The Chevrolet Equinox EV has been billed as the starter electric vehicle for families. With a low-ish price tag compared to most of the other EVs on the market today, a size that many families want, and with a name already familiar to buyers.
To be a winner, the Equinox EV has to hit the right notes with buyers who are likely to drive no more than 40 miles per day. And, it must be appointed well for its price point - the technology needs of Americans are growing year by year.
Chevrolet sells the 2025 model (now at dealership lots nationwide) in two trim levels, LT and RS, and in the buyer's choice of front- or all-wheel drive. A few packages are available adding options like Super Cruise hands-off, eyes-on driving technology and increased front seat adjustability. We tested the 2024 version.
I tested the SUV during a week that included two long highway drives back and forth to the airport in heavy traffic and a few trips to the gym in addition to typical errand running.
What we tested: Newsweek test drove the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV 2LT. It had a starting price of $41,900. Chevrolet equipped the tester with $2,700 in options (Super Cruise Package) and there was a $1,395 destination charge tacked on for a total price of $45,995.
KEEP: Super Cruise
Believe the hype. Super Cruise driver assist technology is one of the best in the market and for a long time was the standard bearer. The company continues to hone the tech which makes lane keeping and lane changes more natural. Adding it to the SUV is well worth the fee if you're someone who takes road trips or is prone to spending time commuting.
KEEP: Duplicative climate controls
Sure, you can change the temperature on the car's enormous infotainment touchscreen, but it's quicker (and some may say safer) to do so via the dials located a few inches lower on the center console area.
CHANGE: Steering wheel backside controls
There is little feeling difference between the paddle and button controls on the back of the steering wheel. The button controls manage seek/skip ahead and volume functions, keeping the driver's hands on the wheel.
But, there's too much similarity in how they feel in hand. In a glove, there's very little differentiation, which adds to the frustration.
CHANGE: Weird little storage pocket in the center console
It's big enough for a pen, enough to hold a smartphone sideways, and could possibly keep a taco from tipping over. But, why does it exist? While I'm sure it has something to do with wanting to keep the console slim and using already-available modules from the parts catalogue, it just doesn't make sense.
CHANGE: Folder selection to play iPhone music
The company doesn't have Apple CarPlay installed, which means that if you want to listen to your music over the car's audio system, you'll need to choose your songs and playlists via folders like it used to be before Android Auto and Apple CarPlay became ubiquitous. It's such a stupid obstacle. Get it together, Chevrolet.
![[WATCH] Justin Laboy Relaunches #Respectfully Show With Jim Jones As Guest On Debut Episode](https://thesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/unnamed-1.jpg)
)
English (US) ·