2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs the Competition

Making its debut for the 2021 model year, the ID.4 is VW’s first EV in the U.S. and, like the Equinox EV, aims for the heart of the EV compact crossover market. It is available with a 282-hp single-motor RWD drivetrain or a 335-hp dual-motor AWD. Those power levels represent an increase for the 2026 model, which also includes changes to its much-criticized infotainment system, though some issues remain. Trim levels include Pro, AWD Pro, Pro S, AWD Pro S, and AWD Pro S Plus.

• With a starting MSRP of $34,995, the Equinox EV is considerably more affordable than the ID.4, which starts at o $45,900.
• In base form, the Equinox has more torque than the base ID.4 (243 vs. 229 lb-ft).
• A price-comparable Equinox EV to the base ID.4 Pro would be the top-of-the-line RS with AWD and features such as a hands-free liftgate, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, ambient lighting, roof rails, and the HD Surround camera system, as well as 21” wheels, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and other aesthetic details.
• The Equinox EV’s standard range of 319 miles easily exceeds the ID.4’s 291 miles.
• With AWD, the Equinox’s range of 307 exceeds the ID.4 AWD’s range of 263.
• The center touchscreen on the Equinox EV is 17.7 inches, compared to the 12.9-inch screen on the ID.4.
• The wheelbase of the Equinox EV is a full seven inches longer than the ID.4 (116 vs. 109, enabling a more stable highway ride.
• The Equinox has 102 cubic feet of passenger space compared to the 100 cubic feet for the D.4, and that is largely reflected in increased hip room both in the front (56 vs. 54 inches) and, more importantly, at the rear seat (51 vs. 47 inches), which can make a notable difference when seating three abreast.
• The ID.4 had no counterpart to the Equinox EV’s available Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system.

Toyota has been vocal in its skepticism of EVs. Nevertheless, it launched a compact crossover EV for the 2023 model year. There is a Lexus version of the same, and its frequent partner Subaru has a nearly identical version called the Solterra. Originally called the bZ4X, Toyota anticipated a series of models all starting with the bZ (beyond Zero) prefix, followed by two alphanumeric characters that signified the model’s size and type. It is shifting its naming strategy so the model is now just called the bZ. The model has 165, 221, or 338 horsepower, depending on battery size and drive wheels. For 2026, there are XLE and Limited trims. XLE FWD trims get a 57.7 kWh battery pack, while all others have a 74.7 kWh battery. The batteries now feature a preconditioning system to improve charging times in cold weather.

• The standard bZ FWD range is lower than the standard Equinox EV’s (236 vs. 319 miles).
• Even with the optional battery, the bZ still falls short of the standard Equinox EV (314 vs. 319 miles).
• The range of the bZ AWD (which comes standard with the larger battery) is lower than that of the Equinox EV AWD (308 vs. 288 miles).
• The Equinox has 102 cubic feet of passenger space, compared with 94.4 – 95.7 cubic feet for the bZ. This is largely reflected in increased rear hip room (50.7 vs. 44.8 inches), which can make a notable difference when seating three abreast.
• Rear passengers will also be more comfortable in the Equinox due to its over 2.5 inches of legroom (38.0 vs. 35.3).
• The bZ features the driver’s information in an odd placement above the rim of the steering wheel rather than through it. Many find this inconvenient, and the display itself is small. The Equinox EV has a conventionally placed driver’s display.
• The center touchscreen on the Equinox EV is 17.7 inches, compared with the 12.3-inch screen on the bZ.
• The Equinox EV’s long wheelbase for its class gives it a highway stability advantage over the bZ (116 vs. 112 inches).

In 2021, Ford launched its first EV. They gave it some Mustang design cues and named it the Mustang Mach-E, despite it being a compact crossover, and the Mustang name being applied strictly to sports coupes for over 60 years. The Mach-E has a starting MSRP of $37,795, and there are two trims in this general price range. Two very high-performance trims, the GT and Rally, jump entirely out of the Equinox EV’s price range into the mid- to high-50s and thus are not included in this comparison. Like most vehicles here, a single-motor model is driving two wheels (RWD in this case) and a dual-motor model for AWD. The two battery packs are just below and above the Equinox EV’s at 73 kWh and 88 kWh. Horsepower ranges from 250 to 370, depending on battery and drive wheels. Of the price-comparable models, there are Select and Premium trim levels, both standard with RWD and AWD, and the two battery sizes.

• The Equinox is more affordable, with a base MSRP of $34,995, compared with $37,795 for the Mach-E. For just over the base Mach-E price, you can upgrade to the $38,595 LT2, which adds features including:
  • Wireless phone charging
  • One-touch power windows
  • HD surround vision
• In base model form, the Equinox has considerably more range (319 miles vs. 260).
• Even with the larger battery, the Mach-E’s maximum range still falls short of the Equinox with AWD (307 vs. 300).
• The 15.5-inch center touchscreen on the Mach-E is smaller than the 17.7-inch screen on the Equinox EV. 
• The other issue with the center touchscreens is that the Equinox EV’s is integrated into the dash design, whereas the Mach-E’s vertical screen simply appears to be attached in front of the dash.