A complete Canadian comparison of the 2024, 2025, and 2026 Chevrolet Equinox in both gasoline and all-electric (EV) form, from Mission Motors in Wawa, Ontario. Covers driving range, fuel economy, power, charging, cargo, trims, the 2025 gas redesign, federal EVAP rebate eligibility, and what actually works best for Northern Ontario driving along Highway 17 and Lake Superior. Six configurations compared, model year by model year.
If you are shopping the Chevrolet Equinox right now, you are really facing two decisions at once. The first is the one everyone talks about: gas or electric. The second is quieter but just as important here in Wawa: which of the last three model years makes the most sense, given that the gas Equinox was completely redesigned partway through this stretch and the all-electric Equinox EV only arrived in 2024.
This guide lays all six of those choices side by side — the 2024, 2025, and 2026 Equinox in both gasoline and EV form — using verified Canadian figures from Natural Resources Canada and Chevrolet Canada. We will keep it honest about where each one shines and where it does not, with an eye on what Northern Ontario driving actually demands: long distances on Highway 17, real winters off Lake Superior, and charging infrastructure that is still catching up.
The gasoline Equinox and the Equinox EV share a name and little else — one runs on a 1.5L turbo engine, the other on GM's 85 kWh Ultium battery platform.
The gas Equinox was redesigned for 2025; the 2024 is the older generation with a six-speed automatic, while 2025 and 2026 use a CVT (FWD) or eight-speed automatic (AWD).
The Equinox EV launched in 2024 and gained range and a simpler lineup for 2025; front-wheel-drive models are rated up to 513 km, all-wheel-drive up to 494 km.
Eligible new Equinox EV trims configured at $50,000 or less may qualify for up to $5,000 under the federal EVAP rebate; the gas model and used vehicles do not.
For home-charging Wawa drivers the EV's running-cost savings are real; for high-mileage Highway 17 travellers, the gas Equinox is still the more flexible everyday choice.
513 km
Max Equinox EV range, FWD (NRCan, 2025–26)
85 kWh
Ultium battery, every EV model year
175 hp
Gas 1.5L turbo output, all three years
~112 km
EV range added in 10 min of DC fast charging
2024
Year the all-electric Equinox EV joined the lineup
2025
Year the gasoline Equinox was fully redesigned
The Six Equinox Choices at a Glance
Before we get into the gas-versus-electric debate, here is the whole field in one place. Think of it as the master grid: three model years, two completely different powertrains, six vehicles. Notice that the gas and EV versions are engineered separately — the EV is not simply a battery-powered version of the gas car.
Model & Year
Powertrain
Power (FWD / AWD)
Range or Fuel Economy
Trims (Canada)
2024 Equinox (Gas)
1.5L turbo, 6-speed auto
175 hp
8.4 L/100 km combined (FWD)
LS, LT, RS, Premier
2025 Equinox (Gas)
1.5L turbo, CVT / 8-speed
175 hp
8.8 L/100 km combined (FWD)
LT, RS, Activ
2026 Equinox (Gas)
1.5L turbo, CVT / 8-speed
175 hp
8.8 L/100 km combined (FWD)
LT, RS, Activ
2024 Equinox EV
Single / dual motor, 85 kWh
213 hp / 288 hp
513 km / 459 km
2LT, 3LT, 2RS, 3RS
2025 Equinox EV
Single / dual motor, 85 kWh
220 hp / 300 hp
513 km / 494 km
LT, RS
2026 Equinox EV
Single / dual motor, 85 kWh
220 hp / 300 hp
513 km / 494 km
LT, RS
EV range figures are Natural Resources Canada estimates; gas figures are NRCan combined ratings for front-wheel-drive models. The all-wheel-drive gas models consume slightly more (roughly 8.9–9.2 L/100 km combined). We will unpack each row below.
Gas vs. Electric: The Decision That Matters Most
For most shoppers, the model year is a footnote next to the real question: should your next Equinox burn fuel or store electrons? The two paths suit very different lives, and in a place like Wawa the answer leans heavily on one thing — where and how you will refuel or recharge.
