Chevy Equinox EV

The Price Story Has a Catch

So here's the thing everyone's talking about — the Chevy Equinox EV is being called the most affordable midsize SUV with over 300 miles of range. And the base model is listed at $34,995, which with the $7,500 tax credit puts it at around $27,000. That's insane.

But here's what a lot of YouTubers haven't mentioned: that base model is not currently for sale. You can't walk into a dealership today and buy it. The model I tested is the all-wheel drive 2RS, and that comes in at about $47,800 MSRP with 285 miles of range. There's also the 2LT AWD at around $43,000.

Now here's where it gets interesting — the comparable Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD is $47,900. So these two cars are literally $105 apart. They're basically the same price. And both qualify for the $7,500 tax credit. So let's compare them head-to-head.

First Impressions: It Looks Great

My first impressions of the Equinox EV have been very favorable. They did a really nice job with this car — it's stylish, sporty, and I love how angular it is. That front running light with the Chevy bow tie in the middle? Kind of mean looking. I like it.

You get 21-inch wheels standard on this spec, which is a definite plus. The EV badging is super minimal — just a little blue "e" — so you wouldn't really know it's an EV unless you know what to look for. The whole car looks very different from the gas Equinox, more aggressive.

Interior: Traditional Car Meets EV

Inside, this particular model has a beautiful red interior with red stitching, faux leather seats that are really comfortable. And unlike a Tesla — there are buttons. Actual physical buttons for your climate controls, volume, everything. If you're coming from a traditional car and you like buttons, you're going to feel right at home.

The dual screen setup is a big win. You have your main infotainment center and a smaller screen right in front of you with your speedometer, map, and music controls. The Model Y only has one screen, so having your speed right in front of you without looking to the right is really nice.

A few things I'm not thrilled about:

• No Apple CarPlay. The Chevy EV fleet runs Android-based software with Google Maps built in. It works fine, but why not include CarPlay? You have it on the non-EV Chevys.
• Key fob required. Coming from a keyless Tesla, I can't go back. But the door handles automatically pop out when you walk up, which is cool — I wish the Tesla did that.
• No wireless phone charging on this trim. There are USB-C ports, but no wireless pad.
• The volume knob is on the center console instead of the steering wheel, which means reaching over to adjust. Not a deal breaker, just not my favorite.

The Driving Experience

OK let's be real — it doesn't wow me. It does not accelerate like my Model Y. The 0-60 is something like 6 seconds, which is significantly slower. Chevy has said this isn't meant to be a performance SUV, and that's fair, but coming from a Tesla it doesn't feel zippy.

The steering is very loose, and when you get up to speed there's noticeable body roll — changing lanes at fast speeds, going around corners, there's a decent amount of drift. Sport mode helps. It tightens the steering and makes it a bit more responsive, so I kept it in sport most of the time.

One cool safety feature: the heads-up display flashes red triangles and your seat actually vibrates to alert you if you're getting too close to another car or drifting into a blind spot. That's genuinely useful.

A weird quirk: the blinkers are so quiet that with music playing I can't hear them at all. In the Model Y, the blinker auto-cancels after a lane change. The Equinox doesn't do that, so I kept driving around with my blinker on for miles. Felt like a grandma.

Road Trip Route Planning

I tested both cars' route planning to Phoenix. The Tesla figured it all out automatically — where to stop, how long to charge, arrival time. Foolproof. The Equinox also has route planning with charging stops, which is awesome — I've tested other EVs that don't even have this. Good job, Chevy.

But the Equinox suggested 25 and 45 minute charging stops compared to the Tesla's 10 and 20 minutes. That's partly because of slower charger speeds (180kW vs Tesla Superchargers) and because the Equinox has a bigger but less efficient battery — 285 miles of range vs the Model Y's 308.

Cargo & Space

The Equinox has no frunk — you open the hood and see the battery and washer fluid. The Tesla's frunk isn't huge, but we literally put our pizza oven in there on road trips. It's a life-saver.

Back seat legroom actually goes to the Equinox — it feels roomier back there. But the Tesla's trunk is significantly deeper. I can fit full-size strollers, groceries, and there's a big under-floor storage compartment. The Equinox trunk is adequate but not nearly as deep. Also, the Equinox tailgate sits lower, so if you're over 6 foot you might bonk your head.

One more thing: the Model Y offers an optional third row. It's tiny — literally just for kids — but it's an option you can't get on the Equinox.

Who Should Buy the Equinox EV

At the $35,000 price point (when that base model is available), this is a no-brainer. With the tax credit making it ~$27,000 plus all the gas and maintenance savings — it's an awesome car for so many people getting into their first EV. I really applaud what Chevy is doing bringing a truly affordable SUV EV to the market.

It's also the right car if you want something that feels familiar. No learning curve, physical buttons, straightforward infotainment. If you're a Chevy person coming from another Chevy, this is going to be a great transition to electric.

At the ~$47,000 price point where you're comparing it to a Model Y? I have to be honest — the Model Y wins. More trunk space, a frunk, keyless entry, faster acceleration, sportier drive, and the Tesla software and Supercharger network are still best in class. At the same price, the Model Y is more bang for your buck.