This Is The Most Efficient Electric GM Vehicle On The Ultium EV Platform
General Motors‘ aggressive investments in electric vehicles (EVs) have resulted in mixed results for the brand. While the brand has released or planned to release numerous vehicles ranging from a small electric crossover to a full-size electric pickup and even a bespoke full-size luxury sedan, the market had other plans and wants. That’s because the EV sales slowdown is currently happening, since the early adopters–those who are adventurous to try new tech, already own EVs. The mainstream buyer, on the other hand, those who have less room for risk in trying new tech, is harder to convince to make the EV switch.
For the mainstream buyer, their electrified vehicle of choice in 2024 are hybrids. This is reflected in their robust sales growth as well as their desirability in the used car market. The benefits of owning a hybrid are massive, even though there’s no need to change your lifestyle and driving habits. Additionally, the price difference of a hybrid is only marginally compared to an equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) car.
But what if there’s an EV that’s at near price parity with an ICE car? Will this convince you to make the EV switch? Well, thanks to the $7,500 federal tax credit, for which the Equinox EV is eligible, this electric crossover SUV is at price parity with a gas- or hybrid-powered compact crossover SUV. Thankfully, the Equinox EV is also the most efficient among the Ultium-based EVs that General Motors makes.
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In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including EPA.
GM’s Most Efficient EV In 2024
The Chevrolet Equinox EV is General Motors’ most efficient vehicle yet that’s based on the Ultium electric vehicle and battery platform. Just to set the record straight, the most efficient EV that General Motors made would be the Bolt EV, but that’s already discontinued (for now) with a successor still undergoing development. The Bolt EV has an efficiency rating of 120 MPGe, but the Equinox EV isn’t too far off despite being a larger car.
Long Range Through Efficiency
That’s because the Chevrolet Equinox EV, specifically the front-wheel drive (FWD) models, have an EPA efficiency rating of 108 MPGe, making this the most efficient EV in General Motors’ range of Ultium-based EVS. Even the all-wheel drive (AWD) version is pretty good at 96 MPGe, which is what enables it to have excellent range.
Speaking of which, the Equinox EV has an EPA-estimated 319 miles of range, which was achieved through an 85 kWh battery pack. This is bigger than what the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 currently have, which is 77.4 kWh, while Tesla does not anymore disclose battery sizes for its newer Model Ys. The Volkswagen ID.4 has an 82 kWh battery pack, while the Mustang Mach-E has a bigger battery at 90 kWh.
Equinox EV Versus Competitors In Terms Of Efficiency
Just to have a perspective of how efficient the Equinox EV is, we have to compare it to other similarly-sized EVs in the market. The Equinox EV is in the same class as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4, Tesla Model Y, and Ford Mustang Mach-E, all of which are compact crossover EVs. As you’ll also observe in this chart, these EVs are all in their longest-range versions, just to keep things simple, and while they (mostly) have ranges that are well above 300 miles, they all achieve this in varying battery sizes and efficiencies.
|
Equinox EV FWD (FWD models, 19-inch wheels) |
Ioniq 5 (Long range RWD models, 19-inch wheels) |
EV6 (Long range RWD models, 19-inch wheels) |
Tesla Model Y (Long Range RWD, 19-inch wheels) |
Volkswagen ID.4 (Pro, Pro S) |
Ford Mustang Mach-E (RWD Extended Range) |
|
|
Drivetrain |
Single motor, FWD |
Single motor, RWD |
Single motor, RWD |
Single motor, RWD |
Single motor, RWD |
Single motor, RWD |
|
Horsepower |
213 hp |
225 hp |
225 hp |
425 hp |
282 hp |
266 hp |
|
Torque |
236 lb-ft |
258 lb-ft |
258 lb-ft |
475 lb-ft |
402 lb-ft |
317 lb-ft |
|
EPA-estimated Efficiency |
109 MPGe |
114 MPGe |
117 MPGe |
TBA |
107 MPGe |
99 MPGe |
|
Battery size |
85 kWh |
77.4 kWh |
77.4 kWh |
N/A |
82 kWh |
90 kWh |
|
EPA-estimated range |
319 miles |
303 miles |
310 miles |
320 miles |
291 miles |
310 miles |
So, what does this table reveal to us? While most EVs here have more than 300 miles of EPA-estimated range, the Equinox EV achieves this with a battery size that’s around the middle of the pack. Likewise, its efficiency is also middling versus other compact electric crossovers. The South Korean twins are the most efficient on this list, with the EV6 topping at 117 MPGe, while the most inefficient EV on this list is the Mustang Mach-E with a 99 MPGe efficiency rating.