Consideration
Equinox EV
Equinox (Gas)
Energy source
Home or public charging
Gasoline, any station
Range / economy
Up to 513 km per charge
Roughly 600–700 km per tank
Power
220–300 hp, instant torque
175 hp
Refuel / recharge time
~10 min for ~112 km (DC fast); overnight at home
~5 minutes anywhere
Routine maintenance
No oil changes; fewer wear items
Regular oil, filters, fluids
Cold-weather range loss
~30% in deep cold (plan ahead)
Minimal; quick to heat
Up-front price
Higher sticker
Lower entry point
Federal rebate
Up to $5,000 (eligible trims)
Not eligible
Where the EV pulls ahead
On energy, the gap is dramatic. Charging at home in Ontario costs a fraction of what a tank of gas does for the same distance, and with no oil changes, spark plugs, or transmission to service, the EV's routine maintenance bill is far lighter over the years you own it. Add the instant torque of an electric motor — genuinely quicker than the gas car — and the day-to-day driving experience is hard to beat.
Where gasoline still makes sense
The gas Equinox refuels in five minutes at any station between here and anywhere, and it does not care how cold it is or how far apart the chargers are. For drivers who regularly run the length of Highway 17, tow at the edge of the rating, or simply cannot charge at home, that flexibility is worth more than the fuel savings on paper.
Not sure which way to lean?
The fastest way to settle the gas-versus-electric question is to drive both. Our team can line up an Equinox and an Equinox EV back to back so you can feel the difference in power, quiet, and comfort for yourself — and talk through charging at your home in Wawa.
Here is the part the spec sheets often blur together: the gas Equinox you would buy as a 2024 is a different vehicle from the one badged 2025 or 2026. Chevrolet redesigned it from the ground up for 2025, so a year-by-year look is really a story of one generational leap.
The redesigned gasoline Equinox is built for the long Trans-Canada distances Northern Ontario drivers know well.
Feature
2024 (Previous Gen)
2025 (Redesigned)
2026
Engine
1.5L turbo, 175 hp
1.5L turbo, 175 hp
1.5L turbo, 175 hp
Transmission
6-speed automatic
CVT (FWD) / 8-speed (AWD)
CVT (FWD) / 8-speed (AWD)
FWD economy (combined)
8.4 L/100 km
8.8 L/100 km
8.8 L/100 km
Infotainment
Smaller legacy screens
11.3" touchscreen, Google built-in
11.3" touchscreen, Google built-in
Trims
LS, LT, RS, Premier
LT, RS, Activ
LT, RS, Activ
Cargo (max)
~63.9 cu ft
63.5 cu ft
63.5 cu ft
The redesigned 2025 model looks more rugged, is slightly wider, and brings a much larger screen with Google built-in and a fuller suite of standard driver aids. It also added the all-terrain-flavoured Activ trim. One honest wrinkle: despite the new transmissions, the 2025 actually posts marginally higher highway and combined fuel consumption than the 2024 it replaced, so the older generation remains the efficiency champ on paper.
Practical takeaway on the gas years
A 2024 gas Equinox can be a smart value buy, especially used, and it sips a touch less fuel on the highway. The 2025 and 2026 win on technology, styling, and the Activ trim's light off-road character — useful on Algoma's gravel and cottage roads. Mechanically, 2025 and 2026 are essentially the same vehicle, so choose between them on price and availability.
The Equinox EV, Year by Year
The electric side of the family is younger and has matured fast. The Equinox EV arrived for 2024 on GM's Ultium platform, simplified its lineup and stretched its range for 2025, then carried that formula into 2026 with a few charging upgrades.
Home charging is what makes the Equinox EV practical in Wawa — plug in overnight and start the day with a full battery.
Feature
2024 EV (Launch)
2025 EV
2026 EV
FWD power
213 hp
220 hp
220 hp
AWD power
288 hp
300 hp
300 hp
FWD range (NRCan)
513 km
513 km
513 km
AWD range (NRCan)
459 km
494 km
494 km
Trims
2LT, 3LT, 2RS, 3RS
LT, RS
LT, RS
Charging notes
150 kW DC; 11.5 kW Level 2
150 kW DC; 11.5 kW Level 2
Adds NACS adapter availability; optional 19.2 kW home charging
Every Equinox EV uses the same 85 kWh Ultium battery and supports DC fast charging up to 150 kW, adding roughly 112 km of range in about ten minutes under good conditions. On a standard 11.5 kW Level 2 home charger a full charge takes around nine and a half hours; the 2026's optional 19.2 kW onboard charger cuts that closer to six. The 2025 simplification to LT and RS trims is the most meaningful change — it brought a longer AWD range and a cleaner, more affordable lineup than the 2024 launch trims.
The Northern Ontario charging reality
Range on paper is one thing; charging access is another. Public DC fast chargers remain sparse along Highway 17 between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay, and CAA winter testing measured the Equinox EV's real cold-weather range at about 337 km rather than the rated 513. If you can plug in at home in Wawa, the EV is genuinely practical for daily life and regional trips. If your routine means frequent long hauls without a home charger, plan your stops carefully — or lean gas.
