Chevrolet Equinox EV vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV was Chevrolet's smallest all-electric SUV, only slightly shorter than the Blazer EV. It featured a rounded and graceful design, with gently flared fenders and a horizontal light stripe that gave it a futuristic look. The interior shared similarities with the Blazer EV, boasting beveled dual screens for instrumentation and infotainment. While outward visibility was generally good, the louvered dashboard top sometimes caused unsettling reflections. Material quality was typical for a compact SUV, with hard plastic surfaces and lightly padded touchpoints. Overall, the Equinox EV was an attractive choice in its class, though it didn't stand out significantly.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt returned with a familiar look, maintaining its large hatchback and subcompact SUV hybrid design. It featured slight styling changes, with a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo and an integrated grille insert. The interior underwent a more dramatic makeover, with a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up storage space. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing its budget feel, though the RS trim offered Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. Despite its tall and narrow stance, the Bolt EV prioritized utility and interior space.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV came with a single 220-horsepower electric motor and front-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel-drive version offering a combined output of 300 hp. It featured an 85-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, providing an estimated range of up to 513 kilometres for the front-drive model. The AWD variant had a slightly reduced range. The Equinox EV's acceleration was estimated at 8.0 seconds to reach 100 km/h for the FWD model and 6.0 seconds for the AWD version. The ride quality was smooth, and the cabin was quieter than a gas-powered SUV, though there was some noticeable boominess on the highway.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. It had a 210-horsepower motor, with an estimated 0-100 km/h time in the low seven-second range. The Bolt EV offered one-pedal driving with medium or high levels of brake regeneration. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the Bolt was agile on curvy roads due to its low centre of gravity. It had an estimated range of up to 422 kilometres on a full charge, with a charging speed of up to 150 kW.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV offered comfortable front seats with adequate padding and support. Most features were operated through touchscreen menus, but physical knobs and buttons were available for climate controls. The rear seats were flatter and firmer, with limited thigh support but ample legroom. Cargo space was generous, with a 748-litre capacity, though there was no front trunk. Storage for personal items was adequate but not generous.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt had an upright driving position with plenty of space for larger occupants. The rear seats offered ample headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor reducing the penalty for centre-seat passengers. The Bolt could hold up to 459 litres of cargo behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The release latches for the rear seatbacks were easy to reach, and the seats folded flat with the cargo floor.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a large 17.7-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. It was powered by Google Built-in, offering map, traffic, and productivity features. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which could be a deal-breaker for some shoppers. The six-speaker audio system was unimpressive, with no premium audio upgrade available.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen. The infotainment system ran on a Google-based operating system, lacking Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto support. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The Bolt's navigation system could help drivers find charging stations and precondition the battery for optimal charging rates.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV received a full five-star rating from the NHTSA in crash tests. It came with standard advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor. The optional Active Safety Package 3 included the Super Cruise automated hands-free highway driving system, a standout feature in its class.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not yet available, but it was expected to achieve high scores. It came with standard advanced safety features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system and other safety features. The Super Cruise system was available for an additional cost, making the Bolt one of the few budget EVs to offer such an advanced system.