Chevrolet Equinox EV | quiet strength

We notice the protuberances of the hips, the light incision made in the front part, but this Chevrolet is not the type to instantly provoke an irrepressible crush. Its plastic, with its calm and sober forms, is nevertheless likely to age well within an increasingly contested segment and allow it to advance its strengths without trying to add to them.

Designed on a platform intended to receive an electric propeller, the Equinox EV does not fully exploit the architectural advantages offered by a “wattage”. The interior space-volume ratio is neither spectacular nor very innovative. For example, the reduced size of its engine did not allow for a trunk – however small – under the hood. And considering its exterior dimensions, this Chevrolet also suffers from a trunk that is not as greedy as that offered by competitors of comparable size. That said, it should be noted, however, that the Equinox EV does not have much to envy of the Blazer EV. Barely more massive, the latter is sold much more expensive.

The interior atmosphere also appears welcoming, empathetic, but not too offbeat. The wide pillars combined with windshield wipers which, in operation, struggle to get close, impair visibility in bad weather. With the panoramic roof, the fluidly shaped passenger compartment from which a huge touchscreen tablet emerges enjoys a luminosity which accentuates the impression of space. The general presentation seeks to be original, but only partially succeeds. Between the good inspirations (maintaining physical controls) and the easy solutions (the integration of the headlight control in the central screen is the most distressing), the results are mixed.

In accordance with a slope on which electric vehicles slide (in order to contain costs), the interior coverings and materials lack class. The ergonomics of the driving position strives to find a compromise between direct access to certain functions (air conditioning, driving mode) and immersion in the tree structures of the touch screen. Unfortunately, the latter outright reject the systems CarPlay And Android Autobut also applications used to locate charging stations (see owners' opinions).

Autonomy as a business card

Installed in a slightly elevated position, occupants are entitled to good visibility. At the wheel, we find the subtle sensations specific to an electric vehicle… that is to say (almost) nothing. In fact, as in the vast majority of electric vehicles, you don't feel like you're one with this Chevrolet, whose primary mission is essentially to get you from point A to point B. Among its siblings, it is not the funniest to drive nor the most efficient. Certainly, it provides instant acceleration, but it is not very lightning-fast. It takes just over six seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h. Once this cruising speed is reached, the electric motors then struggle to provide a second effort to execute a rapid overtaking maneuver.

Sitting well on the asphalt, silent and correctly suspended, this Chevrolet does not, however, shine with its agility or its handling. Its large turning circle requires space for parking. The steering, on the other hand, is soft and quick, but the feeling, even in Sport mode which artificially weighs it down, does not make it any more communicative.

Easy to dose and configure, the braking proves effective under normal conditions, but struggles when used too frequently or violently with braking distances below average. It is also possible to adopt “one pedal” driving, but we discourage this technique. Just like the use of Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving, an effective option no doubt, but expensive and not worth a penny on resale. As for the four-wheel drive system, it appeared to us to be so slow to manifest itself that it was incapable of stemming the torque effect felt in the steering wheel under strong acceleration.

For an electric car that aims to serve as the first vehicle in the household, credibility requires autonomy. On this front, the manufacturer did not skimp by offering an 85 kWh battery. Thus, the Equinox EV with front-wheel drive can, according to its manufacturer, cover 513 km in one go in optimal conditions. By opting for all-wheel drive (this involves the addition of a second motor), the range drops to 463 kilometers. According to our readings behind the wheel of a version with four-wheel drive, the range is just under 400 km in winter conditions. There's really nothing humiliating about it. The Equinox EV charger can absorb up to 150 kW of direct current in order, in particular, to make the most of Tesla's fast terminals to which it recently gained access. The battery returns to 60% of its capacity in just under an hour. We've seen faster, but Chevrolet is playing it safe and aiming for durability.

For now, the Equinox EV signals the charge for the electric transition at Chevrolet. It is aimed at a clientele that purchasing reasons linked to technology, economy of use or environmental protection have not been enough to convince. The Equinox EV isn't cheap, of course, but the arrival of a more affordable livery – 1LT – this year could tempt many to make the jump.