The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV continues to make one of the strongest value cases in the electric world: a roomy, well-equipped compact electric SUV with up to 319 miles (513 km) of EPA range, available hands-free Super Cruise, and a starting price of just $34,995 (before destination). Built on GM's Ultium platform, it pairs an 85 kWh battery with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, a big 17.7-inch screen and Google Built-in software. For 2026 the line-up settles into LT and RS trims, and while it still uses a CCS charging port (native NACS arrives for 2027), the Equinox EV remains one of the most sensible ways into a long-range electric SUV.
Performance & Specs
Buyers choose between two powertrains. The single-motor front-wheel-drive model makes 220 hp (164 kW) and 243 lb-ft (329 Nm), prioritising range with its EPA-rated 319 miles and a 0–60 mph time of around 8.0 seconds. Step up to the dual-motor eAWD version and output rises to 300 hp (224 kW) and 355 lb-ft (481 Nm), cutting 0–60 mph to roughly 5.8–5.9 seconds while trimming range slightly to 307 miles (494 km). Both draw from the same 85 kWh Ultium battery. The eAWD option costs around $3,300 on top of any trim. It's not a performance car, but the AWD version is genuinely brisk, and the FWD model's 319-mile range is its real headline.
| Powertrain | Single-motor FWD BEV |
|---|---|
| Power | 164 kW (220 hp) |
| Torque | 243 lb-ft (329 Nm) |
| 0–60 mph | ~8.0 s |
| Battery | 85 kWh Ultium |
| Range | 319 mi (513 km) |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | Single-motor FWD or dual-motor eAWD |
|---|---|
| HORSEPOWER | 220 hp (FWD) / 300 hp (AWD) |
| TORQUE | 243 lb-ft (FWD) / 355 lb-ft (AWD) |
| ACCELERATION | 0–60 mph ~8.0 s (FWD) / ~5.9 s (AWD) |
| DRIVETRAIN | FWD or eAWD |
| BATTERY | 85 kWh Ultium |
| ELECTRIC RANGE | 319 mi FWD / 307 mi AWD (EPA) |
| CHARGING PORT | CCS (NACS adapter; native NACS in 2027) |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 4,836 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,915 mm |
| Height | 1,613 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,954 mm |
| Cargo (folded) | ~1,620 L |
The Equinox EV is bigger than the petrol Equinox it shares a name with, riding on GM's larger Ultium skateboard. At 4,836 mm long with a generous 2,954 mm wheelbase, it offers genuine space for five and a useful boot — around 748 litres behind the second row, expanding to roughly 1,620 litres with the rear seats folded. The long wheelbase pays off in rear legroom, and the flat floor of the dedicated EV platform makes the cabin feel airy. Curb weight is around 2,245–2,273 kg depending on drivetrain, typical for a battery SUV of this size.
| LENGTH | 4,836 mm (190.4 in) |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,915 mm (75.4 in) |
| HEIGHT | 1,613 mm (63.5 in) |
| WHEELBASE | 2,954 mm (116.3 in) |
| CARGO VOLUME | ~748 L (~1,620 L seats folded) |
| SEATING | 5 |
Charging & Battery
The Equinox EV's 85 kWh Ultium battery supports DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, enough to add about 77 miles of range in roughly 10 minutes. For home charging, an 11.5 kW onboard AC charger is standard, with a faster 19.2 kW unit available on the RS. One key point for 2026: the Equinox EV still uses a CCS charging port, with a NACS adapter provided for Tesla Supercharger access — a native NACS port is coming for the 2027 model year. The car also offers standard vehicle-to-home (V2H) capability, allowing it to power a house during an outage with the appropriate GM Energy hardware.
