Chevrolet Equinox EV – Everything we know as of March 2022 [Update]

Update: ‘Exterior’ and ‘Release Date & Price’ sections updated.

As part of its CES 2022 EV blitz, General Motors revealed an Ultium-powered Chevrolet Equinox EV and confirmed plans to release it in the American market next year. Originally, the company had confirmed at its 2021 Investor Event on October 6, 2021, that it plans to launch a Chevrolet Equinox Electric model, which it has now previewed.

Exterior

The Chevrolet Equinox EV is a near-production concept at this stage. Image Source: GM

The Chevy Equinox EV looks smaller compared to the ‘engined’ Equinox. It appears to be closer to the Trailblazer size-wise, but a longer wheelbase is clearly visible. Compared to the ICE-powered Equinox, one could say that GM designers have created the SUV from the scratch. It’s a completely different silhouette, and the lack of the wraparound back glass and short overhangs instantly sets it apart from the combustion model.

At the front, the Equinox EV features a curvy hood, a full-width LED DRL strip, a closed nose section with a black surround featuring C-shaped outer ends and horizontal main lights, and a compact lower grille. On the sides, the Equinox EV has normal five-spoke wheels and flush door handles, although we’re not sure whether the latter is a production-intent feature. Thick C-pillars and a strong shoulder area are among the noteworthy design details here.

A sporty Chevrolet Equinox EV RS is also in the pipeline. Image Source: GM

At the rear, the Equinox EV flaunts a steeply raked windscreen, a concave lower tailgate with a hexagonal surface, a hexagonal registration plate area, and wide combination lamps that meet the brand logo with a slim extension. Overall, the Equinox EV looks dynamic despite the smaller dimensions. Plus, there’s an RS variant for customers who want a sportier expression. The red example in the images in this story is the Chevrolet Equinox EV RS (Equinox E RS).

Simulated Images Teased

Chevrolet teased the simulated images of the Equinox EV on March 20, 2022, revealing some interesting design details. The teaser arrived with a disclaimer stating that the production variant may vary.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV will be based on GM’s Ultium architecture. Images: Chevrolet

While the red car pictured above in the article has the RS badge, the recently teased EV was the standard car with subtle differences. The patterned grille surround was missing, and the teaser showcased a closed-off grille with a gloss black surround. The LED strip upfront has an animated effect.

The front bumper design looks more realistic with a skid plate and an intake at the bottom. The ultra-thin flush door handles on the red and grey cars pictured above have also been replaced with larger units. And lastly, the LED strip at the rear also has an Audi-like animation integrated within. Overall, the simulated images aim to showcase the near-production version of the Equinox electric.

Interior

The Chevrolet Equinox EV interior consists of a chunky dashboard, a clubbed fully digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment system housed together on a single horizontal panel that has a floating effect, and a rather compact center console. What’s more, there appears to be ample storage area in the center console thanks to the omission of a gear shifter stalk. In the center console, there’s space for two bottles, a small deck to keep items like smartphone, wallet and keys and there will be more space under the armrest as well.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV RS (Chevrolet Equinox E RS) will sport a black and red interior. Image Source: GM

Phygital design

A similar set-up is seen on the Silverado EV, where GM calls it features ‘Modern Essentials.’ The Equinox should get a 17-inch touchscreen that’s canted towards the driver. The screen is expected to have the snappiness of a smartphone, offering built in Google functions with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play. It will also support Android Auto, Apple CarPlay with features like park assist. The steering is a flat-bottomed unit with physical buttons.

GM designers have refrained from using buttons wherever possible to make the interior clean and minimalist, but this is not the cleanest interior we’ve seen. The EV does have physical controls for basic functions like adjusting temperature and airflow, which some customers find practical. The round AC vents on the flanks add to its sporty character, and the quadrilateral air conditioning vents above appear neat. The green light bar on the steering wheel confirms the availability of the Chevrolet Super Cruise autonomous driving system.

Super Cruise

By 2023, GM wants 22 models on sale to be available with Super Cruise driver assistance. The company will rollout Ultra Cruise, the door-to-door hands-free driving technology superior to Super Cruise the same year. However, budget vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox EV would get the less sophisticated and less expensive system. GM will continue improving it by introducing new features and rolling out the enhancements with over-the-air updates.

Super Cruise has resonated with our customers, with more than 85 percent of those who experience the technology telling us they want it in their next vehicle. More than 10 million miles have been driven using Super Cruise, and that number grows every day. We’ll have Super Cruise available on 22 models across our GM brands next year, and we’ll add even more each year, ultimately making the technology available across the majority of our portfolio.

Mary Barra, Chair and CEO, GM (CES 2022 keynote on January 5, 2022)

Release Date & Price

The prices of the Chevrolet Equinox EV will start at around USD 30,000, the company has confirmed. This MSRP excludes title, tax, dealer and license fee, as well as DFC and optional equipment. GM will launch the Chevrolet Equinox EV in the U.S. in fall 2023 and will offer it in fleet and retail versions, and LT and RS trims. A video teased by Chevrolet on March 20, 2022, mentioned that the RS version will launch in fall 2023. The launch date of the LT version will be announced later.

