2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV First Look Review: The Game-Changer Is Here
After revealing a few images without details back in March this year, General Motors has finally lifted the wraps off the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV in an official reveal. Built upon the Ultium platform, the Equinox EV will be an all-electric twin to - you guessed it - the Equinox SUV. The new Chevrolet Equinox EV is a compact crossover, which puts it in line to face stiff competition from Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and a plethora of other automakers who have all chosen this segment as the right one to begin their assault on the EV realm. Chevrolet's secret weapon in this regard is the price of the Equinox EV, which will start around $30,000 - which GM believes will make it the most affordable EV in its segment. More than just being affordable, it promises ample range and an abundance of technology, including hands-free Super Cruise driving capability on upper trims. Five configurations will be available, with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and a broad spread of features and capabilities.
When is the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Coming out?
Despite the compact crossover segment being hot property for EV makes right now, Chevrolet isn't rushing. The Chevrolet Equinox EV's official release date is fall 2023, with a limited edition version of the 2RS trim leading the charge. The rest of the models will follow suit, but all will launch as 2024 model year vehicles.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Price And Competition?
The price of the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV will be crucial to it breaching a sector of the market that is already overflowing with talent. The automaker says the cheapest trim is the 1LT with a starting MSRP of $33,600, excluding the $1,395 destination fee. The 2LT and 2RS are priced at $41,900 and $43,400, respectively, while the 3LT and 3RS go on sale for $43,900 and $45,400.
However, the price you see could be improved upon further. Production of the Equinox EV will be handled at GM's Ramos Arizpe facility in Mexico. As a result, the Equinox EV will be eligible for up to $7,500 of federal tax credit in the USA under the new Inflation Reduction Act, making it the most affordable compact EV at present.
As for its rivals, you can throw a stone and hit one. The Ioniq 5 is arguably the most well-rounded in the segment with a starting cost of around $39,950, while the VW ID.4 starts at $37,495 for the 2023 model year. Other competitors include the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Nissan Ariya, and Kia EV6 - and, of course, the Tesla Model Y.
New Chevrolet Equinox EV Exterior
Instead of using the current Equinox design with a different powertrain underneath, Chevrolet has given the Equinox EV bespoke aesthetics. These include a full-width LED light bar up front (2LT and up), while the headlight clusters are sneakily hidden within a dark surround that creates the impression of a grille up front. A floating roof effect is created by a strip running along the window line and across the C-pillar. At the rear, full-width lighting imitates the front. The light elements feature various animations upon approach and departure, and elements like the available power tailgate use proximity sensing technology to open automatically.
Each trim has its own unique stylistic attributes, with the RS being the most aggressive. It features a blacked-out front bumper, black Chevrolet bowtie badges, and red RS badging. Wheel sizes range from 19 inches on 1LT and 2LT models to 21 inches on the 3LT and 3RS.
The exterior of the Chevrolet Equinox EV can be further spruced up by an available sunroof on most models.
As far as the Chevy Equinox EV's available colors go, the final selection includes Summit White, black, Sterling Gray Metallic, Red Hot, and Galaxy Gray Metallic as no-cost options. Iridescent Pearl Tricoat, Radiant Red Metallic, and the dual-tone Riptide Blue Metallic with a Summit White roof are optionally available, but are likely trim-specific. The RS models will have the option of a black roof.
Chevrolet Equinox EV Dimensions
Despite sharing a name with the gas-powered Equinox, the use of the Ultium platform has forced the Equinox EV to grow in size compared to its ICE namesake. While exact dimensions have not been provided, Chevrolet told media ahead of the car's unveiling that the wheelbase was approximately nine inches longer and the overall length approximately seven inches larger. Widthwise, the equinox EV is about three inches wider. However, the new EV is allegedly an inch lower vertically. That means the dimensions of the Chevrolet Equinox EV are a length of roughly 190 inches, a wheelbase of around 116 inches, a width of 75 inches, and a height of 64 inches.
Its curb weight remains a mystery, but a ballpark figure of 4,200 lbs for FWD derivatives is expected.
Chevrolet Equinox EV Engine and Performance
As you may have gathered, the Equinox EV has no engine. Instead, a range of single and dual-motor Ultium electric powertrains will be available, granting it both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive capabilities. In standard front-wheel drive form, the Equinox EV has 210 horsepower and 242 lb-ft of torque, but the optional eAWD system boasts 290 hp and 346 lb-ft. 0-60 mph and top speed figures have not been provided, but a six-second dash on eAWD models is well within reach.
One-pedal driving, by virtue of regenerative braking, will feature. Chassis technology has not been confirmed, but we wouldn't be surprised to see adaptive suspension systems on upper models.
Range, Charging, Battery Life
As battery tech improves, so too will range and charging. These are vital to the Equinox EV's success, and initial estimates seem promising in this regard.
Base FWD models boast a claimed 319-mile range (1LT and 2LT) while AWD models should get 285 miles. While all specs have not been confirmed, this larger battery is likely the same unit found in the slightly larger Blazer EV, which is assumed to have a 100 kWh capacity. The smaller battery should be closer to 80 kWh, which is fairly standard for the industry. Rivals like the VW ID.4 have smaller options available, but only manage circa 200 miles to a charge in such configuration.
The Ultium platform enables rapid charging as well. Using DC fast charging at rates of 150 kW, 70 miles of range can be delivered in just 10 minutes. On standard 19.2 KW Level 2 chargers - available exclusively on the Equinox EV 3RS eAWD - you can recoup 51 miles in an hour, while the standard 11.5 kW Level 2 charger adds 34 miles of range per hour.
Chevrolet Equinox EV Interior and Cargo
Yet another big drawcard will be the interior of the Chevrolet Equinox EV, which seats five occupants in two rows of seating. The flat Ultium platform affords more room inside by removing transmission tunnels from the equation, and the larger proportions compared to the gasoline-powered Equinox should afford it superior interior volume, closer to that of the current Blazer. For reference, that has approximately 39 inches of headroom and 40 inches of legroom. The seats will offer available eight-way power adjustment and heating/ventilation, and the steering wheel can also be heated.
Upholstery options will include black with blue accents or Sky Cool Gray on LT-badged derivatives, while the sportier RS variants have a choice of black with red accents or Adrenaline Red. The sportier trims will also feature a flat-bottom steering wheel.
The Equinox EV's cargo space will be versatile, with up to 57 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. The standard figure has not been provided. Unlike other EVs, the Equinox EV is unlikely to have a frunk.
Technology abounds in the 2024 Equinox EV's cabin, with available ambient lighting and a new generation of infotainment. Ahead of the driver sits an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, while canted towards the pilot in the center of the dash is another 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Originally, the larger screen wasn't going to be standard across the range, starting only from the 2LT onwards, but the automaker has now said it's added to all trims. Navigation, smartphone connectivity, and more connected services are expected, and certain models will be privy to an available Bose sound system.
Comfort and convenience features are ample, with available dual-zone climate control, sunroof, hands-free tailgate access, and more. Safety technology includes available head-up displays, adaptive cruise control, an HD surround-view camera system, and Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving. The latter is optional on all trims, with the laser safety systems made standard on the 3LT and 3RS.