The Equinox EV has a lot of upsides compared to a gas-powered SUV around the same price point. Does it offer enough to make you consider switching to an EV? Let us know in the comments.
Yes, it's the only way to get an Equinox with enough power. The gas version no longer has an engine upgrade available so 175hp is the most you can get.
How is this the cheapest electric car when the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD is cheaper ($42,490 vs. the Equinox EV's $43,295 before the tax credit) and gets 363 miles of range?
@@frankcoffey That is totally true, but they mentioned "electric car" not "electric suv/cuv" They should clarify that as a motoring publishing company.
We got ours in July with the fed break and dealer additional 4500 off…so net was sub n30k (no auto drive, single motor fwd) a 2LT in Riptide blue…turns heads…just did nearly 6,000 mile trip to the SW and Back….suchhhhhhhh an easy driver, quiet, seats totally awesome ..handles well…rides superbly..we have a super cool two tone interior with funky white black and blue dash….simply a great car. Can’t beat the value. 0-60 in 7ish..which you almost never need…the real need 45-70 is a few 2nds….
Clint's awesome at electric vehicles, going back to his InsideEV days. He absolutely nails it here with the Equinox. It's a cheap EV with tons of range in the base trim. The only two options I'd add would be the AWD and convenience package. It's still too big for me and I'd want a smaller form factor around town. Hopefully the next gen Bolt comes out soon.
I agree. Clint is a great contributor to Edmunds. He's honest, informative and just an all around pleasant presenter. You can't fake this so he's probably like this outside of YT as well.
@@joemcdonough7509I do like the Chevy Equinox TV and even though it's not quite on the level as a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW what you think is what you get because let's face it it's not quite on the level as a Genesis g90.
The comments on the chassis and ride and handling are spot on. GM is currently making what I believe are some of the best riding cars in the world . I also don’t mind the plastic interior or lack of “features”. I’m not too old to remember when this is how cars used to be. A low starting price means that this thing on the used market can be had for $20,000 so bravo to GM for keeping the price down on this thing. Manufacturers USED to sell low profit high volume spec cars. But now everything is loaded to the roof with a bunch of useless “features” so they can maximize profits on every car sold. But now people are even buying them bc they’re too expensive!
Honestly what features is it lacking? Has power mirrors, seats, tailgate, windows, etc. Massive screens with great nav integration using android automotive. Can easily squeeze 6'2" adults in the front and rear together. AWD models have plenty of pep. Has heated all seats and steering wheels. Panoramic roof is available and so is supercruise. Not sure what features it's really missing tbh
I know that styling is really subjective, but I find this vehicle much more attractive than any of its competitors. And..... despite being an "entry level" vehicle, it doesn't look like a penalty box. Nice job Chevy.
I love the “penalty box “ quip about how most EV’s look. That’s how I’ve been describing Teslas for several years now. That and the fact that I can’t tell most of them apart.
@@garrettdouglass4549 The only Tesla I ever thought was very good looking was the original Model S - and it's getting really long in the tooth by now. They tried to translate that same styling language to everything else in the lineup, and it didn't work, as far as I'm concerned.
I have a 25 Equinox EV and the infotainment does trip planning really well. Carplay and Android Auto can't access the SoC so while they can show you a route, they can't do proper trip planning. I'm quite happy with the setup. People complain about no Carplay in Teslas, too, but they're still selling well
I think the $35k model will be in short supply, but this Equinox is overall a great car *and* a great EV. I've spent a lot of time with Super Cruise and it really is outstanding. Yes, it doesn't do as much as some other ADAS systems on the market. But I like that it doesn't promise anything it can't consistently deliver.
I should say I'm impressed. Finally something reasonable for the masses! I hope the dealership experience is okay. Our experience with the Ford dealerships in our area pushed us to buy two Teslas.
We just got our basic Equinox, and I like cloth seats, don't need or want to go 0-60 in 3 seconds, all EV's have plenty of power for real world driving. The interior is just right for a useful car. Don't need or want Google car play or Apple Track Me apps...
I am a senior driving a 2011 Civic EX-L bought new,which has given me very little trouble,almost all only minor stuff. I would like to try an EV before I have to hang up my keys. I *love* FWD,and after owning 2,including my Civic,I can report I have *never* gotten stuck in winter in either car. My last RWD ride got me stuck in the back lane numerous times, in spite of having studded tires,and sandbags in the trunk. I am looking mainly for an around town car,with the occasional trip of a few hundred miles. Tesla is not an option,as the base model is RWD. The Equinox looks like it checks all the boxes for my needs.
From what you have described, the Equinox does seem like the car for you. I have a Honda too, but a 2017 model which i will use for a couple more years since i’m 22 and the car has never given me issues thus far. Best of luck to your research and potential future purchase!
EVs always have close to 50/50 weight balance, so FWD will not help with traction. RWD might actually be better on curves due to not having to also steer with the same wheels. FWD is good for traction with a front-ICE-engine car only because it has up to twice the weight on that axle. FWD allows simpler packaging and a lower rear load floor, that's the only advantage in an EV.
@@concinnus Well,people with RWD Model 3's have posted on TH-cam videos indicating it does make a difference in their opinion. For an ICEV with FWD,I believe another factor is the fact that FWD in a front engine ICE also benefits from the fact that the drive wheels are "chewing" into virgin snow,with the non-powered rear tires not having to create a fresh path for themselves,whereas RWD ICE cars are *pushing* the front non-driving wheels through virgin snow,which would tend to make the rear wheels lose traction more likely. How else do you explain why I *never* get stuck in snow in my FWD cars? At most,I have to "rock" the car in really deep stuff,but always manage to get going.
