Chevrolet Equinox EV Camper Review: The Best Range Per Dollar in EV Camping
The Chevrolet Equinox EV is the value champion of EV camping in 2026. At roughly $34,995 starting MSRP with an EPA-estimated 319 miles of range and 57.2 cubic feet of cargo space, the Equinox EV delivers more electric range per dollar than any other vehicle on the market — including the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and every other EV in this guide. For campers on a budget who want the freedom to reach distant campsites without range anxiety, the Equinox EV makes a compelling case: it costs roughly $10,000 less than a Model Y Long Range while delivering almost identical EPA range (319 vs. 330 miles), and it costs roughly $7,500 more than a Bolt EV while adding 60 miles of range and a roomier, more modern interior.
The Equinox EV is built on GM s Ultium platform — the same modular battery architecture used in the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer EV. This is a ground-up EV design, not a converted gasoline vehicle. The flat floor, spacious cabin, and dedicated EV packaging all contribute to camping utility. The tradeoffs: no V2L, no dedicated Camp Mode, and reliance on the CCS charging network rather than Tesla Superchargers. For campers who can accept those limitations, the Equinox EV offers unmatched value.
Chevy Equinox EV Camping Specs
| Specification | FWD (319 mi) | AWD (285 mi est.) |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Range | 319 miles | ~285 miles |
| Starting MSRP (est.) | $34,995 | $38,000+ |
| Battery Capacity (est. gross) | ~85 kWh | ~85 kWh |
| Drive Type | FWD | AWD (dual motor) |
| Cargo Space (seats folded) | 57.2 cu ft | 57.2 cu ft |
| Cargo Space (seats up) | 26.4 cu ft | 26.4 cu ft |
| Sleeping Length (est.) | ~72–73 inches | ~72–73 inches |
| Sleeping Width (est.) | ~41–42 inches (wheel wells) | ~41–42 inches |
| Rear Seats Fold Flat? | Mostly flat — slight incline | Mostly flat |
| Camp Mode | No dedicated mode | No |
| V2L | No | No |
| Max DC Charging Speed | Up to ~150 kW | Up to ~150 kW |
| 10%–80% Charge Time | ~35–40 minutes (est.) | ~35–40 minutes |
| Heat Pump | Standard | Standard |
| Frunk Cargo | None | None |
| Ground Clearance | ~6.8 inches | ~6.8 inches |
| Super Cruise Available? | Available on higher trims | Available |
Value Proposition: 319 Miles for $34,995
The Equinox EV s defining characteristic is its range-to-price ratio. At roughly $110 per mile of EPA range, it beats every other EV in this guide:
- Chevy Bolt EV: $106 per mile (259 miles / $27,495) — slightly better ratio, but less total range and smaller cargo area
- Chevy Equinox EV: $110 per mile (319 miles / $34,995)
- Tesla Model Y Long Range: $136 per mile (330 miles / $44,990)
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 SEL RWD: $157 per mile (303 miles / $47,450)
- VW ID.4 Pro: $142 per mile (275 miles / $38,995)
For campers, the extra 60 miles of range over a Bolt EV translates to roughly 50 more miles of practical camping radius — the difference between a campsite 100 miles from home being a comfortable round trip versus requiring a charging stop. It also means more battery buffer for overnight climate control, detours to trailheads, and unplanned side trips. The Equinox EV s range is not the absolute longest (the Model Y Long Range and Ioniq 5 Long Range both reach 300+ miles), but no other vehicle with 300+ miles of range comes close to this price point.
Sleeping Setup and Interior
The Equinox EV s cargo area with rear seats folded measures approximately 72–73 inches long. This is competitive with the Ioniq 5 (72 inches) and better than the EV6 (71 inches), but shorter than the Model Y (76 inches) and ID.4 (73–74 inches). Campers up to roughly 6'0" can lie flat; taller campers will need to sleep diagonally or with knees slightly bent. Width is approximately 41–42 inches between the rear wheel wells — standard for this class.
Cargo volume at 57.2 cubic feet is competitive: roughly 9 cubic feet less than the ID.4 (64.2), roughly 11 cubic feet less than the Model Y (68), but more than the Ioniq 5 (59.3) and significantly more than the EV6 (50.2). For two people with camping gear, the Equinox EV holds sleeping pads, two duffel bags, a cooler, chairs, and cooking equipment without requiring a roof box. The 26.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats (seats up) is useful for daily driving — enough for groceries, sports equipment, or luggage.
The Ultium platform s flat floor (no transmission tunnel) creates a level cargo area side to side. The rear seats fold with a slight incline — not perfectly flat, but close enough that a foam mattress provides a comfortable surface without additional leveling. The conventional SUV roofline provides good headroom in the cargo area — roughly 27–29 inches with a mattress in place, enough for most people to sit up partially.
Charging and Range Management
The Equinox EV charges at up to roughly 150 kW on DC fast chargers — competitive with other 400V EVs like the Mach-E and ID.4. A 10%–80% charge takes an estimated 35–40 minutes at a properly functioning 150+ kW CCS station. This is adequate for road trip camping but not class-leading: the 800V Ioniq 5 charges in roughly 18 minutes on a 350 kW station, and the Model Y charges in roughly 27 minutes on a Supercharger.
The standard heat pump is a meaningful advantage over the Bolt EV (resistive heating only) and the base ID.4 (heat pump optional). In cold-weather camping, the heat pump reduces overnight climate energy consumption by roughly 30%–40% compared to resistive heating. This means more range in the morning for driving and a lower chance of range anxiety in winter camping scenarios.
