Matchup

Tesla Model Y vs Chevrolet Equinox EV

The 2026 Model Y Premium AWD against the 2026 Equinox EV LT 1 FWD, through ten physics labs and every official rating we could find.

Last checked Oct 24, 2026. Every figure links to its source.

Open this matchup in the 3D lab

The short answer

In the trims shown, the Equinox EV costs $14,835 less: $36,795 against $51,630 for the Model Y, destination included. PublishedTeslaPublishedChevrolet
The Model Y is rated 123 MPGe by the EPA, 15 MPGe better than the Equinox EV (108 MPGe). PublishedEPAPublishedEPA
The Model Y gets to 60 mph 3.5 s sooner: 3.9 s against 7.4 s. TestedCar and DriverTestedMotorTrend
The Model Y is rated to tow 2,000 lb more: 3,500 lb against 1,500 lb. PublishedEdmundsPublishedGM

Who each one suits

The Equinox EV costs $14,835 less in these trims and turns tighter. For a budget EV that mostly commutes, that gap is hard to ignore.

The Model Y earns its price with 15 MPGe better efficiency, 60 mph 3.5 s sooner, 2,000 lb more towing, twice the pull on packed snow in our simulation (AWD against this Equinox EV’s front drive), and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

At a glance

	Model Y	Equinox EV
Starting price, this trim	$51,630PublishedTesla	$36,795PublishedChevrolet
Powertrain	Permanent-magnet rear + induction front motor · Dual motor AWD	Permanent-magnet front motor (GM Ultium drive unit) · Front-wheel drive, single motor
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	3.9 sTestedCar and Driver	7.4 sTestedMotorTrend
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	174 ft (53.0 m)TestedCar and Driver	no data
EPA efficiency	123 MPGePublishedEPA	108 MPGePublishedEPA
EPA range	327 mi (526 km)PublishedEPA	319 mi (513 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row	29.0 cu ft (821 L)TestedCar and Driver	26.4 cu ft (748 L)PublishedGM
Large suitcases, packed	5Simulated from Car and Driver	4Simulated from GM
Seats	5PublishedEdmunds	5PublishedGM
Crash ratings	NHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS Top Safety Pick+	NHTSA 5★ overall

Acceleration

The Model Y gets to 60 mph 3.5 s sooner: 3.9 s against 7.4 s.

	Model Y	Equinox EV
Power	397 hp (296 kW)PublishedCar and Driver	220 hp (164 kW)PublishedGM
Torque	389 lb-ft (527 Nm)PublishedCar and Driver	243 lb-ft (329 Nm)PublishedGM
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	3.9 sTestedCar and Driver	7.4 sTestedMotorTrend
0–60 mph, our simulation	3.9 sSimulated from Car and Driver	7.5 sSimulated from MotorTrend
Passing, 50–70 mph	1.7 sTestedCar and Driver	4.7 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile	12.3 sTestedCar and Driver	15.9 sTestedMotorTrend

Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

On a wet road from 70 mph, reaction included, the Model Y needs 360 ft to stop and the Equinox EV 367 ft: 7 ft more road for the Equinox EV.

	Model Y	Equinox EV
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	174 ft (53.0 m)TestedCar and Driver	no data
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	360 ft (109.9 m)Simulated from Car and Driver	367 ft (111.7 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	277 ft (84.3 m)Simulated from Car and Driver	281 ft (85.6 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction	167 ft (50.9 m)Simulated from Car and Driver	170 ft (51.8 m)Simulated from Car and Driver

Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

No meaningful gap between the Model Y and the Equinox EV on what we can measure here.

	Model Y	Equinox EV
NHTSA rollover rating	5★ · 8.6% riskTestedNHTSA	5★ · 9.7% riskTestedNHTSA
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll	13 mph (21 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs	13 mph (21 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs from NHTSA
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)	1.40Simulated, estimated inputs	1.37Simulated, estimated inputs from NHTSA

Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

The Model Y is rated 123 MPGe by the EPA, 15 MPGe better than the Equinox EV (108 MPGe).

	Model Y	Equinox EV
EPA efficiency	123 MPGePublishedEPA	108 MPGePublishedEPA
EPA range	327 mi (526 km)PublishedEPA	319 mi (513 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year	$753/yrDerivedEPA	$857/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation	29 kWh/100 mi (18.3 kWh/100 km)Simulated, estimated inputs	28 kWh/100 mi (17.5 kWh/100 km)Simulated, estimated inputs from Car and Driver
Drag coefficient	0.22PublishedEVSpecs	0.24DerivedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

On packed snow the Model Y can pull away at 0.26 g, against 0.13 g for the Equinox EV.

	Model Y	Equinox EV
Skidpad grip, tested	0.88 gTestedCar and Driver	no data
Cornering grip, our simulation	0.88 gSimulated from Car and Driver	0.81 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Pulling away on packed snow	0.26 gSimulated from Car and Driver	0.13 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Turning circle	39.7 ft (12.1 m)Estimate	38.1 ft (11.6 m)PublishedMotorTrend
Ground clearance	6.6 in (17 cm)PublishedEdmunds	6.4 in (16 cm)PublishedGM
Tires	Hankook iON evo AS SUV all-season · 255/45R19TestedCar and Driver	Michelin Primacy All Season 245/55R19 103H all-season · 245/55R19PublishedGM

Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

The Model Y is rated to tow 2,000 lb more: 3,500 lb against 1,500 lb.

