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Chevy Equinox EV first drive: GM may have cracked the code in delivering a quality SUV that’s affordable [Video]
Chevy is finally beginning sales of its long-anticipated Equinox EV, but before then, I got an invite to Detroit to test it out for myself. I was admittedly skeptical of this EV, but once I got behind the wheel, I realized that the new Equinox is a well-built model with plenty of features and enticing pricing to boot. Be sure to check out my driving impressions in the full video below.
Table of contents
The Chevy Equinox EV has been a long time coming
As always, I like to start with a bit of a refresher course on how we got to today, with the Chevy Equinox EV on the cusp of reaching its first customers in the US. Chevy has been teasing an all-electric Equinox since early 2022 when it unveiled plans for the model and promised to deliver it at a starting price of $30,000—sorry, “around $30,000.”
Even at around $30k, that’s a game-changing price for a crossover EV, and GM stuck to that price point over the next two years as we learned more about the Equinox, including pictures of its two-toned exterior. However, we were still left guessing on vital metrics like range, battery size, and, of course, verified pricing.
As the official launch approached, we learned that the Equinox EV would begin production in 2024, and Chevy has a lot riding on its success. By February of this year, we learned that “priced around $30,000” actually means “$35,000,” which is higher than expected but still affordable. Plus, the Equinox offers 319 miles of range.
Chevy even started pulling demand levers before Equinox EV deliveries, offering Bolt owners $3,000 off to make the switch. The American automaker has publicly stated hopes for this new all-electric model to help it win back some of its market share, and after driving the crossover SUV, I think that may happen. Here are my thoughts.
Performance specs of the FWD 3LT Chevy Equinox EV
For this drive event, the media traveled to the Motor City, home of GM and Chevy, where we all got to test out various FWD versions of the Equinox EV. My driving partner (shout out to Jared) got downstairs early and snagged us the only two-toned version, which happened to be the 3LT trim—the second-highest tier below the top-level 3RS.
The Equinox comes equipped with with 19- or 21-inch aluminum wheels and all-season self-sealing tires spun by a single front-wheel-drive motor. GM estimates that the FWD versions of the Equinox EV will deliver 319 miles of range on a single charge. For comparison, the eAWD trims offer an estimated 285 miles of range.
The 3LT delivers 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 8 seconds, while the eAWD trims are slightly more powerful thanks to a smaller air-cooled induction motor in the rear. Those models offer 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque, hitting 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds.
Those are not crazy impressive acceleration times, but the Chevy team told us that through its research, it has determined that would-be customers in the crossover BEV segment aren’t looking for blistering speed. What the BEV lacks in giddy-up, it makes up for in range, cargo, and smoothness.
Lastly, all trims of the Equinox EV have DC fast charging capabilities up to 150 kW, garnering a GM estimated 77 miles during a 10-minute session. Level 2 rates peak at 11.5 kW, replenishing an estimated 34 miles of range every hour. Before we get to my driving impressions and video review, let’s look at the Chevy Equinox EV inside and out.
An “athletic” exterior matched by a simple, clean interior
At first glance at the Equinox’s exterior, it appears sleek and aerodynamic, without sacrificing too much of its side profile to the point that it looks like a top-heavy sedan. The headlamps across the entire front and thin and sleek, and the air flaps tie everything together nicely as you move around to the side and really notice the two-toned paint job.
I’m usually not a fan of chrome, but Chevy’s subtle use of it along the wheelbase and windows really works in my opinion. Having the “riptide metallic blue” was awesome to shoot in the sun and in overcast skies, but the color closely matched the Equinox badge on the rear, so my driving partner and I, as well as passersby, joked about the SUV being called the “Quinox” (see for yourself above).
The trunk had plenty of cargo storage and a little extra tub below the carpet that looked like it could double as a cooler. I liked that you could pull a lever to have the seats drop from the trunk rather than walking around to the back seats and doing it yourself. This crossover offers 57.2 cubic feet (1,614 liters) of max cargo room with the rear seat and was surprisingly roomy.
Moving into the cabin, the Equinox EV’s dash and steering wheel are familiar if you’ve driven other Chevy models (or the Honda Prologue or Acura ZDX). The leather is a nice touch that adds to the feel of quality, but there is admittedly nothing extra special about the cockpit. That being said, it is more than adequate and by no means appears cheap or plasticky.
The blue brushed aluminum accents are just subtle enough not to overpower the look and feel of the front seat, but I’m still not sure how I feel about it. To me, it looks like metal that still has a protective film on it. I kept wanting to peel it off and post it to r/OddlySatisfying.
My 3LT came with heated seats but no A/C. This is a potential deal breaker for me personally, but I’m sure most people won’t care. Still, the seats are very comfortable.
The rear is clean but admittedly simple. There is not much to talk about here. There is more leather on the seats and a couple of USB-C ports on the back of the center console, but no HVAC controls. I had plenty of legroom when I was back there, snapping the pics you’ll see below.