Trims and Option Packages: Reading the Badges
Both families use trim names that signal equipment rather than a different vehicle underneath. Here is how to decode them.
Gasoline Equinox trims
The 2024 lineup ran LS, LT, RS, and Premier from value to loaded. The redesigned 2025–2026 lineup drops the bookends and settles into three: LT as the well-equipped volume seller, RS for a sportier blacked-out look, and Activ as the rugged-flavoured trim with all-terrain tires and unique styling for light gravel-road duty. In Canada, all-wheel drive is standard on Activ and RS and optional on LT. Common option groups include the Convenience and Safety & Technology packages.
Equinox EV trims
The 2024 launch used a numbered scheme — 2LT, 3LT, 2RS, and 3RS, where the higher number meant more content. For 2025 and 2026 Chevrolet streamlined this to two clear choices: LT, the value-focused trim that still includes the 17.7-inch touchscreen and Google integration, and RS, which adds sport styling, larger 21-inch wheels, a Bose sound system, and available premium comfort features. Both come in front- or all-wheel drive.
Which trim fits a Wawa winter?
For our climate, all-wheel drive earns its keep. On the gas side that points to an AWD LT or an Activ for those who hit gravel and cottage roads; on the EV side, the AWD LT or RS pairs winter traction with the battery thermal management and cabin pre-conditioning that make cold-morning starts painless. Whichever you choose, a good set of winter tires matters more than the badge.
Pricing, Rebates, and Long-Term Value
Sticker price is where gas and electric diverge most sharply, but it is only the opening line of the cost story. The gas Equinox has the lower entry price and is the easy pick if up-front budget is the priority. The Equinox EV asks more at the outset, then works to close the gap through lower energy and maintenance costs over the years — and, for eligible trims, a federal rebate.
Federal EVAP rebate — the short version
Eligible new battery-electric vehicles configured at a final value of $50,000 or less can qualify for up to $5,000 under the federal EVAP incentive, the program that replaced iZEV. That cap means lower Equinox EV trims are the ones that typically qualify. The gasoline Equinox and any used vehicle are not eligible, and Ontario has no separate provincial purchase rebate at this time. Incentive programs change — confirm current eligibility and amounts with us or the Government of Canada before you buy.
On resale and depreciation, the gas Equinox is a known quantity with predictable values. The EV's long-term picture is still settling, but a healthy Ultium battery — backed by GM's lengthy battery warranty — and growing demand for efficient SUVs work in its favour. If a lower purchase price is your goal, a well-kept 2024 in either form, bought used, lets someone else absorb the first year of depreciation while you keep most of the running-cost benefits.
The Verdict: Matching the Equinox to Your Driveway
There is no single winner here, only the right match for how you actually drive. Two clear profiles emerge.
Choose the Equinox EV if…
You can charge at home in or around Wawa, your driving is mostly local and regional, and you want the lowest running costs, the strongest performance, and the quietest cabin in the lineup. A 2025 or 2026 EV in AWD gives you up to 494 km of rated range, 300 horsepower, winter-ready battery conditioning, and — on an eligible trim — up to $5,000 back. It is the smarter long-term money for the home-charging driver.
Choose the gasoline Equinox if…
You log big highway distances along the Trans-Canada, cannot reliably charge at home, or simply want the lowest price of entry and five-minute fill-ups anywhere. A 2025 or 2026 gas Equinox brings modern screens, available all-wheel drive, and the rugged Activ option; a 2024 offers value and a slight highway-economy edge. For the high-mileage Highway 17 traveller, gasoline remains the no-compromise everyday choice.
See the Equinox and Equinox EV in Wawa
Whether you are leaning electric or sticking with gas, the best way to decide is to sit in both and drive them on the roads you know. Mission Motors has the Chevrolet Equinox and Equinox EV lineup, plus a team that knows what Northern Ontario winters and distances demand.
What is the difference between the Chevrolet Equinox and the Equinox EV?
They share a name but almost nothing else. The gasoline Equinox is a compact SUV powered by a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine, while the Equinox EV is a fully electric SUV built on General Motors' Ultium battery platform.
The EV is larger, more powerful, and has no engine, transmission, or fuel system, whereas the gas model refuels in minutes at any station and carries a lower starting price.
How far can the Chevrolet Equinox EV drive on a charge in Canada, including in winter?
