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Chevy is lastly starting gross sales of its long-anticipated Equinox EV, however earlier than then, I received an invitation to Detroit to check it out for myself. I used to be admittedly skeptical of this EV, however as soon as I received behind the wheel, I spotted that the brand new Equinox is a well-built mannequin with loads of options and engaging pricing in addition. Make sure to try my driving impressions within the full video under.
The Chevy Equinox EV has been a very long time coming
As at all times, I like to begin with a little bit of a refresher course on how we received to at present, with the Chevy Equinox EV on the cusp of reaching its first prospects within the US. Chevy has been teasing an all-electric Equinox since early 2022 when it unveiled plans for the mannequin and promised to ship it at a beginning worth of $30,000—sorry, “round $30,000.”
Even at round $30k, that’s a game-changing worth for a crossover EV, and GM caught to that worth level over the subsequent two years as we realized extra in regards to the Equinox, together with photos of its two-toned exterior. Nonetheless, we had been nonetheless left guessing on very important metrics like vary, battery measurement, and, in fact, verified pricing.
Because the official launch approached, we realized that the Equinox EV would start manufacturing in 2024, and Chevy has so much driving on its success. By February of this yr, we realized that “priced round $30,000” really means “$35,000,” which is larger than anticipated however nonetheless reasonably priced. Plus, the Equinox gives 319 miles of vary.
Chevy even began pulling demand levers earlier than Equinox EV deliveries, providing Bolt house owners $3,000 off to make the swap. The American automaker has publicly acknowledged hopes for this new all-electric mannequin to assist it win again a few of its market share, and after driving the crossover SUV, I feel that will occur. Listed below are my ideas.
Supply: Scooter Doll 
Efficiency specs of the FWD 3LT Chevy Equinox EV
For this drive occasion, the media traveled to the Motor Metropolis, house of GM and Chevy, the place all of us received to check out numerous FWD variations of the Equinox EV. My driving associate (shout out to Jared) received downstairs early and snagged us the one two-toned model, which occurred to be the 3LT trim—the second-highest tier under the top-level 3RS.
The Equinox comes outfitted with with 19- or 21-inch aluminum wheels and all-season self-sealing tires spun by a single front-wheel-drive motor. GM estimates that the FWD variations of the Equinox EV will ship 319 miles of vary on a single cost. For comparability, the eAWD trims provide an estimated 285 miles of vary.
The 3LT delivers 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque and might speed up from 0-60 mph in beneath 8 seconds, whereas the eAWD trims are barely extra highly effective because of a smaller air-cooled induction motor within the rear. These fashions provide 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque, hitting 0-60 mph in beneath 6 seconds.
These are usually not loopy spectacular acceleration instances, however the Chevy crew informed us that by means of its analysis, it has decided that would-be prospects within the crossover BEV section aren’t on the lookout for blistering pace. What the BEV lacks in giddy-up, it makes up for in vary, cargo, and smoothness.
Lastly, all trims of the Equinox EV have DC quick charging capabilities as much as 150 kW, garnering a GM estimated 77 miles throughout a 10-minute session. Degree 2 charges peak at 11.5 kW, replenishing an estimated 34 miles of vary each hour. Earlier than we get to my driving impressions and video overview, let’s take a look at the Chevy Equinox EV in and out.
An “athletic” exterior matched by a easy, clear inside
At first look on the Equinox’s exterior, it seems modern and aerodynamic, with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of its facet profile to the purpose that it seems like a top-heavy sedan. The headlamps throughout your complete entrance and skinny and modern, and the air flaps tie all the pieces collectively properly as you progress round to the facet and actually discover the two-toned paint job.
I’m normally not a fan of chrome, however Chevy’s refined use of it alongside the wheelbase and home windows actually works for my part. Having the “riptide metallic blue” was superior to shoot within the solar and in overcast skies, however the coloration intently matched the Equinox badge on the rear, so my driving associate and I, in addition to passersby, joked in regards to the SUV being referred to as the “Quinox” (see for your self above).
The trunk had loads of cargo storage and a little bit further tub under the carpet that appeared prefer it might double as a cooler. I preferred that you possibly can pull a lever to have the seats drop from the trunk fairly than strolling round to the again seats and doing it your self. This crossover gives 57.2 cubic ft (1,614 liters) of max cargo room with the rear seat and was surprisingly roomy.
