Chevrolet Equinox EV now heading to dealers in 2024 [Update]

  • Release date pushed to 2024 on the back of software strategy optimization
  • Unlike Kona & Niro EVs, the Equinox EV is not a 'conversion' of a gas-powered SUV
  • Comes with optional AWD, 17.7-inch display, Adaptive Cruise Control & Super Cruise
  • Does 250-300 miles range depending on the variant; 70 miles in 10 min of DC charging

Update: ‘Release Date & Price’ section updated.

After sharing a preview of the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV as part of its CES 2022 EV blitz in January 2022, General Motors revealed the pure-electric compact SUV on September 8, 2022. The all-new Equinox EV slots between the Bolt EUV and Blazer EV in the gold bowtie’s electric SUV line-up, and will begin reaching dealers next year.

Here’s all the information we have on the all-electric Equinox:

Design

The Chevy Equinox EV looks smaller compared to the Equinox gas model. It appears to be closer to the Trailblazer size-wise, and the longer wheelbase is clearly visible. GM designers have created the SUV from the scratch. It’s a completely different silhouette, and the lack of the wraparound back glass and short overhangs instantly sets it apart from the combustion model.

At the front, the Equinox EV features a curvy hood, a full-width LED DRL strip with animations, a closed nose section with a black surround featuring C-shaped outer ends and horizontal main lights, and a compact lower grille. On the sides, the Equinox EV has normal 19- to 21-inch wheels and flush door handles, although we’re not sure whether the latter is a production-intent feature. Thick C-pillars and a strong shoulder area are also among the noteworthy design details here.

At the rear, the Equinox EV flaunts a steeply-raked windscreen, a concave lower tailgate with a hexagonal surface, a hexagonal registration plate area, and wide combination lamps that meet the brand logo with a slim extension and feature animation. Overall, the Equinox EV looks dynamic despite the smaller dimensions. Plus, there’s an RS variant for customers who want a sportier expression. The red example in the images in this story is the Chevrolet Equinox EV RS (Equinox E RS).

Colors

  • Summit White
  • Black
  • Iridescent Pearl Tricoat*
  • Sterling Gray Metallic
  • Radiant Red Metallic*
  • Red Hot
  • Galaxy Gray Metallic
  • Riptide Blue Metallic Summit White (dual-tone)*

*Costs extra

Interior

The Chevrolet Equinox EV interior is defined by a chunky dashboard, a clubbed fully digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment system housed in a horizontal panel that has a floating effect, and a rather compact center console. These electronics run on GM’s new Ultifi software platform that allows OTA upgrades, transferring settings between similarly equipped vehicles from Chevrolet and other GM brands, and cloud connectivity.

GM designers have refrained from using buttons wherever possible for a clean and minimalist interior. The EV does have physical controls for basic functions like adjusting temperature and airflow, which some customers find practical. The round AC vents on the flanks add to the EV’s sporty character, and the quadrilateral air conditioning vents above the climate control panel look neat. There are several charging ports in the cabin. We can already spot two USB Type-C ports in the front center console and two USB Type-C ports below the rear air vents.

The top-end variant will get dual-zone automatic climate control. The Equinox EV has a hands-free start system, so the driver needs to just enter it with the key fob and tap the brake to start it. The headlight controls aren’t located in a steering stalk or in a control panel on the left next to the steering wheel. GM has integrated them into the touchscreen of the infotainment system. However, at least the pass function is present on one of the steering stalks (the left-side unit).

Storage

There’s ample storage area in the center console, thanks to the omission of a gear shifter stalk. In the center console, there’s space for two bottles, a wireless smartphone charger, and extra storage space under the armrest. The 2024 Equinox EV has 57.2 cu. ft. of cargo space and features an innovative dual-height cargo floor. GM hasn’t revealed how much of the cargo volume is available when the rear seats are up.

