General Motors showed a lot of electric momentum in the first quarter of 2025, selling over 30,000 consumer EVs in the U.S. with the Chevy Equinox leading the way.
The 2025 Equinox EV – which I test drove for a week – was the No. 4 best selling EV in the first quarter and GM’s bestselling EV, according to Kelley Blue Book. Chevy alone posted 114% growth in the U.S. EV market with Cadillac and GMC also showing strong EV growth. And those numbers would be even higher if you include the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX electric vehicles which GM makes for Honda.
The sub-$30,000 EV is here
The 2025 Equinox has an entry point below $30,000. Some Chevy dealers in Los Angeles are now selling the Equinox EV LT for an MSRP of under $35,000. Subtract the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and you’re below $28,000 (before taxes and fees). And this is not the stripped-down Chevy Bolt LT of old. This entry-level Equinox EV comes with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and 319 miles of range.
Solid feature set
The vast majority of Equinox buyers will opt for lower-priced LT models. But you will get more than a barebones EV. Namely, it boasts 319 miles of EPA-rated range – unheard of for low-cost EVs just a few years ago.
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Highlights include:
- Range: 319 miles of EPA rated range. Excellent for a lower-priced EV.
- Price: starts at around $34,000. Throw in the $7,500 federal tax credit and you’re below $28,000.
- Fast charging: Standard DC fast charging up to 150 kW – can potentially add ~70 miles in about 10 minutes. Welcome upgrade from the Bolt, which was limited to a 55 kW fast charge. I had a successful fast-charging session with the Equinox at Electrify America. Went from 17 percent charge to 81 percent in about 40 minutes.
- Large 17.7" infotainment display (standard on most trims). Interface and controls are relatively intuitive (see image above). No interface is perfect but GM’s is better than most.
- Built-in Google apps: (Maps, Assistant, Play). SiriusXM also available.
- Compact SUV size with sleek exterior. This is a notable positive as EVs keep getting bigger and heavier. Bigger EVs require bigger battery packs which require higher price tags.
- Spacious for a compact SUV it has ample cargo space.
- Built on GM’s new Ultium battery platform, shared with other GM EVs like the Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, and Silverado EV as well as the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX.
- Super Cruise is an Advanced Driver Assist System or ADAS. This is an option on high-end trims (though a high-end trim on the Equinox is relatively inexpensive by EV standards). On one long trip I took, the Equinox drove itself about 90 percent of the time. Though ADAS technology is not widely used outside of the Tesla world, it will be as common as cruise control in 5 years (my prediction).
- Downsides: No frunk. This has become de rigueur for EVs / Less than impressive acceleration for an EV but improves with Sport Mode turned on / Steering feels a little sluggish / No Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. No Android Auto. The “OMG no Apple CarPlay!” is a bit overdone, in my opinion, however. I use Apple CarPlay on my Chevy Bolt but I didn’t miss it on the Equinox.
