2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Beats Tesla Model 3 in Starting Price and Standard Driving Range

Although these battery-electric vehicles don't compete directly against each other, the Chevrolet brand's affordable battery-electric sport utility vehicle is an extremely tempting proposition for many. Not only does it feature a more desirable and practical body style than the four-door sedan from Tesla, but Equinox EV is loaded with standard kit.

Available in late 2024, the 1LT rocks 19-inch aluminum wheels, an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, and 17.7-inch infotainment with Google Built-In. The 2LT sweetens the deal with the so-called AutoSense power liftgate, HD Surround Vision, heated front seats with eight-way power adjustments for the driver, a heated steering wheel, a light bar up front, roof rails, and heated mirrors.

It's $43,295 before freight as opposed to $34,995 for the 1LT grade, which puts the 2LT between the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive and Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive in terms of pricing. Trim levels continue with the 2RS, 3LT, and 3RS, which are priced at $44,795, $45,295, and $46,795 with front-wheel drive. The dual-motor option adds $3,300 to the window sticker of the 2LT. As per the EPA, the Equinox EV eAWD can't do better than 285 miles (459 kilometers) compared to 341 (549) for the Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive.

One could further argue that a Tesla is way more appealing than an EV full of golden bowties, but on the other hand, remember that General Motors and Tesla are completely different animals in many respects. You also have to remember that buying a car just because most people think it's cool suggests a great degree of vanity and validation.

In any case, how does the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV fare in terms of power and torque? GM says 213 horsepower and 236 pound-feet (320 Nm) for the front-drive, single-motor configuration, whereas eAWD nets 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet (451 Nm). One-pedal driving is standard across the board, as are 11.5-kW AC and 150-kW DC charging technologies. At 11.5 kilowatts, you can add up to 34 miles of range per hour of charging.

Crank it up to 150 kilowatts, and 70 miles can be added in approximately 10 minutes per GM's estimate. Don't worry about the high-voltage battery, for the Detroit-based automaker covers it for 8 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers).

Manufactured in Mexico rather than the United States, the Equinox EV promises up to 57.2 cubic feet (1,614 liters) of cargo room with the rear seat folded into the floor. That may not be as good as the 68 cubic feet (1,926 liters) of the more spacious Model Y, but it surely is better than the Model 3.

A neat crossover both inside and out, Equinox EV further challenges Tesla with the so-called Super Cruise system. The Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system is optional across the board, whereas Autopilot comes standard.