Shopping for an electric SUV and stuck between the Kia EV6 and the Chevy Equinox EV? On paper, they both promise family-friendly space, solid range, and modern tech. In reality, they feel very different, from how quickly they charge to how much they cost, especially once you factor in incentives and the growing used EV market.
Two EVs, Two Philosophies
Kia EV6 vs. Equinox EV: Quick Overview
Kia EV6: The Enthusiast-Friendly All-Rounder
- Body style: Low, sporty crossover with a long wheelbase
- Range (2025 EV6 RWD long-range): up to about 319 miles EPA-estimated
- Fast charging: 800V architecture; 10–80% in ~18–20 minutes on a 350 kW DC fast charger
- Drivetrains: RWD and AWD; high-performance GT trim available
- Vibe: Feels closer to a euro sport wagon than a conventional SUV
Chevy Equinox EV: The Mainstream Family Crossover
- Body style: More upright compact SUV with familiar proportions
- Range (depending on trim): roughly 250–300+ miles expected on many versions
- Fast charging: DC fast charging up to 150 kW, about 70–77 miles in ~10 minutes in ideal conditions
- Drivetrains: FWD and available AWD
- Vibe: Feels like a modern gas Equinox that just happens to be electric
Model Years Matter
Price, Trims, and Real-World Value
Pricing is a moving target with EVs because of federal tax credits, state incentives, and monthly promos, but we can sketch the broad outlines so you know what league each SUV plays in.
Kia EV6 vs. Equinox EV: Pricing Snapshot (New)
Approximate starting MSRPs before incentives and destination charges
Kia EV6 Pricing
- 2025 EV6 Light (base) starts around the low $40,000s before destination.
- Wind and GT-Line trims creep well into the $50,000s with options.
- High-performance GT can land close to or above $60,000.
The EV6 is priced like a premium compact SUV, and its interior and performance mostly back that up.
Chevy Equinox EV Pricing
- Chevy has positioned the Equinox EV to start in the mid-to-high $30,000s for lower trims when fully rolled out.
- Better-equipped 2RS/3RS and AWD versions climb into the low-to-mid $40,000s, still generally under a similarly equipped EV6.
Chevy’s play is value: familiar Equinox name, modern EV tech, and pricing that undercuts many rivals.
Watch the Fine Print
Where the Kia EV6 starts to claw back value is in features that aging gas crossovers just don’t offer, ultra-fast charging, available 800V architecture, vehicle-to-load power for tools or camping, and a decidedly upscale cabin. The Equinox EV gives you more of a familiar compact SUV formula with a more approachable price, especially compelling if you’re brand-loyal to Chevy or cross-shopping gas Equinoxes.
Range, Batteries, and Efficiency
Range at a Glance
On range alone, there isn’t a chasm between these two. A rear-wheel-drive long-range Kia EV6 can reach roughly 319 miles; most Equinox EV trims cluster in the high-200s to low-300s. That means both can comfortably handle a week of commuting for many drivers or a decent stretch of interstate with a single fast-charge break.
RWD vs. AWD Range
The Kia’s battery tech is a little more ambitious. The 2025 EV6 steps up to larger packs, around 63 kWh for the base Light and about 84 kWh for almost everything else, built on an 800V platform that loves high-power fast chargers. The Equinox EV uses GM’s Ultium system, which is tuned more for cost and packaging than bragging rights, but still delivers practical range and competitive efficiency.
How to Think About Range
Charging Speeds and Road-Trip Usability
Here’s where the personalities of these two SUVs really diverge. If you road-trip often and hate long charging stops, pay attention.
Kia EV6 vs. Equinox EV: Charging Comparison
Approximate manufacturer and third-party figures under ideal conditions.
| Metric | Kia EV6 (2025) | Chevy Equinox EV |
|---|---|---|
| Onboard Level 2 charging | ~11 kW | Up to 11.5 kW (higher trims up to ~19.2 kW at home with the right circuit) |
| Home Level 2 full charge | Roughly 7–8 hours (long-range pack) | Roughly 5–9 hours depending on trim, battery, and charger output |
| Peak DC fast charge power | Up to ~240 kW (most trims) | Up to 150 kW |
| 10–80% DC fast charge time | About 18–20 minutes on a 350 kW charger | Often in the 30–45 minute ballpark on a capable 150+ kW charger |
| Miles added in ~10 minutes of DC fast charge | Roughly 150+ miles in ideal conditions | Around 70–77 miles in ideal conditions |
Real-world charging times will vary with temperature, state of charge, and charger quality.
Quick Take: Road-Trip Winner
The Equinox EV isn’t bad, it keeps up with many mainstream EVs, and adding 70-ish miles in 10 minutes will be plenty for a lot of families. But if you’ve ever stared at a charger counting down minutes during a long trip, you’ll immediately notice the EV6’s advantage.
Remember the Charging Curve
One more forward-looking wrinkle: starting with the 2025 model year, most EV6 trims in North America move to a native NACS port, letting you plug directly into Tesla Superchargers. Equinox EV models rely on CCS today and will use adapters as GM transitions to NACS in the coming years. Long-term, both will tap into the Supercharger network, but the EV6 gets the cleaner integration sooner.
Space, Comfort, and Everyday Utility
Stand next to them in a parking lot and you’ll see it: the Kia EV6 is long and low, almost wagon-like, while the Equinox EV looks every bit the compact SUV you’ve seen on American roads for years.
