Internal combustion has ruled the roost for around 125 years, really since the dawn of the automobile around the turn of the last century. During that time, these engines have powered practically everything in our modern lives, from tractors and trains to motorcycles, lawn equipment, generators, and, yes, even (or perhaps, especially) the cars and trucks we drive. Fossil fuels in general, but gasoline and diesel, in this case specifically, pack enormous, almost unfathomable amounts of energy into a tiny package. Since petroleum is so potent and widely available, it has dominated the transportation world, but that is gradually changing, and arguably for the better.
Slowly but surely, the automotive world is going electric. Hybrids and plug-ins are great, fuel-saving intermediate solutions that can make a huge difference, but the latest and greatest EVs are still a better option in many situations. And there’s a particular all-electric model manufactured by one of the traditional Detroit Three automakers that just about does it all. Not only is this vehicle incredibly affordable, but it also offers excellent range for the price, has a spacious and well-made interior, and offers some pretty premium features. For many drivers, this amped-up SUV makes a lot more sense to own than a traditional gas-powered vehicle.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Edmunds.com, the U.S. EPA, and consumer websites from competing automakers.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV
- Horsepower
-
213 HP (FWD) / 288 HP (AWD)
- Torque
-
236 LB-FT (FWD) / 333 LB-FT (AWD)
- Driveline
-
FWD/AWD
- Range
-
319 mi.
- Starting Price (MSRP)
-
$41,900
Chevy Equinox EV – Priced To Compete Directly With Popular Gas SUVs
Indeed, one of the best mass-market electric vehicles to debut, well, ever, is the Chevrolet Equinox EV. As mentioned above, this utility vehicle checks all the right boxes, delivering what electric vehicle shoppers are looking for, but perhaps most importantly, this all-electric Equinox is priced to sell. The entry-level 1LT model with front-wheel drive is almost shockingly affordable, which is uncommon for new vehicles these days, but it’s almost unheard of with electrics.
Starts Around $34,995 – On Par With Gas-Powered Equivalents
Sidestep any extras, resist the urge to check any option boxes, avoid all accessories, and the base Equinox EV can be yours for around $34,995, including $1,395 in destination fees – a veritable steal. In fact, that price is comparable to the gas-powered Equinox SUV, which starts at around $31,995 with delivery. Similarly, an entry-level Ford Escape goes for around $30,645, Honda’s CR-V starts at $31,495, and the base Toyota RAV4 kicks off at $30,645, oddly enough, the same as the Escape. Now, the Equinox EV is slightly pricier than some of its gas-powered rivals, but it may be eligible for a hefty discount.
May Qualify For A Federal EV Tax Credit, Bringing Effective Price Closer To $27,495
It’s unclear how long this may last, but the Equinox EV should still be eligible for a generous federal tax credit. Since it meets the necessary criteria, this SUV should get you a $7,500 discount. That drops the base price to an eminently reasonable $27,495, undercutting those combustion-powered rivals by thousands.
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An affordable price point, competitive range and a familiar name should allow the Equinox EV to be a hit with the North-American middle class.
Impressive Range For The Money
Now, further sweetening the deal is the amount of range this Chevy offers. All variants of the Equinox EV feature an 85-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, a generous capacity for this class of vehicle. And that energy reservoir gives this Chevy some seriously long legs. This bow-tie-branded SUV easily outpaces other entry-level electrics like the Kia Niro EV, Toyota bZ4X, Hyundai Kona Electric, and antiquated Nissan Leaf.
Offers Up To 319 Miles Of Estimated Range On A Full Charge
So, how far can the Equinox EV drive with a full charge? Well, the battery gets you up to 319 miles of estimated range, a fantastic performance for a vehicle this versatile and affordable. All-wheel-drive models are, naturally, less efficient, but they’re still rated at 307 miles according to the U.S. EPA, which is, again, superb. That performance is still enough to outpace those above-mentioned all-electric rivals.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox Specifications
|
Powertrain |
Single motor (FWD) |
Dual motor (AWD) |
|
Horsepower |
220 |
300 |
|
Torque |
243 pound-feet |
355 pound-feet |
|
Transmission |
Single-speed automatic |
Single-speed automatic |
|
Driveline |
Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
All-wheel drive (AWD) |
|
EPA-Estimated Range |
319 miles |
307 miles |
|
City Fuel Economy |
117 MPGe |
112 MPGe |
|
Highway Fuel Economy |
100 MPGe |
95 MPGe |
|
Combined Fuel Economy |
109 MPGe |
103 MPGe |
DC Fast Charging Adds Up To 77 Miles In 10 Minutes For Quick Top-Ups
Once the battery pack is depleted, naturally, it has to be recharged. And this is another area where the Equinox EV excels. Now, it’s not the fastest-charging electric vehicle of all time. Some of the Hyundai Motor Group’s latest-and-greatest battery-powered offerings top out at 235 kilowatts, or even more, when DC fast charging.
