With a starting price of $34,995, the Chevrolet Equinox EV has a main goal in mind, being the mainstream EV that most people would want that delivers on range, practicality and comfortability.

At the forefront, the Equinox EV shares very little, if any counterparts with its gas variant. The EV is sleeker in design, and carries a more futuristic tone with its sleek robocop single line LED strip at the front and funky syndicating taillights that dance a charge status glow when plugged in. With my example being the sportier top tier RS, it was upgraded with standard two tone paint with a black roof and later 21-inch gloss black wheels.

Inside, we started to see more similarities with the gas version Equinox with its digital gauge cluster, slanted infotainment screen, and climate control system layout. However that’s where the two stop sharing as the Equinox EV uses a match larger 17.7-inch infotainment display that eats up a significant amount of the dash, making the passenger seat feel cramp and isolated. Furthermore, it does not feature Apple CarPlay, only Android Auto which may be concerning to buyers with an iPhone. However, its built-in Google software that features Spotify and Google Maps, you are able to login and have similar access to your music and navigation. Unfortunately, I am stuck in the 2000’s and still use Pandora Radio, which was not supported.

In a wave of not-so-new technology, is the now abandoned use of a start button which the brake pedal now takes on that role. It is odd at first, but you get used to it quickly. The only caveat that I found annoying was when exiting the vehicle, it essentially shuts the vehicle off. However, if you press the brake pedal again while leaving, it reactivates the power which then requires you to put it in gear and back into park to get the vehicle to recognize that you’re exiting.

Considering the Equinox’s overall size, the screen size is a dominate overpowering display that makes the cabin feel much smaller than it actually is. That is, unless you’re in the back seat where there is so much leg room and space, you’d forget that this would technically be classified as a sub-compact vehicle.  Ultimately it is surprising that the Equinox EV doesn’t feel bigger compared to its competitors, its wheelbase is longer and wider than

Chevy also takes full advantage of the Equinox’s center-console storage area afforded by having a flat floor. A bin underneath a floating center armrest can hold a handbag. And there’s no fussily designed shifter taking up space on the center console. Instead, a column shifter gets the job done.

With a claimed 319-mile range from the entry level LT1, it certainly makes for an appealing option compared to those of similar size and performance like the Kia Niro EV with only 253-miles and the Volkswagen ID.4 with a claimed 291-miles.

However, when it comes to power, there is the good and the not so good. Over the short time span of EV’s, they have been known to be powerhouse junkies that will eat pavement quicker than you can say “what the hell just happened”. When it comes to the Equinox EV, that is not necessarily the case here. With my example carrying the optional all-wheel drive, between the two motors it produces a healthy 288-horsepower, which can scurry to 60 mph in just about 6-seconds, which is no chump change when getting the wheels in motion. However, compared to similarly equipped Hyundai Ioniq5 that can achieve the same MPH in under 4.5-seconds.

Once underway, the Equinox EV is a comfortable if unremarkable driver, with well-weighted steering and an inoffensive, cushy ride. Drivers can pick from multiple settings of regenerative braking, including a one-pedal drive mode which takes a very long time to get adapted to unless you want to constantly look like you’re always tapping your brakes. A paddle on the left side of the steering wheel smoothly applies maximum regenerative braking if desired.

The Super Cruise, Chevy’s Level 2 driver-assist system, provides hands-free driving and automatic lane changes on compatible roads and highways work phenomenally well handling curves with ease and conducting well handling lane changing. The automatic lane change feature however is also annoying if you have the ‘do it for me option selected’. Basically, if a vehicle in front of you is driving slower than you, the Smart Cruise will actively go around the vehicle, however it does not take in account speed and location of surrounding vehicles. Just because a gap is open in traffic doesn’t always mean it should be taken, otherwise we become the annoying driver cutting other vehicles off. Thankfully that is a setting that can be disengaged.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV largely balances out. It offers a compelling range-per-dollar figure, especially for the entry level LT1. However, with our exampled RS stickering over $51,000, those are some big bucks for something that lacks the zesty acceleration we’ve come to expect from EVs. And despite its enormous and quick-acting center screen, it doesn’t play as nicely with iPhone.