New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Dimensions, Engine, Release Date
New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Dimensions, Engine, Release Date – The shift toward an automotive era dominated by electric vehicles (EVs) continues to be a divisive one. There’s a vocal group vehemently opposed to motoring around in smooth, electrified silence – this despite most likely never having actually driven an EV in the first place – and there’s a group of happy early adopters that was quick to jump on the emissions-free bandwagon. And then there’s a group somewhere in the middle, where curiosity about electrification is increasing.
The New 2026 Equinox EV is the latest in a growing series of vehicles based on the Ultium platform that’s been used to underpin everything from a pickup truck to the Honda Prologue. Chevrolet has taken a wise approach with the Equinox EV, developing it to be competitive not just as an EV, but as a compact crossover in general.
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New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
The philosophy makes sense, and at a starting price of $48,199 for the base front-wheel-drive version, the Equinox EV actually overlaps with a fully loaded example of its sibling. It’s also priced competitively next to the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona EV, Kia Niro EV, and the entry-level Volkswagen ID.4. A second motor can be added to the rear of the Equinox EV, giving it all-wheel drive – and adding a few thousand dollars to the price of each trim while still undercutting other all-wheel-drive EVs.
Most of this drive day was spent behind the wheel of the entry-level FWD 2LT model that felt far from basic. While manufacturers will offer a base trim to fit under specific, marketable price points, they can often be very hard to come by, with only a handful produced. This trim could easily be a volume leader for Chevrolet, however, with standard niceties like heated seats, a comprehensive advanced safety suite, and a massive 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Specs
Puttering around town, the difference in usable output is barely noticeable, and it’s not until stomping the accelerator when merging onto the highway that the all-wheel drive system’s added oomph is really noticeable. What stands out more is the considerable mass of this EV no matter how many wheels are powered, with a sense that it’s bigger than it actually is.
But then the low centre of gravity created by the floor-mounted battery keeps it from being a roly-poly mess when cornering. Still, while the steering offers good heft and even a decent amount of feedback, the Equinox EV isn’t a sporty machine, belying its appearance at least a little. (The Volkswagen ID.4’s suspension makes it a better-sorted driver’s EV.) New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Dimensions
Engine and Performance
All Equinox EV models use the same 85-kWh battery pack. The front-wheel-drive version pairs it with a motor that generates 213 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet claims it’ll hit 100 km/h from a standing start in roughly eight seconds, which seems slow by EV standards, but there was decent pep when cruising around Detroit and its suburbs. Plus, the instantaneous nature of EV torque makes it more responsive than a comparable gas-powered vehicle. New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Dimensions
Checking the box on the order form for all-wheel drive adds a fairly basic rear induction motor that bumps output to 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. It also adds a bit of mass to the equation. Nevertheless, the all-wheel-drive Equinox EV is said to do the dash to 100 km/h about two seconds quicker.
New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Fuel Economy
Besides its aggressive pricing, Chevrolet’s other big selling factor here is range. At 513 km, the front-wheel-drive version just barely exceeds the range of the rear-wheel-drive Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6; but for many, surpassing that 500-mark is the tipping point in EV consideration. At 459 km, the all-wheel-drive versions exceed many competitors in the segment.
The Equinox EV is rated to charge up at a maximum of 150 kW at a DC fast-charger. While it pales in comparison with the speeds its rivals from Kia and Hyundai are capable of, it’s still possible to add roughly 120 km of range to this Chevy in as few as 10 minutes. New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Dimensions
New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Safety Features
The third feather in the Equinox EV’s cap is its style. Aiming to compete not only with other EVs, but other compact crossovers in general, the Equinox EV isn’t meant to look like a sci-fi spaceship. Instead, it’s styled like a contemporary crossover with an alternate means of propulsion. New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Dimensions
Bearing a considerable family resemblance to its bigger (and darned sexy) Blazer EV sibling, the Equinox EV has its wheels pushed to the corners and offers a squat, aggressive look. Even the most basic trims ride on attractive 19-inch wheels, and Chevrolet has given buyers the choice between a more aggressive RS trim or slightly more subdued LT trim, both with the same drive bits beneath the skin. A variety of vibrant colours are available, as are two-tone treatments, allowing buyers a surprising amount of choice in creating a look to suit their tastes.
New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Price and Release Date
This tester also featured a $3,240 optional package that adds automated parking and hands-free highway driving capability. Updated to function on an ever-increasing series of highways, the so-called Super Cruise system continues to provide highly effective help that now includes automated lane changes. It worked remarkably well on the interstates in and around Detroit, only needing an occasional prompt to move back to the middle or right lane and get out of the way of fast-approaching traffic.
That Chevrolet is giving consumers the option of an Equinox powered by gasoline or electricity doesn’t force any agendas. Instead, it lets buyers pick the right solution for their needs. The New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV is a very stylish machine that represents a solid value in an increasingly competitive segment – whether you consider that segment to be just EVs or compact crossovers in general is irrelevant – and, thanks to its class-leading range, makes the electric plunge easier than ever to take. New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Dimensions