The best this Chevy can do is 150 kW, but still, under optimal conditions, that’s enough to get you 77 miles of range after just 10 minutes of charging. Unfortunately, Chevrolet does not list a 10-to-80-percent DC fast charging time (a quasi-industry standard these days), but according to other, well-respected sources, this should take around 40 minutes, give or take. If you want to hit a 100-percent state of charge, budget much more time than that, as the charging rate dramatically decreases past the 80-percent mark.
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Modern Tech And Comfort That Go Beyond Most Gas SUVs
But there’s much more to the Equinox EV than just a low price and generous range, as mission-critical as those attributes are when it comes to electric vehicles. The entry-level models include:
- Single-zone climate control system
- Four USB Type-C ports (two up front and two more at the rear of the center console)
- Six-way manual driver’s seat
- Cabin air filter
The 1LT trim is also fitted with Blind Zone Steering Assist to help prevent crashing into vehicles in adjacent lanes, lane-keeping assist with lane departure warning, remote start, and an HD backup camera at no extra cost.
The Equinox EV is a small SUV, but it’s comfortable and surprisingly roomy inside. Lanky passengers should have plenty of space in this vehicle, even if they’re relegated to the backseat. The cargo room is generous, too. You get around 26.4 cubic feet of space behind the 60/40 split rear backrest, which enhances versatility by allowing you to haul various combinations of passengers and cargo. Fold that backrest down, however, and the rear luggage capacity increases to a generous 57.2 cubic feet.
Includes A 17.7-Inch Infotainment Display With Google Built-In
As for gee-whiz features, this Chevy comes standard with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, par for the 21st century, but that’s not all. A lovely 17.7-inch center touchscreen is also standard right across the model range. This beautiful display is home to an incredibly responsive Google-based infotainment system that is also refreshingly intuitive. Unfortunately, as good as this system is, it does not support Apple CarPlay, so if you own an iPhone, the experience isn’t quite as good as it should be. Android Auto is also not supported, though to be fair, this smartphone-mirroring system really isn’t necessary since the infotainment system is already powered by Google.
Comes With Heated Seats, A Heated Steering Wheel, And Available Super Cruise
The Equinox EV has plenty of standard equipment, some great features that don’t cost a dime extra, but fancier trims do come with some extra-premium amenities. Higher-end models include:
- Eight-way power driver’s chair
- Heated steering wheel
- Dual-zone climate control system
- High-definition 360-degree camera system
- Six-way power passenger seat
- Head-up display
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
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The Equinox EV competes fiercely due to its impresive budget-friendly pricing and solid performance.
Lower Operating Costs Without Compromising Convenience
The Equinox EV is affordable and well-equipped, but this SUV is also cheap to operate, too. The front-wheel-drive version is the most efficient and is rated at 117 miles per gallon equivalent in the city, 100 on the highway, and 109 MPGe combined. Versions with four-corner traction are, naturally, slightly less economical. The U.S. EPA estimates that over five years, drivers can save around $5,250 in fuel costs compared to the average new vehicle available today, a not-insignificant amount.
Electricity Costs Less Than Gas, With Minimal Maintenance Needs
When it comes to operating costs, EVs reign supreme. There’s no oil to change, spark plugs to worry about, transmission flushes to schedule, or emissions control hardware to lose sleep over. Accordingly, this battery-powered Equinox can be a much smarter purchase than comparable combustion-powered SUVs.
Aside from all that, electricity is often much cheaper than gasoline. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity in ‘Murica in February 2025 was 16.44 cents, though some states are far cheaper, like North Dakota (10.2 cents), while others are far pricier, including Hawaii (42.7 cents). This means it should cost just $14 to completely recharge the Equinox EV’s 85-kWh battery at home ((16.44 cents * 85 kWh) /100 = $13.974). DC fast charging will, of course, almost certainly cost significantly more than this.
According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline was $3.17 at the time of writing. This means it would cost roughly $50 to refill a conventional, gas-powered Equinox, more than three times as much.
Chevy’s Nationwide Dealer Network Makes Service Easy
Another benefit of this SUV is that it’s a Chevy. The bow tie brand has hundreds of dealerships across the country, so if anything goes wrong, it should be a snap to schedule service for your Equinox EV. Providing peace of mind, this vehicle has a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, 5 years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance, and an 8-year/100,000-mile guarantee for the battery pack and electric drive components.
