Chevrolet is preparing two new electric SUVs for the 2024 model year as a replacement for the current Bolt EV and EUV, which are soon to be retired indefinitely. One of the new models – the Equinox EV – is entering a segment of the EV market that is offering lots of competition. One of these competitors is the Hyundai Kona EV, which also just went through a major update. But, when put on paper one next to the other, which of the two compact electric SUVs is better? Let’s try to find out!
1 The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Offers More Powerful Trims
When the new Equinox EV will go on sale later fall of 2023, it will be offered in the entry level 1LT form. This one will be powered by one electric motor for the front wheels that delivers a total of 210 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque. However, Chevrolet will offer five different trims for the Equinox EV, including one with an optional bigger battery and AWDe drivetrain. This one will deliver a total of 290 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2024 Hyundai Kona EV Specifications
| Model | Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD | Chevrolet Equinox EV AWD | Hyundai Kona EV 48.6-kWh | Hyundai Kona EV 64.8-kWh |
| Powertrain | one electric motor | dual electric motor | one electric motor | dual electric motor |
| Power | 210 hp | 290 hp | 133 hp | 201 hp |
| Torque | 242 lb-ft | 346 lb-ft | 188 lb-ft | 188 lb-ft |
By that time, the new generation Kona EV will also go on sale, and it will be offered with two different battery options. The entry level models will get a 48.6-kWh battery pack with 133 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque, while top versions will get a 64.8-kWh battery pack with 201 horsepower and the same 201 pound-feet of torque.
2 You Get More Range With The Equinox EV, And Also Faster Charging
The new Equinox EV is built on GM’s highly efficient Ultium Platform, which means it will offer all the cool benefits that come with it, including good range and fast charging capabilities. The entry-level models will come with a small battery pack that will only provide a range of 250 miles, but, in its best configuration, the Equinox EV offers up to 300 miles of range. The models with the eAWD configuration will drop range to 280 miles.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2024 Hyundai Kona EV Range
| Range | |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV 1LT | 250 miles |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV 2LT | 300 miles |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV AWD | 280 miles |
| Hyundai Kona EV 64.8 kWh | 260 miles |
Chevy’s electric compact SUV will also benefit from fast charging capabilities and will add up to 70 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging. On the other hand, the 2024 Kona EV equipped with the 64.8 kWh battery pack will offer a range of 260 miles, but there is no word on the range provided by the entry-level battery. The Kona EV also benefits from fast charging capabilities, but it needs 43 minutes to recharge to 80 percent.
3 The Equinox EV Is Bigger
Both the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Hyundai Kona EV are compact electric SUVs, but the Equinox is slightly bigger. It is built on a 116-inch wheelbase and measures 190 inches in length, 75 inches in width, and 64 inches in height. The new Kona EV on the other hand, even if it grew a lot in size, it is still a lot smaller than Chevy’s EV.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2024 Hyundai Kona EV Exterior Dimensions
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | Hyundai Kona EV | |
| Wheelbase | 116 inches | 104.7 inches |
| Length | 190 inches | 171.5 inches |
| Width | 75 inches | 71.9 inches |
| Height | 64 inches | 62.2 inches |
It is built on a 104.7 inches wheelbase, and measures 171.5 inches in length, 71.9 inches in width, and 62.2 inches in height. These numbers represent an increase of 5.7 inches in length, and one-inch increase in height when compared to its predecessor, but it is still 18.5 inches shorter than the Equinox EV, 3.1 inches wider, and 1.8 inches taller.
4 Spacious Cabin In The Equinox EV, But More Cargo Room In The Kona Electric
The Equinox EV has a very futuristic cabin, with a clean and minimalist design, and just about every technology inside is controlled by the digital infotainment screen. It offers interior room for up to five passengers, and although Chevy didn’t reveal interior dimensions just yet, we expect it to be identical to the gas-powered model. The latter offers 40.0 inches of headroom up front and 38.5 inches in the rear, 40.9 inches of legroom up front and 39.9 inches in the back, and 57.2 inches of shoulder room up front and 55.5 inches in the back.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2024 Hyundai Kona EV Interior Dimensions
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | Hyundai Kona EV | |
| Front headroom | 40.0 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Rear headroom | 38.5 inches | 37.7 inches |
| Front legroom | 40.9 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Rear legroom | 39.9 inches | 38.2 inches |
| Front shoulder room | 57.2 inches | 55.5 inches |
| Rear shoulder room | 55.5 inches | 54.5 inches |
By comparison, the 2024 Kona EV’s interior is just as versatile and is designed with the “living space” idea in mind. However, despite still offering room for five passengers, it doesn’t do as good in terms of room. For example, the front headroom is of only 39.9 inches, and the rear legroom of 38.2 inches. The Kona EV does however offer more cargo space: it goes up to a maximum of 63.7 inches, while the Equinox EV can only accommodate 57.2 cubic feet of luggage.
