The Chevrolet Equinox EV stands out as one of our Best Car To Buy 2025 finalists. It showcases how families on a budget can make the switch from a gasoline vehicle to a fully electric one without sacrificing too much. While some Equinox EVs were available in a brief 2024 model year, for this award, we're concentrating on 2025. That's when the lower-priced Equinox EV LT version arrives, starting at just $34,995 including destination, with an 85-kwh battery pack and an EPA-rated 319 miles.
An Absolute Steal in 2025
For now, the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV is a remarkable deal. The base Equinox EV models, like the entire lineup, qualify for the full $7,500 EV tax credit. This brings the effective price down to just $27,495 for the LT. You get a lot of value for your money. All versions come with a full set of active safety features, automatic climate control, wifi hotspot capability, adaptive cruise control, a six-speaker audio system, and a huge 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It does almost everything you could want, except for seamless integration with your phone through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.If you opt for the Comfort Package for an extra $2,000, you'll get heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a power driver seat, an HD surround camera view, rear pedestrian warning, and more. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof costs an additional $1,500. And GM's Super Cruise (for three years) plus an enhanced automatic parking assist feature are available in a $3,355 package.Base LT front-wheel-drive versions of the Equinox EV produce 220 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. They offer great value at $34,995. Dual-motor all-wheel-drive versions make 300 hp and 355 lb-ft and start at $40,295.SUV or Station Wagon?
Chevy markets the Equinox EV as an SUV, but in reality, it's more like a station wagon. At 190.6 inches long, it's almost the same length as a 1980s-era Chevy Celebrity wagon, with a similar shape except for the longer wheelbase of a modern EV. It has a higher seating position. When comparing it back-to-back during Best Car To Buy testing in Georgia in October, we found that the Equinox EV has easier ingress and egress than its Chevrolet Blazer EV cousin and offers better backseat space in most situations. Flipping down the rear seatbacks expands the 26.4 cubic feet to 57 cubic feet.GM's Cost-Cutting Measures
GM has to manage costs somewhere to make this all work. During Best Car To Buy testing in Georgia, our cohort included a variety of EVs, and it became evident that the Equinox EV isn't as focused on tuning out road noise as some others. The interior trims and the general cabin ambiance leave something to be desired, unless you have a certain nostalgia for surfaces and switchgear from the early days of the Millennium.Charging and Efficiency Considerations
It's also worth noting that the Equinox EV isn't a charging or efficiency standout. For example, the Lucid Air Pure can go more than 100 miles farther on a charge with slightly less battery. However, the Chevy's 10-80% charge in a bit over 30 minutes is sufficient for a road trip and allows for plenty of time to enjoy a fancy lunch while saving money. It's compatible with GM's suite of energy products, which can be useful if you want to use the big battery to back up your home.So, in summary, we definitely need more options like the Equinox EV. It offers an electric-car bargain that is in short supply. And it lives up to some of GM's earlier Ultium buzz, even if the strategy might be adjusted a bit.Will the Chevy Equinox EV's set of credentials top those of the other four Best Car To Buy 2025 Finalists? Check back Jan. 6.