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The Equinox EV first impressions are in—and they mark a turning point for electric vehicles. When Munro engineers recommend this Chevy crossover to their own families, it’s more than just an endorsement. It’s a signal: EVs are no longer just luxury tech showcases or niche environmental statements—they’re practical, affordable, and ready for the mainstream.
In this review, we dive into a hands-on ride and drive experience with the all-new Chevy Equinox EV. With insights from someone who worked directly on its powertrain and lived through its engineering evolution, this is more than a test drive. It’s a teardown-by-experience of what works, what doesn’t, and why this vehicle matters for the future of EV adoption.
Bridging the Gap: Price Parity Achieved
Cost has long been the largest barrier to electric vehicle adoption. The Equinox EV breaks through this ceiling. Priced at around $35,000 for the base model, it directly competes with its internal combustion counterpart—not just on paper, but in real-world performance, utility, and ownership costs.
With federal incentives and monthly fuel savings—estimated at over $100 per month—this vehicle becomes not only affordable but a savvy economic choice. Team Munro highlights this moment as a milestone in the EV industry: the point at which a U.S.-built EV matches the cost of a comparable gas-powered car.
Practical Powertrain Engineering
Under the hood, the Equinox EV offers about 215 horsepower, optimized for efficiency rather than blistering speed. Its 0–30 mph acceleration feels responsive, especially in sport mode, though it doesn’t match the punch of Tesla’s dual-motor setups or even GM’s own Blazer EV, which reaches up to 600 hp.
Still, this is by design. The Equinox EV is a family car, a “value play,” not a high-performance machine. It’s the EV you buy to replace your gas crossover, not your track toy.
Beneath the hood, there’s no flashy frunk—but a well-organized powertrain layout including a heat pump, inverter, onboard charger, DC-DC converter, and motor assembly. The layout looks refreshingly similar to an internal combustion engine bay—practical, familiar, and accessible for service.
Interior Experience: Designed for Daily Life
One of the standout features isn’t flashy tech—it’s familiarity. Stepping into the Equinox EV doesn’t feel like learning a spaceship. The stalks are visible. The gear selector is intuitive. You can adjust the heat and AC without diving through a touchscreen menu. The reviewer, coming from a gas vehicle background, emphasized how refreshing it was to operate the car without reading a manual or watching tutorials.
Interior design is rugged, simple, and purpose-driven. As one of our team members put it: “You can spill a milkshake on the dash and wipe it off.” This isn’t a Mercedes, and it doesn’t want to be. It’s a Chevy through and through. The focus is usability over luxury, with thoughtful touches like heated rear seats, dual displays, and ample cabin storage.
Ride Quality and Driving Impressions
Built on GM’s Ultium platform, the Equinox EV shares structural DNA with the Cadillac Lyriq. The result? A surprisingly refined ride.
With a long wheelbase and stiff chassis thanks to its battery integration, the Equinox EV drives like a more premium vehicle. The suspension dampens road imperfections well, and the overall handling is more planted than previous gas-powered Equinoxes, which could feel soft in corners.
The car is available in both two- and all-wheel drive configurations. While the reviewed model was front-wheel drive, a $42,000 AWD variant offers enhanced traction for those in colder climates.
One-Pedal Driving and Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking is a key differentiator in EV driving dynamics. The Equinox EV supports selectable one-pedal driving as well as regen-on-brake integration.
Interestingly, traditional two-pedal driving remains our preference. But GM’s blend of regenerative and friction braking deserves praise as one of the best in the industry—seamless and responsive under all conditions.
GM’s brake calibration is a standout here, delivering a natural feel that doesn’t surprise the driver, unlike competitors that struggle to balance regenerative and hydraulic systems.
Super Cruise: Autonomous Tech Done Right
One of the standout technology features is GM’s Super Cruise system. Unlike Tesla’s more camera-dependent Autopilot, Super Cruise relies on high-definition maps, including precise curvature and grade data for each stretch of road.
While its usage is limited to mapped highways, its performance is impressive. The system not only maintains lane position and speed but can execute lane changes autonomously when it’s safe to do so.
It communicates status through a combination of lights on the steering wheel and haptic seat feedback. If the system disengages, you’ll know instantly—no surprises.
During real-world testing on I-75 in Michigan, the car performed hands-free driving smoothly, even autonomously passing slower traffic. The user experience is frictionless: “You just press one button.”
Interior Tech and User Interface
The vehicle offers dual displays—one behind the wheel, the other center-mounted—with Google Assistant voice control baked in. The infotainment system is functional, with native navigation and Android integration. You can say, “Hey Google, take me to 1140 Center Road,” and get seamless guidance without touching a screen.
The heads-up display (HUD) draws mixed feedback—it’s larger than typical and visibly protrudes. But the slope and design reduce glare in bright sunlight, an intentional ergonomic detail that improves readability while driving.
Final Verdict: The Equinox EV Delivers
This review doesn’t come from a journalist—it comes from the experienced members of Team Munro, including a former GM engineer who helped build the very powertrain under review. His verdict? “This is the car I recommend to my family.”
Not because it’s fast. Not because it’s flashy. But because it works. It saves money. It’s reliable, comfortable, easy to use, and thoughtfully engineered.
For electric vehicles to go mainstream, they need to feel familiar and deliver real value. The Equinox EV checks both boxes. It’s not trying to be revolutionary in appearance. It’s trying to be the best possible crossover for the average driver—now electrified.
Takeaway for Engineers and Enthusiasts
- Platform Synergy: Built on the Ultium platform, the Equinox shares ride quality cues with the Cadillac Lyriq.
- Powertrain Simplicity: 215 hp motor tuned for efficiency, not speed—fitting its family-focused mission.
- User-Centric Design: Familiar interface makes this one of the easiest EVs to transition into from a gas vehicle.
- Advanced ADAS: Super Cruise provides reliable hands-free highway driving, aided by deep mapping.
- Brake Blending Excellence: GM continues to lead in regen/friction integration.
Call to Action
Curious how GM’s Ultium platform compares to Tesla’s? Or how the Equinox stacks up against the Blazer EV? Dive deeper into Munro’s teardown insights and engineering breakdowns on Munro Live. For in-depth cost analysis, performance benchmarking, and lean design reviews, stay tuned to the Munro blog.
Your next electric crossover may be closer—and more affordable—than you think.