In recent times, the Equinox has been Chevrolet's best-selling SUV. For the 2024 model year, an all-new, all-electric Equinox joins the lineup alongside the distinctly different-looking gas-powered one with which the five-passenger electric crossover SUV shares just a name.
The new Equinox EV is available in a single-motor front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration with 213 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) version sporting 288 hp and 333 pound-feet of torque. With FWD, the Equinox EV has an estimated driving range of 319 miles. All-wheel-drive versions get a slight haircut to a still-respectable 285 miles. Chevrolet calls the Equinox EV an affordable game-changer.
In Chevrolet's SUV lineup, the new Equinox EV sits between the smaller Trax and the midsize Blazer, the latter of which is also available as an electric vehicle (EV) for the 2024 model year.
Read our full 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV preview for more background and details.
Photo: Ron Sessions
Chevrolet offers the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV with a choice of FWD or AWD in 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, 2RS, and 3RS trim levels. All but the 1LT are currently on sale. Including the $1,395 destination charge, 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV prices are as follows:
The base Equinox EV 1LT FWD will go on sale later in 2024, priced at $34,995.
All-wheel drive is a $3,300 upcharge.
Recently, I spent a half day driving a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV on city streets, residential boulevards, and freeways in and around Detroit, Michigan.
The FWD Equinox EV 3RS test vehicle sported snazzy Red Hot exterior paint and generously sized black-painted 21-inch alloy wheels. Optional equipment included the Active Safety Package 3 (Super Cruise driver assistance and enhanced active parking assistance) and a dual-pane power moonroof. The final price, including the $1,395 destination charge, was $50,995.
The final assembly of the Equinox EV takes place in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. As of this writing, it qualifies for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
Photo: Ron Sessions
Engineered from the ground up to be an electric vehicle, the all-new Chevrolet Equinox EV looks longer, lower, and wider than the gas-powered 2024 Equinox. It's sleeker and less boxy-looking in profile, with a more streamlined shape that includes a swept-back windshield and a more sloping rear window. The Equinox EV's long wheelbase accommodates the large 85-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion propulsion battery under the flat floor of the passenger compartment.
Getting in is easy. Standard flush-fit door handles pop out for easy gripping when touched. You can also tap the unlock button on the key fob. The step-in height is more akin to that found in a car, not an SUV, so no step-up is required.
The 3RS features creamy faux-leather EvoTex seat trim. The spacious front bucket seats are roomy enough to accommodate a range of physiques but are firm enough for good support on long treks and have sufficient lateral seatback bolstering to keep bodies snugged down in the turns. The driver and front passenger seats are power-operated, heated, and ventilated, with adjustable lumbar settings. The wrapped, flat-bottom sport steering wheel in the 3RS is also heated.
The rear seat offers generous spread-out room for adults. Rear-seat occupants get their own air conditioning vents and fold-down center armrest, and the 3RS trim features heated outboard seating positions.
On the dashboard is a pair of colorful, high-resolution screens. The 11-inch driver display has customizable gauge layouts and puts important EV information such as battery state-of-charge and driving range front and center. The 17.7-inch center touchscreen is primarily for infotainment and navigation, but it also digitizes the primary climate control settings and handles headlamps and exterior lighting settings. Otherwise, most switchgear involves logically placed physical controls. The shifter moves to the steering column, saving space on the center console.
Speaking of the center console, it offers generous storage. A flat tray under the console at floor level is handy for stashing a tablet or purse. Up top, there's a pair of cupholders, a long, thin open tray for small items such as a key fob, a larger open tray under the dashboard center, and a covered cubby under the padded center armrest.
At the back end of the Equinox EV 3RS, a power-operated liftgate gives access to ample cargo storage. There's 26.2 cubic feet of space behind the 60/40 split back seat, with room for several airport roller bags. Fold the back seat flat and cargo space expands to 57.2 cubic feet. A hidden storage well under the adjustable-height cargo floor is great for hiding small valuables.
Photo: Ron Sessions
The center of the Equinox EV’s dashboard is dominated by a large, 17.7-inch standard landscape-format infotainment screen, which Chevrolet says is best-in-class.