The Equinox EV relies on the CCS charging network. Like all non-Tesla EVs, route planning requires third-party apps (PlugShare, ABRP). GM has announced plans for NACS adapter compatibility, which would open up Supercharger access, but as of 2026 this is not yet widely deployed. Confirm current Supercharger access status before purchasing if this matters to your camping plans.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best range-per-dollar of any EV. 319 miles for $34,995. No other EV offers this much range at this price point. The value proposition is unmatched.
- Standard heat pump. Efficient cold-weather climate control. An advantage over many competitors where the heat pump is optional or unavailable.
- 57.2 cubic feet cargo. Adequate for two people s camping gear. More cargo space than the Ioniq 5 and EV6.
- Flat floor (Ultium platform). No transmission tunnel hump. Level cargo area side to side. Clean, modern EV packaging.
- Super Cruise available. Hands-free highway driving on compatible roads. Reduces fatigue on long drives to campsites. Available on higher trims.
- Conventional SUV shape. Good headroom, easy loading, familiar proportions. The Equinox EV looks and functions like a normal SUV — approachable for first-time EV buyers.
- GM reliability and dealer network. Extensive service network across North America. If something goes wrong at a remote campsite, a Chevrolet dealer is likely within reasonable distance.
Cons
- No V2L. Cannot power campsite appliances from the car. A separate portable power station is required for cooking or running a fridge.
- No dedicated Camp Mode. Overnight climate control works but requires manually leaving the car on. No integrated camping software features.
- 35–40 minute 10%–80% charging. Adequate but not fast. Slower than the Model Y, Ioniq 5, and EV6. Multi-stop road trips will involve longer cumulative charging time.
- CCS charging network. More fragmented and less reliable than Superchargers. Route planning requires third-party apps.
- No frunk. No front trunk storage. All cargo must go in the main cargo area.
- 72–73 inch sleeping length. Shorter than the Model Y (76") and ID.4 (73–74"). Campers over 6'0" will be cramped.
Who Is the Equinox EV Camper For?
The Chevrolet Equinox EV is the best choice for budget-conscious campers who want maximum range for minimum money. At $34,995 with 319 miles of range, it is the only EV under $40,000 that comfortably handles regional camping trips without charging anxiety. If your camping involves driving 150–200 miles to a destination, spending the weekend, and driving back with a single charging stop (or none at all), the Equinox EV s range-per-dollar is transformative.
The Equinox EV is also ideal for campers upgrading from a Bolt EV or Bolt EUV. For roughly $7,500 more than a Bolt EUV, the Equinox EV adds 72 miles of range, a more spacious interior, faster DC charging (150 kW vs. 55 kW), a standard heat pump, and available AWD and Super Cruise. It is a meaningful step up in every dimension that matters for camping without doubling the budget.
The Equinox EV is not ideal for campers who want V2L, the fastest charging, or the most polished camping software. For those features, look at the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, or Tesla Model Y — but be prepared to spend $10,000–$15,000 more for a comparably equipped vehicle with similar range.
FAQ
How does the Equinox EV achieve 319 miles of range at $34,995?
The Equinox EV uses GM s Ultium battery platform with a roughly 85 kWh battery pack (gross) in a front-wheel-drive configuration. The combination of a relatively large battery, efficient FWD drivetrain, and aerodynamic SUV body yields the 319-mile EPA estimate. For comparison, the similarly priced Bolt EV achieves 259 miles with a 65 kWh battery — the Equinox EV s larger pack and more modern platform deliver roughly 60 additional miles for approximately $7,500 more. This is the best range-per-dollar ratio of any EV sold in the US in 2026.
Can you sleep in a Chevy Equinox EV?
Yes. The Equinox EV s cargo area with rear seats folded measures approximately 72–73 inches long and roughly 41–42 inches wide. The rear seats fold mostly flat with a slight incline — easily leveled with a foam mattress. Campers up to roughly 6'0" can lie flat. The cargo area is 57.2 cubic feet, which is adequate for two people s camping gear. The Equinox EV s conventional SUV shape provides good cargo headroom.
Does the Chevy Equinox EV have V2L or a Camp Mode?
No V2L and no dedicated Camp Mode. The Equinox EV does not support Vehicle-to-Load. It has standard 12V accessory sockets and USB-C ports for device charging. For campsite appliances, you need a separate portable power station. The vehicle can be left powered on in Park to run climate control overnight — GM does not have a 30-minute auto-shutoff timer in this vehicle, so climate will run continuously. Monitor battery consumption manually.
Is the Equinox EV better than the Tesla Model Y for camping?
The Equinox EV wins on value: $34,995 for 319 miles of range versus $44,990 for 330 miles in the Model Y Long Range — roughly $10,000 less for essentially the same range. The Model Y wins on cargo space (68 vs. 57.2 cu ft), sleeping length (76 vs. 72–73 inches), charging network (Supercharger vs. CCS), and Camp Mode software. The Equinox EV s main advantage is price — you can buy one and a roof box, mattress, power station, and camping gear for less than the Model Y s base price. For budget-conscious campers, the Equinox EV is a better value. For the most polished camping experience, the Model Y remains superior.
All vehicle specifications based on manufacturer published data. Prices are MSRP and may vary by region, trim, options, and incentives. EPA range from fueleconomy.gov. Super Cruise availability and subscription terms subject to change. Charging speed estimates are approximate and depend on conditions. This is an informational guide, not a purchase recommendation. Always verify specs with official sources.