5 The Equinox EV Has A Lower Starting Price
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV will be offered in three trims: 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, 2RS, and 3RS and sales will begin in the fall of 2023. Chevy didn’t reveal full prices for the Equinox EV, but it did announce it will start from about $30,000. The 3RS trims will go up to as much as $44,000.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2024 Hyundai Kona EV Prices
Trim | Est. Price |
Chevrolet Equinox EV 1LT | $30,000 |
Chevrolet Equinox EV 2LT | $34,000 |
Chevrolet Equinox EV 3LT | $37,000 |
Chevrolet Equinox EV2 RS | $40,000 |
Chevrolet Equinox EV 3RS | $44,000 |
| Hyundai Kona EV SE | $33,550 |
| Hyundai Kona EV SEL | $37,300 |
| Hyundai Kona EV Limited | $41,550 |
The same goes for the 2024 Kona EV: we do not have the prices just yet, but we do have the 2023 model as reference. Just as a reminder, the 2023 Hyundai Kona EV’s price ranges from $33,550 to $41,550. However, considering all the improvements the new model brings, we expect the starting price to go up to about $35,000. The advantage of the 2024 Equinox EV is that it also qualifies for up to $7,500 federal tax credit, which could lower its price quite significantly.
6 The Equinox EV Is Faster, More Capable
Chevrolet did not reveal fuel performance figures for the Equinox EV but did announce the models equipped with the AWD system will run from 0 to 60 mph in just six seconds. The same goes for the Kona EV - while we have no performance figures for the 2024 model year, the 2023 Kona EV should give us a good indication of what to expect.
For example, the current model runs from 0 to 60 mph in anywhere from 9.2 to 8.6 seconds, but we should expect a small improvement for the new generation. The Equinox EV is also a lot more capable, as its towing capacity is rated at 1,500 pounds. On the other hand, the Kona EV is not rated for towing, although there are people out there who said they were able to tow up to 2,800 pounds.
7 The Equinox EV Looks Better
The 2024 Equinox EV is a new addition to a market that has plenty of models to choose from, so it is no wonder why Chevy had to raise the bar and give the electric SUV an amazing exterior look. The company opted for a futuristic design, with one single headlight that runs the entire length of the front end, plus a wide grille flanked by two slim LED strips. The rear will easily be distinguished by animated taillights, a shark fin and an aerodynamic diffuser. Also, each trim will get its unique identifiable elements, with the 3RS trim being the sportiest one.
The Kona EV, on the other hand, has hardly been criticized for the way it looks, but the new generation brings a lot of improvements in this regard. Hyundai worked on making the Kona EV a lot more aerodynamic than before - it now has a drag coefficient of 0.27 - but at the same time it made it look a lot better. The EV has a lot more aerodynamic nose than before, a new rear lift gate and a more sculpted wheel arch armor.
8 The Kona EV Offers Bigger Screens
As is the case with every other electric vehicle, for both the Kona EV and the Equinox EV, most of the physical buttons - which can be very distractive during daily driving - were replaced by commands on the infotainment system. However, both models keep the traditional knobs for temperature control - which can be helpful. And, speaking of infotainment system, the Kona EV does a little bit better in this regard.
Hyundai’s EV features floating horizontal C-Pad with integrated, dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screens, while the Equinox EV gets two 11-inch screens: one for the infotainment system and the other for the driver's display. However, the higher trims will also be offered with an optional 17.7-inch screen. Both models will benefit from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features, but the Equinox model could benefit from GM’s own infotainment system developed in collaboration with Google.
9 You Get Better Driver-Assistant Features With The Equinox EV
There is no doubt that both models will offer lots of driver-assist features, but the Equinox EV will come with the available Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology. Thanks to this feature, the driver will be able to travel hands-free on more than 400,000 miles of compatible roads across the U.S. and Canada. Other cool driver assistance technologies include Adaptive Cruise Control and HD Surround Vision with a Head-Up Display and Rear Camera Mirror.
The Kona EV will also be loaded with lots of driver assistance technologies, including:
- The next level of Hyundai SmartSense ADAS features,
- Smart Cruise Control (SCC),
- Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC) with stop and go,
- Parking Distance Warning
- Remote Start.
10 Both EVs Offer Lots Of EV-Specific Features
The 2024 Kona EV also has the advantage of having a frunk, which the Equinox EV is missing. It is not big - at only 0.95 cubic feet - but it does add up to the total storage area. Both models will offer features like:
- Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability
- One-pedal driving - known as the I-PEDAL mode in the Kona EV
- Smart Regenerative System that adjusts regeneration according to real-time traffic conditions.
Thanks to the V2L function, both models will be great outdoor vehicles as they offer the possibility to charge electrical equipment, such as electric bicycles, scooters, camping equipment. They can even serve as power suppliers during a power outage.