Spend too much time on car websites—like I do—and you’ll close your browser believing the following two statements to be true: the world needs more brown, diesel-powered station wagons with manual transmissions; and that the world really needs a sub-$35,000 EV.
While that first idea may never find traction beyond a certain subset of enthusiasts, the second one is driving the future of transportation. The car market is global, and global buyers are hooked on cheap EVs. And here in the US, anything under that $35k price point generally qualifies as affordable. GM is hoping enough people find its newest Chevrolet Equinox EV cheap enough to make it a volume seller, if not a smash hit. Though technically starting at $41,900, the current $7,500 federal EV tax credit knocks that starting price down to $34,400, getting it just below that magic $35k threshold.
That’s not to say every electric Equinox is magically delicious, er, cheap. The Red Hot Chevrolet Equinox EV LT you see here has been optioned up to carry a starting MSRP of $49,295. But if you’re cheap—like me—there’s some good news here. This price hike covers just two options: e-AWD and SuperCruise, and neither of those features make or break this car—I certainly don’t need or use either of them. Deleting those two options puts this car back under that $35k out-the-door price, making this all-electric Chevy one compelling package.
It’s shockingly attractive
First off: sorry for the pun. But I was never a GM fan growing up, so I’m genuinely shocked by how much I like this Equinox EV’s design. Maybe that Red Hot hue adds that extra oomph my inner attention seeker craves. Or maybe my more rational side likes the considered, tasteful lines and sleek, tech-inspired flourishes. I get that it isn’t radical; this is still a mainstream crossover that needs to hit certain Cd numbers in order to make the whole efficiency-thing work. But in a segment defined by appliance-like vehicles all shod in some shade of white, gray, or grayish-white, this Equinox makes a tastefully bold statement.
An interior that gets (most of) the basics right
Just as I continue to be surprised by Hyundai/Kia’s ascension to exterior design dominance, I’m equally surprised by Chevy’s newfound commitment to building damn-good interiors. Granted, design tastes are subjective, and the simple fact that going all-in on flat, high-res screens means there are fewer surfaces to actually design. But the fact is this basic Equinox EV delivers a cabin with great materials, excellent fit and finish, and enough space and comforts front and rear to keep most adults happy.
The driver gets an 8-way power-adjustable seat with four additional ways of lumbar support, while the front passenger has to make-do with just 6 ways of manual adjustment. Both these seats are heated, though. And speaking of power-actuated features, a power rear liftgate also comes standard. For a vehicle that feels large on the outside, its cargo area feels surprisingly small. While an as-shown rear cargo volume of 26.4 cubic feet doesn’t sound too terrible—it’s a long, long way from the 39.4 cubic feet of stuff-hauling space you’d find in a Toyota RAV4.
Tech that looks pretty, but lacks what I really want
There’s no denying that the Equinox EV’s high-res screens look gorgeous. For the driver, an 11-inch screen handles typical gauge duties and features the usual levels of customization. This same driver, and perhaps a handsy front-seat passenger, gets to control just about everything else via a massive 17.7-inch display. While there are a couple of physical climate control buttons and knobs below the front vents, this screen handles everything from primary climate control duties to turning the lights on or off to navigation to in-car entertainment.
However, I wish, more than anything, that this Equinox EV had a Start/Stop button. Oh, and Apple CarPlay, too. Rather than write yet another “old man yells at cloud”-type of screed, I’ll just say I want to be the one who decides when my vehicle turns on, and that the best user experiences are those that feel the most familiar.
Take the time to learn the Equinox EV’s software, and you may find it perfectly suits your every need. But since I can’t get the system to pair with my phone beyond a very basic Bluetooth connection, I can’t experience how GM’s proprietary UX integrates with my digital life beyond rudimentary play/pause/skip audio controls. Granted, this is likely an issue that impacts no one outside of the car-reviewing community, but since other OEMs provide seamless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration, my inability to access even basic phone features while driving just makes the experience feel frustrating.
No surprises with the drive
In a statement that will shock absolutely no one (pun not intended), the Chevrolet Equinox EV drives like every other modern-day EV. That is to say: everything is quiet and smooth, and the abundance of torque from 0 rpm makes this electric crossover feel lively every time you hit that go pedal.
As for specs, this is yet another EV built using GM’s electric Ultium platform, so these numbers will feel very familiar to anyone who’s read anything about any other GM EV, the Honda Prologue, or Acura ZDX. But it is a good platform, so I can’t fault GM (or Honda) for using it as much as possible.
Standard across all Equinox EV models is an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery, which when connected to a compatible fast-charger can add about 70-miles of range according to GM. Base FWD trims are rated at 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque and have an EPA-estimated all-electric driving range of 319 miles on a full charge. The addition of a second electric motor driving the rear wheels gives my tester a bit more power: 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque, to be exact. Granted, it may technically be quicker, but with all that electric torque, you won’t exactly feel this extra power during your day-to-day drive. You may feel it in your electricity bill, as its reduced 285-mile driving range means you’ll be needing to charge more frequently.
Final Thoughts
As I write this review, those car websites I frequent have all been hit with the news of the most recent Equinox EV recall—the one that effects the automatic braking while the Super Cruise feature is activated. As mentioned in the intro, I’m of the mind that Super Cruise isn’t a make-or-break features because, as mentioned in the tech section above, I’m also the type of person who wants to be in full control of my vehicle at all times. And this recall further cements my resistance to added autonomy in vehicles.
That aside, the Chevrolet Equinox EV is a solid ride that delivers a lot of features, comfort, tech and style at a finance-friendly price. It won’t set the world on fire, but it’s got all the right stuff to make it a mainstream success. And if this catches on, perhaps the internet can get back to discussing what really matters: the need for more brown, manual diesel-powered station wagons.
Justin Kaehler has been covering all things automotive for 20 years, and has been an active part of the car scene for much longer than that. Though he’s grown to love all cars, he’s still particularly fond of the ’80s and ’90s Japanese metal he grew up on. And for those of you who grew up playing The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift game for the PS2 and PSP, yes, he’s also that JDM Justin.