GM's claim that the Equinox EV is "America's most affordable 315+ mile range EV" was true for the 2026 model year, but the fine print matters. Electrek's US price comparison shows that the 2027 model year no longer holds the title. That is not because Chevrolet got worse; Kia simply brought a sharper pencil.
The fine print that killed the claim
The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT1 FWD starts at $34,995 before the $1,800 destination fee. Its EPA-estimated range is up to 319 miles. On the road, that is a real price of $36,795. The base 2027 Kia EV3 Light FWD is cheaper at $29,890, but with only 221 miles of EPA range it does not qualify for the 315+ mile crown.
To get a 315+ mile Kia EV3, buyers need the Wind FWD trim. It starts at $34,990 before a $1,495 destination fee, giving an EPA-estimated range of up to 321 miles. Final price: $36,485. That is $310 less than the Chevy Equinox EV LT1 FWD with destination, and two miles more EPA range.
The most meaningful rows are therefore simple:
- 2027 Kia EV3 Wind FWD: $36,485 with destination, 321 EPA miles
- 2027 Chevy Equinox EV LT1 FWD: $36,795 with destination, 319 EPA miles
Our arithmetic: what you actually pay per EPA mile
MSRP comparisons without destination fees are misleading. Using the real drive-away numbers, the gap becomes measurable:
- Chevy Equinox LT1 FWD: $36,795 ÷ 319 miles = $115.34 per EPA mile
- Kia EV3 Wind FWD: $36,485 ÷ 321 miles = $113.66 per EPA mile
The difference is $1.68 per EPA mile in Kia's favor. That sounds small, but it is the same $310 gap spread across the usable range. The base EV3 Light FWD tells a different story: $31,385 with destination for 221 miles works out to $142.01 per EPA mile. That makes the Wind FWD the value sweet spot for long-range buyers, not the headline base price.
EPA numbers are still laboratory figures, not winter highway range. We use real-world range calculator data from Bjørn Nyland's tests where available, and neither of these models has been through that process yet. Until then, treat both 319 and 321 miles as optimistic ratings, not a plan for a cold Czech highway trip.
Where the two EVs actually differ
The Chevrolet Equinox EV carries a 17.7-inch center touchscreen, the largest in its class. The Kia EV3 uses the ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch driver displays and a separate 5-inch climate control screen. Size tells a different story than price: the Equinox is 190.6 inches long, 76.9 inches wide and 64.8 inches high, while the EV3 is 169.3 inches long, 72.8 inches wide and 62.0 inches high.
Despite the longer body, the Equinox's maximum cargo volume is 57.2 cubic feet. The smaller Kia EV3 offers 56.5 cubic feet. That is nearly identical cargo space in a footprint over 21 inches shorter. For city parking and family use, that is a real packaging advantage—something we pay close attention to when testing cars with our own kids, as in our Ford Mustang Mach-E test.
What changed for 2027
The Equinox EV's most important update is a native NACS port replacing the old CCS connector on 2024–2026 models. All GM electric vehicles are moving to NACS for the 2027 model year, so drivers no longer need a separate adapter for Tesla Superchargers in the US. Chevrolet kept the same LT1, LT2 and RS trims with FWD and AWD options. The range drop to 307 miles on AWD versions is worth noting, as is the price jump to $38,295 for LT1 AWD before destination.
The Kia EV3 Wind FWD undercuts the Chevy on price and range, but it is not the direct replacement for everyone. It is a smaller vehicle with a different infotainment philosophy. Buyers who want maximum screen real estate and the extra body width may still prefer the Equinox. Those who want the cheapest 315+ mile EPA range should look at the EV3 Wind FWD first.
European context and our catalog
These are US-market prices and EPA figures. The Kia EV3 is sold in Europe, but trims, prices and WLTP values are not the same as the US Wind FWD. The Chevrolet Equinox EV is not part of our current catalog, and we will add European specifications only when they are officially available. Until then, use our EV catalog for European models and local pricing.
For a broader view of affordable EV competition, the Smart #2 revealed with a sub-€25,000 target shows the pressure moving into smaller segments. The DS N°7 at €56,300 is a reminder that not every new EV competes on price alone. The Equinox EV versus EV3 fight is about getting 315+ miles without paying for it.
