All-new compact electric SUV
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV hopes to be what a lot of people have been waiting for — an all-electric compact SUV with a range of more than 300 miles that, with incentives, will be priced in the high-$20,000 to low-$30,000 range. .
Our quick take is that the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV is exactly the kind of electric vehicle that automakers should be focusing on. There’s nothing flashy about this newest electric car from Chevrolet, which is a good thing. They provide efficient and economical transportation with the features drivers want at an attractive price. The fact that it’s electric is a positive, and shouldn’t stop anyone from considering an Equinox EV if that type and size fits their lifestyle.
Bottom line: If you’re shopping to replace your current gasoline-powered SUV, there’s no reason not to visit your Chevrolet dealer to seriously consider an Equinox EV. Now is the time to get rid of negative thoughts, misconceptions and preconceived opinions about electric cars.
The automotive press was invited to Detroit, Michigan for the first ride of what will surely be an important part of Chevrolet’s electric future. The first Equinox EV, available in June 2024, is the RS model, which is the car reviewed here. (Note: The RS and other trim levels are already showing up at local dealerships and are on sale in California.) Clean Fleet Report will publish reviews of other models after driving them sometime in the coming months.
To get you started, here are the basic elements of the Equinox EV.
Developed from the ground up as an all-electric SUV using the Ultium platform built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, alongside the Blazer EV, Cadillac Optiq, front-wheel drive options, electric all-wheel drive (eAWD) and regenerative braking with one-pedal driving Five models: 1LT, 2LT, 2RS, 3LT, 3RS
Power range and drive options
Single electric motor with FWD 213 hp, 236 lb-ft of torque 319 AER Dual electric motors with eAWD 288 hp, 333 lb-ft of torque 280 AER
Shipping
Level 2/240V at 11.5 kW: Up to 36 miles per hour range from DC charging, 150 kW fast charging: Up to 77 miles of range can be added in 10 minutes
Features: Equinox EV RS
Seats for five adults Power front seats: 8-way driver and 6-way front passenger Heated and ventilated; Heated rear outboard seats, flat-bottom steering wheel, 11.0-inch driver configurable instrument display, 17.7-inch infotainment display, Google built-in (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto not available), wireless phone charging, Wi-Fi hotspot, automatic climate control Dual-zone Super Cruise is an optional panoramic sunroof, standard 21-inch aluminum wheels, 1,500-pound tow rating, walking lighting with front and rear animation, power lift gate and hands-free remote, 174,000 public charging points available In the United States of America and Canada
Behind the wheel
Journalists participating in the program left the Shinola Hotel in downtown Detroit and headed out on a mostly highway route, covering about 120 miles. The roads were smooth, resulting in an equally smooth ride. Bottom line, the Equinox EV drives well.
The driving path chosen by Chevrolet was to demonstrate how a prospective buyer would use the Equinox EV. It will serve as daily transportation for children to music lessons, sports games and transportation. With over 300 miles of AER and ample cargo space, it will also be used on long road trips.
Chevrolet created this typical city/town driving experience to show that there’s no ambiguity about owning an electric vehicle. The Equinox EV does everything a gasoline-powered car can do, but it’s smoother, quieter and more economical.
One-pedal driving with regenerative braking did exactly what it was designed to do. When mastered (a very short learning curve), one-pedal driving allows electric motors to decelerate and stop, while returning power to the battery to increase driving range. One of the best parts of driving an electric car is decelerating without pressing the brake pedal, knowing you’re maintaining the brakes and adding range at the same time.
There are four driver-selectable driving modes: Normal (default), Sport, Snow/Ice and Mode. Normal mode will get the best range, Sport for improved response, and Snow/Ice is self-explanatory, but Mine is the mode that allows the driver to get creative in programming ride customizations including steering, braking, acceleration feel, and engine sound. Yes, Chevrolet has programmed engine sounds because some people can’t get used to driving a car without engine noise.
Front or all-wheel drive
While speaking with a Chevrolet engineer about considering front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, it was suggested that those who struggle with wet, snowy and icy road conditions might opt for all-wheel drive, while in drier parts of the country front-wheel drive would suffice. Another consideration is that the front-wheel-drive Equinox EV has a longer range of about 34 miles, which is a lot since most people will drive less than that on a daily basis.
the outside
It may wear an Equinox badge, but there’s very little to connect the all-new Equinox EV to its gasoline-powered siblings. The wheelbase, length and width of the electric car have been expanded, while the height is almost the same. Curb weight has not been announced, but the electric car should weigh significantly more than the gasoline-powered Equinox because of the battery.
The Equinox EV features a smooth, rounded nose with an LED light strip that runs from fender to fender. The recessed windshield continues to the roof with bars, ending with a spoiler on the hands-free lift gate. The 19-inch or 21-inch aluminum wheels look good, keeping the wheel wells nicely.
Interior
Sliding into the driver’s seat may initially leave you confused because there’s no start button. Simply press the brake pedal and the 11-inch driver information and 17-inch infotainment displays appear in vivid colors and stunning graphics. There’s a large screen in front of you, but everything on it is easy to understand and navigate.
Audio has FM/AM HD with SiriusXM and Google built-in, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. There is wireless phone charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Seating is for five adults, with a flat rear floor providing 38 inches of legroom. The front seats are electrically heated and ventilated, with heated outboard rear seats on 3LT and 3RS models.
The available SuperCruise, shown here, offers hands-free driving, including the ability to change lanes automatically.
safety
The Equinox EV comes standard with Chevrolet Safety Assist advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist and lane departure warning, rear park assist, reverse automatic braking, and automatic braking. Rear traffic, blind zone guidance. Forward collision assistance and warning. Additional safety technology includes adaptive cruise control, an HD surround-view camera, a head-up display and a rearview camera mirror.
Pricing and availability
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV is arriving at dealers now. We drove the RS launch model with a base price of $45,295. The entry-level 1LT starts at $34,995 and is expected to be available at dealers later in 2024.
All prices include mandatory destination fees, but not any federal or state EV tax incentives or credits. Check with your local Chevrolet dealer and your tax accountant to get a complete understanding of how much an Equinox EV will cost. More information can be found at www.Chevrolet.com.
Reviews: 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
The compact SUV Equinox EV sits just below the midsize Blazer EV, and both mark the beginning of Chevrolet’s ever-expanding lineup of all-electric SUVs.
Scott Bell, Chevrolet vice president, summed it up this way: “The Equinox EV is an electric vehicle for everyone that won’t change your daily routine — except you’ll no longer have to stop at the gas station.”
It won’t be long before Chevrolet and other GM brands like Buick, Cadillac, and GMC offer everything they make in an all-electric version.
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The story of John Faulkner. Photos of John Faulkner and Chevrolet.