While GM sets the course to become America’s leading EV brand, dealers are gearing up enthusiastically for the transition, suggests a report from Automotive News. The majority of the 30 EVs the company plans to have on sale globally by 2025 should be available in the U.S market. Keith McCluskey, Chevrolet National Dealer Council’s dealer chairman, says that dealers want GM’s EVs to surpass Tesla sales. The Electric Chevy Equinox will be a major contributor, as per McCluskey, but we feel it won’t be nearly as popular as the Silverado EV and Sierra EV, though, which could sell in the hundreds of thousands from the very first year.

Canada

The Chevrolet Equinox EV Canada launch plan is similar to the United States. The launch will take place in fall 2023, and prices (excl. incentives) will start at around CAD 35,000, which converts to approximately USD 28,000. GM will offer its VW ID.4 rival in Canada in the same two versions – fleet and retail, in the trims LT and RS.

GM confirms two additional EVs

GM plans to launch two EVs other than the Chevrolet Equinox EV, and one of them will be the Chevrolet Blazer EV. The company confirmed as part of its CES 2022 announcements that the Chevrolet Blazer EV will arrive in the U.S. in spring 2023. The Canadian launch of the Blazer EV SUV also will take place in spring next year.

We also have a Blazer EV that will be an affordable, a high-volume entry as well. And we’re working on something else even below those from a price standpoint, but we aren’t prepared to discuss the details of that quite yet.

Mark Reuss, President, GM (GM 2021 Investor Event)

Should the Equinox EV replace the Bolt EUV?

Dark clouds loom over the future of the Chevrolet Bolt family following the fiasco of defective LG Chem batteries. A successor with a different name, GM’s in-house and locally manufactured Ultium batteries, and a lower price tag could be the right solution for GM to protect its reputation in this market segment.

Newer platform

The Chevrolet Equinox EV promises to be a better overall package compared to the Bolt family. The Equinox is based on the GM’s new BEV3 platform that has key advantages over the BEV2 platform that the Bolt is based on. The BEV3 is easily adaptable to FWD, RWD and AWD drivetrains, whereas the BEV2 only supports an FWD layout. The Equinox can pack more power as the new platform supports a dual-motor and AWD combination.

Better range & price

Moreover, the Equinox EV will also have more range, close to 483 km (300 miles) on a single charge. The Bolt EV and EUV offer an EPA-certified range of 416 km (259 miles) and 397 km (247 miles). Lastly, there’s pricing to consider as well. The Equinox will start at around USD 30,000. The Bolt EV starts at USD 31,500 while the EUV’s base model starts at USD 33,500. There’s little doubt that the upcoming Equinox would offer more value for money when it goes on sale in 2023.

Next-gen gas-powered Equinox starts testing

GM is also developing the next-gen Chevrolet Equinox range with the combustion engine. The spy shots published by GM Authority in November 2021 show a camouflaged version of the new SUV, which appears to feature two-tier headlamps, a rising beltline, and a curvy greenhouse.

An all-new ICE Chevy Equinox is in the works already. Image Source: Autospy

The fourth generation Chevrolet Equinox is also being tested in South Korea with provisional parts, and that could be a key market for the car. A spy shot from Autospy shows the upcoming SUV’s split headlamps that will likely consist of horizontal LED DRLs positioned at the hood level and main lamps stacked vertically below. The honeycomb grille inserts could also appear on the final version that makes it to showrooms.

We expect GM to launch the all-new gasoline-powered Equinox towards the end of 2022, about a year ahead of the Equinox EV.

GM and PG&E join hands for V2H pilot project

General Motors and Pacific Gas and Electric Company have teamed up for a pilot program that enables the usage of GM EVs to power homes with the vehicle’s bidirectional charging feature. The project includes bidirectional charging hardware and software-based communications to allow GM EV’s battery to power customer homes. Initially, a small number of customers will receive supply from GM EVs when the grid power supply is halted. GM engineers are developing a user-friendly vehicle-to-home experience. By summer, GM and PG&E will run the first pilot project.

Chevrolet Equinox EV FAQs

What is the Chevrolet Equinox EV release date?

GM has said that the Equinox EV RS will launch in the U.S. in fall 2023. Launch date of the LT versions will be announced later.

What will be the Chevrolet Equinox EV price?

The prices of the Chevrolet Equinox EV will start at around USD 30,000, GM confirmed.

Which models will be Electric Chevrolet Equinox rivals?

The Equinox EV will compete with compact SUVs like the VW ID.4, Hyundai Kona EV, Kia Niro EV, Kia EV6, & Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Featured Image Source: GM

Keyword: Chevrolet Equinox EV – Everything we know as of March 2022 [Update]