Prior to the launch of the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the brand hyped it as a $30K EV, sure to be a game-changing model. The price tag was later upped at launch, and it took quite a long time for any affordable trims to appear. Does the $51K mid-trim 2026 Equinox EV LT2 FWD have that special something to draw in volume sales? Here’s our take after spending a week with it.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT2 - What Is It?
The Equinox EV is a roomy, long, wide, battery-electric five-door hatchback. Some call it an SUV; to our eyes, it is more of a crossover, but why mince words? It has generous room for four passengers and for five if you include the smaller middle rear seat. LT2 indicates that this is a mid-trim version of the model. Our tester was a front-wheel drive version.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT2 - Price
Let’s get the price out of the way early, just in case you’re a shopper looking for one of the $30K Equinox EVs you heard about. This one is priced at $50,745. No, it isn't the top trim, and it’s the lower power version with two-wheel drive. While there are some neat options, our favorite isn’t actually included in the purchase price; you will have to pay a subscription fee after a trial period ends. We looked at GM’s discounting page, and this is not the Equinox EV that GM is heaping five-figure discounts on. That’s the top trim RS AWD, which costs more.
The LT2 has an initial price of $43,295. Our tester had a long list of options, and yet it still had some glaring omissions for any vehicle priced at $51K. Included in the price is a $500 California Emissions Requirements fee. You can learn more about that oddity here.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT2 - Powertrain
The Equinox EV is a front-wheel drive battery-only vehicle with 220 hp. The battery’s nominal capacity is 85 kWh, and it can charge at a peak rate of 150 kW on a public DC charger. Remember, you won't see that over the full charging cycle, only around the 20-60% SOC point. And only if the DC charger can deliver that level of energy. The EPA’s range estimate is an impressive 319 miles in fair weather and mixed driving. On the highway and in winter, be prepared for a 20-40% range reduction.
Surprisingly, the Equinox has a J-plug and CCS charging port. This shocked us. So much so that we double-checked it was indeed a 2026 model-year vehicle. We expected to see a North American Charging Standard (NACS), Tesla-style port. If you want to use Superchargers, be sure you have your adapter with you.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT2 - The Drive
Unlike most EVs we have tested, the Equinox EV LT2 FWD does not feel quick or fast. This was one of our biggest surprises. We checked the online test reports and found that it has a 0-60 MPH time of about seven and a half seconds. That means it’s meaningfully slower than a Prius. It’s about a half-second slower to 60 MPH than the first-generation Bolt. It does not feel slow, mind you. But for $51K, we expected more punch off the line and when accelerating on highway ramps.
The Equinox has a great ride. We’d say it is its best attribute. The 4,800 pounds its suspension supports gives it heft, and it’s tuned to handle bumps quite well. It was peak pothole season when we tested the Equinox, and there were no harsh impacts. It’s easy to call luxurious. Cornering is good for a vehicle of its size and weight.
The Equinox EV has a wheelbase nine inches longer than the gas-powered Equinox. So it’s not zippy-feeling like a Bolt is. You don’t have the sensation that it can dart in and out of traffic, but rather, it’s more of a big cruiser.
One drawback of a long-wheelbase vehicle is that it doesn’t maneuver as easily in tight spaces. We found ourselves making a lot of K turns where a compact crossover would have easily made a U-turn, and moving the Equinox EV around our property was slower due to more back-and-forth, with lots of full-wheel locks to get it where we needed it.
Visibility is good, not great, in the Equinox EV. Our memory of the Bolt EUV was that it had great visibility, and the Equinox doesn’t seem to match that standard.
One fantastic feature that the Equinox EV enables is Super Cruise. It allows for hands-free, attentive driving on some highways. We’ve tried it and thought it worked really well. Our tester was Super Cruise-enabled, but it only works for a trial period. After that, you have to subscribe to it. So you don't actually own the feature.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT2 - Interior, Features, and Design
Overall, Chevrolet did a fine job with the styling of the Equinox EV. The bullet-style air vents inside reminded us of a 1950’s rear fin design (in a good way). The accent lighting is excellent. The comfortable, heated and ventilated seats worked well. The heated steering wheel at $51K seemed appropriate, and we used it every day of testing.
The cargo area is big and very easy to put to good use. There is also an under-floor cargo space that sure looked like a spare of some type may have worked. Perhaps with the 21-inch wheels and XL-rated tires, that wasn’t an option. We noted the Continental tires had self-sealing capability. That’s always a plus if the spare is deleted. The lack of any glass in the roof at $51K was a big miss from our perspective.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT2 - Infotainment
We’re very big fans of GM infotainment systems here. We sang the praises of a GM system just last week. The Equinox has a great screen that is nicely integrated into the dashboard. It pairs with an outstanding, easy-to-use driver information display. There are HVAC controls on the screen and in physical form. Audio is top-notch.
The biggest miss in the Equinox EV is the lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This is a hard thing for us to overlook. Particularly since GM offers these much-loved, almost universally used features on many of its 2026 models. Yes, GM even offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in some of its vehicles that have Google Built-In. In fact, the gas version of the Equinox has Google Built-In and also has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In this higher-priced version of the Equinox, they are removed, and you miss out on some features like destination suggestions from your recent searches, and there was no satellite view we could find to enable. The biggest problem is that you can’t easily sync a new phone and its apps. It’s a big hassle. Don't just take our word for it. Here’s one of America’s top reviewers of infotainment systems. Listen to what she said about the system.
The huge carbuncle that is the head-up display housing looks out of place in the otherwise gorgeous interior.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT2 - Missing Features
There were many features we would expect to see in any $51K vehicle that our tester lacked. Starting with all-wheel drive. Next, there is no frunk, a very nice feature most EVs of its size offer. Our tester had no moonroof. There is no spare tire, and there is no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT2 - Conclusion
The 2026 Equinox EV LT2 FWD we tested had a lot going for it. If it were sold at the $30K or even the $35K price that GM initially told the media it might cost, we’d say shoppers looking for a FWD crossover would find it a great deal. At its $51K price point, it feels like a prime example of why EVs are struggling in America. Without someone else paying for a quarter of it, the value equation seems off. Missing features aside, I can’t name ANY five-passenger, two-wheel-drive $51K crossover I would recommend to a friend or family member, regardless of its powertrain.
If you like the benefits of the Equinox EV LT2 FWD, check with your local dealer to see if any deep discounts apply. Your state government may also subsidize EVs. Do you think the 2026 Equinox EV LT2 is a good deal at $51K? Tell us in the comments below.
Images other than GM's price promise advertisement by the author.
John Goreham is a 14-year veteran of Torque News. An accomplished writer and a long-time expert in vehicle testing, Goreham also serves as the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association and has a growing social media presence. He’s also a 10-year staff writer and community moderator for Car Talk. Goreham holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an undergraduate Certificate in Marketing. In addition to vehicle and tire content, he offers deep dives into market trends and opinion pieces. You can follow John Goreham on X and TikTok, and connect with him on LinkedIn.
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