2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV

There are now many all-electric compact SUVs to choose from, and the Chevrolet Equinox EV is among the most alluring. As one of the newest models, it brings all the latest tech and features you’d expect, but its real X factor is this EV’s combination of low price and high range. The 2026 Equinox EV remains among the most affordable electric compact SUVs, at least in base form, while boasting among the best range figures among its competitors: 319 miles.

Add to that this model’s svelte style and practical interior, and the Chevrolet Equinox EV makes a compelling competitor to rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ, and Nissan Ariya.

We review the gasoline-powered 2026 Chevrolet Equinox separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of electric SUVs, including the Chevrolet Equinox EV.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV sees only minimal changes in its third year on sale. A Midnight Package becomes available for the base LT 1 trim, and a dual-level charge cord is standard. The former 6-way manually adjustable passenger seat is reduced to a 4-way seat.

With its mid-$30K starting price, the 2025 Equinox EV is among the least-expensive electric vehicles you can buy. It’s not much more than the smaller Hyundai Kona EV, but a few thousand above the new 2026 Nissan Leaf. Among more direct competitors, the Equinox EV starts thousands less than a Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4, Nissan Ariya, Toyota bZ, and Subaru Solterra. The caveat is that the undercut in price lies with the base LT 1 trim. The higher LT 2 and RS Equinox EV models have closer parity to those rivals.

In the past, the Equinox EV could save you even more money thanks to its eligibility for the $7,500 federal tax credit on electric vehicles. However, that incentive is set to end in the fall of 2025. Before buying a Chevrolet Equinox EV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV’s resale value is about average for its segment. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

With a single electric motor, the 2026 Equinox EV sends 220 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. That’s enough pep for average acceleration, taking about 8 seconds to reach 60 mph, right in line with acceleration times for the average gas-powered compact SUV. With the Equinox EV, however, there’s no raucous engine noise, transmission whine, or vibration — just quiet, smooth transport. We love this about EVs in general, and think you will, too.

For those who desire quicker acceleration and better grip, the all-wheel-drive option adds a second electric motor, increases output to a potent 300 hp, and bumps torque out to 355 lb-ft. With this potent setup, the all-wheel-drive Equinox EV can do the zero-to-60 mph dash in less than 6 seconds — quite fast, for sure.

Over long stretches of highway, we found the Equinox EV’s ride to be smooth and comfortable. Due to the added weight of the large battery pack, however, the Equinox requires a more robust suspension that can be less forgiving when encountering rough or pothole-strewn pavement. But not so much that it rattled anyone’s teeth. We think the Equinox’s big 21-inch wheel and tire combo — optional on the LT models, standard on the RS — also contributes to the SUV’s firm ride. The lower trims come with 19-inch wheels and tires, a combination that usually returns a softer ride.

The Equinox EV’s low center of gravity, heavy battery pack, and wide platform all contribute to a feeling of stability. We found the steering feel to be light with communicative feedback.

One-pedal driving is unique to EVs, and Equinox’s system works seamlessly. Trusting the system takes some time, but if you feel deceleration isn’t happening fast enough, you can increase brake force pressure via a steering wheel-mounted paddle. And, of course, there’s always the traditional brake pedal.

Range and Charging

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV has a maximum range of 319 miles for front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel-drive variants can go up to 307 miles. These ranges are impressive and highly competitive among electric SUVs, especially considering the Equinox EV’s lower price point.

For comparison, the Ford Mustang Mach-E will do 320 miles, the Kia EV6 up to 319 miles, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 maxes out at 318. According to Tesla, the pricier Model Y is good for up to an EPA-estimated 357 miles, but at the time of this writing, the EPA has yet to confirm that figure.

Using a DC fast charger, the Equinox EV can add 77 miles of range in 10 minutes and charge up to 150 kW. That lags rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, but should still be serviceable for most drivers. A Level 2 home charger supplies the Equinox EV with up to 34 miles of range every hour, or about 9 hours to reach a full charge. The Equinox EV offers a NACS adaptor for use at Tesla Supercharger stations and the growing number of charging stations using that standard.