@@mikedunn7795 Again, it's a weight balance issue. All your FWD cars were >60% front weighted. The only way to test it, though, would be on a winter test track with an EV that can manually switch which axle is driven. The Ioniq 5N has adjustable bias but I'm not sure it can go fully FWD or even shows the %. It's also worth noting that winter tires have improved dramatically since your pre-2011 RWD cars.
I came from a 2007 Prius (I drove that in Maine in the winter, so FWD is just fine). I really like the Equinox. It rides really well and there is plenty of technology and comfort. The biggest change for me was the size of the Equinox. It has taken some time to get used to parking this. But I am also enjoying the extra space over my Prius. Road tripping has been seamless as the map shows where I can charge if I need to. I certainly would encourage a test drive. BTW, I found my car in the Inventory section of the Chevy site--I contacted the dealer with the model I wanted directly. I have the base model shown here.
I already bought a 2024 Chevy Equinox Ev 2lt, and I love it. I was afraid it would suffer the same issues you had with your Blazer gladly no problems so far. Thank you for the review .I think the power is more than enough. I don't want a race car like some Teslas.
Picked up this model with zero extra options yesterday. $25,000 out the door with zero down and 3.4% financing via GM. Absolutely outstanding value! Just want to drop a comment to have folks pay attention to parking this. You cannot see the front, and the base model does not have a 360-degree camera. This makes parking in tight places super difficult, as you can't gauge where the front of the car is as you turn in.
The AWD version has 288 hp. Not the FWD. thats closer to 200 hp. I love watching you guys, but it’s simple mistakes like this that make me question if you know what you’re talking about.
We are waiting on the delivery of our basic model version of the 25 Equinox. We would have liked to get the two basic packages, comfort and safety, for another $2k but they weren’t available. Oh well. What we will get is an EV that with the various incentives (Fed $7.5k, MA state $3.5k, Costco $1k) plus some Chevy incentives that bring the price done $14k (excluding tax and registration, etc). With the tax, etc it will cost us about $25k. This is less than a two or three year old used Bolt with 32k miles in our area. This is the deal we were looking for now, as we are worried that the $7500 tax break will go away (We hope it doesn’t). We drove a similar model and it was comfortable and quiet. Seemed like what an EV version of Toyota RAV4 could become.
How do those FED and State tax incentives work at the dealership? Do they take that off the price themselves or that is something you have to do on your own at a later time. We have roughly 27k ready for a new car atm. So I'm wondering if this would work for us.
@@Xenoloves For the federal credit you can choose to get the $7,500 on the spot, usually goes toward your down payment. You still need to file the relevant IRS documents when you file your 2024 tax. State tax probably depends on the specific state.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD, 363 miles of range, ambient lighting, ventilated seats, rear touchscreen, interior with soft touch materials down to the doors with carpeted cupholders, all for $35k...
@@emcsquared8230The Model 3 is a small sedan without a liftback. It’s also RWD which is not as versatile as FWD in winter climates. Not even in the same stratosphere of practicality.
@@jayem8981The FWD drive advantage in winter was with an engine in the front so the majority of the weight was on top of the driving wheels. That's not an issue with EV's with the battery being on the floor beneath the center of the vehicle. Because of that, RWD has been shown to be the best on EV's as it allows for a much better turning radius, and pushing provides more power than pulling.
@@junehanzawa5165Nonsense. There are literally no studies showing that to be true. And FWD wasn’t just better because more of the weight was over the front. FWD has a significant advantage in gaining traction in snowy situations. It’s also more easily controllable, especially for less experienced drivers.
Funny. Currently on Chevrolet's website, this model that costs $35k is not even listed on there. Lowest priced version is a 2LT starting at $43k. But reviewers need to start stating how big the battery pack is. It seems everyone forgets to mention that.
I just went on the site and selecting to build defaults to a higher end 2024 model, that's why you don't see the 35k model. Change it to 2025 and you can spec out a 35k LT. Inventory of that tier seems low though - they were selling like hotcakes when I bought mine around Thanksgiving.
Almost twenty years ago, Musk promised a "$30k EV" Tesla by 2012 (that's $42k in 2024 dollars). GM has met Musk's target; though well more than a decade later.
Technically, the Bolt fit that bill before it was discontinued. New Bolts went out the door below $30k before incentives by the end. It's just not a "$30K EV that will go 300 miles".
I must disagree with you on GM meeting Musk’s target. If it wasn’t for Elon Musk and Tesla advancing electric vehicles back 20 plus years ago GM would not even have an inexpensive EV. Yay for GM being forced to move away from ICE vehicles!
Does the base FWD have battery heating and cooling systems? The only charge curve I could quickly find was for the AWD which mentions heating so I hope it would precondition, but the curve dropped to a snails pace after 60% SOC. Range is good, but charging is key to any real road trips.
Can y’all make a video on a deep dive of what services eventually will require a paid subscription after X years? I’m really confused at this point, I’ve seen 3 years mentioned and also 8 years. How useable will this car be without X subscription? I was talking to a Chevy salesman and they didn’t seem to know either, their advice was to lease not buy lol.
I got the 2025 Equinox EV with Comfort package and Active safety package, and after rebates and trading in my 2022 Bolt EUV, I paid roughly $32k. Sweet Deal, happy with my purchase.
Something like this is the move for most people that want an EV. Compare this to the Model 3: cheaper, better range, looks are subjective but this doesn't look like a GTA NPC car, it may not have the nicest interior but it does have AN interior unlike the Tesla, a more functional shape, turn signals and other actual physical controls. Yeah it doesn't have the Supercharger network, but something like 90% of people just charge at home most of the time. AND you're not openly supporting fascism! It's a win-win!