The significant change from previous Chevy systems is its Google Built-in features for continuously updated maps, a natural voice control assistant, and access to the Google Apps store. Using the "Hey, Google" voice prompt, I successfully found a local delicatessen I knew by name only and navigated there on the big map, which routed me around road construction that would have delayed getting there.
I paired my Samsung phone quickly and easily using the onscreen prompts. Interaction with the infotainment system is mainly via screen clicks, steering wheel buttons, or voice control. Still, Chevrolet retained a rotary volume knob at the top left of the screen for quick audio level adjustments while driving.
The big news in the Equinox EV is the availability of GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system. It's included in the optional Active Safety Package 3.
With adaptive cruise control turned on in the 3RS test vehicle, Super Cruise looked for lane markings. When the top bar of the steering wheel turned green, the Equinox EV effortlessly motored hands-free, including through a series of curves. Super Cruise also changed lanes to overtake a slower car in front after I activated the left turn signal, and the system checked for traffic in the adjacent lane. Then, the Equinox EV tucked itself back in after executing the pass.
In addition to Super Cruise, the Equinox EV debuts with a comprehensive array of safety features. Aside from standard Chevy Safety Assist features, Equinox EVs in 2LT, 2RS, 3LT, and 3RS trim add adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, active blind-spot warning with steering assistance, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear pedestrian detection with automatic braking, traffic-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera.
The rear automatic braking came in handy just as the drive was starting. A pedestrian darted behind the test vehicle as I backed up to go around other Equinox EVs. I didn't see him at first, but the Equinox EV did, snubbing the brakes, and the pedestrian continued his journey unharmed.
The test vehicle also included a haptic Safety Alert Seat, which buzzes the driver's bottom seat cushion to raise awareness of evolving safety issues.
Photo: Ron Sessions
Don't look for a “Start” button in the Equinox EV. Instead, to awaken the vehicle, you need the key fob with you, and you must sit in the driver's seat with your foot on the brake pedal. With these conditions met, the Equinox EV automatically recognizes you. Tapping the column shifter towards you and moving it up or down engages Drive or Reverse.
Beginning the test drive in downtown Detroit, I appreciated the Equinox EV's trim size and good outward visibility while maneuvering through narrow streets and traffic. The SUV's suspension managed a good balance of control and comfort, although, over the rougher sections of patched potholes, there were some thuds audible in the otherwise whisper-quiet cabin.
The Equinox EV felt secure and stable at speed on the better-maintained freeways. With the upgraded 275/40R21 Continental all-season tires gripping the pavement, the Equinox EV's steering was communicative and nicely weighted. Wind-rush noise was negligible. I also appreciated the quick and linear response of the Equinox EV's massive 17-inch brakes, which came in handy when a car in an adjacent lane abruptly cut me off.
Regenerative braking is standard and controlled with the steering wheel paddles. The driver can set the system for one-pedal driving in its most aggressive setting. Lifting off the accelerator will bring the SUV to a complete stop.
Chevrolet says the FWD Equinox EV can accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in less than 8 seconds (the AWD version gets a 5.9-second zero-to-60 estimate). However, the FWD test vehicle felt quicker than Chevy's estimate. I attribute that to the instant torque available with just a tap of the accelerator.
The short test drive didn't allow recharge time, nor was there any need. Chevrolet says the Equinox EV can add approximately 77 miles of driving range in 10 minutes using a 150-kilowatt (kw) DC fast charger. Or, at home, using an 11.5-kw 240-volt AC charger, you can add 36 miles of range per hour.
It took a while to get to market, but with its stylish exterior, roomy cabin, and up-to-date driver-assistance and infotainment technology, the new Chevrolet Equinox EV is a credible option for growing families at an attractive price.
Its $7,500 federal income-tax credit eligibility, 319-mile maximum estimated driving range, and available Super Cruise hands-free driving system make the Equinox EV a viable alternative for buyers shopping for other compact SUV EVs.
Residing in a popular vehicle segment, the Equinox EV will have no shortage of competitors, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Honda Prologue, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X, and Volkswagen ID.4.
Ron Sessions is a seasoned vehicle evaluator with more than four decades of experience. In addition to his contributions to jdpower.com, he has penned hundreds of road tests and buyer's guide reviews for Road & Track, MotorTrend, Car and Driver, and AutoTrader.
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