Transferring into the cabin, the Equinox EV’s sprint and steering wheel are acquainted in the event you’ve pushed different Chevy fashions (or the Honda Prologue or Acura ZDX). The leather-based is a pleasant contact that provides to the texture of high quality, however there’s admittedly nothing further particular in regards to the cockpit. That being stated, it’s greater than satisfactory and certainly not seems low-cost or plasticky.
The blue brushed aluminum accents are simply sufficiently subtle to not overpower the appear and feel of the entrance seat, however I’m nonetheless unsure how I really feel about it. To me, it seems like steel that also has a protecting movie on it. I saved desirous to peel it off and publish it to r/OddlySatisfying.
My 3LT got here with heated seats however no A/C. It is a potential deal breaker for me personally, however I’m certain most individuals gained’t care. Nonetheless, the seats are very snug.
The rear is clear however admittedly easy. There’s not a lot to speak about right here. There’s extra leather-based on the seats and a few USB-C ports on the again of the middle console, however no HVAC controls. I had loads of legroom once I was again there, snapping the pics you’ll see under.
The sprint options two shows: an 11” driver show and a 17.7” heart display screen on which you’ll be able to management just about all the pieces, together with personalized ambient cabin lighting. Since we drove in the course of the day, I wasn’t capable of expertise the total impact, nevertheless it’s a pleasant contact for enjoyable on the street at night time.
You may also management the Equinox’s 4 drive modes from the middle display screen, which I’ll talk about in my impressions of this Chevy EV on the street.
Driving impressions: SuperCruise does it once more
The Chevy Equinox EV has 4 drive modes: Regular, Snow/Ice, a customizable “My Mode,” and Sport Mode, which I used more often than not. As a result of it has a single FWD motor, you don’t really feel a lot distinction within the journey.
The navigation system was effective, however I admittedly at all times miss Apple Carplay once I don’t have it. It’s simpler. Many instances all through the drive, my associate and I (half) jokingly yelled, “Carry again CarPlay… and produce again the Bolt ASAP, dammit!”
As I skilled in my latest Silverado EV drive and another Ultium car I’ve pushed, SuperCruise shined. The hands-free ADAS is straightforward to make use of and makes lengthy freeway journeys rather more pleasing. It additionally allowed me to shortly snap images of my journey, just like the one under.
I discovered the Equinox didn’t attempt to swap lanes as usually because the Silverado EV, however that would have simply been the route I used to be on. Nonetheless, I can’t say sufficient good issues about this expertise—it feels a lot extra helpful and real looking at this level than full self-driving.
Total, the cabin expertise was quiet and clean. Street and wind noise had been minimal, and bumps had been properly alleviated by the SUV’s suspension. This made for an pleasing expertise on the freeway, in a neighborhood, or on a service street.
Chevy Equinox EV pricing, availability, and our video overview
Total, the Chevy Equinox EV has the makings to be a bonafide winner within the crossover section and the BEV market general. It doesn’t essentially blow you away with its bells and whistles within the inside, however it’s greater than satisfactory. It doesn’t seem as shortly developed and assembled because it was (Chevy stated this was the quickest BEV delivered to market other than the Hummer).
The journey is clean and comparatively quiet, and the estimated 319-mile vary (if confirmed by the EPA) can be an enormous promoting level for customers who nonetheless don’t perceive that they don’t want greater than 300 miles of vary most days.
Whereas Chevy got here in a little bit larger on beginning MSRP than initially teased, $35k for a crossover of this stage is an absolute steal, and I feel many potential customers will chew. The 3LT FWD trim I drove begins at an MSRP of $45,295 earlier than taxes and vacation spot charges. Add the total $7,500 federal tax credit score potential, and also you’re a strong BEV for beneath $40k, which is a considerably higher vary than its opponents.
The Chevy Equinox EV is now out there to configure and order in each FWD and eAWD variations, together with the 2LT, 3LT, 2RS, and 3RS. Based on Chevy, the $35,000 base-level LT is predicted to hit the market later this yr and will nonetheless ship 319 miles of the estimated vary. Will probably be fascinating to see how these options and specs examine to the present choices, and I belief that we are going to report again on that and hopefully get behind the wheel of 1 quickly.
Within the meantime, you’ll be able to try my full video overview of my drive within the Chevy Equinox 3LT EV under:
