2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT Road Test: A Fully Deserved Success

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT is the most affordable trim of one of the most popular electric vehicles in Canada.

Summary of the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT

• The LT is the entry-level trim in this electric SUV’s lineup.
• Available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; we tested the front-wheel-drive model.
• The FWD Equinox EV LT features an 85-kWh battery offering an estimated range of 513 km.
• Fast charging peaks at 150 kW, enabling a 20% to 80% charge in about 40 minutes.

Strengths

• Attractive pricing with rebates and incentives
• Comfort and handling
• Sufficient range

Weaknesses

• Level 3 charging is a bit slow
• Poorly calibrated ABS and traction control
• Uncomfortable rear seat

Since arriving on the market in 2024, the Chevrolet Equinox EV has enjoyed phenomenal success in Quebec, dethroning the Tesla Model Y as the leading EV in the province last year.

While the Equinox EV remains far behind Tesla in the rest of the country, the small Chevy SUV was still the second best-selling electric vehicle in Canada in 2025, with 16,989 units being sold.

While this isn’t true for every popular vehicle, the Chevrolet Equinox EV fully deserves its place at the top thanks to its many intrinsic qualities and low price point, aided by an aggressive strategy from General Motors.

Easy on the Eyes

One reason behind the Chevrolet Equinox EV‘s success is undoubtedly its styling, which seems to appeal to the majority. Unlike most SUVs designed in recent years, the Equinox EV prioritizes a sleek, elongated shape over a tall, boxy look. This gives it a slightly more dynamic appearance than average and certainly contributes to its energy efficiency.

As with virtually all Chevrolet models, the Equinox EV comes in two trims: LT and RS. While equipment levels vary greatly depending on selected option packages, their main difference lies in design. The LT trim adopts a more classic look with machined-finish wheels and chrome accents, while the RS features gloss-black wheels and trim for a sportier, more modern feel.

Being an LT with no optional extras, our test vehicle lacked certain chrome mouldings and the front light bar. While this makes it look slightly less elegant, you really need to see a higher-trimmed model next to the base LT to notice the difference. The entry-level Equinox EV delivers the same attractive styling as the other models despite its significantly lower price.

It is also worth noting the availability of a contrasting white or black roof on models equipped with the convenience package, offering extra possibilities for personalization. However, Chevrolet has reduced the exterior colour palette to just five hues for the LT and six for the RS in 2026.

Spacious and Modern

Inside, the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT continues to impress with its cabin space and layout, which feels decidedly modern thanks to two well-integrated large screens.

As in other recent GM vehicles, the driver’s display is highly configurable and can show integrated Google Maps navigation.

If you’ve been EV shopping in recent months, you likely know that GM’s electric vehicles do not feature Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, unlike their gas-powered counterparts. While this takes some getting used to and isn’t quite as seamless as regular phone projection, the vast majority of commonly used apps are either factory-integrated or downloadable via the Google Play Store.

Despite its competitive price, the base Equinox EV benefits from the same 17.7-inch touchscreen as the higher-end trims, as well as a 360-degree camera system, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and standard driver-assist tech, including adaptive cruise control.

However, the few satin-grey accents on the doors and dashboard, along with the subtle light-blue stitching on the seat bolsters, struggle to offset the abundance of black plastics surrounding the occupants. To avoid this, you must add the convenience package—which adds blue trim—or upgrade to the RS model, which features red accents.

It is also worth noting that certain controls shouldn’t be buried in the screen, such as those for interior and exterior lighting.

Interior space does not disappoint for either passengers or cargo. The rear seat easily accommodates two adults or three children, though the bench’s design creates a bulge at the base of the seatback that hinders comfort.

Rounding out our tour of the cabin, there are numerous open storage compartments throughout the doors and center console—something GM seems to have mastered in many of its latest models.

Solid and Comfortable

Behind the wheel, the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT exhibits a great balance between comfort and handling, thanks to well-calibrated suspension and steering systems. Road imperfections, both large and small, are absorbed effectively, making for a pleasant ride even on degraded pavement and pothole-ridden city streets.

Despite this compliance, the Equinox EV’s handling is by no means soft, demonstrating great cornering stability that inspires confidence even at higher speeds.

The steering contributes to this feeling with its precision, quick response, and well-balanced power assistance. Like many other GM models, the Equinox EV features a thick-rimmed steering wheel that feels great in hand.

While some electric vehicles feel burdened by their heavy curb weight, the Equinox EV leverages it to provide a sense of security and solidity without feeling clumsy.

The base FWD version doesn’t offer as much power as AWD models, of course, but the 220 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque delivered by its front-mounted motor prove entirely sufficient for daily driving.

Speaking of torque, it can be felt through the steering wheel under heavy acceleration, requiring the driver to hold the wheel a bit more firmly than usual.

The brakes also draw criticism for being overly sensitive, requiring a bit of an adjustment period to perform smooth stops.

In our test vehicle, squeaks from the suspension were audible during stops and starts, though this quirk could very well be limited to our specific loaner.

The same cannot be said, however, for the traction control and anti-lock braking systems, which lack refinement in their calibration. As seen in several recent GM vehicles, both systems activate unnecessarily when driving over a bump or pothole while braking, causing annoying clicking sounds under the dashboard and occasionally illuminating warning lights in the cluster.

What is well-calibrated is the one-pedal driving function, which allows for smooth, natural stops without needing to touch the brake pedal. You can also adjust the regenerative braking strength to your preference when lifting off the accelerator.

The advertised 513 km range places the FWD Equinox EV LT near the top of its segment thanks to its large 85 kWh battery, and adding all-wheel drive only reduces that figure by 19 kilometres to 494 km.

Despite driving mostly on highways and country roads, my test vehicle’s display showed 530 km of range after a full charge, suggesting that beating the official figures shouldn’t be too difficult.

While its driving range is competitive, its fast-charging capabilities are less so, peaking at 150 kW. This pales in comparison to models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Tesla Model Y, which can hit 250 to 260 kW on compatible chargers. Charging the Chevy’s battery from 10% to 80% takes roughly 40 minutes under ideal conditions, whereas the same task takes under 20 minutes in Hyundai and Kia models equipped with an 800-volt electrical architecture.

Furthermore, colleagues who drove an Equinox EV last winter noted that charging times increase drastically when temperatures drop—a key factor to consider if you plan on taking frequent long winter road trips.

What to Watch For

Should You Buy a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV?

While the launch of GM’s Ultium platform wasn’t without stumbles—notably with the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer EV—most issues and annoyances seem to have been addressed. Indeed, few problems are reported on 2026 Equinox EV models, aside from temporary electronic glitches that occasionally require rebooting the infotainment system. Beyond software, the Equinox EV has seen several instances of faulty telematics modules, which can wipe out most connected features.

Transport Canada currently lists 7 recalls for the Chevrolet Equinox EV, 3 of which apply to the 2026 model. These relate to tires, pedestrian warning sounds, and a potentially missing electronic owner’s manual.

Regarding maintenance, the Equinox EV highlights one of the major perks of EVs: its scheduled maintenance routine is far less demanding than that of a gas-powered Equinox. Owners will only need to rotate tires every 12,000 km, replace the cabin air filter every 2 years or 36,000 km, and flush the battery coolant every five years or 240,000 km. GM also recommends changing the electric motor oil at 72,000 km under severe driving conditions. Brake fluid should also be flushed every five years.

2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT Pricing

While the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT doesn’t immediately look like a bargain based on its sticker price, it becomes far more enticing once you factor in manufacturer discounts alongside federal and provincial rebates.

The starting MSRP including freight and delivery fees is $49,643, putting the FWD Equinox EV LT roughly $1,500 higher than the Nissan Leaf, $2,700 more than the Hyundai Kona, and $3,600 above the Kia EV5.

However, Chevrolet is currently running a very aggressive sales strategy for the Equinox EV, with combined manufacturer discounts reaching up to $6,000 at the time of writing.

When factoring in federal and provincial EV incentives—for which the Equinox EV LT qualifies for maximum amounts—you end up with a final price tag of just $37,538 for our test model in Quebec, or $39,218 nationally.

Thus, accounting for all available discounts and incentives, you can drive off in a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT for about $4,300 less than a Leaf, $1,300 less than a Kona, and $2,200 less than an EV5—without having had to haggle.

Given its standard equipment, refined road manners, and generous range, the 2026 Equinox EV LT presents a value proposition that is tough to beat.

Even when adding all-wheel drive, you can expect to pay around $43,000. If you decide to treat yourself with options, an AWD LT equipped with the convenience package (ambient lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless phone charging, power liftgate, front light bar, and chrome roof rails) along with optional paint should run about $47,000.

The RS trim starts at $54,643 in FWD and $58,143 in AWD, translating to final out-of-pocket costs of $43,218 and $43,718, respectively after rebates. The slim price gap between drivetrains on the RS is due to a larger factory rebate on the AWD model.

Conclusion

It’s no coincidence that the Chevrolet Equinox EV has become so popular on our roads since its launch two years ago. This compact electric SUV delivers a practical form factor, a generous cabin, a long list of standard equipment on the base model, modern technology, impressive range, and a comfortable, confidence-inspiring ride—all at a price point the competition struggles to match.

Model	Chevrolet Equinox EV LT FWD	Kia EV5 Light	Nissan Leaf S Plus
Base MSRP	$49,643	$45,821	$48,046
Price including rebates and incentives	$39,218	$41,396	$43,541
Battery	85 kWh	60.4 kWh	75 kWh
Range	513 km	335 km (estimated)	488 km
Horsepower	220 hp	154 hp	214 hp
Torque	243 lb-ft	218 lb-ft	261 lb-ft
Towing capacity	680 kg ( 1,500 lb)	Not available	Not recommended
Headroom (FR/RR)	994 mm / 978 mm	1,075 mm / 1,024 mm	1,014 mm / 946 mm
Shoulder room (FR/RR)	1,489 mm / 1,408 mm	1,465 mm / 1,425 mm	1,422 mm / 1,387 mm
Legroom (FR/RR)	1,058 mm /965 mm	1,117 mm / 1,041 mm	1,078 mm / 808 mm
Cargo space (seats up/down)	748 L / 1,620 L	566 L / 1,650 L	566 L / 1,572 L