A year ago, General Motors’ electric vehicles based on the Ultium platform were facing significant challenges. Software issues left a reporter from InsideEVs stuck in rural Virginia. Production hurdles accumulated, and customers encountered maintenance problems. Fast forward a year and GM has achieved a remarkable turnaround. Its electric vehicles are performing well, with the Chevy Equinox EV standing out as a top performer.
In an independent range trial conducted by car trading and research organization Edmunds, the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV surpassed its EPA range estimate of 319 miles. The base Equinox EV LT managed to travel 356 miles during the range test, marking a 12% increase over its EPA rating. This is a noteworthy accomplishment, especially since the Equinox EV LT is the most affordable EV with over 300 miles of range. Now it’s confirmed that it can exceed that distance.
Edmunds also keeps a leaderboard for the longest-range electric vehicles currently available in the U.S. The Equinox EV easily outperformed several other popular long-range EVs on that chart, particularly the 2023 Tesla Model Y, which is a direct competitor to the Chevy. Under the same conditions and exact testing parameters, the Model Y Long Range went 310 miles. That represents a 46-mile difference for a vehicle that costs approximately $10,000 less at current prices.
Regarding pricing, the Equinox EV is also the least expensive GM EV on the Ultium platform. It starts at $35,000, including the destination fee, which can drop to around $27,500 when accounting for the full $7,500 federal tax credit. It is equipped with an 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack, sourced from Ultium Cells, a collaboration between GM and Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution.
The actual energy consumption of the Equinox EV was roughly 6% lower than the EPA estimate. It used around 29 kilowatt-hours per 100 miles, compared to the EPA’s figure of 31 kWh per 100 miles, equating to about 3.45 miles for every kWh. This performance also outshone the 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range (338 miles), the Honda Prologue (320 miles), and the Cadillac Lyriq (319 miles) respectively—the Prologue and Lyriq also utilize the same Ultium platform.
The weather appeared to benefit the range test, but identical parameters were used for all EVs. The temperature was 61 degrees Fahrenheit, and the test consisted of a mix of city (60%) and highway (40%) driving. In the InsideEVs 70 mph highway range test of the 2024 Equinox EV 2RS, the crossover reached 306 miles, surpassing its EPA estimate of 291 miles.
The Chevy addresses two major concerns regarding electric vehicles: range and price. This could explain why it is the best-selling GM electric vehicle and ranks among the top-selling non-Tesla EVs. In the third quarter, GM sold nearly 10,000 units of this vehicle. However, some of that progress may face a setback as President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to implement a blanket 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico, where both the Equinox and Blazer EVs are produced.
Chevrolet has not provided specific on-sale dates for its new battery-powered Equinox EV but has released official pricing for front-wheel-drive versions and range estimates. While the Equinox EV is unlikely to achieve the initially anticipated starting price of $30,000 in the near term, the front-drive 1LT variant will still debut at a comparatively reasonable $34,995 with an EPA-estimated range of 319 miles per charge.
Currently, Chevrolet is offering pricing on five front-wheel-drive trim levels, including 1LT, 2LT, 2RS, 3LT, and 3RS, with the last trim priced at $46,795. However, the 1LT remains the only variant priced under $40,000, as the 2LT starts at $43,295. All listed prices include a destination charge of $1,395.
Chevrolet anticipates that the Equinox EV will qualify for the $7,500 IRA tax credit. Dealers registered with the IRS can now provide that tax credit at the time of purchase, allowing buyers to significantly reduce their monthly payments for the first time, potentially bringing the cost of the 1LT below $28,000.
Unfortunately, the 1LT will not be available until later in 2024 and will lack many features found in the higher-priced 2LT model. The 1LT comes with standard 19-inch alloy wheels and the same 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen that incorporates Google services, which are also included in the larger Blazer EV. However, buyers seeking heated seats, a heated steering wheel, power adjustment for the driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control (which is now standard on the new gas Equinox), or optional Super Cruise will need to upgrade to at least the 2LT.
The Equinox EV is equipped with the same 85-kWh, ten-module battery that will eventually feature in the entry-level Blazer and the Honda Prologue. The front-wheel-drive versions utilize a permanent magnet motor delivering 212 horsepower, which should be adequate for the smaller Equinox. The available eAWD system introduces an induction motor with reduced drag at the rear axle, increasing the overall power to 288 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque. The additional weight of the eAWD system reduces the expected range to 285 miles.