Tell me you have no idea what you're talking about without telling me... Holy crap so many people are misinformed it's painful to read. Basically everything you said above is not true.
Sept 24, 2024 .. Car and Driver: “GM EV owners now have access to Tesla's Superchargers thanks to an official adapter that costs $225 and lets their CCS ports work with NACS.”
I got the Base 2024 LT, with AWD option and nothing else. But in Canada it's stock with lumbar, heated seats & heated steering wheel (the comfort package I guess?) It's been a very solid vehicle so far. My expectations started low, so it really surpassed them.
The main reason we ended up not getting the Equinox was its size. It's only 2" shorter than a Blazer. My wife sat in it for just a couple of minutes and said no way. Chevy has made a mistake by solely making big vehicles and no more sedans. The Bolt is cute, but cheap and not the most comfortable. VW, Hyundai, Kia, offer more in cars that are 8-10" shorter. We ended up getting an EV6 to replace our Chevy Volt based on size, but also features.
Why is Edmunds comparing Equinox with Model 3, a compact sedan? Equinox is a legit SUV. It should better be compared with Tesla's bubbly hatchback, the Model Y. The Model Y is not an SUV either though. BTW, Equinox can be purchased for about $25k after federal and state incentives. A super bargain. And you won't be driving a right wing billboard as with Teslas.
When my lease was up I test drove the 2024 Equinox EV and the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SEL AWD. I really liked the Equinox EV but the leasing was better on the Hyundai so I went with the Hyundai 5. Plus, with the new battery tech from GM I steer away from a new model until they work out the bugs in the battery software. In warmer weather I was getting 340 miles on a 100% charge, now in cold weather its 299 miles. However, when my 24 month lease is up I'll most likely look at the new Bolt over the Equinox EV because of the size. The Ioniq 5 is great, just too big for my needs.
Needs NACS port located where cable can reach. Needs to be able to use all of the Tesla super chargers. In fact all EVs need to be able to use all chargers without subscriptions or problems.
It's not about cost, it's about data, gm wants access to your EVs data(to improve certain metrics like navigation to chargers and batter soc and stuff) with apple car play, they lose that data access
Great review as always! GM is really good about building vehicles to price points. Kudos! I just wish I had more confidence in their reliability for their EV’s. Your long-term EV blazer set a new record for the number of issues on such a new vehicle. That gives me pause…
The only things it needs but lacks are fully-manual door handles and a light-colored headliner. Oh, and its' own name since it's completely a different car from both the old (shown) and new gas Equinox.
Looks like an extremely well thought through car, focusing on the basics. If you're not in the "my car is my gimmick" mindset, what more do you actually need? Esp if you have small kids who are wrecking the car anyway. The fact that it beats Kia also proves how good it is. Super job Chevrolet!
The peoples car. Price is no longer a problem for EV onwnership. Its got the mileage so range fear should be diminished and the comfort is there as well.
I'm leasing this in the beautiful Riptide Blue color. Absolutely love the car. I thought I would miss Apple Car Play, but I've gotten used to not having it. People who claim that this is a slow car are comparing it to a Tesla, which has insane acceleration. The Equinox EV is more than fast enough. After my current lease ends, I totally see myself rolling into a newer, updated version. And yes, there is a lot of plastic and the stereo is lacking. But I'm still very happy with the car. It doesn't feel cheap; it feels quite sorted. And it is quiet.
I own this exact trim, it does not get 350 miles... it gets 280 maxed. Kyle from out of spec even test this for 260 miles. I think this car is just not a high way car. It get maybe 220 miles when you drive 75mph. And charge on paper take 150kw peak but most charger will only charge this at 100kw which take 50 mins to charge to 80%
I drove my 2025 LT from Denver to Atlanta and back earlier in December. I never had a 50 minute charging session. The longest was 25 minutes. Range in cold weather with a head wind averaging 70 mph was around 240 miles but that is for an 80% charge. I never charged past that at any DCFC. Averaged 2.8 miles per kWh during the 3,000 trip.
@jeffmcclendon3835 2.8 sound about right, but if you use 2.8X85 that is 238... no where near 350 Edmund got. I know some people say their car can pull 90 kwh out of this battery but I would use GM official number. For the charging, you are using high current charger or 350kw, if you use any charger 200kw or less which 80% my area look like, it take 50 mins from 7% to 80%
@ I don’t know what Edmunds uses for their test route. At speeds below 60 mph I average 3.4 miles per kWh so a little over 29 miles per 10% of charge. Highest I’ve seen in non interstate driving is 3.6 mp kWh. I have the AWD version with 19” wheels. Great driving car, quiet, very quick and super comfy.
Come on guys, you do such a good job with everything in the video then don't edit out the "Hey Google"....you're setting off everyone's devices! Please take a lesson from Tom Voelk's videos, fix this in future posts thanks
Perfect, a simple base car, low cost of ownership. Don't need FSD, I know how to drive. Don't need complicated gadgets that fail after the warranty period. GM please don't screw this up with electronics/software reliability problems. Should be a lot cheaper with 30% fewer parts and plunging cost of batteries, but someone has to pay for stealership costs, stock buybacks and executive bonuses. GM don't forget that US taxpayer subsidies and tax breaks are keeping you afloat. I just need something affordable to get to work and back home safe. Is that too much to ask?
Nobody mentions the warranty. It may be the worst in the electric car category (3 yr/36,000 mi basic, 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain). I would seriously consider this vehicle but I can buy a used EV with a longer battery warranty.
