2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Brings Style and Value to Compact Electric SUVs

The Equinox is a big deal for Chevrolet.

After the Silverado pickup truck, the Equinox is the second-best selling Chevrolet. So, it’s not much of a surprise that the brand would want to leverage the nameplate for the manufacturer’s new compact all electric crossover.

Simply called the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the new electric pseudo SUV enters one of the hottest market segments, offering an all-electric alternative to traditional compact SUVs. And what’s more, although no specific price has been officially released, Chevrolet is determined to honor the early commitment of having the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV start at a price in the $30,000 ($35,000 CAD) range.

Built on General Motor’s Ultium electric vehicle platform, like the Blazer EV, the new Chevrolet Equinox EV doesn’t bare much resemblance to its gasoline sibling. The EV is on a wider and longer wheelbase than the regular Equinox. Its wheelbase is roughly 9 inches longer, with the vehicle around 7 inches longer overall and 3 inches wider.

The Equinox EV comes with two battery sizes that are shared with the Blazer EV but lacks the Blazer’s largest battery as it does not fit on Equinox’s platform. Chevrolet will include with either battery an 8-year/100,000-mile (160,000 km) limited warranty.

The price leader of the Chevrolet Equinox EV family is the 1LT trim level. It includes an electric motor making an estimated 210 horsepower and 242 lb-ft torque, powering the front wheels. Using the smaller battery, Chevy expects the vehicle to travel around 250 miles (400 km) on a single charge.

All other front wheel drive trim levels of the EV will get the larger battery which increases the driving range to roughly 300 miles (480 km). Americans will be able to order the flashier RS models with front wheel drive while Canadians can only get FWD on the various LT trims.

Those looking for more performance and better traction will want to step up to the Equinox EV eAWD. It will use a pair of electric motors making a combined estimate of 290-horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque. Range for the AWD models dip slightly to the neighborhood or 280 miles (450 km) on a single charge.

As mentioned, the Chevrolet Equinox EV is a sleeker interpretation of the regular gas-powered SUV. Thin, long lights are a main theme front and back, with an available full-length light bar on mid- and up-level LT and RS trims.

Standard on the 1LT are 19-inch wheels, while other trims feature 20- and 21-inch wheels. As well, a two-tone roof can be optioned, white for LT trims and black for the RS.

There is no frunk on the Equinox EV. Chevrolet claims the development costs to incorporate one is better used on the drivetrain. There is a hands-free rear lift gate that opens automatically when the key fob is present. It grants access to a moderate 57 cubic feet (1,614 liters) of cargo room with the rear seats folded.

The interior of the Equinox EV looks decidedly unlike current Chevy designs. It’s a nice, fresh take on the manufacturer’s cabin layout. Dominating the center dashboard is a massive 17.7-inch infotainment screen that’s available on higher trim levels.

For those in colder climates, it’s possible to equip the vehicle with heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a heated windshield wiper de-icer.

As is the norm with any new vehicle these days, especially EVs, a lot of safety technology comes standard. Included is Chevy Safety Assist with features like auto braking, forward collision alert, pedestrian braking, lane keep assist, and more.

Other standard safety systems include rear park assist, reverse automatic braking, safety alert seat, rear cross traffic braking, and blind spot steering assist. But if that’s that enough, there is more available safety, including adaptive cruise control, surround vision cameras, head-up display, and a rear camera mirror.

Perhaps the most surprising safety system available on the Chevrolet Equinox EV is General Motor’s Super Cruise. For those unfamiliar with Super Cruise, it’s a hands-free adaptive cruise control technology. It’s works on compatible roads throughout the United States and Canada.