The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV marks a bold step forward in General Motors’s electrification strategy, offering a compact SUV that blends everyday practicality with the latest technology. Like most brands, the aim is to provide an accessible entry point into the world of electric vehicles, the Equinox EV combines a sleek, modern design with a range of features aimed at comfort, efficiency and practicality. With promises of competitive pricing and a decent electric range, Chevrolet positions the Equinox EV as an appealing choice for small families and urban adventurers. The big question is, does it deliver on its potential to redefine the compact SUV segment?
Even though the Equinox nameplate is not new, the Equinox EV is a completely new electric platform with a futuristic and aerodynamic front fascia, which sets it apart from its gasoline-powered counterpart. Its grille-less design is not uncommon for electric vehicles, contributing to the vehicle’s improved aerodynamics. The slim LED headlights seamlessly integrate into a horizontal light bar, creating a cohesive and contemporary look. The front fascia and one-piece headlight design look futuristic, enhance visibility, and reinforce high-tech personality.
From the side, the Equinox EV strikes a balanced, almost understated silhouette. There is nothing outrageous unlike some EVs, but there is a certain sense of quiet confidence. The roofline gently slopes towards the rear, lending a hint of sportiness without compromising interior headroom. It sits on a large 19″ black rims that contribute to overall sporty looks. The flush door handles are cool to look at until you start using it in winter, especially during freezing rain.
At the rear, it feels a little bit more adventurous, though not revolutionary by any means. The full-width LED taillight is the star of the show and adds a lot of futuristic vibes. There is some black plastic cladding that tries to suggest ruggedness, but mostly just highlights how this is an SUV that will likely see more grocery stores than gravel roads. Overall, you won’t find any wild curves or aggressive angles, offering a nice balance of practicality and simplicity with modern design features.
The interior of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV is a masterclass in functionality that tries, at times, to pass itself off as futuristic. The dashboard design is dominated by a massive, tablet-like infotainment screen that sweeps toward the driver, paired with a fully digital gauge cluster. The interior design is clean, modern and well laid out with the right amount of physical controls on the dashboard. If I have to be frank, it’s more cost-effective tech than a luxury spaceship. The materials are a mixed bag, there are plenty of soft-touch plastics where it counts, but some of the harder plastics in less obvious sports remind you this is still a budget-oriented EV.
Speaking of the infotainment screen – it is the standout interior feature, which is also used in more expensive Chevrolet models. It comes with a whopping 17-inch touchscreen with great graphics, intuitive layout, and snappy responsiveness. It uses GoogleOS software system, a move that feels both modern and inevitable. It offers a seamless integration with Google Maps but lacks smartphone integration like the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the positive side, you can also move Google Maps to the digital gauge cluster, a feature we used to see in luxury entries a few years ago.
The space inside the Equinox EV is well-utilized, thanks to its flat floor and clever packaging of the battery. Front passengers get plenty of room to stretch out, and visibility is excellent, with a high seating position and large windows. The rear seats are similarly accommodating, offering enough legroom for full-grown adults without much complaint, though taller passengers might grumble about the sloping roofline brushing against their hair. It has a decent amount of cargo space but unfortunately doesn’t have a front storage compartment, which is a big missed opportunity when it comes to practicality compared to other entries like the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV offers a range of drivetrain configurations, catering to a broader spectrum of buyers. First and foremost, it’s built on the GM’s Ultium platform, a modular architecture that underpins the company’s electric vehicle lineup, which gives the Equinox EV solid bones. The Equinox EV offers both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options for all trims, which also affects the total range you can get as both versions use the same 85 kWh battery pack.
Even though it shares the same platform with much more expensive Ultium platform models in General Motor’s model lineup, the Equinox EV maxes out at 150kW charging capacity compared to 190kW. The charging time is still good, the Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) batteries can be charged with DC fast charging, adding roughly 70 miles (110 kilometres) of range in 10 minutes. On a Level 2 home charger, you are looking at a full charge in about 8 hours, making overnight charging practical for an average user.
Our tester is the front-wheel-drive version, which features a single electric motor delivering around 210 horsepower. It feels an adequate amount of power for daily tasks, but if you are looking for more oomph, the all-wheel-drive version spices things up with dual motors, producing a combined 290 horsepower, giving it a more spirited performance. Regardless of your version, the Equinox EV is not a performance EV and won’t blow anyone away, as it is about making electric mobility a more affordable and mainstream choice.
Just like the horsepower figures, the driving experience is also totally adequate for an average driver but can be a little underwhelming depending on your expectations. The power delivery is very smooth, in fact, a little too smooth for an EV. It doesn’t give you an immediate torque feeling, the accelerator pedal mapping is too conservative even in sport driving mode. The electric motor offers just an adequate amount of torque for lower speeds and city driving, but it feels a little bit underwhelming at high-speed on-ramp lane merges due to the excessive weight of the vehicle, that’s when you feel it should have a little bit more horsepower.
The Equinox EV keeps its composure on tight turns thanks to its battery pack placed at the bottom, offering a balanced and confidence-inspiring driving experience. The steering feeling isn’t great, but it is responsive. The suspension tune is slightly on the firmer side, but that’s understandable for a car that weighs almost 5000 lbs. The car can hide its weight quite well on turns. However, it cannot hide the fact that it’s front-wheel drive, there is a lot of torque steer at the limit. The traction control does its best to hide, but it’s still noticeable at the limit.
The front wheel drive version is a practical choice for warmer climates, offering simplicity and efficiency. It also offers over 500 kilometres of range, which is significantly better than the all-wheel-drive version. However, the AWD model proves invaluable in inclement weather. During our testing, the FWD variant struggled with traction on snowy roads, even with winter tires. That said, the Equinox EV’s traction and stability control systems perform seamlessly, managing wheel slip efficiently without abrupt power cuts, ensuring a smoother and more controlled driving experience.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV does exactly what it is designed to do: deliver a practical, approachable electric compact SUV for the masses. You won’t find fancy EV perks here, there is no jaw-dropping performance, or breaking new grounds in design – but it nails the fundamentals average buyers are looking for. It offers a solid range, good tech, and everyday usability in a practical body layout with a reasonable price tag. It’s one of the few no-nonsense EVs that gets the job done.
Engine | Permanent-magnet, synchronous AC |
Battery Pack | 85-kWh lithium-ion |
Transmission | Direct-drive |
Max power | 213 hp |
Max torque | 236 lb-ft |
0-100 km/h | 8.0 sec |
Curb Weight | 4923 lbs – 1995 kg |
Range (observed) | 270 mi – 435 km |
Price (As tested – CAD) | $48,333 CAD |
Website | www.chevrolet.ca |
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