| BATTERY | 85 kWh Ultium |
|---|---|
| AC CHARGING | 11.5 kW (19.2 kW on RS) |
| DC FAST CHARGING | up to 150 kW |
| DC 10-MIN ADD | ~77 miles |
Design & Interior
The Equinox EV wears Chevrolet's modern electric face: a slim split-headlight signature with an illuminated light bar, a body-coloured closed nose with the bowtie badge, and a sporty crossover stance with black lower cladding. The blue launch colour shows off the clean, aerodynamic surfacing well, and the RS trim adds black exterior accents and unique wheels. Inside, the dashboard is dominated by the wide 17.7-inch touchscreen and a separate driver display, with a clean, horizontal layout and a mix of materials that punch above the price. There's plenty of storage, comfortable seating and the airy feel that comes from a dedicated EV platform. It looks and feels like a more expensive car than its $34,995 starting price suggests. The cabin design borrows heavily from Chevrolet's larger Blazer EV, with a driver-focused layout, ambient lighting and physical shortcuts alongside the touchscreen. Rear passengers benefit from the long 2,954 mm wheelbase, getting limousine-like legroom that few rivals at this price can match, while the low, flat load floor makes loading bulky items easy.
Technology & Features
The Equinox EV runs GM's Google Built-in system on its 17.7-inch screen, with Google Maps, Assistant and Play Store apps native to the car (there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto). The headline feature is Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assistance system that works on more than 400,000 miles of mapped roads across North America; it's a roughly $3,355 option and includes a three-year trial of the required connectivity. Higher trims add HD Surround Vision cameras and additional comfort and convenience features.
Safety & ADAS
Every Equinox EV comes with Chevy Safety Assist, a standard bundle of more than 20 safety and driver-assistance features including automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keep assist and automatic high beams. Buyers can add Super Cruise for hands-free highway driving, and HD Surround Vision provides a 360-degree view for parking on upper trims.
| ADAS LEVEL | L2 (Super Cruise hands-free optional) |
|---|---|
| ADAS FEATURES | AEB, lane-keep, forward collision alert, 360° camera, Super Cruise (optional) |
Available Versions
| VERSION | POWER | BATTERY | EV RANGE | 0-60 MPH | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT FWD | 220 hp | 85 kWh | 319 mi (513 km) | ~8.0 s | $34,995 | Base trim, longest range |
| LT eAWD | 300 hp | 85 kWh | 307 mi (494 km) | ~5.9 s | ~$38,300 | Dual-motor all-wheel drive |
| RS FWD/AWD | 220–300 hp | 85 kWh | 307–319 mi | ~5.9–8.0 s | up to ~$49,000 | Sport styling, 19.2 kW charger, top kit |
Pricing & Availability
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV starts at $34,995 for the LT FWD before a $1,800 destination charge (about $36,795 all-in), rising to roughly $49,000 for a fully loaded RS AWD with Super Cruise. That keeps the entry model among the most affordable long-range electric SUVs on the US market. It's on sale now, with the 2026 model carrying over the previous year's powertrains and adding minor trim and colour changes.
How It Compares
The Equinox EV's killer stat is price-per-mile-of-range. At $34,995 for 319 miles, it undercuts the Tesla Model Y and the base Hyundai Ioniq 5 while matching or beating them on range, and it out-ranges the closely related Honda Prologue (which rides on the same Ultium platform). The Tesla still wins on charging convenience thanks to its native NACS port and the Supercharger network — an advantage the Equinox only fully matches when the 2027 model gains a native NACS port. But for sheer value, space and that 319-mile range, the Chevy is tough to argue with.
- Up to 319 miles of range from just $34,995
- Roomy cabin and big 17.7-inch screen
- Available hands-free Super Cruise
- Standard vehicle-to-home backup capability
- Still CCS for 2026 (native NACS waits until 2027)
- No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
- FWD base model is leisurely at ~8.0s to 60 mph
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV remains one of the smartest-value electric SUVs you can buy. A 319-mile range, a spacious Ultium-platform cabin, a big screen and available Super Cruise — all from $34,995 — is a genuinely compelling package that undercuts the Tesla Model Y and most rivals. The main caveats are the lingering CCS port (fixed for 2027) and the lack of CarPlay, but neither is a dealbreaker given the price and range on offer. If you want a long-range, family-friendly electric SUV without spending Tesla money, the Equinox EV should be at the very top of your list.