Ehh....I think even older Model Ys would be a better value than the Equinox EV. You may have to hunt for a Equinox EV at the cheapest price, and you have to tolerate the dealerships. On the other hand, a few clicks and you'll get a Tesla with far less hassle, a larger network, future-proofed NACS (as opposed to the CCS connector). You have to pay extra for Supercruise and pay for a data connection through AT&T, whereas you get a basic autopilot and navigation for 8 years from purchase. Not fanboying for Tesla but just exploring what that $35k really means....Though I think hybrids/plug-ins are the way to go today if price is really a concern.
Totally free 5G service for 2025 models for 8 years. Google route planning, charger planning and State Of Charge information was very accurate for my 3,000 mile trip.
Front wheel drive + regen braking feels like a complete disaster for tire wear. The front wheels do the accelerating, VAST majority of the braking when regen is considered, and the steering. I predict you'll lose a TON of the gas money you saved just buying tires for this thing.
Best value is a used Nissan ARIYA Evolve+. You can get these things all day for under $30K, have AWD, 390hp/ 442tq, way nicer cabin and materials, Tesla network access and no history of fires.
@@gamingwitharlen2267 yup-I also have a Mini Cooper SE and just got a notification the Tesla network will be available for mine (with NACS adapter) in early 2025
I am holding out for the bolt...it's honestly all the car I need for daily stuff and if this is starting at 35k then I hope that comes in below 30k starting (before credits - if they are even there at the time)...
The lack of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is a joke. Literally the only thing I don't like about this car. We were looking for an EV SUV and picked between the Mach-E and the Prologue. Blazer EV wasn't even on the list due to lack of CarPlay. We ended up with the Prologue. Great car! if GM made the CarPlay software for that they should have included it in the Blazer EV. What a dumb choice not to!
GM is doing a good job with Chevy and Cadillac EVs in the U.S., although its ICE models may be struggling a bit (except full size SUVs). Cadillac’s new EVs also look very promising. It’s a mystery why they cannot compete in China, where GM was once a top foreign carmaker yet today cannot compete with Chinese EVs and have zero cars in the top 20 cars sold there.
The Equinox EV has a lot of upsides compared to a gas-powered SUV around the same price point. Does it offer enough to make you consider switching to an EV? Let us know in the comments.
Yes, it's the only way to get an Equinox with enough power. The gas version no longer has an engine upgrade available so 175hp is the most you can get.
How is this the cheapest electric car when the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD is cheaper ($42,490 vs. the Equinox EV's $43,295 before the tax credit) and gets 363 miles of range?
@@emcsquared8230 Not really the same utility or category of vehicle. The Model Y would be closer to comparable.
@@frankcoffey That is totally true, but they mentioned "electric car" not "electric suv/cuv" They should clarify that as a motoring publishing company.
@@emcsquared8230 Maybe the point was even if you bought something smaller it would cost as much or more.
I appreciate the basic-ness of the car. Keeping the costs down to make it more affordable for a wider audience.
The problem is that you have to go through dealer, so by the time he's through with you, you'll be paying several thousand more.
Just say no to dealer mark ups. Go somewhere else or buy a different vehicle.
The lack of CarPlay probably means they subsidized some of the cost by selling your data to Mother Google.
I bought a 2024 2LT about a month ago. It’s quiet, handles well, has plenty of power for most driving and there are great incentives on it now.
Same here! We love it!
Incentives?
Good dealer pricing/deals@@skyak4493
We got ours in July with the fed break and dealer additional 4500 off…so net was sub n30k (no auto drive, single motor fwd) a 2LT in Riptide blue…turns heads…just did nearly 6,000 mile trip to the SW and Back….suchhhhhhhh an easy driver, quiet, seats totally awesome ..handles well…rides superbly..we have a super cool two tone interior with funky white black and blue dash….simply a great car. Can’t beat the value. 0-60 in 7ish..which you almost never need…the real need 45-70 is a few 2nds….
I just bought the 2025 RS with enough options to make it a respectable vehicle and still got it at a great price. No regrets, I love it.
Same, 2024 and love it. Only downside is charging time which I hope GM will improve with a software update.
Clint's awesome at electric vehicles, going back to his InsideEV days. He absolutely nails it here with the Equinox. It's a cheap EV with tons of range in the base trim. The only two options I'd add would be the AWD and convenience package. It's still too big for me and I'd want a smaller form factor around town. Hopefully the next gen Bolt comes out soon.
I agree. Clint is a great contributor to Edmunds. He's honest, informative and just an all around pleasant presenter. You can't fake this so he's probably like this outside of YT as well.
@@joemcdonough7509I do like the Chevy Equinox TV and even though it's not quite on the level as a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW what you think is what you get because let's face it it's not quite on the level as a Genesis g90.
I heard the Bolt will be in ’26.
The comments on the chassis and ride and handling are spot on. GM is currently making what I believe are some of the best riding cars in the world . I also don’t mind the plastic interior or lack of “features”. I’m not too old to remember when this is how cars used to be. A low starting price means that this thing on the used market can be had for $20,000 so bravo to GM for keeping the price down on this thing. Manufacturers USED to sell low profit high volume spec cars. But now everything is loaded to the roof with a bunch of useless “features” so they can maximize profits on every car sold. But now people are even buying them bc they’re too expensive!