	Model Y	Equinox EV
Seats	5PublishedEdmunds	5PublishedGM
Large suitcases, packed	5Simulated from Car and Driver	4Simulated from GM
Carry-ons in the space left	3Simulated from Car and Driver	0Simulated from GM
Cargo behind the second row	29.0 cu ft (821 L)TestedCar and Driver	26.4 cu ft (748 L)PublishedGM
Cargo, seats folded	71.0 cu ft (2,010 L)TestedCar and Driver	57.2 cu ft (1,620 L)PublishedGM
Front trunk	4.0 cu ft (113 L)TestedCar and Driver	no data
Towing	3,500 lb (1,588 kg)PublishedEdmunds	1,500 lb (680 kg)PublishedGM
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver	+1.7 in (4 cm)Simulated from Edmunds	+0.3 in (1 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs from GM
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver	+3.9 in (10 cm)Simulated from Edmunds	+2.6 in (7 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs from GM
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver	+6.8 in (17 cm)Simulated from Edmunds	+5.6 in (14 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs from GM
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger	+2.2 in (6 cm)Simulated from Edmunds	+2.0 in (5 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs from GM
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in	+4.4 in (11 cm)Simulated from Edmunds	+3.3 in (8 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs from GM
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in	−0.4 in head · +0.1 in kneeSimulated from Edmunds	−0.6 in head · −1.0 in kneeSimulated, estimated inputs from GM
Front head room, published	41.0 in (104 cm)PublishedEdmunds	39.1 in (99 cm)PublishedGM
Rear head room, published	39.4 in (100 cm)PublishedEdmunds	38.5 in (98 cm)PublishedGM
Rear leg room, published	40.5 in (103 cm)PublishedEdmunds	38.0 in (97 cm)PublishedGM

Watch it in Live In It

Cabin noise

No meaningful gap between the Model Y and the Equinox EV on what we can measure here.

	Model Y	Equinox EV
Cabin sound at 70 mph	66 dBATestedCar and Driver	65 dBAEstimateCar and Driver

Watch it in The Quiet Test

Visibility

From the driver’s seat the Model Y’s hood hides the first 11 ft of road; the Equinox EV’s hides 25 ft.

	Model Y	Equinox EV
Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver	11 ft (3.2 m)Simulated, estimated inputs	25 ft (7.6 m)Simulated
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead	65%Simulated, estimated inputs	42%Simulated

Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

No meaningful gap between the Model Y and the Equinox EV on what we can measure here.

	Model Y	Equinox EV
IIHS headlight rating	GoodTestedIIHS	no data
Low beams, straight road (right edge)	332 ft (101.1 m)TestedIIHS	no data
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams	70 mph (113 km/h)Simulated from IIHS	no data
High beams, straight road (right edge)	442 ft (134.7 m)TestedIIHS	no data

Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

No meaningful gap between the Model Y and the Equinox EV on what we can measure here.

	Model Y	Equinox EV
NHTSA overall	5★TestedNHTSA	5★TestedNHTSA
IIHS small overlap front	GoodTestedIIHS	no data
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS	no data
IIHS side (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS	no data
IIHS award	2026 Top Safety Pick+PublishedIIHS	no data
Curb weight	4,421 lb (2,005 kg)TestedCar and Driver	4,776 lb (2,166 kg)TestedMotorTrend

Watch it in The Impact

Where each one wins

Tesla Model Y

The Model Y is rated 123 MPGe by the EPA, 15 MPGe better than the Equinox EV (108 MPGe). PublishedEPAPublishedEPA
The Model Y gets to 60 mph 3.5 s sooner: 3.9 s against 7.4 s. TestedCar and DriverTestedMotorTrend
The Model Y is rated to tow 2,000 lb more: 3,500 lb against 1,500 lb. PublishedEdmundsPublishedGM
From the driver’s seat the Model Y’s hood hides the first 11 ft of road; the Equinox EV’s hides 25 ft. Simulated, estimated inputsSimulated
The Model Y makes 177 hp more: 397 hp against 220 hp. PublishedCar and DriverPublishedGM
Passing from 50 to 70 mph takes 1.7 s in the Model Y and 4.7 s in the Equinox EV. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
On packed snow the Model Y can pull away at 0.26 g, against 0.13 g for the Equinox EV. Simulated from Car and DriverSimulated from Car and Driver
A 6-ft-4 driver has +1.7 in between head and headliner in the Model Y and +0.3 in in the Equinox EV. Simulated from EdmundsSimulated, estimated inputs from GM
Our packing test fits 5 large suitcases in the Model Y and 4 in the Equinox EV. Simulated from Car and DriverSimulated from GM
Drivers see 65% of the ground within 33 ft of the Model Y’s nose and 42% in the Equinox EV. Simulated, estimated inputsSimulated
On a wet road from 70 mph, reaction included, the Model Y needs 360 ft to stop and the Equinox EV 367 ft: 7 ft more road for the Equinox EV. Simulated from Car and DriverSimulated from Car and Driver
In our simulation the Model Y corners at up to 0.88 g against 0.81 g for the Equinox EV. Simulated from Car and DriverSimulated from Car and Driver
Behind a 5-ft-11 driver, a 5-ft-11 passenger gets +4.4 in of knee room in the Model Y and +3.3 in in the Equinox EV. Simulated from EdmundsSimulated, estimated inputs from GM

Chevrolet Equinox EV

In the trims shown, the Equinox EV costs $14,835 less: $36,795 against $51,630 for the Model Y, destination included. PublishedTeslaPublishedChevrolet
The Equinox EV turns in a 1.6 ft tighter circle: 38.1 ft against 39.7 ft. EstimatePublishedMotorTrend

Weigh them by what matters to you in the lab’s verdict

Other trims

Equinox EV LT 1 FWD · on this page
Equinox EV LT 2 eAWD

Keep comparing

Sources

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.