ADAS

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV will pack many safety features and advanced driver assistance systems as standard:

  • Chevy Safety Assist
    • Automatic Emergency Braking
    • Following Distance Indicator
    • Forward Collision Alert
    • Front Pedestrian Braking
    • Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
    • IntelliBeam automatic high beams
  • Rear Park Assist
  • Reverse Automatic Braking
  • Safety Alert Seat
  • Rear Cross Traffic Braking
  • Blind Zone Assist

Adaptive Cruise Control, HD Surround Vision (360-degree camera), head-up display, and rear camera mirror will be optional. Also available will be Super Cruise, which enables semi-autonomous driving on more than 400,000 miles of compatible roads across the U.S. and Canada. A green light bar appears on the steering wheel when Super Cruise is in use.

Variants & Features

The Chevrolet Equinox EV will be available in LT and RS styles, with the former including 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT trims and the latter in 2RS and 3RS trims. The trim line-up will be in the following order:

Equinox EV 1LT

The Equinox EV 1LT will include 19-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 11-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Equinox EV 2LT

The Equinox EV 2LT will bring upgrades like front LED light bar, heated ORVMs, roof rails, 8-way power adjustable, heated driver seat, heated front passenger seat, and heated steering wheel.

A presence-based liftgate that can open automatically on sensing the key fob near the vehicle’s rear will be optional on the 2LT trim. Blue/White (roof) two-tone exterior, light blue interior accents, 17.7-inch central display, sunroof, Adaptive Cruise Control, HD Surround Vision, and Super Cruise will also be available.

Equinox EV 2RS

The Equinox EV 2RS will flaunt the exclusive styling of the RS variant plus equipment upgrades over the 2LT trim of the LT variant. 20-inch wheels, a heated front passenger seat, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel will be the only equipment upgrades, though.

Black roof, presence-based liftgate, sunroof, Black with Red Accents interior/Adrenaline Red interior, 17.7-inch central display, Adaptive Cruise Control, and HD Surround Vision will be optional.

Equinox EV 3LT

21-inch alloy wheels, heated wiper park, presence-based liftgate, 6-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat, heating for the rear outboard seats, ventilation for the front seats and rear outboard seats, dual-zone climate control, 17.7-inch central display, Adaptive Cruise Control, and HD Surround Vision will be the key standard features of the Equinox 3LT.

As an option, customers will be able to add a sunroof, Bose audio system, head-up display and full-display camera mirror (with rear washer) or head-up display and rear camera mirror, Super Cruise, and Black with Blue Accents interior/Sky Cool Gray interior.

Equinox EV 3RS

The Equinox EV 3RS will have only two changes from the Equinox EV 3LT with regard to standard equipment – 21-inch black alloy wheels and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel.

Sunroof, Bose audio system, Super Cruise, Black with Red Accents interior/Adrenaline Red interior, head-up display with rear camera mirror (with rear washer), and a 19.2 kW Level 2 (AC) charging module will be optional.

Specifications

2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV charging port
A 19.2 kW Level 2 (AC) onboard charger will be available in the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV. Image Source: GM

Platform

The Chevrolet Equinox EV is based on GM’s new BEV3 platform which has key advantages over the BEV2 platform that the Bolt EUV is based on. The BEV3 is easily adaptable to FWD, RWD, and eAWD drivetrains, whereas the BEV2 only supports an FWD layout. The Equinox EV can pack more power as the new platform supports a dual-motor and eAWD combination.

Range & Output

The Equinox EV will be available in FWD and AWD configurations and deliver a GM-est. range of up to 300 miles. The FWD configurations have a single motor that produces GM-est. 210 hp and 242 lb.-ft. of torque. The eAWD configurations sport two motors that generate 290 hp and 346 lb.-ft. of torque. One-pedal driving is standard, and it can bring the EV to a full stop. An available trailering package will give the Equinox EV a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs.

Charging

An 11.5 kW Level 2 (AC) onboard charger will be standard, and a 19.2 kW Level 2 (AC) onboard charger will be available. The former can add up to 34 miles of GM-est. range in one hour, while the latter can add up to 51 miles of GM-est. range in the same duration. As standard, the Equinox EV supports DC fast-charging at up to 150 kW, which is enough to add approximately 70 miles of GM-est. range in 10 minutes.

