Car Reviews
2025 Equinox EV: Can Chevy’s All-Electric SUV Handle a Texas-Sized Road Trip?
When Chevrolet announced the Equinox EV, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As someone who’s never been a huge fan of the traditional Equinox, I had a few doubts. But after spending a week with the all-new 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV—and taking it on my longest EV road trip yet from Dallas to Houston—I can confidently say this is not your average Equinox. It’s better. Much better.
This review isn’t just another walkaround or spec sheet breakdown. It’s a real-world test of how Chevy’s newest all-electric crossover handles a Texas-sized journey. 227 miles of highway, one charging stop, and plenty of time to dig into what makes this EV tick.
New Look, New Feel
The Equinox EV doesn’t carry much over from the Equinox you might remember. Built on GM’s Ultium platform, this SUV is fresh from the ground up. From the moment I saw it in Riptide Blue Metallic, I was impressed. The styling is clean, modern, and surprisingly upscale. It feels more like a baby Blazer EV than a rebadged compact crossover.
Inside, my tester came with the Sky Cool Gray interior—a look that’s sleek and modern, even if it wouldn’t be my first choice. But there’s no denying that the cabin design is sharp. It’s filled with thoughtful tech, a wide touchscreen setup, and materials that make it feel far more premium than any Equinox before it.
Road Trip Ready?
Here’s the setup: I left the Dallas area, bound for a Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) event outside Houston. That’s 227 miles of mostly highway driving. The Equinox EV LT FWD model I was driving has an 85 kWh battery with a claimed range of over 300 miles. So in theory, I could do the trip in one go. But I wanted to be cautious, especially since high-speed interstate driving can sap range.
At about 70% charge, I made a planned stop at a Tesla Supercharger in Centerville, TX, one of the few now open to non-Tesla EVs thanks to the Magic Dock system. I signed up through the Tesla app, selected my stall, and plugged in using the included CCS adapter. It took just 15 minutes to top up from 70% to 82%.
That experience alone was a highlight. In past drives with other EVs, non-Tesla charging networks have often been hard to find or unreliable. This time? Smooth and simple.
On the Road
The Equinox EV drives exactly how you want a modern EV to drive: smooth, quiet, and confident. There’s a solid weight to the chassis, the suspension handles highway cruising with ease, and the cabin remains impressively silent at speed—a must when there’s no engine or exhaust to drown out wind and tire noise.
Power delivery is solid. It’s not designed to be a sporty SUV, but like most EVs, the instant torque makes it feel peppy around town and quick off the line. I didn’t even bother testing Sport mode, but I imagine it would add a little more zip at the cost of battery efficiency.
Family Duty & Daily Driving
Before hitting the road, I had the Equinox EV in family-duty mode. With kids in the back and groceries in the trunk, it handled errands just as well as it did highway miles. The cabin is roomy enough for daily life, and the tech is easy to use.
My test vehicle came loaded with Convenience Package 2 ($11,400), which added EVOTEX seats, a power driver seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 21” wheels, wireless charging, ambient lighting, and more. There’s even a Head-Up Display and a Rear Camera Mirror with washer — two of my favorite features for long drives.
Tech & Super Cruise
The Equinox EV also had Active Safety Package 3 ($3,355), which includes Super Cruise and enhanced automatic parking assist. I hadn’t used Super Cruise in this vehicle yet, but I plan to test it on the return trip. In past GM vehicles, Super Cruise was decent but not quite on par with systems from brands like Ford or Tesla. I’m curious to see how it has evolved.
Even without engaging Super Cruise, the overall tech experience in the Equinox EV is great. The infotainment system is responsive and feature-rich, and the 360-degree camera system continues to be one of the most useful tools in modern driving.
Charging Confidence
As mentioned earlier, the ability to charge at Tesla Superchargers is a big deal. It removes a lot of range anxiety, especially in Texas where distances between cities can be long and unpredictable. And with 150 kW DC fast charging capability, you can top up fairly quickly. AC charging at home comes in at 11.5 kW, which should fully charge overnight.
The key takeaway? This EV just works.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV is a massive leap forward for both the Equinox nameplate and Chevy’s place in the EV world. It doesn’t try to be flashy or overly futuristic. Instead, it delivers on the fundamentals: range, usability, comfort, and tech.
With a base price of $33,600 and a tested price of $50,540, it straddles the line between accessible and premium. But with features like Super Cruise, big wheels, a panoramic tech setup, and access to Tesla’s charging network, it’s hard to say it doesn’t earn its price.
So, can Chevy’s all-electric SUV handle a Texas-sized road trip?
Absolutely. And then some.
