General Motors is making a significant push into the electric vehicle market, and Chevrolet is leading the charge. With a growing lineup of electric crossovers and trucks, the latest addition is the highly anticipated Chevrolet Equinox EV. This isn’t just a standard Equinox retrofitted with an electric powertrain; it’s built from the ground up on a dedicated EV platform, offering substantial benefits in terms of interior space and design.
The 2025 model year brings a diverse range of trims for the Equinox EV, catering to various needs and budgets. Crucially, Chevrolet is aiming to make EVs accessible to a wider audience, with certain configurations potentially coming in under $30,000 after factoring in federal tax credits. This affordability doesn’t compromise on key EV attributes, as the Equinox EV promises impressive range and satisfying performance.
In a nutshell: GM is committed to the EV market across all segments, and the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV stands out as an affordable entry point without sacrificing essential EV qualities like range and features. Even the base models, after tax credits, are positioned to be incredibly competitive.
Image: Front three-quarter view of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV, showcasing its modern design and crossover stance.
Diving Deep into the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV: A Comprehensive Review
Image: Close-up detail of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV’s front grille, highlighting the modern light bar and aerodynamic design.
The Chevrolet Equinox, a well-known nameplate since its debut in 2004, is now entering the electric era with the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV. This all-electric compact crossover aims to capture the attention of EV buyers with its stylish aesthetics and spacious cabin. Available in multiple trim levels and with both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, the Equinox EV offers a compelling range of up to 319 miles on a single charge, making it a practical choice for daily driving and longer journeys.
One of the most attractive aspects of the 2025 Equinox EV is its potential affordability. With federal tax credits, the entry-level 1LT FWD model could become accessible for just over $27,000, excluding destination charges. Furthermore, the Equinox EV boasts a respectable charging speed, capable of adding around 70 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes at compatible public fast-charging stations. This blend of affordability, range, and charging convenience positions the Equinox EV as a strong contender in the competitive EV crossover market.
Design and Interior Space
Image: Rear three-quarter view of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV parked by a lake, emphasizing its modern rear design and available two-tone paint.
Chevrolet’s design team has successfully evolved the familiar Equinox styling for the EV variant, giving it a more streamlined and aerodynamic profile. The EV grille is completely sealed, a characteristic feature of electric vehicles, and is accentuated by a distinctive light bar that spans the width of the front fascia, just below the hood line.
The side profile reveals a robust C-pillar, a departure from the traditional gas-powered Equinox’s rear quarter window. For buyers seeking a more personalized appearance, the Equinox EV offers a two-tone paint scheme, with a white roof option on LT trims and a black roof on the sporty RS trim.
Unlike some EVs that are conversions of existing gasoline models, the Equinox EV rides on a dedicated “skateboard” EV platform. This design choice maximizes space utilization, pushing the wheels to the corners and eliminating the central transmission tunnel. The result is a class-leading passenger cabin and a practical cargo area with a flat floor, enhancing comfort for rear-seat passengers, especially in the middle position. The interior design is modern and tech-forward, creating a premium feel.
Image: Open rear cargo area of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV, demonstrating its flat load floor and practical storage capacity.
The cabin features a digital instrument cluster and, depending on the trim and selected options, a large 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Integrated navigation, along with available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (depending on trim level), further enhance the technological features of the Equinox EV.
Performance and Drivetrain Options
Image: A visual representation of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV’s electric powertrain, illustrating the single and dual motor configurations.
While the larger Chevrolet Blazer EV offers a complex array of drivetrain choices, the 2025 Equinox EV simplifies things with a choice between front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations.
The single-motor FWD Equinox EV models achieve an EPA-estimated range of up to 319 miles, making them ideal for range-conscious buyers. The dual-motor AWD versions offer a still-respectable 285-mile range. Even with slightly reduced range, the AWD models remain competitive compared to other electric vehicles in their class.
The base single-motor configuration delivers a capable 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, a significant improvement over the gasoline-powered Equinox’s 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft from its 1.5L turbocharged engine. Upgrading to the eAWD system boosts output to an impressive 290 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. This enhanced power enables the twin-motor Equinox EV to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 seconds, offering brisk performance.
For drivers prioritizing performance, the Chevrolet EV lineup also includes the Blazer EV SS, a high-performance variant boasting 557 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of under 4 seconds. However, for a balance of practicality and performance at a more accessible price point, the Equinox EV hits a sweet spot.
Image: Illustration of the dedicated EV platform underpinning the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV, highlighting its structural advantages.
Driving Dynamics and Regen Braking
The 2025 Equinox EV is designed to feel familiar and approachable, even for drivers new to electric vehicles. The driving experience closely mirrors that of a traditional gasoline-powered crossover, making the transition to electric seamless.
While there’s a learning curve to mastering the EV-specific controls, such as regenerative braking settings, the overall driving experience is intuitive. The Equinox EV offers smooth and linear acceleration, typical of electric vehicles, and operates with significantly reduced noise compared to its gasoline counterpart. The steering feel is comparable to the conventional Equinox, providing adequate road feedback.
A key advantage of the Equinox EV’s design is its low center of gravity, thanks to the battery pack positioned beneath the floor. This contributes to surprisingly agile handling, especially in cornering, as experienced during test drives on diverse terrains.
The adjustable regenerative braking system is a notable feature, allowing drivers to customize their driving experience and enhance energy recuperation. The “One-Pedal Driving” mode, enabled through the regenerative braking settings, allows for acceleration and deceleration using only the accelerator pedal. This feature, particularly useful in stop-and-go traffic, maximizes energy efficiency and minimizes brake pedal usage. Drivers can select between different regen levels, tailoring the system to their driving preferences and conditions.
Image: Front three-quarter view of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV in motion, showcasing its road presence and crossover proportions.
Super Cruise and Technology Considerations
One potential drawback for some users is the absence of native Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV. GM is pushing its proprietary infotainment system, aiming for users to adopt its integrated connectivity solutions. While the GM system offers phone integration and app functionalities, including streaming audio, some buyers may miss the familiarity and seamlessness of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is a trade-off potential buyers should consider.
On the positive side, select trims of the Equinox EV offer GM’s acclaimed Super Cruise hands-free driving technology. Consistently ranked highly by independent reviewers like Consumer Reports, Super Cruise is considered a leading hands-free system, often outperforming Tesla’s Autopilot in evaluations. It allows for hands-free driving on designated roadways, enhancing convenience and reducing driver fatigue on long journeys. GM is expanding the Super Cruise network to approximately 700,000 miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada, including both highways and select two-lane roads, further increasing its utility.
Image: Interior view of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV’s dashboard, highlighting the digital instrument cluster and large infotainment screen.
Final Verdict: Is the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV a Game Changer?
The electric vehicle market has experienced substantial growth, and projections indicate continued strong demand. For those considering making the switch to electric, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV presents a compelling option.
While perhaps not a complete “game-changer” as some might claim, the Equinox EV is undoubtedly one of the most compelling electric crossovers available in its segment. It combines an attractive design, a spacious and well-equipped interior, solid performance, practical range, and a suite of useful features and technologies. The exclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto might be a point of contention for some, but the overall package is strong.
Image: Rear three-quarter view of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV, emphasizing its stylish taillights and overall design.
Crucially, the price point of the 2025 Equinox EV is particularly noteworthy. In a market where the average EV price hovers around $55,000, the base Equinox EV, after potential tax credits, comes in at roughly half that price. This affordability, coupled with its inherent EV benefits, makes the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV a vehicle that deserves serious consideration for anyone in the market for a compact electric crossover.
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