Honestly what features is it lacking? Has power mirrors, seats, tailgate, windows, etc. Massive screens with great nav integration using android automotive. Can easily squeeze 6'2" adults in the front and rear together. AWD models have plenty of pep. Has heated all seats and steering wheels. Panoramic roof is available and so is supercruise. Not sure what features it's really missing tbh
@ Me neither, that’s why I put features in quotations.
that's what an EV must be priced
I know that styling is really subjective, but I find this vehicle much more attractive than any of its competitors. And..... despite being an "entry level" vehicle, it doesn't look like a penalty box. Nice job Chevy.
I love the “penalty box “ quip about how most EV’s look. That’s how I’ve been describing Teslas for several years now. That and the fact that I can’t tell most of them apart.
@@garrettdouglass4549 The only Tesla I ever thought was very good looking was the original Model S - and it's getting really long in the tooth by now. They tried to translate that same styling language to everything else in the lineup, and it didn't work, as far as I'm concerned.
I have a 25 Equinox EV and the infotainment does trip planning really well. Carplay and Android Auto can't access the SoC so while they can show you a route, they can't do proper trip planning. I'm quite happy with the setup. People complain about no Carplay in Teslas, too, but they're still selling well
I think the $35k model will be in short supply, but this Equinox is overall a great car *and* a great EV. I've spent a lot of time with Super Cruise and it really is outstanding. Yes, it doesn't do as much as some other ADAS systems on the market. But I like that it doesn't promise anything it can't consistently deliver.
I should say I'm impressed. Finally something reasonable for the masses! I hope the dealership experience is okay. Our experience with the Ford dealerships in our area pushed us to buy two Teslas.
I don’t know why other brands remove the dealership model like Tesla and Rivian. It’s a thousand times better and just makes sense
We just got our basic Equinox, and I like cloth seats, don't need or want to go 0-60 in 3 seconds, all EV's have plenty of power for real world driving. The interior is just right for a useful car. Don't need or want Google car play or Apple Track Me apps...
Weirdo
I am a senior driving a 2011 Civic EX-L bought new,which has given me very little trouble,almost all only minor stuff. I would like to try an EV before I have to hang up my keys. I *love* FWD,and after owning 2,including my Civic,I can report I have *never* gotten stuck in winter in either car. My last RWD ride got me stuck in the back lane numerous times, in spite of having studded tires,and sandbags in the trunk. I am looking mainly for an around town car,with the occasional trip of a few hundred miles. Tesla is not an option,as the base model is RWD. The Equinox looks like it checks all the boxes for my needs.
From what you have described, the Equinox does seem like the car for you. I have a Honda too, but a 2017 model which i will use for a couple more years since i’m 22 and the car has never given me issues thus far. Best of luck to your research and potential future purchase!
EVs always have close to 50/50 weight balance, so FWD will not help with traction. RWD might actually be better on curves due to not having to also steer with the same wheels. FWD is good for traction with a front-ICE-engine car only because it has up to twice the weight on that axle. FWD allows simpler packaging and a lower rear load floor, that's the only advantage in an EV.
@@concinnus Well,people with RWD Model 3's have posted on TH-cam videos indicating it does make a difference in their opinion. For an ICEV with FWD,I believe another factor is the fact that FWD in a front engine ICE also benefits from the fact that the drive wheels are "chewing" into virgin snow,with the non-powered rear tires not having to create a fresh path for themselves,whereas RWD ICE cars are *pushing* the front non-driving wheels through virgin snow,which would tend to make the rear wheels lose traction more likely. How else do you explain why I *never* get stuck in snow in my FWD cars? At most,I have to "rock" the car in really deep stuff,but always manage to get going.
@@mikedunn7795 Again, it's a weight balance issue. All your FWD cars were >60% front weighted. The only way to test it, though, would be on a winter test track with an EV that can manually switch which axle is driven. The Ioniq 5N has adjustable bias but I'm not sure it can go fully FWD or even shows the %. It's also worth noting that winter tires have improved dramatically since your pre-2011 RWD cars.
I came from a 2007 Prius (I drove that in Maine in the winter, so FWD is just fine). I really like the Equinox. It rides really well and there is plenty of technology and comfort. The biggest change for me was the size of the Equinox. It has taken some time to get used to parking this. But I am also enjoying the extra space over my Prius. Road tripping has been seamless as the map shows where I can charge if I need to. I certainly would encourage a test drive. BTW, I found my car in the Inventory section of the Chevy site--I contacted the dealer with the model I wanted directly. I have the base model shown here.
I've already seen two or three of these in Chicago, people really wanted an affordable option!
I already bought a 2024 Chevy Equinox Ev 2lt, and I love it. I was afraid it would suffer the same issues you had with your Blazer gladly no problems so far. Thank you for the review .I think the power is more than enough. I don't want a race car like some Teslas.
Picked up this model with zero extra options yesterday. $25,000 out the door with zero down and 3.4% financing via GM. Absolutely outstanding value! Just want to drop a comment to have folks pay attention to parking this. You cannot see the front, and the base model does not have a 360-degree camera. This makes parking in tight places super difficult, as you can't gauge where the front of the car is as you turn in.
The AWD version has 288 hp. Not the FWD. thats closer to 200 hp. I love watching you guys, but it’s simple mistakes like this that make me question if you know what you’re talking about.
That is a major mistake... They should know better
They should correct their mistake by now.
Whats crazy is that this sloppy mistake is always in their videos
I think this is a great deal. I bought a 2025 base LT a month ago and my wife and I are really happy with this purchase.
Finally EV for the masses 😁
Looks quite neat
Good review, no BS from the reviewer or GM. Can't wait for the next gen Bolt.
honestly, its really nice and a well equipped package
I agree, this is a great value.