Regardless of the chosen powertrain, the base price of the Equinox is by far the most economical compared to the Tesla Model Y, VW ID4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Nissan Ariya, and Volvo EX30, and it is also the only model that exceeds 300 miles of range. In contrast, the base models of VW, Hyundai, and Nissan offer ranges of only 209, 220, and 216 miles, respectively.
Like GM’s other EVs debuting this year, the Equinox will initially be equipped with a CCS charging connector, while an NACS adapter will be made available in the upcoming months, allowing owners to access Tesla Superchargers as well. At some future point, likely not before late 2025 for the 2026 model year, they will probably transition to incorporating the NACS connector from the factory.
As with other Ultium platform EVs from GM, the Equinox will allow for AC charging at a maximum of 11.5-kW, which can provide 34 miles of range per hour. DC charging can reach up to 150-kW, potentially adding up to 70 miles of range in just 10 minutes, depending on the conditions.
Chevrolet has not specified exactly when deliveries will begin, but since the Equinox shares the same software platform and electronics framework as the Blazer EV, it’s unlikely that sales will commence until the software issues preventing the larger EV’s release are resolved, which could take anywhere from weeks to months.
The Equinox EV LT and RS provide distinct driving experiences at varying price points. The Equinox EV LT offers an EPA-estimated range of 319 miles with a front-wheel-drive setup, or 307 miles with all-wheel drive. Selecting AWD for the LT will also increase the base cost to $40,295. Its interior leans towards simplicity, featuring manual cloth seats without heating, a standard steering wheel, and a non-auto-dimming rearview mirror. The LT model uses standard 19-inch wheels with all-season tires.
The RS model introduces a range of premium features, starting at $45,790 or $49,090 with AWD. Convenience features include heated and powered Evotex seats, a sunroof, and larger 21-inch wheels with self-sealing tires. The interior can also be adorned with an Adrenaline Red theme, adding a sporty flair to the electric SUV.
Both variants are furnished with a notably large 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 11.0-inch instrument cluster display.
There’s ample power to navigate efficiently, but its charging speed is comparatively slower. Power is derived from an 85 kWh battery paired with a single motor producing 220 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque in front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel-drive variants enhance performance significantly with dual motors that raise these figures to 300 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque. Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 7.7 seconds for the front-wheel-drive and 5.8 seconds for the all-wheel-drive.
Charging is not as rapid as competitors due to the 150 kilowatt peak rate. Chevrolet estimates that a quick 10-minute DC charging session should yield approximately 70 miles of range, but this drops to 34 miles when using Level 2 charging over the course of an hour, as anticipated.
There’s a wide array of optional packages available to enhance the driving experience. Chevy has introduced a total of 15 different packages for customer selection. Some simply enhance accessory options in the cargo area, while the Blackout Packages will darken various exterior elements like badges and mirror caps, and the All-Weather packages will provide protective liners for either the cabin, cargo area, or both.
Certain items from these packages can also be included individually for greater customization. We will highlight the major packages that bring substantial benefits to the Chevy Equinox EV experience, specifically the Comfort Package, the two Convenience Packages, and the two Active Safety Packages.
The two convenience packages transform the Equinox EV’s interior into a luxurious space. The standard $8,300 Convenience Package includes an 8-way power driver seat, a 6-way power front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an upgraded hitch view system, a power liftgate, and capabilities for trailer wiring.
Choosing the $11,400 Convenience Package II enhances the features with a focus on luxury. In addition to the ventilated 8-way power driver seat and 6-way power passenger seat, heated rear seats are also included for added comfort. Other enhancements feature a heads-up display, dual-zone climate control, and premium Evotex materials that elevate the overall ambiance of the cabin.
For the driver, features such as heated wipers, a rearview camera mirror with a washer, LED headlights and taillights, along with 21″ aluminum wheels, improve the convenience and comfort of driving.