Interior Character: EV6 vs. Equinox EV
Both can handle family duty, just with different priorities.
Kia EV6 Cabin & Cargo
- Design: Futuristic cockpit feel with a sweeping dual-screen setup and a floating center console.
- Materials: Available vegan leather, tasteful trim, and an overall more premium vibe.
- Space: Excellent rear legroom, slightly lower seating position; cargo room is good but shaped more like a hatchback than a boxy SUV.
- Comfort: Higher trims bring ventilated seats, premium audio, and a more luxurious feel on long drives.
Equinox EV Cabin & Cargo
- Design: Clean and practical, with large central screens and intuitive controls; feels familiar if you’ve driven recent Chevys.
- Materials: Emphasis on durability and ease of use, more mainstream than upscale.
- Space: Upright seating, easy ingress/egress, and family-friendly cargo space that works well with strollers and gear.
- Comfort: Available heated seats, panoramic roof, and big screens make it feel modern without being fussy.
Try the Seating Position
Tech, Safety, and Driving Experience
Both SUVs are packed with screens and driver-assistance tech, but they deliver it with different flavors.
Kia EV6: Sporty and Polished
- Driving feel: Quick, composed, and confident, especially in RWD and dual-motor AWD trims. The GT is genuinely wild.
- Tech: Dual 12.3-inch displays, available head-up display, sophisticated driver-assistance like highway driving assist.
- Extras: Vehicle-to-load power outlets for camping or tailgating, strong regenerative braking tuning, and refined noise isolation on newer model years.
Equinox EV: Easygoing and Familiar
- Driving feel: Calm, predictable, tuned for comfort over corner carving. Quick enough, but not a performance play.
- Tech: Big central touchscreens (up to ~17.7 inches on higher trims), GM’s latest infotainment, and competitive driver-assistance features.
- Extras: Chevy’s Ultium-based software ecosystem, simple controls, and a learning curve that won’t spook anyone stepping out of a gas Equinox.
Safety Systems
Ownership Costs and the Used EV Market
Sticker price is one thing. Living with an EV for years is another. Here, the Kia EV6 currently has a big advantage: it’s already been on the market long enough that a healthy used inventory exists. The Equinox EV, by contrast, is just now ramping up, so used options will be scarcer for a while.
Why Used EVs Are Heating Up
On the Kia side, that means you can already find earlier EV6 models, often with long-range batteries and plenty of features, at prices that undercut a new Equinox EV. Many shoppers are discovering that a well-vetted used EV6 gives them more performance and range for similar money.
The Catch With Used EVs
That’s exactly why Recharged exists. Every vehicle on the Recharged marketplace comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes verified battery diagnostics, fair-market pricing, and expert notes about the car’s history. If you’re comparing a used EV6 to waiting for Equinox EV inventory, that kind of transparency can make the decision much less stressful.
Which EV Fits You Best? Key Scenarios
Match Yourself to the Right SUV
You road-trip often and hate long stops
Pick the <strong>Kia EV6</strong>. Its ultra-fast DC charging and strong highway manners make it the better choice if you’re regularly covering hundreds of miles in a day.
You want a familiar-feeling family SUV
The <strong>Equinox EV</strong> will feel instantly comfortable if you’re coming from a gas Equinox or similar crossover. Easy seating position, practical cargo space, and straightforward controls.
You’re value-focused but want something nice
If you’re open to used, a <strong>pre-owned Kia EV6</strong> can deliver premium features and fast charging at a monthly payment close to (or below) a new mainstream EV like the Equinox EV.
You prioritize price and simplicity new
If you’re set on buying new and want an approachable entry to EVs, an <strong>Equinox EV</strong> in a mid-level trim may cost less out of pocket while still covering your daily needs.
You’re excited about performance and design
The EV6 has more personality, from the design to the way it drives. Even non-GT trims feel eager, and the GT is genuinely quick enough to embarrass some sports cars.
You’re nervous about battery degradation
Leaning toward used? Shop where you can see <strong>third-party battery health data</strong> up front. Recharged’s Score Report was built specifically to answer that question before you sign.
How Recharged Helps You Shop Smarter
Whether the Kia EV6 or the Chevy Equinox EV ends up being your style, you’ll make a better decision when you understand the battery, the pricing, and the total ownership picture, not just the brochure highlights.
- Verified battery health: Every EV on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report, so you can compare real-world battery condition between vehicles instead of guessing.
- Fair-market pricing: Transparent pricing rooted in current market data, so you can see how that used EV6 stacks up against new-equivalent options like the Equinox EV.
- Financing and trade-in support: Apply online, explore payment options, and get an instant offer or consignment help for your current car in one place.
- Nationwide delivery & expert guidance: Shop fully online or visit our Experience Center in Richmond, VA, either way, you get EV-specialist support from test drive to paperwork.
Next Step: Compare Real Vehicles
Kia EV6 vs. Chevy Equinox EV: FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
You really can’t buy a “wrong” EV between the Kia EV6 and the Chevy Equinox EV, they simply answer different questions. The EV6 is the one you buy because you love driving and you want the quickest charging and most personality for your money, especially if you’re open to a well-vetted used example. The Equinox EV is the one you buy because you want a comfortable, sensible compact SUV that just happens to run on electrons instead of gas. Decide which kind of driver you are, then let real-world range, charging access, and a trusted battery health report guide you the rest of the way.
