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For many first-time electric vehicle buyers, the shift from internal combustion engines to battery-powered platforms can be daunting. However, as our latest Chevy Equinox EV review reveals, General Motors may have cracked the code to making that leap less intimidating. The 2025 Equinox EV RS offers the kind of conventional design, price accessibility, and user-friendliness that traditional drivers crave—while subtly introducing them to the future of mobility.
Designed for Mainstream Appeal
Unlike early EVs that flaunt their futuristic identities with spaceship-like styling, the Equinox EV keeps things reassuringly conventional. Parked at a grocery store or pulling up to a worksite, it looks much like its gas-powered siblings—especially in this RS trim. Aside from a subtle blue EV badge, there’s little to clue the average bystander into its electric heart. That’s by design.
GM clearly targets a different demographic here: not the early adopter eager to stand out, but the average buyer looking for something new that doesn’t feel alien. For those hesitant about EVs, that familiarity matters.
Pricing That Lowers the Barrier
The most compelling part of this vehicle may not be its design or features—it’s the price. With base models starting at $35,000 and mid-range trims like the RS at $43,000 (with fully-loaded configurations reaching $52,000), the Equinox EV offers impressive affordability for a midsize electric SUV.
For context, many EVs on the market today—especially from Tesla or Rivian—start in the $50,000–$65,000 range. In contrast, the Equinox EV competes with lower-cost models like the discontinued Chevy Bolt or Chinese market entries like the Skywell.
A Comfortable Step into EV Ownership
Open the hood, and instead of a frunk (front trunk), buyers will find a traditional-looking engine bay. While there’s no extra cargo space, the layout supports serviceability—a welcome sight for technicians and a comfort for buyers used to internal combustion vehicles.
Everything under the hood is designed to resemble familiar ICE architecture. There’s accessible placement for the 12V battery and enough room for hands-on maintenance. From a lean manufacturing and design-for-serviceability perspective, this strategy aligns with Munro’s values: ease of access, modularity, and minimal disruption to existing repair practices.
Interior Fit and Finish: Budget-Smart Execution
Inside, the Equinox EV RS balances cost-conscious design with visual appeal. Many interior components—such as the thermoformed door skins, injection-molded armrest panels, and integrated speaker grills—mirror construction techniques found in the Skywell SUV, another $35,000-class vehicle.
Materials throughout the cabin are consistent with what we’d expect at this price point. Painted plastics replace piano black surfaces, decorative accents are kept minimal, and the overall layout is intuitive. In other words: the Equinox doesn’t try to be flashy—it focuses on delivering solid value.
One notable design feature is the light paneling, which appears to use masked paint or possibly electroluminescent materials to create a smooth glow. It’s an elegant touch, especially for this segment, and leaves us curious to tear it down and see how it’s constructed.
Seats: Stylish, But Not for Everyone
While the front seats look good—with perforated fabric, two-tone weaves, and decorative stitching in silver, blue, and red—they fall short in comfort. The host of Munro Live, a larger driver, described them as “a prison sentence,” criticizing the foam density and lack of body contouring.
It’s a reminder that cost constraints in this segment often show up in soft materials like seats. Interestingly, stitching complexity here required up to five sewing machine setups, including double-needle and piping foot configurations. That complexity likely drives some of the trim-level cost differences between the $35K and $52K versions.
User Experience: Thoughtfully Traditional
From a driver’s perspective, everything works just as expected. There are stalks for wipers and turn signals, buttons where you’d expect them, and large central screens that don’t overshadow basic functionality. For a consumer switching from gas to electric, this is exactly what they want: no learning curve.
The heads-up display (HUD), however, does stand out—and not in a good way. It sits as a large, bulky “monument” on the dash, likely carried over from another GM vehicle. It’s functional, yes, but visually disruptive and indicative of a part-bin decision that detracts from the otherwise clean design.
Rear Comfort and Amenities
In the back seat, features are basic. There’s rear seat heating—a nice touch—but otherwise just standard air vents and a couple of USB ports. No 110V outlet, and only a traditional 12V jack in the cargo area. Again, this reinforces the Equinox EV’s identity as a practical, familiar transition vehicle—not a tech-laden EV marvel.
That said, one subtle win is the headroom. Despite the sloping roofline, the host—who often bumps his head in the back rows of SUVs—found the space more than adequate.
Cargo Area: Simple and Effective
The cargo space is straightforward, with a two-level load floor and a clever living hinge in the carpet. While the hinge position could be improved (it wedges into the side trim when opening), it’s still more functional than single-piece lift-out panels seen in more expensive vehicles.
There are a few tie-down points, though most are placed toward the rear. For customers wanting to secure cargo forward, this could be a miss. The absence of a household 110V outlet in the trunk also limits versatility for outdoor gear or tailgating setups.
Final Verdict: A Smart Buy for the EV-Curious
The 2025 Chevy Equinox EV RS won’t dazzle Tesla fans or tech-obsessed EV enthusiasts. But that’s not the point. This is a car for the 80%—for the families, commuters, and ICE veterans ready to dip their toes into electric without abandoning what they already know and like.
At $35,000–$43,000, this vehicle delivers just enough innovation, practicality, and familiarity to make that leap less intimidating. While the $52,000 version stretches the value proposition, we suspect the sweet spot lies in the mid-trim models.
For engineers, suppliers, and design-minded buyers, the Equinox EV presents a fascinating study in lean design and strategic compromise—where smart manufacturing decisions help keep costs down while still offering modern appeal.
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