We are waiting on the delivery of our basic model version of the 25 Equinox. We would have liked to get the two basic packages, comfort and safety, for another $2k but they weren’t available. Oh well.
What we will get is an EV that with the various incentives (Fed $7.5k, MA state $3.5k, Costco $1k) plus some Chevy incentives that bring the price done $14k (excluding tax and registration, etc). With the tax, etc it will cost us about $25k. This is less than a two or three year old used Bolt with 32k miles in our area.
This is the deal we were looking for now, as we are worried that the $7500 tax break will go away (We hope it doesn’t).
We drove a similar model and it was comfortable and quiet. Seemed like what an EV version of Toyota RAV4 could become.
How do those FED and State tax incentives work at the dealership? Do they take that off the price themselves or that is something you have to do on your own at a later time. We have roughly 27k ready for a new car atm. So I'm wondering if this would work for us.
@@Xenoloves
For the federal credit you can choose to get the $7,500 on the spot, usually goes toward your down payment.
You still need to file the relevant IRS documents when you file your 2024 tax.
State tax probably depends on the specific state.
I’m holding out to see what the Optiq is like, also to see if the aftermarket CarPlay system becomes more widely available.
I talked the wife into getting the 24 LT AWD and we just love the car
I challenge anyone to name a better EV for the price (brand new). This is a game changer. Tesla go home.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD, 363 miles of range, ambient lighting, ventilated seats, rear touchscreen, interior with soft touch materials down to the doors with carpeted cupholders, all for $35k...
@@emcsquared8230The Model 3 is a small sedan without a liftback. It’s also RWD which is not as versatile as FWD in winter climates. Not even in the same stratosphere of practicality.
@@emcsquared8230 35K after tax credit, which I think this also qualifies for bringing the price even lower to 28k
@@jayem8981The FWD drive advantage in winter was with an engine in the front so the majority of the weight was on top of the driving wheels. That's not an issue with EV's with the battery being on the floor beneath the center of the vehicle. Because of that, RWD has been shown to be the best on EV's as it allows for a much better turning radius, and pushing provides more power than pulling.
@@junehanzawa5165Nonsense. There are literally no studies showing that to be true. And FWD wasn’t just better because more of the weight was over the front. FWD has a significant advantage in gaining traction in snowy situations. It’s also more easily controllable, especially for less experienced drivers.
Funny. Currently on Chevrolet's website, this model that costs $35k is not even listed on there. Lowest priced version is a 2LT starting at $43k.
But reviewers need to start stating how big the battery pack is. It seems everyone forgets to mention that.
2lt was dropped for 2025. All Equinox Evs are LT or RS
@jeffmcclendon3835 2024 model is the only one that's even mentioned on the website. But if this is 2025 then they need to update their website.
I just went on the site and selecting to build defaults to a higher end 2024 model, that's why you don't see the 35k model. Change it to 2025 and you can spec out a 35k LT. Inventory of that tier seems low though - they were selling like hotcakes when I bought mine around Thanksgiving.
@sirjonsnow I see the 2025 model now. It's a little hidden but I found it now.
Almost twenty years ago, Musk promised a "$30k EV" Tesla by 2012 (that's $42k in 2024 dollars). GM has met Musk's target; though well more than a decade later.
Technically, the Bolt fit that bill before it was discontinued. New Bolts went out the door below $30k before incentives by the end. It's just not a "$30K EV that will go 300 miles".
I must disagree with you on GM meeting Musk’s target. If it wasn’t for Elon Musk and Tesla advancing electric vehicles back 20 plus years ago GM would not even have an inexpensive EV. Yay for GM being forced to move away from ICE vehicles!
Does the base FWD have battery heating and cooling systems? The only charge curve I could quickly find was for the AWD which mentions heating so I hope it would precondition, but the curve dropped to a snails pace after 60% SOC. Range is good, but charging is key to any real road trips.
You can easily get one with the Comfort pkg which includes power heated seats and heated steering wheel for under $35k. I just did it.
Can y’all make a video on a deep dive of what services eventually will require a paid subscription after X years? I’m really confused at this point, I’ve seen 3 years mentioned and also 8 years. How useable will this car be without X subscription? I was talking to a Chevy salesman and they didn’t seem to know either, their advice was to lease not buy lol.
I have been seeing a lot of this car on the road, and now I see why. It makes sense to me.
I got the 2025 Equinox EV with Comfort package and Active safety package, and after rebates and trading in my 2022 Bolt EUV, I paid roughly $32k. Sweet Deal, happy with my purchase.
The Bolt could’ve gotten 300 with the new battery chemistry batteries.
Something like this is the move for most people that want an EV. Compare this to the Model 3: cheaper, better range, looks are subjective but this doesn't look like a GTA NPC car, it may not have the nicest interior but it does have AN interior unlike the Tesla, a more functional shape, turn signals and other actual physical controls. Yeah it doesn't have the Supercharger network, but something like 90% of people just charge at home most of the time. AND you're not openly supporting fascism! It's a win-win!
GM actually has access to the Supercharger network now - just with an adapter (currently). Future MY vehicles will come with the NACS standard.
Tell me you have no idea what you're talking about without telling me...
Holy crap so many people are misinformed it's painful to read. Basically everything you said above is not true.
Sept 24, 2024 .. Car and Driver: “GM EV owners now have access to Tesla's Superchargers thanks to an official adapter that costs $225 and lets their CCS ports work with NACS.”
@@JDCheng Kinda makes it an even bigger no brainer.
Fascism? I’m confused. Since when does making cars in America equal fascism?!
I got the Base 2024 LT, with AWD option and nothing else. But in Canada it's stock with lumbar, heated seats & heated steering wheel (the comfort package I guess?) It's been a very solid vehicle so far. My expectations started low, so it really surpassed them.
