Yahoo Autos The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV Brings 250 Miles of Range for $30,000
The Equinox is a massively important vehicle for Chevy, falling behind only the Silverado in terms of outright sales. As General Motors moves most of its portfolio over to the electric Ultium platform, the automaker needs to retain the popularity of its core nameplates. Chevy's solution starts with the pricing model, as the automaker has just confirmed that the 2024 Equinox EV will start at around $30,000.
That $30,000 base price will get you the entry-level 1LT trim, which offers a manufacturer-estimated range of 250 miles. That’s a decent value in the current EV market, and it keeps the nameplate relatively in line with the internal-combustion Equinox.
Like the recently unveiled Chevy Blazer EV, the all-new electric Equinox is based on GM’s Ultium platform, with two different battery sizes for the Equinox EV. Chevy isn’t ready to give out specifics related to the battery capacities, though it did note at least one of the batteries is directly shared with the upcoming Blazer model. The larger battery option on the Blazer EV remains larger than any option for the Equinox EV, however. In order to fit the Ultium large battery packs, the Equinox EV has grown dimensions compared to its ICE counterpart. The entire vehicle is 7 inches longer than before, with 9 more inches of wheelbase to bring extra stability and ride comfort. The Equinox EV is also 3 inches wider than the gasoline variant but sits a single inch lower than before. These new proportions help the EV look more athletic, helped along by a tight front overhang. Unfortunately, that tapered snout means there isn't a frunk.
The Chevy Blazer EV will be available in 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, 2RS, and 3RS trim levels. Every model will come standard with a single electric drive unit powering the front wheels alone, providing an estimated 210 hp and 242 lb-ft of torque. A more potent eAWD system is available with 290 hp and 346 lb-ft torque. Don’t expect a high-performance SS variant to match the performance of the Blazer EV’s top trim, as chief engineer Doug Houlihan told Road & Track that packaging constraints will prevent that powertrain from leaping over to Equinox. More specifically, the larger rear drive unit found in the Lyriq and Blazer EV SS is incompatible with the current rear suspension layout utilized by Equinox EV.
A front-wheel-drive Equinox EV with the larger battery pack should provide 300 miles of range, while optioning the eAWD system drops that figure down to 280 miles. Every Equinox EV will be capable of 11.5 kW level 2 charging, which should replenish up to 34 miles of range per hour of charging. The loaded 3RS trim picks up 19.2 kW level 2 charging capabilities, bringing 51 miles of range per hour. DC fast charging capability is standard across the lineup, adding 70 miles of range in just 10 minutes at the plug. Customers will also have access to the Ultium Charge 360 network, GM’s new one-stop shop for your charging needs. The app has information on more than 110,000 publicly available chargers in the U.S. and Canada.
As far as the exterior design goes, Chevrolet has simplified the look of the Equinox EV while introducing some cues from its sports car lineup. The lighting elements are slimmed down and aggressive looking, joined by Chevy's slim lightbar. The longer and wider stance does give the EV more presence than its ICE counterpart, though it's still very much a traditional crossover shape. The two-tone roof option has been borrowed from the Blazer EV as well, though LT customers are limited to a white option on the Equinox EV. This brings almost a retro look, whereas the black roof on the RS models helps to cut down on the visual mass of the SUV.
Sit inside the Equinox EV and things really start to look different than the current model. Like most electric vehicles, the Blazer EV removes much of the “clutter” one might find in an interior in favor of some large screens. An 11-inch infotainment screen paired with an additional 11-inch instrument cluster comes as standard on 1LT models, while a larger 17.7-inch infotainment screen is available on higher trims. You’ll use these screens a lot, as GM has removed many of the hard controls from the interior of this EV. Super Cruise is also available on select trim levels, while adaptive cruise control is available for the 2LT trim and up. The interior design itself mirrors that of the Blazer EV, even borrowing the same air vent design inspired by the Camaro. Drop the rear seats and the Equinox EV can swallow 57 cubic feet worth of cargo.
Order books for the 2024 Equinox EV are slated to open during the fall of 2023. Customers won’t be able to order the entire lineup at that time, as the process will begin with a special variant of the 2RS trim. That said, GM has confirmed that the entire Equinox EV lineup will arrive within 12 months of that launch. Fans of the current gas-sipping Equinox need not worry, however, as that model will continue to exist for the time being. Whether or not the Equinox and Blazer EVs are able to carry on the success of those older nameplates will be a massive part of GM’s success during the EV transition.
You Might Also Like