Chevrolet Equinox EV.

The Gavler Review.

Chevrolet Equinox EV Review: The Value Electric SUV That Doesn't Cut Corners

The Chevrolet Equinox EV sits at number five on our Best Electric SUVs list with an 8.1, and its entire pitch is math: Edmunds rates it 7.0 out of 10 and calls it a solid choice for a roomy small electric SUV, at a base price of $34,995 that undercuts nearly every similarly equipped rival on this list. Buy it if you want the most usable electric SUV per dollar and don't need it to be quick. Skip it if Apple CarPlay or towing capacity are non-negotiable, because the Equinox EV offers neither.

What it actually is

GM built the Equinox EV to answer a simple question: what does an affordable, genuinely roomy electric SUV look like once the EV tax credit calculus and price wars have shaken out? The front-wheel-drive model pairs a 220-horsepower motor with a 319-mile EPA range, and in Edmunds' real-world range test it went further still — 356 miles on a charge at an efficient 28.9 kWh per 100 miles. Fast charging adds about 100 miles in 19 minutes over a native NACS port, giving it Tesla Supercharger access without an adapter.

Inside, a 17.7-inch Google-based touchscreen handles navigation and apps capably, the cabin is genuinely roomy in both rows, and the ride stays quiet and composed at highway speed — the Equinox EV drives like a normal, unremarkable car, which for a first-time EV buyer is exactly the point.

In use

Edmunds frames the Equinox EV's entire value proposition in one line: "the best part about the Equinox EV is that you keep more money in your pocket after buying it." That's not a backhanded compliment — at this price point, a genuinely competent electric SUV that doesn't feel like a compromise is a meaningfully rare thing to find.

The range story backs it up with real data, not just spec-sheet optimism: "we achieved an impressive 356 miles of real-world range with the front-wheel-drive Equinox EV during the Edmunds EV Range Test." Beating an EPA estimate by 37 miles is a bigger real-world margin than most EVs on this list manage, and it matters directly for range-anxious first-time EV buyers who are the Equinox EV's core audience.

On everyday character, Edmunds is candid: "while the Equinox EV might not be your first pick for carving up canyon roads with enthusiasm, we give it major points for being easy to live with in the real world." Car and Driver's read lands in the same place, noting "more range than rivals, competitively priced" — the Equinox EV isn't trying to be exciting, it's trying to be the easiest, cheapest way into a genuinely good electric SUV, and by most independent accounts it succeeds at that specific job.

Where it shines

• Real-world range that beats the sticker. A 356-mile independently tested result against a 319-mile EPA rating is a rare positive surprise in an industry where the reverse is far more common.
• Price leadership with no asterisks. At $34,995, it undercuts nearly every comparably equipped electric SUV without resorting to a stripped-down trim that feels punishing to live with.
• A genuinely roomy, quiet cabin. Edmunds singles out the cabin as roomy and the ride as quiet and composed — qualities buyers usually have to pay a premium for.

The trade-offs — who should skip it

• You need Apple CarPlay. There is none. The Google-based system works well on its own terms, but iPhone owners who rely on CarPlay daily will feel the gap immediately.
• You want quick acceleration. At 7.8 seconds to 60 mph for the front-drive model, this is a leisurely SUV by EV standards — fine for commuting, unremarkable for merging enthusiasm.
• You tow anything substantial. A 1,500-pound towing limit rules out anything beyond the lightest utility trailer.

How it compares

On the same list, the Cadillac Lyriq sits two ranks above with standard Super Cruise and class-leading in-cabin tech, but starts nearly $26,000 higher. The Tesla Model Y undercuts the Lyriq but still costs roughly $10,000 more than the Equinox EV, trading that premium for Supercharger network access and notably quicker acceleration — a fair trade for buyers who fast-charge often, less so for those who mostly charge at home.

Who it's actually built for

The Equinox EV makes the most sense for a first-time EV buyer trading in a gas-powered compact SUV who wants lower running costs without a six-figure luxury price tag or a steep technology learning curve. It's less convincing for anyone who already leans on Apple CarPlay daily, tows a boat or camper regularly, or cross-shops based on 0-60 bragging rights rather than monthly payment math.

The Gavler verdict

An 8.1, earned entirely on value. The Equinox EV wins on math: 319 EPA miles (356 in Edmunds' own range test) and a genuinely roomy cabin for $34,995, undercutting nearly every rival on this list. You give up Apple CarPlay, quick acceleration, and towing muscle to get there. If you want the most usable electric SUV per dollar and don't need it to be quick, put it on your test-drive list.

Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Equinox EV worth it in 2026?

Yes, if you want the most usable electric SUV per dollar. At $34,995 it undercuts nearly every comparably equipped rival, Edmunds rates it 7.0/10, and its own range test returned 356 miles — well beyond the 319-mile EPA rating. The trade-offs are no Apple CarPlay, leisurely acceleration, and modest 1,500-lb towing.

Does the Chevrolet Equinox EV have Apple CarPlay?

No. The Equinox EV runs on Google built-in with native Google Maps and Assistant, but there's no Apple CarPlay support — a real drawback for iPhone-loyal buyers considering it over rivals.

How much range does the Chevrolet Equinox EV really get?

More than its EPA rating suggests. It's rated at 319 miles, but Edmunds' own real-world range test returned 356 miles at an efficient 28.9 kWh per 100 miles for the front-wheel-drive model — one of the larger positive gaps between EPA and tested range in the class.

Chevrolet Equinox EV or Tesla Model Y?

The Equinox EV wins decisively on price, undercutting the Model Y by roughly $10,000 while offering more real-world range per dollar. The Model Y wins on charging speed via the Supercharger network and outright acceleration. Choose the Equinox EV if value and space are the priority; choose the Model Y if charging infrastructure and quickness matter more.