The dash features two displays: an 11” driver display and a 17.7” center screen on which you can control virtually everything, including customized ambient cabin lighting. Since we drove during the day, I wasn’t able to experience the full effect, but it’s a nice touch for fun on the road at night.
You can also control the Equinox’s four drive modes from the center screen, which I’ll discuss in my impressions of this Chevy EV on the road.
Driving impressions: SuperCruise does it again
The Chevy Equinox EV has four drive modes: Normal, Snow/Ice, a customizable “My Mode,” and Sport Mode, which I used most of the time. Because it has a single FWD motor, you don’t feel much difference in the ride.
The navigation system was fine, but I admittedly always miss Apple Carplay when I don’t have it. It’s easier. Many times throughout the drive, my partner and I (half) jokingly yelled, “Bring back CarPlay… and bring back the Bolt ASAP, dammit!”
As I experienced in my recent Silverado EV drive and any other Ultium vehicle I’ve driven, SuperCruise shined. The hands-free ADAS is easy to use and makes long highway trips much more enjoyable. It also allowed me to quickly snap photos of my journey, like the one below.
I found the Equinox didn’t try to switch lanes as often as the Silverado EV, but that could have just been the route I was on. Still, I can’t say enough good things about this technology—it feels so much more useful and realistic at this point than full self-driving.
Overall, the cabin experience was quiet and smooth. Road and wind noise were minimal, and bumps were well alleviated by the SUV’s suspension. This made for an enjoyable experience on the highway, in a neighborhood, or on a service road.
Chevy Equinox EV pricing, availability, and our video review
Overall, the Chevy Equinox EV has the makings to be a bonafide winner in the crossover segment and the BEV market overall. It doesn’t necessarily blow you away with its bells and whistles in the interior, but it is more than adequate. It does not appear as quickly developed and assembled as it was (Chevy said this was the fastest BEV brought to market aside from the Hummer).
The ride is smooth and relatively quiet, and the estimated 319-mile range (if confirmed by the EPA) will be a huge selling point for consumers who still don’t understand that they don’t need more than 300 miles of range most days.
While Chevy came in a little higher on starting MSRP than initially teased, $35k for a crossover of this level is an absolute steal, and I think many potential consumers will bite. The 3LT FWD trim I drove starts at an MSRP of $45,295 before taxes and destination fees. Add the full $7,500 federal tax credit potential, and you’re looking at a solid BEV for under $40k, which is a significantly better range than its competitors.
The Chevy Equinox EV is now available to configure and order in both FWD and eAWD versions, including the 2LT, 3LT, 2RS, and 3RS. According to Chevy, the $35,000 base-level LT is expected to hit the market later this year and should still deliver 319 miles of the estimated range. It will be interesting to see how those features and specs compare to the current options, and I trust that we will report back on that and hopefully get behind the wheel of one soon.
In the meantime, you can check out my full video review of my drive in the Chevy Equinox 3LT EV below:
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Honda announced that it is pausing about $15 billion in planned EV investments to build electric vehicle and battery factories in Canada amid uncertainty over trade.
It’s the latest example of Canada’s backing the US plan backfiring.
A few years ago, Canada sided with the US in its plan to save the US auto industry, which was falling behind the rest of the world in the transition to electric vehicles.
Canada agreed to heavily tariff Chinese EVs to keep them away from the North American market, which mainly helps the US auto manufacturing industry, and in return, Canada’s EV production was included in Biden’s IRA to encourage foreign automakers to invest in EV production in both US and Canada to get access to the US market.
However, when Trump came into power earlier this year, he threw a wrench into this entire plan by canceling IRA funding, planning to kill the EV tax credit, and placing tariffs on many countries, including Canada.
It has resulted in planned investments in the EV sector in Canada to cool down.
Now, one of Canada’s most significant EV investments has been paused.
Honda has announced that it is pausing for two years its plan to establish a massive new EV production base in Canada:
“Due to the recent slowdown of the EV market, Honda Motor has announced an approximate two-year postponement of the comprehensive value chain investment project in Canada. The company will continue to evaluate the timing and project progression as market conditions change.”
The investment was announced just over a year ago. It was supposed to include a new EV factory in Ontario and a battery factory, totaling more than $10 billion in investments.
It was supposed to create over 1,000 jobs in Ontario and help retain the 4,200 jobs at Honda’s current assembly plant in Ontario, which are threatened by the electric transition.
Electrek’s Take
Canada is taking a beating here and all for mostly just protecting the US auto industry.
As I have been saying for a while, at this point, you should just invite the Chinese automakers to join.
You can do a deal à la India, where you remove tariffs for Chinese automakers willing to invest in the EV supply chain in Canada.
There’s no point in protecting the US automakers if the US is purposefully destroying the Canadian auto sector.
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A new company out of Germany called ONOX is bringing sustainable technology to the agriculture industry. After garnering design awards, the ONOX electric tractor prototype is in operation overseas as its makers look to scale and bring its unique modular design, complete with swappable battery packs, to farms everywhere.