Front-wheel-drive 2025 and 2026 Equinox EV models carry a Natural Resources Canada estimate of up to 513 km, while all-wheel-drive versions are rated at up to 494 km. Real-world cold-weather range is lower: independent CAA winter testing recorded roughly 337 km, about a one-third reduction.
For Wawa drivers, that still covers a great deal of local and regional driving, but longer winter trips up or down Highway 17 require charge planning.
Was the gasoline Chevrolet Equinox redesigned, and what changed between 2024 and 2025?
Yes. The 2024 gas Equinox is the previous-generation model with a six-speed automatic, while the 2025 model is an all-new generation with fresh styling, larger screens, and new transmissions: a CVT on front-wheel-drive versions and an eight-speed automatic on all-wheel-drive versions.
The 1.5L turbo engine and its 175 horsepower carried over, and interestingly the redesigned 2025 model posts slightly higher highway fuel consumption than the 2024 it replaced.
Does the Chevrolet Equinox EV qualify for a federal rebate in Canada?
Eligible new Equinox EV models can qualify for up to $5,000 under the federal EVAP incentive program, which replaced the earlier iZEV program. A key condition is that the vehicle must be configured at a final value of $50,000 or less, so only lower trims typically qualify.
The gasoline Equinox and used vehicles are not eligible, and Ontario currently has no separate provincial EV purchase rebate. Programs change, so confirm current eligibility before you buy.
Is an electric Equinox practical in Wawa and Northern Ontario?
It can be, with realistic expectations. If you can charge at home, the Equinox EV handles daily Wawa driving and most regional trips comfortably, and it pre-conditions its battery and cabin while plugged in for cold mornings.
The caveat is public fast-charging, which is still sparse along Highway 17 between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay, so frequent long-haul highway drivers may still find the gas Equinox the more flexible everyday choice.
Should I buy a 2024, 2025, or 2026 Chevrolet Equinox?
It depends on whether you want gas or electric and on your budget. A 2024 model, gas or EV, can offer strong value on the used or remaining-stock market. The 2025 introduced the redesigned gas Equinox and the simplified, higher-range EV lineup, while the 2026 adds small refinements such as available NACS-adapter charging and a faster optional home charger on the EV.
For most buyers the choice between gas and electric matters far more than the single model year.
About the Authors
The Product Specialists at Mission Motors have spent years matching Chevrolet, GMC, and Buick vehicles to the realities of life in Wawa and the wider Algoma District — long runs on Highway 17, lake-effect winters off Lake Superior, and the kind of distances that make range and reliability more than talking points. They know the Equinox and Equinox EV inside out, gas and electric alike.
Visit Mission Motors today to compare the 2024, 2025, and 2026 Equinox in person, talk through home charging, and find the configuration that fits your driveway and your drive.
Looking Ahead: What Changes for 2027
The Equinox story does not stop at 2026. Chevrolet has confirmed a handful of updates for the 2027 Equinox EV, and two of them answer the questions Northern Ontario drivers ask most.
The 2027 Equinox EV gets a built-in NACS charging port
This is the headline change. Where the 2024 through 2026 models use a CCS port and need an adapter to reach Tesla Superchargers, the 2027 Equinox EV is the first model year with a native NACS port built in — no adapter required. It is part of GM's move to make NACS standard across its electric lineup, and it opens up the continent's largest fast-charging network directly. For anyone weighing the thin charging coverage along Highway 17, a factory NACS port is a meaningful step toward easier long-distance EV travel as more Supercharger sites come online.
The second confirmed update is comfort-focused: 2027 brings an available Bose premium sound system, a first for the Equinox EV and a direct response to owner feedback about the current model's standard audio. It is bundled into an upper option package alongside Chevrolet's Super Cruise hands-free driving and enhanced parking assist.
Beyond the charging port and audio, the 2027 Equinox EV is expected to carry over its core formula: the same 85 kWh Ultium battery, the same front- and all-wheel-drive layouts, and range in the same ballpark as the 2025 and 2026 models. The gasoline Equinox is expected to continue largely as it is today, with the redesigned platform introduced for 2025.
One honest caveat
As of mid-2026, Chevrolet has confirmed the NACS port and the Bose option but has not published final Canadian range, trim, and pricing details for the 2027 lineup. Treat the specifics above as confirmed-but-not-yet-complete, and check with us for the official numbers once the full 2027 spec sheet lands. If a native Tesla-network charging port is high on your list, the 2027 Equinox EV is the one to wait for.
Your Next Equinox Is Waiting in Wawa
Gas or electric, value buy or brand new — Mission Motors will help you weigh the trade-offs honestly and drive away in the Equinox that suits Northern Ontario, and you, best.
