Chevrolet Equinox EV – From another level ABC do ABC

It’s not difficult to find praise for the Chevrolet Equinox EV, a medium-large SUV with electric propulsion that arrived on the Brazilian market in the second half of last year for R$440,000. After low sales, the car received a discount of R$90,000 and can now be found for R$349,990. Produced in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, the Equinox EV offers 443 kilometers of autonomy according to the Inmetro cycle. From the outside, the 100% electric SUV looks “clean” and sophisticated, which somewhat disguises its large proportions – it is 4.84 meters long, just four centimeters less than the “brother” largest Blazer EV. The feeling of harmony in the profile of the Equinox EV has to do with its height of 1.64 meters, added by the 19-inch wheels and the generous wheelbase of 2.95 meters.

Chevrolet’s electric vehicle looks more like one of those concept cars presented at auto shows but which rarely reach stores. However, the Equinox EV arrived, and proved to be a machine worthy of turning the necks of other drivers and pedestrians. In these cases, there is also the attraction caused by “SONG” similar to the sound of sleigh bells on Christmas Eve coming from the sound that the tram emits at lower speeds, to attract the attention of those who may be distracted. In addition to the original style of its body and the continuous LED lighting bars, both at the front and rear, the Equinox EV has some differences and “bossas” very interesting.

These good onesbalconies” can be found on the door handles, which are recessed most of the time but pop out when the driver approaches with the key in their pocket. Or on the trunk lid, which opens using a sensor at the bottom of the bumper. And, as is standard for SUVs in its price range, the Equinox EV comes standard with a huge panoramic sunroof, which makes the interior feel even greater.

In the menu of electric models available in Brazil, Chevrolet has the Equinox EV playing in the middle position. Priced at around R$350,000, it is below the top-of-the-line North American brand in the country, the Blazer EV, which costs from R$503,190, and above the recently launched Spark EUV, offered from R$159,990 – while another SUV, the Captiva EV, has not yet been released. In “electric trio” in Chevrolet’s portfolio, the Equinox EV is the only one that has two engines, with consequent all-wheel drive.

Onboard experience

Practical technologies

The standard of finishing and technological features of the Equinox EV shows that Chevrolet was concerned with having arguments to make it compete in a price range equivalent to that of electric SUVs from Chinese brands. This whimsy can be seen in the front panels, almost entirely covered in soft or rubberized material and with a sophisticated design, in the seats, upholstery and the variety of available resources. What differs a little from this standard is the treatment given to the rear door panels, which are much simpler, covered predominantly with hard plastic. The same good material as the general cabin is on the center console, which emerges between the front seats and offers two USB-C sockets for recharging smartphones. The rear seats have the same upholstery as the front and space worthy of a large sedan. Even if the driver puts his seat far back, the group in the rear feels free to even cross their legs.

11-inch digital dashboard and 17.7-inch multimedia center form a set, sharing some of the configuration options and activating the car’s features. The layout and practically everything is similar to that found in the Blazer EV and the combustion version of the Equinox. To manually activate and adjust the windshield wiper and its nozzle, you must press a hidden control on the back of the left lever behind the steering wheel. The one on the right manages the car’s functions (steering, reverse and neutral). At the end of the lever, there is a button for park, to completely stop the vehicle and park. The multimedia center also brings together the main information and general settings of the car.

A particularity of the Equinox EV controls is the absence of a button on the console to start the car. To do this, the driver simply presses the brake pedal for everything to be activated. When stopped, with the “park” engaged, the Equinox EV goes into “standby mode“, but all the car’s systems are in readiness. After a certain time, if nothing is activated, the entire system is automatically turned off. To do this manually, there is a button “touch” on a small panel between the instrument and multimedia panel.

Driving impressions

High attributes

Rio de Janeiro – As is common in electric cars, which have their heavy batteries and other components installed under the floor by default, the Equinox EV’s center of gravity is very low, with stability well above average for an SUV of this size. Chevrolet’s electric SUV has an extremely soft suspension, which absorbs small imperfections in the road with ease. And it doesn’t allow the car to lean too much during faster, tighter maneuvers, in addition to the electronically dosed distribution of the engines’ force to the four wheels. Even in the strongest starts and restarts, typical of electric cars, prodigious in their abundance of torque, the result is that almost no oscillations are felt on board.

With the power being delivered in such well-calibrated doses to all four wheels, the smoothness is such that it may even seem like the electric Equinox “walk a little”. However, it accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, a time close to that of the main competitors. The maximum speed is electronically limited to 188 km/h. The same smoothness of the Equinox EV’s sprints is noticeable when speed regains, made in brief moments, without scares. The two electric motors (one on each axle) generate totals of 292 horsepower and 46 kgfm of torque. Like any electric car, torque is available instantly.

On the other hand, sportiness is not a striking feature of the Equinox EV. If the performance numbers would place it among sports performance models, all the serenity and comfort coming from a lot of assistance and damping end up keeping the Equinox EV away from any kind of adrenaline rush. The two engines work in coordination to provide permanent all-wheel drive, on demand. The 4×4 system increases the Equinox’s stability and improves its performance but they do not recommend using the car for off-roading, as little, if anything, would match the sophisticated and post-chic style of its lines.

The 85 kWh capacity battery can be recharged in less than five hours if connected to an AC charger of up to 22 kW, or from 15% to 80% in less than 50 minutes with DC fast charging, with up to 150 kW of power. The Equinox EV also has an intelligent energy recovery system, which, in practice, allows driving using only the accelerator pedal, suitable for urban traffic. When this feature is selected on the panel, simply ease your foot off the pedal to adjust braking.

The Equinox EV is an extremely pleasant – and easy – car to drive. Behind the wheel, despite its size and weight, you have a permanent feeling of control. A veritable army of autonomous assistants contributes to this, which guarantee stability, trajectory, autonomous emergency braking, visualization of pedestrians and other vehicles, adaptive autopilot and lane change alerts and assistance. However, all these “guardian angels” are not intrusive to the point of breaking the charm of being in control of the car. Both in terms of performance and safety features, the Equinox EV is very good. If Chevrolet’s idea was to put it on the Brazilian market to fight for buyers of so-called premium brands – such as BMW, Mercedes and Volvo, as its price of around R$ 350 thousand indicates -, the Equinox EV presents enough arguments for this.

Technical sheet

Chevrolet Equinox EV

Motors: two electric, front and rear, permanent magnet synchronous

Combined power: 292 horsepower

Combined torque: 46 kgfm

Battery: 85 kWh (lithium-ion), recharge: 22 kW (AC) and 150 kW (DC)

Transmission: automatic, one gear

Traction: full

Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h: 5.8 seconds

Maximum speed: 184 km/h (electronically limited)

Autonomy: 443 km (Netro)

Steering: electric

Suspension: front, independent, MacPherson strut, rear, multilink

Brakes: ventilated discs on 4 wheels

Tires: 245/45 R19

Dimensions: 4.84 meters long, 1.95 meters wide, 1.64 meters high, 2.95 meters wheelbase

Weight: 2,336 kg

Trunk: 441 liters

Price: from R$349,990