8:06 you're giving Chevy a tad too much credit; EVERY car review should really be with the base model.
The main reason we ended up not getting the Equinox was its size. It's only 2" shorter than a Blazer. My wife sat in it for just a couple of minutes and said no way. Chevy has made a mistake by solely making big vehicles and no more sedans. The Bolt is cute, but cheap and not the most comfortable. VW, Hyundai, Kia, offer more in cars that are 8-10" shorter. We ended up getting an EV6 to replace our Chevy Volt based on size, but also features.
Great review. This car is a great value.
How quiet is the cabin?
Drivetrain Peg leg or Dual? on FWD Offroad?
Kudos to Chevrolet for sending over a base model vehicle. For under $30k (with tax credit), it is difficult to beat.
I love mine. 2024 2Rs.
My phone got confused by the "Hey Google!" about five minutes in 😂
Why is Edmunds comparing Equinox with Model 3, a compact sedan? Equinox is a legit SUV. It should better be compared with Tesla's bubbly hatchback, the Model Y. The Model Y is not an SUV either though. BTW, Equinox can be purchased for about $25k after federal and state incentives. A super bargain. And you won't be driving a right wing billboard as with Teslas.
I'd wait until early next year when it comes with a native NACS port.
0:44 - i was born ready... BRING IT...!!!
Are those price numbers accurate? The chevy website says the vehicle starts at $43,295
The Chevy site defaults to 2024 models for some reason. Change it to 2025 to see the base LT.
It is the best EV on the market today in terms of price and range. Congratulations to GM for getting this one right.
When my lease was up I test drove the 2024 Equinox EV and the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SEL AWD. I really liked the Equinox EV but the leasing was better on the Hyundai so I went with the Hyundai 5. Plus, with the new battery tech from GM I steer away from a new model until they work out the bugs in the battery software. In warmer weather I was getting 340 miles on a 100% charge, now in cold weather its 299 miles. However, when my 24 month lease is up I'll most likely look at the new Bolt over the Equinox EV because of the size. The Ioniq 5 is great, just too big for my needs.
1:25 that alone would move it to the top of my consideration pile. If I wanted an EV SUV
Needs NACS port located where cable can reach. Needs to be able to use all of the Tesla super chargers. In fact all EVs need to be able to use all chargers without subscriptions or problems.
What is the hang up with the car makers and apple car play ? Is the ,incensing really THAT expensive ?
It's not about cost, it's about data, gm wants access to your EVs data(to improve certain metrics like navigation to chargers and batter soc and stuff) with apple car play, they lose that data access
Great review as always! GM is really good about building vehicles to price points. Kudos! I just wish I had more confidence in their reliability for their EV’s. Your long-term EV blazer set a new record for the number of issues on such a new vehicle. That gives me pause…
Why doesn't it have a frunk ? And does it have run-flat tires?
The only things it needs but lacks are fully-manual door handles and a light-colored headliner. Oh, and its' own name since it's completely a different car from both the old (shown) and new gas Equinox.
Good for Chevy! It should sell well. Does the base model include advance safety systems? Nice review.
Excellent EV choice 🏆
To be honest this is exactly what I have wanted in a EV SUV, besides perhaps the loss of heated seats.
Looks like an extremely well thought through car, focusing on the basics. If you're not in the "my car is my gimmick" mindset, what more do you actually need? Esp if you have small kids who are wrecking the car anyway. The fact that it beats Kia also proves how good it is. Super job Chevrolet!
I am really happy with my equinox EV
Nice to see a review of a base model. Too bad you made that mistake on the HP.
The peoples car. Price is no longer a problem for EV onwnership. Its got the mileage so range fear should be diminished and the comfort is there as well.
I'm leasing this in the beautiful Riptide Blue color. Absolutely love the car. I thought I would miss Apple Car Play, but I've gotten used to not having it. People who claim that this is a slow car are comparing it to a Tesla, which has insane acceleration. The Equinox EV is more than fast enough. After my current lease ends, I totally see myself rolling into a newer, updated version. And yes, there is a lot of plastic and the stereo is lacking. But I'm still very happy with the car. It doesn't feel cheap; it feels quite sorted. And it is quiet.
Chevy making a true peoples car
Doesn't help them much if they lose money doing it.
So is the prologue this bad if they are the same cars?
0-60mph in 7.8 secs?! That’s not great.
Mmm the Model 3 made 379 miles the out of specs guys achieve that milestone 😅
I own this exact trim, it does not get 350 miles... it gets 280 maxed. Kyle from out of spec even test this for 260 miles. I think this car is just not a high way car. It get maybe 220 miles when you drive 75mph. And charge on paper take 150kw peak but most charger will only charge this at 100kw which take 50 mins to charge to 80%
I drove my 2025 LT from Denver to Atlanta and back earlier in December. I never had a 50 minute charging session. The longest was 25 minutes. Range in cold weather with a head wind averaging 70 mph was around 240 miles but that is for an 80% charge. I never charged past that at any DCFC. Averaged 2.8 miles per kWh during the 3,000 trip.
@jeffmcclendon3835 2.8 sound about right, but if you use 2.8X85 that is 238... no where near 350 Edmund got. I know some people say their car can pull 90 kwh out of this battery but I would use GM official number. For the charging, you are using high current charger or 350kw, if you use any charger 200kw or less which 80% my area look like, it take 50 mins from 7% to 80%
@ I don’t know what Edmunds uses for their test route. At speeds below 60 mph I average 3.4 miles per kWh so a little over 29 miles per 10% of charge. Highest I’ve seen in non interstate driving is 3.6 mp kWh. I have the AWD version with 19” wheels. Great driving car, quiet, very quick and super comfy.
