What You Should Know About the Chevy Equinox & Equinox EV

Vehicles have transformed how we travel, and there’s a strong chance you spend at least a few minutes in a car every day. Chevy has been one of the manufacturers representing American automotive engineering for over 100 years, but that doesn’t mean the brand hasn’t kept up with the latest developments to improve your time on the road. Today, many drivers have been leaving traditional gasoline cars behind in favor of hybrids and battery-electric vehicles. Chevy has had plenty of experience with EVs and is in the process of rolling out electric variants of its most beloved models. Upcoming arrivals include the Silverado EV for pickup truck fans, while SUV drivers are getting the Blazer EV and the Equinox EV. If you’re searching for a Chevy Equinox for sale, that means you now have gas and electric models to choose from.

It’s important to note that the Equinox EV differentiates itself from the traditional gasoline Equinox in several ways, and it’s clear that the Equinox EV is laying the foundation for what this model will likely evolve into within the coming years. What do we mean by this? The Equinox EV looks a lot like the gasoline Equinox from the side, but once you see the front of it, you’ll know this is a next-generation vehicle from Chevy. Inside the cabin, things get even crazier, and under the hood––well, you’ll have to read on to learn more about that, so let’s begin with some key differences between the two SUVs.

Benefits of the Gasoline Equinox

With the launch of the Equinox EV, does that mean there are fewer reasons to buy the tried and true classic that runs on gasoline? Here’s the truth: there are still plenty of reasons why someone would want the gasoline-powered Equinox. All of us are familiar with owning gasoline vehicles, and the Equinox has the benefit of nearly 20 years of continuous support by Chevy. The Equinox EV is brand new, and while this prospect will bring in droves of drivers who enjoy being the first to experience new technology, many shoppers will be happy to stick with the tried and true option for now.

The real benefit to the gasoline-powered Equinox comes down to its price. The Equinox EV will be pricier than the Equinox, although the available $7,500 federal tax credit will certainly help narrow the difference. Powering the 2024 Equinox is a turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, plus your choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. This engine produces 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, solid numbers given the Equinox’s affordable price. The small turbocharged engine also ensures the model has excellent fuel efficiency.

Of course, you aren’t charging the Equinox like you would the Equinox EV. However, the turbocharged powertrain in the 2024 Equinox is the best possible solution to achieve both performance and efficiency. With front-wheel drive, the 2024 Equinox is rated for an EPA-estimated 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. The fuel economy ratings in the Equinox are barely affected by choosing the available all-wheel drive option, with the EPA estimating that it gets 24 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway.

There are a couple of areas where the 2024 Equinox offers more than the Equinox EV. For instance, the Equinox has more cargo room. The Equinox EV provides 57.2 cu.ft. of cargo space in the back when the rear row is folded down, while the Equinox has a noticeably larger 63.9 cu.ft. of cargo space with the rear seats folded––some 12% more than the Equinox EV. Unlike many electric models, the Equinox EV will not have a storage compartment under the hood (commonly known as a “frunk” for “front trunk”). While some manufacturers use the space occupied by the engine in a gasoline vehicle to provide more cargo room, Chevy packages electrical components there to free up room in the cabin.

Benefits of the Electric Equinox EV

The Chevy Equinox EV has many bells and whistles and is aesthetically a generation beyond most other vehicles––even those manufactured by Chevy. However, looks aren’t everything––although, if they were, the Equinox EV would undoubtedly be a winner––so are there any meaningful advantages to purchasing the Equinox EV? The good news is there are many upsides to opting for the Equinox EV.

The 2024 Equinox EV will initially launch with the 2RS trim this year, and the other trims will follow in the Spring of 2024, including the 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, and 3RS. It’s impossible to mention the Equinox EV and not mention its larger-than-life 17.7-inch infotainment center, which is more than double the size of the gasoline-powered Equinox’s best infotainment center. The dashboard of your vehicle is an entirely new experience with such a large display coupled with an 11-inch driver information center. If you don’t opt for an Equinox EV with the massive screen, you’ll still have a larger-than-most infotainment center that measures 11 inches, much like the driver information center.

With the 2RS being the first Equinox EV to release, the early models will provide an estimated 300 miles of range with front-wheel drive or 280 miles with all-wheel drive. The 1LT is slated to be the entry-level Equinox EV trim, although it won’t be released until Spring 2024. This trim will have a smaller battery with 250 miles of estimated range. With a total of up to 290 hp and eAWD, the Equinox EV can reach 60 mph in only six seconds, and with the electric motors, it’ll be acceleration so smooth, you’ve never experienced anything like it.

A massive benefit of buying an electric model like the Equinox EV is the ability to charge your vehicle at home. Simply plug it in when you come home in the evening, and it will be fully charged in the morning. It’s almost like having a gas station in your driveway or garage. When charging at home, there are two different types of chargers: Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 chargers use 120V power, which is enough to give you some decent range if you charge overnight.

However, if you buy the Level 2 charger, the power doubles to 240V. One hour on a Level 2 charger can add up to 34 miles of range, meaning you can reach the full capacity of the Equinox EV in a matter of hours. This may sound like a lot, but if you plug it in before going to bed, you won’t need to leave the house early to grab gas anymore. Level 3 DC Fast Chargers also exist, which can add 70 miles of range in just 10 minutes, but these charging stations are found at public charging locations––you can not achieve charging performance like this at home.

The Choice Is Yours

We can go on and on about the 2024 Equinox and 2024 Equinox EV. The gasoline Equinox is still as great as it’s ever been, and the Equinox EV is here to offer something fresh and exciting. Not everybody looking for an Equinox may be interested in an Equinox EV, and perhaps vice versa, but there’s no doubt these two vehicles are two sides of the same coin. In the current EV market, the Chevy Equinox EV looks like a spectacular option, but if you want a gasoline-powered SUV you can depend on, the Equinox has your back, just as it has for the past two decades.