger than the ID.4’s admirable 31.5 toes). The suspension is tuned for consolation, and roadholding was completely effective for any state of affairs we put it by means of—making an allowance for Detroit has primarily no hills and only a few curvy roads. We look ahead to testing it extra energetically in additional assorted terrain.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Chevy one-pedal driving has at all times been good, and Ultium EVs are not any exception. An icon on the prime of the touchscreen produces a field for “One Pedal Driving” set on “Regular”; tapping the icon once more turns off regen totally. However additional motion is required to get to the strongest regen: a driver should faucet the phrases “Set Stage” in that field, then faucet “Excessive” on the dropdown that seems. This should be mixed right into a single popup window to reduce driver distraction.
Spacious, clean, will get the small print proper
For a “compact” crossover SUV, the Equinox EV has appreciable area inside—not simply in entrance, however within the rear too. It has as a lot rear-seat legroom as some midsize gasoline SUVs, plus the flat rear ground that makes the middle rear seat extra tolerable in long-distance journey.
Sitting behind the wheel, the hood bevels downward, providing a very good view of the highway forward. Elevating the seat to get the motive force’s shoulders above the window line helps too. Rear three-quarter imaginative and prescient is minimal, like most SUVs nowadays.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
The huge console provides two cupholders, a slot for pens, and loads of area for all the opposite stuff passengers carry. There’s additionally a big storage tray on the ground beneath the higher a part of the console; like most, it’s invisible when the inside plastics and carpet are black. The console itself, below the central armrest, is hinged to open towards the motive force—inconvenient for entrance passengers.
An influence icon on a small button sitting atop the middle sprint display serves two capabilities: one faucet mutes the audio quantity, a second faucet turns off the display.
Cargo quantity is 26.4 cubic toes within the load bay behind the rear seat, and 57.2 cu ft with the rear seat backs folded down. Not like some rivals, these within the Equinox EV fold all however flat, giving a protracted load ground that handles flat cargo.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Two Equinox EV trims, non-compulsory AWD
For the second, the Equinox EV vary is pretty easy. Buyers can select the usual LT or “extra expressive” RS trim. Each are provided with customary front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive non-compulsory. Every trim has a “2” degree and a “3” degree, with the next quantity indicating extra customary and non-compulsory tools at the next worth. Chevy says the bottom 1LT will arrive later this yr.
The 2LT comes customary with 19-inch alloy wheels, a entrance LED mild bar, roof rails, an influence liftgate, heated entrance seats and steering wheel, energy driver’s seat adjustment, and adaptive cruise management. Choices embrace Tremendous Cruise hands-free cruise management, and both a white-painted roof or a panoramic sunroof. The 2RS provides 21-inch wheels with lower-profile tires, a black-painted roof, a “flat-bottom” steering wheel, and different look objects.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Transferring as much as the 3LT provides air flow to the heated entrance seats, energy adjustment to the entrance passenger seat, heated seats within the two outboard rear positions, dual-zone local weather management, heated wiper parking, and 21-inch alloy wheels. The 3RS has related look upgrades to the 2RS.
Whereas bigger wheels typically look higher, we at all times recommend the experience could also be higher and drivers might get higher vary with the smaller wheels—if different EVs are something to go by. (Chevy reps couldn’t inform us which wheels utilized to the EPA vary scores.)
Not like many EVs on this class, our Equinox EV 2LT mannequin included a rear-window wiper—a normal function on gasoline crossovers, however one typically eradicated on their electrical counterparts to cut back air drag. However, wi-fi telephone charging doesn’t look like out there. Fitted with an non-compulsory hitch receiver, the Equinox EV can trailer as much as 1,500 kilos. Chevy had no data on how that would have an effect on its rated vary.
A serious possibility is the Tremendous Cruise hands-free adaptive cruise management system, among the many finest we’ve examined. It’s an possibility on all trim ranges (2LT, 2RS, 3LT, 3RS) at launch. We used it a number of occasions in our Equinox EV drive, and it carried out precisely as promised—together with computerized lane adjustments, when protected, that overtake slower site visitors forward after which (kudos!) transfer again to the right-hand lane after passing. The system comes with a 36-month free trial, after which it’s $25 per 30 days to proceed OnStar and Tremendous Cruise connectivity.
Chevrolet Equinox EV
No Apple CarPlay, and Google gatekeeping
This brings us to the elephant within the room. The Equinox EV doesn’t supply Android Auto or Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. (GM employees emphasised Tesla additionally has by no means provided these options—with out ever naming the opposite EV maker.) That pushes apps onto the automobile’s system, utilizing the automobile’s knowledge entry—required individually—and GM reps couldn’t say who owns the information on drivers’ app utilization, routing, locations, tune selections, and all the remaining.
For this Android-using reporter, the navigation side proved considerably much less dire than anticipated. Apple followers who now depend on Apple Maps are just about out of luck.
Within the Equinox EV, the built-in Google Assistant delivers navigation by way of Google Maps, integrating the battery state of cost. Like a Tesla, it would route the electrical Equinox to a vacation spot by way of fast-charging stations and precondition the battery earlier than a cost when wanted—and it tells drivers how lengthy to remain and what state of cost will stay at their subsequent cease. (Simply as each Tesla has executed for 10+ years.) We weren’t capable of take a look at the routing function throughout our time with the Equinox EV. This function might be free to house owners for 8 years, maybe extra. GM reps prompt it hasn’t been determined if entry will proceed past then, or what it may cost afterward.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Vary over effectivity?
Our drive route blended rural Michigan roads and quick Interstate site visitors as much as 80 mph. Over 100 miles, we noticed effectivity of about 3 miles per kwh. That’s not as excessive as some rivals, however patrons focus much more on vary than effectivity—in the event that they even know what a kilowatt-hour is. The 300-mile vary quantity would be the one they care about.
Like all Chevy EVs smaller than full-size vans, the cost port door is discovered on the prime of the left-front fender, simply forward of the motive force’s door. The onboard charger of each Equinox EV is rated at 11.5 kw, which means as much as 36 miles of vary added per charging hour.
DC quick charging as much as 150 kw comes by way of a CCS port, although a swap to the NACS port appears probably for future mannequin years. At that fee, Chevy quotes “roughly 77 miles of vary in 10 minutes,” but it surely has the great grace to notice that quantity “varies” primarily based on state of cost, charging-station energy functionality, ambient temperature, and different elements. Bidirectional charging for V2H emergency residence backup is coming later.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Equinox EV is competent general, aggressive on vary and worth
General, we discovered the Equinox EV not simply competent, however higher than anticipated and absolutely aggressive. Its rated vary equals that of a Tesla Mannequin Y, at a barely lower cost, and we hope its navigation routes amongst charging stations as seamlessly as Tesla’s does. Importantly, it’s a brand new and contemporary EV (which the Mannequin Y now not is) within the largest present section: small crossover EVs. Chevrolet says it will possibly construct as much as 150,000 of them a yr, “if the demand is there.”
The key hurdle for the electrical Equinox stands out as the variable high quality of the salespeople at Chevrolet’s “valued companions,” the independently owned and operated franchised dealerships.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Throughout our drive occasion, one Chevy exec stated to media colleagues, “They advised us this one needs to be proper, out of the gate.” We’d say the automotive has ticked that field. Let’s hope the way in which they’re offered—particularly to the rising pool of EV-curious first-time buyers—clears the identical bar.
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Chevrolet offered airfare, lodging, and meals to allow Inexperienced Automobile Reviews to deliver you this first-person drive report.
