Chevy released a new EV that is getting very good reviews. It is called the Equinox EV and comes in four models. The 1LT is being touted as an affordable EV starting at $34,000. However, it will not be available for sale until “later in 2024”. Currently, the three other models are offered starting at $43,000. So, you can currently buy the 2LT, but not the 1LT, which Chevy calls the “base model”.
What is does the added $9,000 get you? No one really knows, apparently. Chevy says:
LT1 comes with:
- 17.7-inch-diagonal infotainment3 touchscreen
- Google Built-in
- 11-inch-diagonal driver information center
- 19-inch machine-face aluminum wheels
- up to 319 miles driving range
The LT2 offers:
- 8-way power-adjustable driver seat
- Heated front seats and heated steering wheel
- Available Black with Blue Accents interior or Sky Cool Gray interior
- 17.7-inch-diagonal infotainment3 touchscreen
- Google Built-in
- 11-inch-diagonal driver information center
- 19-inch machine-face aluminum wheels
- Front LED light bar
- Roof rails
- Heated outside mirrors
- AutoSense power liftgate
- Adaptive Cruise Control8 and HD Surround Vision8
- Available Super Cruise4driver assistance technology
- Available White roof with Riptide Blue exterior
- Available panoramic sunroof
- up to 319 miles driving range
So, we are scratching our heads because Chevy is charging $9000 more for some additional trim and a larger info screen! But what really piqued our interest was this revealing difference. We found two Chevy dealers offering the 1LT, but they say that the driving range is only 250 miles, not 319.
And another dealer says the standard driving range is 285. 319 is for an “optional high-capacity battery”. Wait a second, there’s different battery sizes? Tell us it isn’t so, Chevy!
Sadly, Chevy is keeping things vague. We scoured the Internet for answers and even visited some Chevy online discussion groups and they all note the “up to 319 miles”. The Netizens’ thesis is that the reason Chevy is holding off on offer the 1LT is they aren’t sure what the battery pack size will be. So Chevy may be holding off on confirming the 1LT range until they actually release it. The prevailing view is that when released, it will have lower range, but so far, nothing definitive.
One other warning about the Equinox EVs currently for sale: the lease prices are surprisingly high. Given the $7500 tax credit that Chevy gets from the government for each EV it leases, we would have expected that the 2LT lease would be in the $300-400 range. Instead, it’s in the high $500s. Another head scratcher.