The following configuration line-up that GM has revealed has indicated that two battery pack options will be available in the Equinox EV – standard range and extended range (long range):

Equinox EV TrimDrive SystemGM-Est. Range
1LTFWD (standard)250 miles
1LTFWD (available)300 miles
1LTeAWD (available)280 miles
2LT & 3LTFWD (standard)300 miles
2LT & 3LTeAWD (available)280 miles
2RS & 3RSFWD (standard)300 miles
2RS & 3RSeAWD (available)280 miles
GM-est. range figures of the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV configurations (Source: GM)

Release Date & Price

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV will originally to go on sale in the U.S. in fall 2023. However, in its Q3 2023 earnings call, Mary Barra, Chairman & CEO of GM, confirmed that the launch would be moved out “by only a few months” for GM to optimize the software strategy, as well as the product’s quality and customer experience.

At launch, only limited-edition 2RS trim will be available. GM has listed the new electric SUV on chevrolet.com, where prospective customers can explore it and sign up for its launch updates.

The prices of the Chevrolet Equinox EV will start at USD 30,000, but that will be only when the 1LT trim becomes available. An 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty for the battery pack will be standard. This will be in addition to the standard vehicle warranty. The company will offer the electric compact SUV to fleet customers as well. The Equinox EV will compete with VW ID.4, Kia Niro EV, and Hyundai Kona Electric.

Dealers

While GM sets the course to become America’s leading EV brand, dealers are gearing up enthusiastically for the transition, suggests a report from Automotive News. The majority of the 30 EVs the company plans to have on sale globally by 2025 should be available in the U.S market. Keith McCluskey, Chevrolet National Dealer Council’s dealer chairman, says that dealers want GM’s EVs to surpass Tesla sales. The Electric Chevy Equinox will be a major contributor, as per McCluskey, but we feel it won’t be nearly as popular as the Silverado EV and Sierra EV, though, which could sell in the hundreds of thousands from the very first year.

Equinox EV in Canada

The Chevrolet Equinox EV Canada launch plan is similar to the United States. The launch will take place in fall 2023, and prices (excl. incentives) will start at CAD 35,000 (CAD 37,250 in Quebec). GM will offer its VW ID.4 rival in the same variants and trims as the U.S.

Equinox EV TrimRelease Date
1LTSpring 2024
2LTSpring 2024
3LTSpring 2024
2RSFall 2023
3RSSpring 2024
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV launch schedule for Canada (Source: GM)

Production

GM will manufacture the Chevrolet Equinox EV alongside the Blazer EV at its Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, plant. The company halted production there for six weeks in early 2022 to streamline processes for future EV production, reported local Mexican new outlet Zocalo on March 24, 2022. GM Mexico stated that new equipment, including robots, would arrive during the production break, and engineers would work on converting existing systems for future EV products.

Spotted testing

A development prototype of the all-new Equinox EV was spied conducting real-world trials in cold-weather conditions, GM Authority reported on February 6, 2023. The white test mule appears to be fitted with pre-production bumpers with cautionary high-visibility stickers on the side & rear corners. The prototype’s five-spoke alloy wheels and flush door handles instantly stand out.

TopElectricSUV says

The Equinox EV has the potential to be the best-selling electric car in the United States. Its gas-powered rivals, such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue, are not expected to offer EV versions anytime soon. This hands GM a significant advantage starting this year. However, the full benefits of this may not be seen in sales and rankings until next year when the affordable variants are in good supply.

Chevrolet Equinox EV FAQs

What is the Chevrolet Equinox EV release date?

The Chevrolet Equinox EV is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in early 2024.

What will be the Chevrolet Equinox EV price?

The prices of the Chevrolet Equinox EV will start at USD 30,000, GM has confirmed.

Which models will be Electric Chevrolet Equinox rivals?

The Equinox EV will compete with compact SUVs like the 2023 VW ID.4, the Hyundai Kona EV, and the Kia Niro EV.

Featured Image Source: GM