The Equinox EV Is a Great Value, Even in Base Form

You have probably noticed that manufacturers tend to provide journalists with top trim-level models to review, which feature all the bells and whistles. There is a legitimate reason for this—they want journalists to inform people about all the special features they have made available for the model, and journalists can’t readily discuss what they haven’t experienced. Simply, it’s easier to write favorably about well-equipped vehicles. However, Chevrolet zagged rather than zigged when it gave The Drive editor Adam Ismail a base-level Equinox EV to review. Twin Falls Chevrolet explains how this worked out. 

Chevrolet didn’t make a mistake in offering the base model. It was proud of what it had put into the model represented by the “starting MSRP” and wanted to show its value. Indeed, with said starting MSRP at just $34,995, the Equinox is one of the lowest-priced EVs on sale. Assuming the $7,500 FTC sticks around, it means you can get a decently sized Chevrolet crossover running on electrons for under $30K. 

Like the (otherwise entirely different) gas-powered Equinox, the Equinox EV is a compact crossover, part of the most popular vehicle category in the U.S. It is suitable for carrying five passengers and a decent amount of cargo. However, because electric motors are quite small and there is no transmission, this leaves ample room for the interior. Ismail points out the EV packaging advantages by stating that compared to the gas-powered Equinox, the EV “…feels like driving a living room by comparison.”  

The base Equinox is an LT model with a single motor driving the front wheels. The motor produces 220 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. You won’t want to drag race Corvettes, but this provides ample power for the compact crossover category. With all 243 lb-ft available at any moment, it can feel quite lively in city driving. With an 85-kWh battery, the model is estimated to have 319 miles of range.  

Its appearance reflects the driving experience. It doesn’t have the overt aggressiveness or Camaro design cues of the Blazer EV, but it features a clean, efficient design that carries out tasks effectively. 

The interior is tech-forward, featuring a 17.7-inch center screen and an 11.0-inch driver’s digital display, even on the base model. Ismail mentioned the absence of Apple CarPlay (and also Android Auto), which GM has chosen not to include in its EV models. The navigation screen is similarly icon-based. However, when reviewing multiple vehicles where your smartphone-based interface for music, phone, and navigation remains consistent, using a different system will require a learning curve. This was his biggest complaint about the model. As for the rest of the cabin, Ismail found the base model’s cabin materials perfectly fine, described the cloth seats as “excellent,” and was even happy with the base audio system. 

In summary, The Drive’s editor could find no real “catch” with this $35K vehicle. It is spacious, good looking, has all the power needed for its mission, and sports an interior that doesn’t communicate “cheap” at all. In other words, it’s a great value. If this is something you are looking for in your first (or not) EV, then you owe it to yourself to visit Twin Falls Chevrolet and test drive the spectacularly competent Equinox EV.