Chevrolet was an early leader in electric vehicles, introducing its first EV, the Bolt EV, in 2017. As such, the number of models produced with its Ultium battery technology has grown significantly over the years. But what about the drivers who aren’t quite ready to go electric? Of all the electrified vehicles on the market today, the Chevy Equinox EV has been a leader in ushering in new EV drivers; in fact, those looking for a Chevy Equinox for sale often find themselves preferring the electric version.
Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet, has confirmed this phenomenon. “The Equinox EV is an EV for everyone. It’s an affordable game-changer, offering an uncompromising experience, with more features, that won’t change your daily routine—except that you will no longer have to stop at the gas station.” And as Chevy experts, we tend to agree. Check out what makes the Equinox EV a pretty fantastic place to start for electrified driving.
Chevy Equinox EV Features
Like all Chevy vehicles, the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV is built with a focus on the things that American drivers appreciate most: a solid value for the money, plenty of space, and reliable driving manners. The 2024 Equinox EV provides all of these, along with sleek style and peace of mind.
Upon first glance, there are only subtle cues to let you know that this is an electrified vehicle. Standing upon standard 19-inch wheels, this five-seat SUV offers ample room for passengers and cargo alike. With the rear seats folded, the Equinox EV provides up to 57.2 cubic feet of cargo space. If you plan to have more passengers than equipment, the second-row passengers will be very happy with the 55.45 inches of shoulder room and 50.7 inches of hip room provided with the seats in an upright position.
The Chevy Safety Assist suite of driver assistance technology is on board every 2024 Equinox EV, including standard Forward Collision Alert, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, IntelliBeam automatic high beams, and more. These systems work together to help avoid many common types of accidents, and the vehicle is designed to protect the occupants if an accident does occur.
2024 Chevy Equinox EV Trims
The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV is offered in four trims: the 2LT, 2RS, 3LT, and 3RS. A 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard across the lineup, along with Google Built-in, an 11-inch driver information center, an eight-way power-adjustable heated driver seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated outside mirrors. An AutoSense power liftgate, Adaptive Cruise Control, and HD Surround Vision are also standard. As with other Chevy models, the Equinox EV RS trims are sportier, with flat-bottom steering wheels and a black-and-red Evotex interior. The 2RS trim also gains 21-inch aluminum wheels to help distinguish it from its less-sporty siblings.
Stepping up another level adds plenty of comfort and convenience features. The 3LT adds a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The 3RS trim includes many of the same features as the 3LT, with a few notable sporty differences. Beyond the red interior accents, the 3RS trim includes 21-inch black-painted aluminum wheels and black roof-mounted side rails.
The Electric Part
So far, you might be thinking that the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV sounds like just another well-equipped daily-driver SUV. You would be correct. Inside and out, the Equinox EV functions like pretty much every other car you’ve driven in the past 20 years. So what about the electric part?
We absolutely understand why anyone might be hesitant to make the jump to an electric vehicle for the first time. This new technology has been introduced very quickly, and many drivers are still unfamiliar with it. However, it is important for shoppers to understand that driving an electric car is very much the same as any other vehicle. You drive your car, and when it needs fuel to keep going, you stop and fill it up. The main difference is the type of fuel and where you fill it up.
All 2024 Equinox EVs include standard 11.5 kW Level 2 AC charging. Those words and letters may mean nothing to you at this moment, but for a new EV driver, this means you’ll be able to plug in your car at home. Chevy estimates that this process can provide up to 34 miles of range per hour of charging. If you keep it plugged in while you sleep, as you might do with a cell phone or laptop, you will wake up with a full battery and enough charge to get you through the day.
You can also access on-the-go charging with DC Fast Charge stations. Much like stopping at a gas station for a top-off, DC Fast Charge stations quickly get you on the road again, providing an estimated 70 miles of driving range in just 10 minutes. Bidirectional Charging—which lets you use your Chevy EV to power your home—is also available as part of the Chevy Equinox EV experience. Additional equipment is needed for these options, but GM Energy equipment is a great place to get started, and we can help with that.
Power and Performance
The next question many drivers have is whether EVs have the power and performance they’ve come to expect from a gasoline-powered vehicle. This is fair since no one likes driving a slow, sluggish car. Thankfully, this is not a problem for the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV. Offered in both single-motor front-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations across the lineup, the Equinox EV provides plenty of pep. Front-wheel drive models come with 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque (which is already more than the gas-powered Equinox), while all-wheel drive models take things up a notch with 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque.
Of course, just as all-wheel drive gasoline-powered vehicles tend to use more fuel than two-wheel-drive models, all-wheel drive EVs have a slightly lower range. According to EPA estimates, the front-wheel drive 2024 Equinox EV can travel 319 miles on a full charge, while the all-wheel drive versions can make it 285 miles on a full charge. For comparison, the trip from our dealership to Boston is less than 150 miles.
New EV drivers frequently have concerns about running out of charge while they’re driving. However, Chevy makes it easy to see how much charge you have remaining and where you can go to recharge. The MyChevrolet app includes loads of information for drivers, including providing navigation that maximizes your current charge and the location of public charging stations across the country.
Going Electric in the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV
For many shoppers, the resistance to electric vehicles is caused by a fear of the unknown. This is rational—driving, commuting, and having the freedom to travel are important to all of us, and no one wants complications in the process. The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV is designed with all of the elements we’ve come to expect in a great car: fantastic style, plenty of power, and a spacious interior that offers drivers and passengers a ride they can enjoy. Though the electric components may be new to many drivers, this is still a Chevy Equinox at heart, which makes it a great vehicle for those taking their first step into EV living and driving.