General Motors’ decision to pull the plug on the Chevrolet Bolt EV was a surprising one. Value and electric cars and words that don’t go together, but it felt like Chevy was on to something good with the small, affordable, and usable Bolt EV. Getting rid of the Bolt EV, though, gave Chevrolet an opportunity to follow it up with something more mainstream, which is what it did with the introduction of the all-new 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV.
With the Equinox EV, Chevrolet is following through with its decision to introduce electrified versions of gas-powered nameplates, similar to what it’s done with the Blazer EV and Silverado EV. While the Equinox EV shares a name with the gas-powered SUV, it shares little else with the gas-powered stablemate. That’s not a bad thing, as the Equinox EV stands out as one of the better deals in the class and a great all-round EV for daily use.
What The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Gets Right
Usually, I complain about a new car’s starting price tag. Cars have become way too expensive with only the upper echelon of Americans being able to purchase a new car. That’s not the case with the Equinox EV, which is one of the more affordable electric vehicles. Despite having a relatively affordable price tag, the Equinox EV has great tech, outstanding range, and a roomy cabin to be an EV that makes it transition away from the world of gasoline.
Relatively Affordable
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV launches in the SUV’s more expensive trims, including the 2LT, 2RS, 3LT, and 3RS. Pricing ranges from $43,295 to $46,795, which may not sound all that cheap, but it’s competitively priced for the class and far more affordable models have been added for 2025 that start at $34,995. If you’re looking to get into an EV, the Equinox EV, at least the 2025 model, is the third most affordable option available.
Range Over Performance
Unlike most EVs, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV focuses more on range than performance. It comes with an 85-kWh battery pack that brings up to 319 miles in models with front-wheel drive and 285 miles with all-wheel drive. These may not be Tesla-beating figures, but they lead the mainstream class and match the Kia EV6 to be class-leading.
Brimming With Tech
For a competitively priced EV, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV comes loaded with tech features. Every model comes with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 17.7-inch touchscreen that look great and have crisp graphics. You’re also getting Google built-in, which is more intuitive to use than a native-based infotainment system.
The Equinox EV also comes loaded with advanced safety features, with nearly every modern safety feature coming as standard. Opting for Super Cruise costs $2,700, but it’s one of the best hands-free driver-assist systems on the market. Chevrolet’s latest iteration of the system can handle automatic lane changes, which is frightening at first, but goes above and beyond as a must-have feature for driver spending a lot of time on the highway.
What The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Doesn’t Do Well
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV is a great compact electric SUV, but there are some missteps that may have you leaning toward one of its South Korean competitors.
Look Elsewhere For Performance
In the automotive triangle of performance, value, and comfort, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV checks off value and comfort, but trails on the performance front. The base FWD model comes with a single 210-horsepower electric motor, while AWD models have dual electric motors that produce 290 horsepower. With the mighty Hyundai IONIQ N pumping out 641 horsepower, the Equinox EV is not the kind of EV you buy to scare your friends.
Where’s Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?
General Motors has waged a personal war against Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, assuming that Google built-in is just as good, but it’s not. I’d rather have Apple CarPlay instead of Google built-in. Give me an infotainment system that requires me to get my phone setup instead of learning how to use Google.
Limited Cargo Space
While the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV has a good amount of passenger space, it lacks the cargo capacity of its competitors. It has 26.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 57.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. With the rear seats in place, you might run into a problem on a run to Costco if you’re looking to load up on toilet paper and extra large snacks.
The Verdict
For some reason, finding a simple EV to use as basic transportation is harder than it sounds. That’s what made the Chevrolet Bolt EV so great. The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV isn’t a direct replacement to the Bolt EV, but it fulfills the same mission of being affordable and comfortable, while featuring more range and high-tech features. If you appreciate features and affordability over performance, the Equinox EV is one of the better compact SUVs on sale.
