Is the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV a Good Electric SUV? 5 Pros, 3 Cons

The Chevrolet Equinox EV launched for the 2024 model year, arriving as the most mainstream electric vehicle yet from the bowtie brand. A completely different vehicle than the gas-powered sibling bearing the same name, the Equinox EV is an attractive and nicely equipped compact SUV that’s competitively priced and designed to appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Related: 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Review: The Apple-Pie Electric Vehicle

The Equinox EV is a solid alternative to a growing field of competitors that includes the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Tesla Model Y. It offers decent range and quick charging times, and it’s available with either front- or all-wheel drive, as well as GM’s impressive Super Cruise system for semi-autonomous hands-free driving. Changes for the 2025 model year include a modest power boost and a streamlined lineup of just two trims.

Cars.com Senior Research Editor Damon Bell attended a Detroit-area media event to see how the new Equinox EV stacks up, and he came away largely impressed. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its own travel and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.) Tap the link above to read his expert review; for a quicker look, here are five things we like about the Equinox EV and three things we do not.

Things We Like

1. Friendly Pricing

A base Equinox EV LT with FWD can be had for a very competitive $34,995 (prices include destination). Better still, that price remains unchanged for 2025 in spite of a slight power boost for all variants. The more nicely equipped RS starts at around $45,000.

2. Smooth Cruiser

The FWD Equinox EV we tested has 213 horsepower and 236 pounds-feet of torque, which we found to be more than adequate for around-town driving and smooth merging; it has a manufacturer claimed 0-60 mph acceleration time of around eight seconds. Those 2024 models with AWD have 288 horsepower and 333 pounds-feet of torque. With nicely balanced handling and responsive steering offering decent feedback, the Equinox EV feels composed and predictable, and it handles well in everyday driving despite its large and heavy battery.

3. Brake Paddle

Many EVs offer several levels of regenerative braking to help recharge the battery while using the electric motor to slow the car. With the Equinox EV, Chevrolet takes the concept a step further with a handy steering-wheel-mounted paddle that progressively increases the amount of regeneration as the driver applies more pressure to the paddle. (The regen can also be turned off completely if conventional braking is preferred.)

4. Long Range

With its 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the 2024 and 2025 Equinox EVs have an EPA-estimated driving range of 319 miles with FWD and 285 miles with AWD; both estimates are competitive with rivals costing considerably more. According to Chevrolet, DC fast-charging capability of up to 150 kilowatts can add around 77 miles of range in just 10 minutes, while a typical home Level 2 charging station can add 36 miles of range per hour.

5. Passenger-Friendly

The cabin has sufficient room to accommodate average-size adults front and rear, and a flat floor gives those in back a little more wiggle room. Unlike in some EVs, the Equinox EV’s controls are generally simple to use, too. An 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen are standard with all trims; both have sharp graphics and simple menus.

More From Cars.com:

• Living Without Apple CarPlay in the Chevrolet Equinox EV
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• 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV: More Power and Available Features, Same Base Price
• What’s Bidirectional Charging and Which EVs Offer It?
• Research the Chevrolet Equinox EV

Things We Don’t Like

1. No Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Chevrolet gets kudos for giving the budget-friendly Equinox EV the same digital displays used in more upmarket models, but the lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with its Google Built-In operating system is likely to be a big disappointment for some potential buyers. Other less appealing tech developments include the lack of a physical headlight switch and a stop-start button — the Equinox EV simply turns on as soon as the driver’s seat is occupied.

2. Storage Shortcomings

The Equinox EV’s cargo volume isn’t as generous as the typical gas-powered compact SUV’s. It has 57.2 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seatbacks folded, according to Chevrolet, which is competitive for the compact electric SUV category but slightly less than the Ioniq 5’s or Nissan Ariya’s factory measurements. Unlike some EV competitors, the Equinox EV also does not have a front trunk (or “frunk”) under its hood.

3. Taut Ride

Even with the standard 19-inch wheels and tires, the ride quality in our test vehicle was on the firm side over bumps and rough surfaces. The available 21-inch wheels will likely make the ride too stiff for many consumers.

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