2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV First Look

Will the Equinox EV finally take electric cars mainstream?

Transcript

00:00 I'm Eric Tingwall with Motor Trend, and I'm here with the Chevrolet Equinox EV.

00:04 Chevy is counting on this compact SUV to take electric cars mainstream. Does it have the range

00:10 to do that? Is it priced right? Is it cool enough? Let's take a closer look.

00:14 Compact crossovers like the Equinox are the most popular type of vehicle in America today,

00:25 so if EVs are going to take over our roads, they'll eventually have to dominate this segment.

00:30 These small SUVs have replaced midsize sedans as the vehicle of choice for many drivers because

00:37 they offer the practicality of a utility vehicle at a relatively affordable price. While the exact

00:43 numbers aren't finalized, Chevrolet is saying that the Equinox EV will start around $30,000

00:49 for a front-wheel drive model with an estimated 250 miles of range. For buyers who demand more

00:55 range, a larger battery pack should be good for 300 miles when paired with front-wheel drive,

01:01 or 280 miles with the optional all-wheel drive. Yes, Tesla's all-wheel drive Model Y is rated for

01:09 318 miles of range, but it also starts north of $65,000. At DC fast charging stations,

01:17 the Equinox EV's peak charging power of 150 kilowatts allows it to add up to 70 miles of

01:23 range in 10 minutes. At home, an Equinox EV will add about 34 miles of range for every hour of

01:29 charging, and on the top trim Equinox 3RS, buyers can upgrade to faster home charging capability,

01:36 which is good for about 51 miles of range per hour. The interior is loaded with technology.

01:43 An 11-inch digital instrument cluster is standard, along with an 11-inch infotainment screen. You can

01:50 upgrade that to a 17.7-inch infotainment screen. There's also available Super Cruise driver

01:56 assistance technology, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. Front-wheel drive

02:03 versions will make 210 horsepower, while all-wheel drive models will use two motors for a combined

02:09 290 horsepower. Comparing similar models, the Ford Mustang Mach-E makes at least 56 more horsepower

02:16 than the Equinox, but if the price difference carries across the lineup, Chevy will have a

02:20 serious advantage. The Ford starts at about $45,000. The Equinox EV arrives in dealerships

02:28 in the fall of 2023. While it will launch with a limited-edition RS trim, Chevy is promising that

02:35 it will produce a wide range of trim levels at a variety of price points in the first year. That's

02:40 an important point to make, because while a low price point earns headlines, electric vehicles

02:45 will only win over most buyers when they beat gas alternatives on price, features, and the ownership

02:52 experience. If Chevy is serious about keeping the price in check on the Equinox, this could be one

02:58 of the first EVs to trigger a tidal wave of change. For more information, head to Motortrend.com.