Come on guys, you do such a good job with everything in the video then don't edit out the "Hey Google"....you're setting off everyone's devices! Please take a lesson from Tom Voelk's videos, fix this in future posts thanks
Why are you comparing numbers with cars in different classes? The model 3 is a sedan, niro is a hatchback
I like the barebones review
2025 Equinox EV:
FWD is 220 HP/243 torque/326mi EPA.
AWD is 300 HP/355 torque/307mi EPA.
I would buy this.
If I am living in America.
Is it coming to Europe?
The more expensive Cadillac Optiq (same platform) is expected in some European markets, but AFAIK, no Chevrolet EVs for Europe
Perfect, a simple base car, low cost of ownership. Don't need FSD, I know how to drive. Don't need complicated gadgets that fail after the warranty period. GM please don't screw this up with electronics/software reliability problems. Should be a lot cheaper with 30% fewer parts and plunging cost of batteries, but someone has to pay for stealership costs, stock buybacks and executive bonuses. GM don't forget that US taxpayer subsidies and tax breaks are keeping you afloat. I just need something affordable to get to work and back home safe. Is that too much to ask?
I prefer the smaller Bolt
Yep GMC living up to its name. Give More Cash.
Imagine the range in a sedan profile
No fronk?
Chinese car designs and tech are decades ahead😂
Nobody mentions the warranty. It may be the worst in the electric car category (3 yr/36,000 mi basic, 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain). I would seriously consider this vehicle but I can buy a used EV with a longer battery warranty.
Ehh....I think even older Model Ys would be a better value than the Equinox EV. You may have to hunt for a Equinox EV at the cheapest price, and you have to tolerate the dealerships. On the other hand, a few clicks and you'll get a Tesla with far less hassle, a larger network, future-proofed NACS (as opposed to the CCS connector). You have to pay extra for Supercruise and pay for a data connection through AT&T, whereas you get a basic autopilot and navigation for 8 years from purchase.
Not fanboying for Tesla but just exploring what that $35k really means....Though I think hybrids/plug-ins are the way to go today if price is really a concern.
FWIW the NACS adapter works fine with Chevy's and most superchargers are available.
They went with google because they want users to pay for services
Totally free 5G service for 2025 models for 8 years. Google route planning, charger planning and State Of Charge information was very accurate for my 3,000 mile trip.
Is it profitable?
No car play 😮
Front wheel drive + regen braking feels like a complete disaster for tire wear. The front wheels do the accelerating, VAST majority of the braking when regen is considered, and the steering. I predict you'll lose a TON of the gas money you saved just buying tires for this thing.
Driving an EV in the winter w/o heated seats is a massive waste of fuel.
The people’s EV!
288 hp and 7.8 sec 0-60?🤔
288 is the AWD version. FWD is closer to 215.
It's more than 800kg heavier than its gas equivalent.
Honestly, nice to see a non-luxury ev.
Best value is a used Nissan ARIYA Evolve+. You can get these things all day for under $30K, have AWD, 390hp/ 442tq, way nicer cabin and materials, Tesla network access and no history of fires.
You can also get 1-2 year old Volvo C40 for around $25k-$28k. Thoses were $57-60+ new so are a bargain and much more luxurious than this for less.
The Equinox EV has access to the Tesla network. We have one and have used it twice thus far.
@@gproctor716 So will most other brands including Nissan, Kia, Ford, Hyundai etc later in 2025/already being built with it.
@@gamingwitharlen2267 yup-I also have a Mini Cooper SE and just got a notification the Tesla network will be available for mine (with NACS adapter) in early 2025
Why are you comparing a crossover to a sedan?
Because Chevy doesn’t have a sedan anymore. Cheapest Tesla EV to cheapest Chevy EV.
@@3ractnodi should be cheapest Tesla crossover to cheapest GM EV crossover.
2025 Tesla model 3 standard range isn't available. Cheapest 2025 available is the long range RWD at around $43k.
Ummm...this is not 35k on their website...its 43k...what gives...
You are probably looking at the 2024. The 2025 LT is 35k before the 7500 rebate
You should check the cars sales websites. In my area the 2025 Lt starts at 36k .
@@Cyborg_Auto ahh... probably
I am holding out for the bolt...it's honestly all the car I need for daily stuff and if this is starting at 35k then I hope that comes in below 30k starting (before credits - if they are even there at the time)...
The Chevy site defaults to 2024 models for some reason. Change it to 2025 to see the base LT.
No Apple CarPlay is a deal breaker for me
Whats with the monkey tiny speedometer display with 2 inches of surrounding glossy trim ????..............its the speedometer from an E bike !
Coulda gone even further back in time and mentioned the EV1 hah
The lack of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is a joke. Literally the only thing I don't like about this car. We were looking for an EV SUV and picked between the Mach-E and the Prologue. Blazer EV wasn't even on the list due to lack of CarPlay. We ended up with the Prologue. Great car! if GM made the CarPlay software for that they should have included it in the Blazer EV. What a dumb choice not to!
GM is doing a good job with Chevy and Cadillac EVs in the U.S., although its ICE models may be struggling a bit (except full size SUVs). Cadillac’s new EVs also look very promising. It’s a mystery why they cannot compete in China, where GM was once a top foreign carmaker yet today cannot compete with Chinese EVs and have zero cars in the top 20 cars sold there.
No carplay? Forget it. I would not get in a car that does not have it.