The two Active Safety Packages introduce the Equinox EV to modern safety standards. Package 2 includes all the standard, tech-savvy features we typically expect in today’s vehicles for $545, such as adaptive cruise control, surround camera systems, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance with lane departure warning, alerts for side bicyclists, rear pedestrian alerts, and traffic sign recognition. It’s worth mentioning that this package comes as standard on the RS AWD model.
The more thrilling additions come from the Active Safety Package 3 for $3,355, which features parking assist as well as three years of GM’s Super Cruise self-driving system.
The standout colors of the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV break away from the typical black, white, and gray. Riptide Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Tintcoat are the two standout hues, with Galaxy Gray Metallic earning honorable mention for its subtle pink undertone blended into a darker gray.
For an additional charge of $495, a Summit White roof option is available, resulting in two-tone color combinations. However, this option requires the purchase of one of the two Convenience Packages, bringing the total cost of the white roof to around $8,800 at a minimum.
In summary, at this price range, the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV offers better value than its competitors. While it may not have the luxury or speedy charging capabilities of other SUVs in its class, it certainly provides range unmatched by any vehicle available for less than $35,000.
By introducing the Equinox EV to the market, Chevy is likely motivating other brands to roll out competing electric vehicles akin to the Equinox. This could potentially mark the beginning of an era featuring affordable and practical EVs, enabling the general public to save on fuel costs during commutes.
We are keen to observe how other automakers react and what features they will provide within this price range.
Our Opinion
Often, electric vehicles present either an affordable entry price or extensive range, but seldom both. The Equinox EV, on the other hand, impressively achieves both with a notable range of 319 miles for less than $35,000 before incentives in the base model. The trade-off lies in acceleration, with Chevy projecting a leisurely 0-60 mph time of 8.0 seconds. We will withhold final verdicts until we conduct tests on this base variant, but the more powerful AWD version delivers the swift acceleration expected from an electric vehicle. The overall driving experience maintains a balance that is neither sporty nor overly soft, and we would recommend opting for the 19-inch wheels instead of the 21s if your driving frequently involves uneven surfaces.
The roomy cabin offers a pleasant atmosphere. Here, we admire the impressive displays; however, Chevy does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Ultimately, drivers will have to incur a data service fee for applications like Spotify or Google Maps. It is possible to reach a price of $40,000 (post-tax credits) and still not receive dual-zone climate control or a sunroof.
From our initial driving experiences, it seems that the Equinox EV possesses the range, aesthetics, handling, and interior space necessary to rival other small electric SUVs. However, after testing the AWD variant with our equipment, we were disheartened by its braking performance and cornering grip. The overall value, particularly at the higher RS trim level, remains questionable. We hope the upcoming next-generation Bolt, slated for 2025, will enter the market with more competitive pricing.
Performance
Both available configurations have seen slight increases in power for 2025. In front-wheel drive (FWD) versions, the output rises to 220 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque—an increase of 7 hp and 7 lb-ft of torque from the previous year. All-wheel drive (AWD) models produce 300 hp and 355 lb-ft, which is an increase of 12 hp and 22 lb-ft. It remains uncertain whether these changes will affect the 0-60 mph times, which Chevrolet estimates to be 8.0 seconds for the FWD variant and 5.9 seconds for the AWD model. In our experience, the AWD version has ample acceleration.
Range and Charging
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV offers an impressive 319 miles of range in FWD models, making it competitive with the Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD. Chevy outshines both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 with this setup. In the AWD configuration, the Equinox EV is estimated to have a range of 285 miles, which remains a solid figure, although it does fall short of the Model Y’s 308 miles.
When compared to the EV6, Ioniq 5, and Model Y, the Equinox EV has a slower charging rate, peaking at 150 kilowatts as opposed to the 230 or 250 seen in its competitors. Chevy estimates that the Equinox EV can regain about 70 miles of range after 10 minutes with DC fast charging. With Level 2 charging, it can achieve around 34 miles in one hour, or 51 miles in some of the higher-end models.
Safety
The Equinox EV comes equipped with standard safety features, including forward collision alerts, automatic emergency braking at intersections, braking for both front pedestrians and bicyclists, and alerts for side cyclists. Lane keeping assistance, lane departure warning, and reverse automatic braking are also included as standard features. As of now, the Equinox EV has not yet received crash test ratings from the NHTSA.
