The Chevrolet Equinox EV Impressed Me So Much, I Bought It After Reviewing It

A sharp mix of traditional and modern, the Chevrolet Equinox EV is an eye-catching SUV that doesn’t scream electric. But it is, and it’s completely different from the gas-powered version. Hints like the blue E (for electric) in the Equinox badge on the side, aerodynamic angles, and flush door handles, whisper at the electric efficiency.

A fun aesthetic upgrade that I loved was the center lit light bar that matches up with the narrowed headlights and accentuates the sharp, athletic touches. If you’re excited about EV’s with a frunk, unfortunately you’ll be disappointed that the Equinox EV lacks one, but it has a good amount of interior space to make up for it.

Read: Chevy Equinox EV vs. Chevy Blazer EV: How to Tell Which Electric Car Is Right For You

Hop right in and the Google Built-in system welcomes you with an enormous 17.7 inch display. There’s no Car Play or Android Auto, which I thought would bother me, but it’s actually really nice. You just jump in, drop your phone in the center console or even leave it in your purse, and Google Maps is already flooding your giant screen, ready to navigate you to where you wish.

You can log into your Google account for messages and swipe over to Spotify, YouTube music or any other Android apps you’d like to download. You never have to worry about plugging your phone in or your battery draining from Car Play running. The car is handling all that for you. 

Read: A Level 2 Charger for Home EV Charging Is More Affordable Than You Think

If your front passenger feels like fiddling with the multimedia screen, you can set your driver display to show Google Maps and navigation right in front of you, so you never have to worry about your passenger blocking important information while they’re using the screen.

The display is customizable, so you can choose between a couple other screens with varying degrees of information. The optional add-on of a 360 camera takes full advantage of the giant display and it makes parking a breeze.

Just like the exterior, the interior is a stylish combination of traditional and modern with the expansive displays mixed with tangible buttons and manual vent controls. If you pick the RS trim, you’ll have to choose between a black interior with red gradient accents or a red and black interior. The LT is available in black, black with blue accents, and sky cool grey which is light grey with blue accents (that’s the one I chose).

The interior features ambient lighting that is remarkably well-executed and enhances the cabin at night, once again making it feel like you’re in a much more premium and expensive vehicle than the price tag suggests. The only feature I find a bit odd is that the center console only opens towards the driver, making it really hard for the passenger to access it.

One of my favorite features is the ability to pick your drive mode. As a handicapped driver, I find this tool to be especially helpful. You can adjust brake feel, accelerator, and steering separately, and create a customized mode to your liking. As a right leg amputee who drives with my left leg, I love having the ability to customize my pedal feel and keep the steering feel sporty.

At over 190 inches long and 77 inches wide, the Equinox EV is actually quite large for a compact SUV but it somehow *feels* smaller and the ride is remarkably smooth and comfortable, emulating a more premium suspension. The build quality also feels premium, evident in how well-sealed and cocooned the cabin feels.

To put it plainly, the Chevrolet Equinox EV is a truly capable electric SUV even in the base trim and, for the price, is an incredible deal. The specs vary but a couple things are consistent across the board:

• More than enough range 
• Comfortably seats 5
• Charges at an adequate speed
• Google Built-in multimedia
• Massive 17.7 inch center display
• 11 inch driver display with customizable screens including a full map mode
• Well-tuned suspension
• Ambient lighting

All of these features are available in the very base trim of this vehicle, which starts at just $33,600 and, with a huge host of discounts available for things like Costco membership, healthcare worker, even having a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, you can potentially knock that price down to close to $20,000.

The biggest discount is, of course, the $7,500 tax incentive (for now). All of this applies to the leasing deals too, which are even more enticing.

The 2024 line up offered more trims, which may still be available; they include 1LT, 2LT, 2RS, 3LT, and 3RS. For 2025 Chevrolet tweaked the power train for slightly more power: 300 HP in the dual motor AWD and 220 HP in the single motor FWD model. And, they simplified the lineup with just LT and RS trims, though there are option packages that can be added on. 

The AWD models start at about $38,000 and can land at about $55,000 with all the add-ons, which include:

• Convenience package with head up display, video rear view mirror and heated and ventilated power front seats for $3,095
• Active Safety package which adds Super Cruise hands-free driving for $3,355 and requires adding the Convenience package
• Panoramic Sunroof, $1,500
• Lifestyle package includes a tow hitch, roof racks and cargo carrier mount for $1,350
• Interior illumination and puddle lights, $995

Ultimately, the Chevrolet Equinox EV is a fantastic compact SUV at an unbeatable price. So enticing that after a week with it, I started my own shopping. I ended up with a 2024 Riptide Blue Equinox EV 2LT that I’ve named Aquanox. Isn’t she lovely?