Fast Facts | 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Review
🔋 Range: EPA-estimated 319 miles with FWD or 307 miles with AWD
🔌 Charging: CCS port with up to 150 kW DC fast charging and up to 77 miles in 10 minutes
⚡ Output: Up to 300 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque with AWD
🚘 Standout Feature: Available Super Cruise is the big differentiator for commuters
🖥️ Infotainment: Standard 17.7-inch central touchscreen
💰 Price Range: $36,795 to $49,195 including destination
Super Cruise Lifts the Equinox EV Above the Crowd
Sometimes I drive a vehicle that works so well I can’t wait to recommend it. Other times, a car has a few things I feel are worth flagging. The Chevrolet Equinox EV does both. I’d buy it for the Super Cruise, but the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a personal dealbreaker for me. If you're not deeply tied to your smartphone's ecosystem, though, you probably won't mind at all.
The Equinox EV is a compact crossover available in LT1, LT2, or RS trims with front- or all-wheel drive. With power going to the front wheels, you’ll get 220 horsepower, 243 pound-feet of torque, and an EPA-estimated 319 miles of range from the 85-kilowatt-hour battery. Tick the all-wheel drive option, and range drops to an EPA-estimated 307 miles, but power climbs to 300 ponies and 355 pound-feet of torque. At the end of the week in my all-wheel drive LT2, I averaged 2.9 miles/kWh of mostly highway driving with the heat cranked up.
Behind the Wheel
The Equinox EV isn't trying to be a sport SUV, and that's fine. If you want something with power and zest, the larger Blazer EV delivers up to 615 ponies. The Equinox EV can be a bit harsh over rough pavement — I hit the bump stops while going over a speed bump at 15 mph — but by and large, it gets the job done with no fuss. There are three levels of brake regeneration, from none at all to full one-pedal driving. I drove the whole time in the latter setting, pushing electrons back into the battery. Free range!
Super Cruise is what puts the Equinox EV a notch above the competition. It's a hands-free, eyes-on driver-assist system that works on compatible highways, and it's totally worth the $3,355 price tag. While you still have to pay attention, the car takes care of braking, acceleration, steering, and even lane changes. Sure, Tesla has Autopilot, but that's a hands-on system. Even though Tesla owners often brag about taking their hands off the wheel, that's not how the system was designed to be used.
I had a few long Los Angeles highway slogs during my time with the Equinox EV, and I Super Cruised on all of them. The system feels confident in higher speed situations and easily transitions to stop-and-go traffic. The lane-changing feature is a little slow, so I often took over when I needed to pass slower-moving cars. I also took over when the tech disengaged twice during a rainstorm. Still, after using Super Cruise, I arrived at my destination fresh and ready to go. If you have a heavy commute, Super Cruise is the reason to buy the Equinox EV.
The Google Assistant Situation
Chevrolet’s parent company, General Motors, nixed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in all its electric cars in favor of Google Assistant. The results are, let's say, a work in progress.
There are some things Chevy gets right. I like the 17.7-inch touchscreen that handles infotainment duties. It’s quick to respond and fairly well-organized. Google handles navigation duties, and it helpfully predicts your charge level upon arrival and at the end of a round trip, something you can't do if you use Google Maps within CarPlay. The Google Play Store was remarkably easy to sign into, and I quickly downloaded PlugShare, my preferred charging station locator. Other popular apps include Prime Video, YouTube, Waze, and Spotify.
If you want to move from editorial review mode into shopping mode, try the GreenCars Buyer’s Guide ➜
But texting is where things go a little sideways. WhatsApp isn't available, which can be an issue for anyone who texts with friends or family outside the U.S. Even regular messaging is a pain. In one case, Google asked if I wanted to reply to a group message. I said yes, and my reply only went to one person in the thread, leaving everyone else out of the loop. As good as Super Cruise is, this infotainment system is its equal and opposite. The Honda Prologue or the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has far better smartphone integration.
Charge it Anywhere
The Equinox EV uses a CCS port for DC fast charging at up to 150 kilowatts. Both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Tesla Model Y can accept electrons faster. You can also get an NACS adaptor so you can charge at a Tesla Supercharger station. Most Equinox EVs can charge at home at up to 11.5 kW, but the most I saw was 8.7 kW on my Level 2 charger. The top RS trim has a 19.2 kW on-board charger, but be sure your home charger can even provide that kind of juice before you buy.
Let’s Go Inside
The interior of the Equinox EV is very livable, with a two-tier center console, a deep bin between the seats, and a large wireless charging cubby. My tester had a black interior with a blue highlight that faded into the black on the doors. At night, this section lit up purple. It’s pretty cool and unexpected.
You’ll also find four USB-C ports scattered about the cabin, and heated front seats kick in at the LT2 level. However, either the heating element is lukewarm at best, or the driver’s seat was broken in my tester, as it never achieved my preferred level of hot cross buns. Add on the $3,100 Convenience Package II to get ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a rear-camera mirror, head-up display, dual-zone climate control, and a few other niceties.
Cargo space is pretty similar to the heavy competitors in the segment. Behind the rear seats is 26 cubic feet of space, expanding to 57 cubes when the rear seats are folded down. There are only two cargo tie downs, however, so be prepared to get creative if you need to keep cargo tidy.
Priced Pretty Right
A front-wheel drive LT1 will set you back $36,795, including $1,800 for delivery. A top-spec RS with all-wheel drive is $12,400 more expensive, and my mid LT2 with all-wheel drive, Super Cruise, and the Convenience package comes in at $50,250. A Tesla Model Y and Honda Prologue are more expensive all around. The bargain in the class is a base model Ioniq 5 with an EPA-estimated 245 miles of range for $36,600 MSRP.
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV is truly a gemini. On the one hand, Super Cruise makes it an excellent commuter, gobbling up the miles hands- and stress-free. On the other hand, the replacement for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto likely won't cut it for consumers who need smartphone integration. However, if you prefer to fight traffic with Super Cruise while listening to your favorite satellite radio station and your phone off, then the Equinox EV is a great choice.
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