Chevrolet
Chevrolet’s next battery electric vehicle on its troubled Ultium platform will be the Equinox EV, a compact crossover that slots in below the recently released Blazer EV. Chevy has been pitching the Equinox EV as affordable, originally with a starting price of just under $30,000. That gave the automaker the cover it needed to kill off its affordable EV, the Bolt, an act of corporate ax-swinging that looked even more cruel when it emerged that the electric Equinox would start at $34,995.
At least, if you want—or can even find—the 1LT base model. Now, Chevrolet has finally released pricing for the other trim levels, and there’s a steep jump from the bare bones 1LT even to the 2LT, which will cost $43,295. That $8,300 buys some conveniences like heated and power-adjustable front seats, heated side mirrors, and a powered rear liftgate, as well as some styling tweaks. Adaptive cruise control and Super Cruise are also available, but only as cost options.
Early adopters won’t actually be able to buy either of those because Chevy is starting with the 2RS as the initial trim level when the car goes on sale later this year. The 2RS starts at $44,795 and is a slightly sportier take on the Equinox than the 2LT, albeit with much the same standard features and options.
There are also 3LT ($45,295) and 3RS ($46,795) Equinox EVs, which come with more standard equipment and a wider options list, including 19.2 kW AC charging on the 3RS.
There’s a $1,395 destination charge for all the versions, and all these prices are for the front-wheel drive Equinox EV, which will offer 213 hp (159 kW) and have a range of 319 miles (513 km)—presumably when fitted with the smallest wheels. An all-wheel drive option is coming, which has a combined 288 hp (215 kW) and a range of 285 miles (489 km), but for now, the automaker hasn’t said how much the eAWD option will cost.
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This is an Equinox EV 3LT, which will probably be a far more common sight on dealership forecourts than the sub-$40,000 version.
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The 3RS is the most expensive trim level.
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Here’s a look at the 1LT’s interior.
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The 3LT interior, with Super Cruise active, judging by the green LED on the steering wheel. Like the rest of Chevy’s EV range, the infotainment system uses Google Automotive Services but lacks Apple CarPlay, a deal-breaker for many potential buyers.
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The 3RS interior.
Chevrolet
There is some good news, though: Chevrolet confirmed that the Equinox EV will be eligible for the full $7,500 IRS clean vehicle tax credit, at least for model year 2024.
