In the car world, it is easy to get caught up in the performance, luxury, and high-tech features that are offered in today's vehicles. But at the end of the day, the main purpose of a vehicle remains the same - to get from point A to point B. Now, some of us (myself included) like to get there a little faster, or in luxury and style, but for most drivers, it is just a matter of getting from place to place. And that is where the Chevrolet Equinox EV shines.
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV is the smallest EV in the Chevrolet lineup, slotted just below the Blazer EV. The Equinox EV shares its name with a gas-powered counterpart, the Equinox SUV.
With the Equinox EV, you get a practical, comfortable, small SUV that is available with all-wheel drive and has an EPA-estimated range of more than 300 miles. It's not crazy fast like other EVs, and it can easily get lost in a crowd. But for the job it is intended to do, it does it well.
The Equinox EV's sleek lines and commanding stance make it fit nicely in the Chevrolet lineup. Like most EVs, the Equinox EV sports pop-out door handles that not only look and function nicely but help in the overall aerodynamics of the vehicle.
The design and shape of the Equinox EV, along with its single motor and front-wheel drive, gives it a range of 319 miles. Go with the dual motor all-wheel drive setup and the range is 285 miles. Both numbers are on par with or better than most of the Equinox EVs competition.
Now in its third year, the Equinox EV sees few changes for 2026. A new Midnight appearance package is now available on LT models and includes black wheels and dark exterior trim. On the RS trim, if you don't like the black roof that it came with last year, you can opt for a monotone paint scheme. Another paint change includes Polar White Tricoat replacing the Iridescent Pearl Tricoat. Finally, all Equinox EVs come with a dual level charging cable.
The Equinox EV LT starts at $36,495 and comes with 19-wheels and focuses on affordability and range. The RS starts at $45,795 and gives a sportier look to the Equinox EV by adding black accents, 21-inch wheels and a flat-bottom steering wheel.
Entering and exiting out of the Equinox EV is simple thanks to its low ride height. And despite its compact size, the Equinox EV has generous legroom in both rows, allowing passengers to stretch out. For the driver, there is a digital dashboard, then mounted in the center is a large 17.7-inch touchscreen. While the touchscreen is easy to use, there are still some physical knobs and buttons for some things like volume and air temperature.
The tester arrived as a 2026 Equinox EV RS with a single motor powertrain, SuperCruise, a ton of options and an MSRP of $52,945. As mentioned, it's hardly the quickest EV out there, taking nearly 8 seconds to get to 60 MPH, but it does just fine for daily use. It is easy to drive and allows for one-pedal driving if you prefer the convenience of not having to press the brakes to come to a stop. And like the larger Blazer EV, the Equinox EV does not have a Start/Stop button. Instead, it is equipped with Hands-Free Start which automatically starts when you enter the vehicle with the remote key, press the brake, or close the door. When you're done driving, shift the Equinox to Park and the vehicle will turn off when you exit the door. It works but does take some getting used to.
When looking at the Equinox EV, I see a vehicle that doesn't stand out great at anything - but it does do very well in many things. First, it makes for a fine commuter car. It accomplishes what it was set out to do - taking someone from point A to point B. Second, being one of the cheapest EVs on the market, it makes for a good way for someone who wants to try out and see what owning and EV is all about.