It’s been less than two years since ONOX hit the tech scene with a prototype of its flagship electric tractor, which debuted at Agritechnica 2023 in Hanover, Germany. In April of 2024, the German startup’s electric tractor was awarded an iF Design Gold Award.
That same summer, the ONOX1 finalized commissioning before entering an extensive test phase. By December, the startup had snagged another trophy – the Federal Ecodesign Award. This past February, the ONOX electric tractor received road approval in Germany and began operations while the design team continues its mission of making electric agricultural machinery a reality.
The ONOX electric tractor is unique in that it utilizes modular battery swap technology, in which farmers can choose from three different mounting areas (see below).
ONOX’s electric tractor could breathe new life into farming
Since the ONOX electric tractor remains a prototype, many of its specs are targets and estimates, but the initial design is quite impressive. The electric tractor’s motor offers peak power of 70 kW with over 2,400 Nm of torque up front and over 5,500 Nm in the rear. ONOX’s targeted top speed is 40 km/h (~25 mph).
The ONOX tractor features an integrated 20-kWh battery pack and room for additional swappable packs of 30 kWh each. The entire system operates on 48V power, so maintenance is safer and easier for users without further training since there is no risk of exposure to high-voltage components.
The ONOX design team has also integrated an Airline system with mounting rails on the tractor’s hood, enabling future owners to mount cargo, haul hay or produce, or customize the area with other parts. The front of the tractor is also front-loader-ready, adding to its modularity and versatility.
The ONOX website says the electric tractor is self-sufficient using its own solar energy, but from the specs and images we’ve seen, there is no evidence of any solar technology implemented on the current prototype. Perhaps they mean the swappable batteries can be charged using solar when not installed on the tractor.
We will monitor ONOX’s progress as electric tractor development continues en route to commercial sales.
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Toyota upgraded its electric SUV in just about every way possible. The 2026 Toyota bZ is refined from end to end with a fresh new style, more driving range, advanced new tech, and much more. It even has an NACS port, so you can charge at Tesla Superchargers. Here’s our first look at Toyota’s new EV.
Meet the 2026 Toyota bZ electric SUV
Remember the bZ4X? It’s currently the only EV Toyota sells in North America. It’s now called the “bZ,” and it’s better than ever.
The 2026 Toyota bZ has an estimated driving range of 314 miles, a 25% improvement over the outgoing bZ4X. It also has a built-in NACS charging port, unlocking access to Tesla’s vast Supercharger network across North America.
Toyota said the upgraded EV can charge from 10% to 80% “under ideal conditions” when using DC fast charging. With added Plug & Charge capabilities, charging has never been easier.
The AWD models now have up to 338 hp, a 50% improvement thanks to new SIC semiconductors. Front-wheel-drive (FWD) models deliver 221 hp, up from 201 HP in the 2025 bZ4X.
Other upgrades, including battery pre-conditioning and a thermal management system, help optimize charging speeds in cold weather.
Battery options and driving range
The 2026 Toyota bZ will have two battery options: 57.7 kWh and 74.7 kWh. Toyota estimates that the larger (74.7 kWh) battery will provide up to 314 miles of range, while the smaller (57.7 kWh) option will get up to 236 miles.
Toyota upgraded the electric SUV inside and out. The exterior features Toyota’s new “hammerhead front end,” which is shown on updated vehicles like the Camry and Crown. The new styling includes redesigned front overfenders and slim LED daytime running lights.
The interior received a few upgrades, including a redesigned center console. The setup now includes a larger 14″ Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, two wireless phone chargers, and a slimmed-down dashboard.
Standard features include a 7″ driver display screen, heated front and rear seats, regenerative braking, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, and more.
Upgrading to the Limited trim will gain you 20″ black alloy wheels, multi-LED headlights, SofTex®-trimmed seats, ventilated front seating, and added safety/ driver assist features. Other options include a panoramic moonroof with power sunshade (XLE) and a premium 9-speaker JBL Audio system (Limited).
.
| 2026 Toyota bZ trim | Battery | Range (Manufacturer estimated) |
| XLE FWD | 57.7 kWh | 236 miles |
| XLE FWD Plus | 74.7 kWh | 314 miles |
| XLE AWD | 74.7 kWh | 288 miles |
| Limited FWD | 74.7 kWh | 299 miles |
| Limited AWD | 74.7 kWh | 278 miles |
According to Toyota, the new name will help simplify things for buyers. We suspect it’s also designed to revamp the brand’s sole EV after a slow (to say it nicely) rollout in North America. The bZ4X was recalled shortly after launch over concerns that the wheels may fall off.
The 2026 Toyota bZ is expected to arrive at dealerships in the second half of 2025. Check back for more info as prices will be revealed soon.
With the upgraded 2026 model arriving, Toyota is offering close-out prices on the 2024 and 2025 bZ4X. The 2024 bZ4X is listed with up to $19,000 in lease cash, while 2025 models can be leased for as low as $269 per month. You can use our link to find deals on the 2024 and 2025 Toyota bZ4X in your area today.
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