Here’s the good news: A shopper could price and test drive the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV and never realize it was an electric vehicle. The sleek Equinox’s first and lasting impression is of a well-equipped, competitively priced compact SUV, not something new and radical.
That’s exactly what Chevy set out to build: A compact SUV people will want because it’s appealing and affordable, not another megabuck electric truck that only matters to people who already decided they want an EV.
Compared with that accomplishment, the bad news barely matters, but GM’s first electric vehicle in America’s best-selling non-pickup vehicle class leaves a couple of questions unanswered as it hits the road this spring.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV trim levels and prices
1LT FWD: $33,600
2LT FWD: $41,900
2RS FWD: $43,400
3LT FWD: $43,900
3RS FWD: $45,400
All-wheel drive adds $3,300.
Source: Chevrolets. Prices exclude $1,395 destination charge.
A price and driving range to love
Arriving at dealerships now, Chevy bills the Equinox EV is the least expensive electric SUV with a range of more than 315 miles, a rather contrived bragging point among several significant achievements:
The base 1LT front-wheel drive model – due late this year – will go for $33,600, excluding a $1,395 destination charge.
Qualified for a $7,500 federal tax credit, it’ll be $26,100 out the door.
It’s EPA rated at 319 miles range on a charge.
It will add 77 miles of range in 10 minutes at a 150kW DC fast charger (DCFC).
That 1LT base model should be available later this year, but front-drive Equinox EV 2LT models on their way to dealerships now start at $41,900 — $34,400 after subtracting the tax credit. That’s thousands of dollars below the average cost for a new vehicle, according to Cox Automotive.
The Equinox EV is the affordable, mainstream vehicle that that electric-vehicle critics have been calling for.
Key features
Google built-in infotainment and cloud-based navigation
17.7-inch touch screen
19- or 21-inch wheels
Power tailgate
Panoramic sunroof
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated rear outboard seats
Two-tone finish with black or white roof
Driving impressions
That leaves the other big question: Is it good?
Based on spending a morning driving a well-equipped AWD Equinox EV on highways, main streets and neighborhoods around Detroit, I can say yes. It's good.
The Equinox EV is quick, comfortable and good looking. From the narrow, fender-to-fender front light bar to sharply sloped windshield, long roofline, flared rear fenders and sweeping tail lights, the five-passenger Equinox makes a sporty, elegant visual presentation.
A white roof is available on LT models, while you can get a black roof on the RS.
There are no performance or range differences between the trim levels.
For my drive, I tested a nicely equipped all-wheel-drive Equinox in downtown Detroit on fast highways, major surface roads and through neighborhoods.
The vehicle was smooth, quiet and responsive. The two electric motors — one on each axle — delivered a beefy 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. Surprisingly, mild torque steer produced a pull to the left in eager, but not all-out, acceleration.
The Equinox EV’s front motor is the more powerful of the pair. The small rear “helper motor” produces 77 hp.
AWD models accelerate to 60 mph in 6 seconds; FWD models do it in 8 seconds.
The AWD Equinox EV earned a 285-mile range rating in EPA tests. It will charge from zero to full in eight hours at 220 volts, the current most EV owners use for overnight charging. At 150 kW DC fast charging, the Equinox can add 77 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes.
The suspension absorbed bumps and was comfortable at speed on a rough stretch of highway.
The Equinox’s one-pedal braking, which increases energy regeneration when slowing down, is effective and easy to modulate for precise stops.
Controls and connectivity
The interior looks as good as the outside. Attractive vinyl seats features contrasting piping and stitching. My bright red test vehicle had pleasant metallic-finish blue plastic interior trim.
The climate controls include physical buttons and dials for temperature and fan. Aside from satellite controls on the steering wheel, and a volume dial on the center screen, other controls are touch screen.
Google built-in ably provides navigation, voice recognition and other connected services. GM has eliminated compatibility with Apple CarPlay from its new EVs, but my iPhone worked well in the Equinox. Improved Bluetooth gets some of the credit. It improved access to playlists, among other features. I didn’t get any phone calls or texts while driving the Equinox EV, but its iPhone compatibility was fine in a brief drive. I look forward to longer tests.
Wireless charging won’t be available on 2024 models.
2024 Chevy Equinox EV safety and driver assist features
Adaptive cruise control
Super Cruise hands-free highway driving
Automatic emergency braking
Following distance indicator
Forward collision alert
Front pedestrian braking
Lane keeping alert and assist
Automatic high beams
Rear parking assist
Reverse automatic braking
Safety alert seat
Rear cross traffic braking
Blind spot alert and assist
Surround view
What Equinox EV features could be better?
The presence of even mild torque steer is hard to excuse in a new vehicle as advanced as the Equinox EV.
It’s 2024, not 1984, when U.S. automakers were struggling to master front-wheel drive. Today’s GM engineers know how to handle torque steer, particularly in all-wheel drive vehicles. The only conclusion is that the development team was denied either the time or resources to address the issue.
The SUV’s interior packaging also raises questions. The Equinox EV’s passenger and cargo space are both less than the gasoline-powered 2024 Equinox, despite the fact that the EV’s wheelbase, overall length and width all grew. The interior is attractive and accommodating, but where did the extra room go?
GM’s decision not to offer Apple CarPlay in its new EVs remains a potential sore spot with me. My iPhone paired and played music without difficulty, but it remains to be seen if getting access to addresses and other information stored on the phone becomes an issue.
Why get one?
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV’s price, range, features and styling are all extremely appealing. It’s an excellent EV, but more important, it’s an excellent compact SUV. It deserves to win a wide audience.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV at a glance
Front- or all-wheel drive compact electric SUV
Model tested: 3LT AWD
Price as tested: $49,900, excluding $1,395 destination charge.
Power: Electric motors on front and rear axles
Output: 288 hp; 333 pound-feet of torque
Transmission: Single-speed direct drive
0-60 mph: 6 seconds
EPA estimated range: 285 miles
Battery size: 845 kWh
Charging time: 77 miles in 10 minutes at 150 kW DC under optimum conditions; 8 hours 0%-100% charging at 240v.
Wheelbase: 116.3 inches
Length: 190.6 inches
Width: 76.9 inches (mirrors folded); 84.9 mirrors out
Height: 64.8 inches
Ground clearance: 6.4 inches
Turning circle: 38.1 feet
EPA passenger volume: 102.2 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 26.4 cubic feet behind rear seats; 57.2 behind front seats.
Towing capacity: 1.500 pounds
Assembled in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731ormmphelan@freepress.com.Follow him on Twitter@mark_phelan. Read more onautosand sign up for ourautos newsletter.Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2024 Chevy Equinox EV checks most boxes but leaves some questions open
