As you learn this, the primary examples of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox are discovering their strategy to patrons’ houses. And whereas the fourth era of the model’s best-selling SUV has definitely marked a glow-up within the design division, its powertrain is much less daring. For its first mannequin 12 months, the all-new Equinox presents only one engine: a 1.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder making 175 horsepower, and as much as 203 lb-ft of torque. Nevertheless, all indications from GM recommend a plug-in hybrid is on the horizon—it would simply take them a minute to comply with by means of.
At a launch occasion for the brand new SUV, The Drive requested Chevrolet World Vice President Scott Bell if there’s house within the Equinox household for a hybrid, contemplating Chevy has each the ICE and EV extremes coated. Bell’s response was favorable, to say the least.
“I feel we’ve been fairly clear that we predict plug-in hybrids have a task in the way forward for our portfolio,” Bell stated. “Nothing to announce right here at the moment, however you realize I feel Mary [Barra, GM CEO] has been on document that 2027 is type of the 12 months that we might begin to introduce that, and we now have numerous alternatives for plug-ins. We’re gonna definitely keep near what the buyer is taking a look at and demanding however sure, there’s room in our portfolio for it, for certain.”
Particularly plugged-in (sorry) lovers will observe that GM has, actually, already launched a PHEV model of the brand new Equinox. It’s known as the Equinox Plus, however for the time being, it’s slated for China solely and will likely be produced by way of GM’s three way partnership with SAIC for that market. The Equinox Plus improves on our turbo-four’s efficiency in a giant manner, supplementing that engine with a 188-hp electrical motor to greater than double the output of the ICE-only mannequin. That’s a complete of 365 hp and a staggering 416 lb-ft—in an Equinox.
Whether or not because of variations between the markets, or logistical, regulatory, or political hurdles (in all probability all the above, if we needed to hazard a guess), GM appears much less more likely to straight up deliver the Equinox Plus to our shores, at the least within the type we acknowledge at the moment. Bell lately described the Plus to GM Authority as “a automobile with a unique goal” from the ICE Equinox, earlier than noting that it’s manufactured in China. On the similar time, Barra has certainly stated that the corporate has “a strong plan” to introduce PHEVs inside three years, each in response to shopper demand and the EPA’s ever-tightening emissions standards.
Lots of the Equinox’s key rivals, just like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson, all provide some method of electrification, whether or not by means of a traditional hybrid powertrain or a PHEV system. The 2025 Equinox will begin at $31,080 shipped, and nonetheless slides in a number of grand underneath $40K even in its most costly AWD Activ trim. However the remainder of the compact SUV set has confirmed clients are keen to spend nicely above that threshold for the efficiency and effectivity afforded by a hybrid powertrain. GM’s give attention to EVs lately seems to have come on the expense of electrified, fuel-burning vehicles, however once they do lastly arrive, it certain seems like an Equinox will likely be amongst them.
Obtained ideas? Ship ’em to ideas@thedrive.com