Chevrolet describes the interior of the Equinox EV as “streamlined.” We’d call it neatly contemporary. The most impressive feature is the massive 17.7-inch touchscreen, the same one found in the big Chevy Silverado EV electric truck. The screen graphics are clear and easy to decipher, and the menus are simple without too many layers. We also love how quickly the touchscreen responds when prompted.

Accompanying the infotainment system is Google built-in, which handles all your navigation, texting, apps, and voice control needs. But you should be aware that GM locks out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for EVs with this system, a decision that doesn’t apply to its gas-fueled models. We do applaud GM for retaining a redundant set of hard buttons and knobs for the climate controls.

While testing at night, we were pleasantly surprised by GM’s clever use of light as a design element, most notably in the multicolored ambient panels above the glovebox and behind the door panels.

We found much to like inside the Equinox EV’s roomy cabin. There’s 38 inches of legroom for the rear seat, which is comparable to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 but not quite as generous as in the Tesla Model Y. With the rear seats folded down, there’s a maximum of 57 cubic feet of cargo volume, on par with the Ioniq 5, but way short of the Model Y’s 76 cubic feet.

LED technology allows car designers to use thinner and thinner headlights. The ones on the new Equinox EV have merely become each end of an across-the-nose strip. We think this gives the front a certain attitude that makes the SUV profile and tail a little more interesting. LT models offer the option of a contrasting white roof; the RS versions can be ordered with a black roof.

Although there’s also a Chevy Equinox SUV with a combustion engine, it’s not built on the same platform as this Equinox EV. The Equinox EV is about 7 inches longer and 3 inches wider than its gasoline-powered namesake. But like its gasoline-fueled sibling, the Equinox EV offers a two-tone color combination, specifically a black roof treatment on the RS model.

Overall, we think the Equinox EV has sleek, stylish looks that will attract a lot of buyers.

Infotainment system
This Google-based system includes a massive 17.7-inch touchscreen as standard, which dwarfs some luxury brand screen sizes.

Super Cruise
This is one of the best (of only a few, admittedly) hands-free partial self-driving systems we’ve come across. It works on more than 400,000 miles of North American roads preprogrammed into the navigation system. It’s available starting with the LT 2 trim.

Safety Alert Seat
We all use our eyes and ears to perceive possible hazards, but Chevrolet’s standard Safety Alert Seat alerts the driver’s nether regions by vibrating the lower cushion whenever the vehicle’s sensors pick up on impending peril.

One-pedal driving
Many electric vehicles have this feature, where speeding up or slowing to a complete stop can be accomplished by varying the pressure on the accelerator pedal. It’s achieved by setting brake energy regeneration levels to maximum. Negotiating city traffic becomes less tiring — only urgent stops necessitate stepping on the brake pedal. It’s another standard feature in the 2026 Equinox EV.

Hands-free tailgate operation
It is not at the cutting edge of electric vehicle tech, but it is wonderfully convenient, nevertheless. It’s standard on the upper two trims.

Rear camera mirror
It looks like a regular rearview mirror, but this option can also show the feed from a wide-angle camera, so drivers can see what’s behind without the clutter of cargo, passengers, or bodywork. It’s available beginning on the LT 2 trim.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV uses an 85 kWh battery pack. It returns up to 109 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) for front-wheel-drive models and 103 MPGe for those with all-wheel drive. Those are similar to others in this class. The higher the MPGe rating, the more efficiently the motors use electricity.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Chevrolet’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among mainstream manufacturers, although Hyundai and Kia offer better terms. The battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. Chevrolet includes five years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance, plus a free first service within one year or 12,000 miles.

Safety

The Chevrolet Equinox EV earns a top 5-Star crash-test rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features in the new Equinox EV include forward collision with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, plus lane-keeping assistance and Blind Zone Steering Assist.