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Efficient And Affordable
The good news for the Chevrolet Equinox EV doesn’t end there. While it’s currently the most efficient EV that General Motors makes since the Bolt EV is currently out of the market, the Equinox EV is also the most affordable EV in the brand’s stable. For now, prices officially start at $43,295 for the 2LT, but there’s actually a more affordable variant coming later this year.
How Does A Possible Sub-$30,000 Price Tag Sound?
That’s because the Equinox EV range kicks off with the base 1LT, which, despite being the most affordable EV in General Motors’ stable, has a GM-estimated 319-mile range (1LT has not yet been rated officially by the EPA, despite sharing the same claimed range figures). The 1LT will start at $34,995, but as mentioned, the Equinox EV is eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
Taking this into account, the Equinox EV 1LT could have a final price of just $27,495, which will make this not just the most affordable EV in the United States, but will also undercut the base MSRPs of the RAV4 and CR-V. Additionally, the base MSRPs for these two crossovers aren’t yet even for their available hybrid versions.
Low Price, No Compromise
As mentioned, despite having a (potential) sub-$30,000 price tag, the Equinox EV 1LT still offers 319 miles of GM-estimated range. Once rated by the EPA, we’re confident that the Equinox EV 1LT will either meet or exceed GM’s estimates if history were to be our basis with the Silverado EV’s EPA ratings outperforming GM’s own estimates.
Anyway, with 219 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of instant torque for under $30,000 is a very sweet deal. It’s more powerful than a lot of vehicles at its potential price point when the federal tax credit is taken into account, and it’s also the very vehicle that could probably convince the mainstream car buyer to make the electric switch.
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What You Get With The Equinox 1LT
With its potential sub-$30,000 price tag, the Chevrolet Equinox EV 1LT is a very interesting proposition. But with such a low price tag, you’re probably curious as to what features you get or do not get at that price.
Sleek But Simple
The Chevrolet Equinox EV in base 1LT form looks fundamentally sleek thanks to its aerodynamic shape, sleek and minimalist lines. Even though this is a base model, you still get modern design touches such as LED headlights with separate LED daytime running lights, flushed door handles, and slim LED taillights. This variant even gets 19-inch wheels, which, though big in isolation, are a bit too small relative to what wheel size it could accommodate. Then again, thicker tires and smaller rims mean a better ride and efficiency. Thankfully, while the 1LT doesn’t have a lot of exterior embellishments, the color choices are more diverse than what you’re usually accustomed to with base model cars.
Cheap But Modern
While we haven’t yet physically examined the interior of the Equinox EV, it’s safe to say that the 1LT won’t feel as premium as higher trims. Unsurprisingly, the upholstery at its price point is predominantly in fabric, but does that still matter when you’ve got all the tech you need, and more for just $34,995? Fully-digital gauges? Check. A large 17.7-inch infotainment screen? Oh, yes! However, that large 17.7-inch infotainment system uses General Motors’ latest Google-based operating system. The operating system is so good, according to GM, that it’s also one of the reasons why it has decided to ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring altogether.
What Chevrolet hasn’t ditched is the amount of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) that the Equinox EV gets. That’s because the Chevy Safety Assist suite of ADAS is fitted as standard on all Equinox EV variants, and this includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, IntelliBeam, and Following Distance Indicator. However, if you want adaptive cruise control, or perhaps even the optional Super Cruise hands-free adaptive cruise control feature that General Motors has been known for in recent years, you have to step up to at least the 3LT variant for the privilege.
