The Chevy Equinox EV just launched for the 2024 model year, but it’s already making waves, earning a spot as a semifinalist for the 2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award. Making up one-third of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) awards, the 2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year contender list includes nine other strong entries, including several all-electric models. As such, the Equinox EV has its work cut out for it if GM hopes to secure a win in this highly competitive segment.
The fact that 70 percent of the semifinalists for the Utility Vehicle of the Year are EVs demonstrates the rapid pace at which automakers are electrifying their lineups, with NACTOY president Jeff Gilbert emphasizing the breadth of vehicles competing for top honors this year. In the Utility Vehicle of the Year category, seven of the contenders are all-electric (Chevy Equinox EV, Honda Prologue, Volvo EX90, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Jeep Wagoneer S, Porsche Macan EV, Volkswagen ID. Buzz), with the remaining three entries (Hyundai Santa Fe, Lincoln Nautilus, Toyota Land Cruiser) incorporating some form of internal combustion.
Each candidate will now undergo rigorous evaluation, where factors like design, innovation, technology, safety, performance, and value will be put to the test. A jury of 50 automotive journalists from across the U.S. and Canada, representing various media outlets including print, web, and broadcast, will conduct a comprehensive comparison drive in October in order to further narrow the field, ultimately deciding which three vehicles in the each category will advance to the finalist stage. The results to be announced in Los Angeles on November 21st, with the final winners revealed on January 10th, 2025, during the Detroit Auto Show.
In addition to the Equinox EV’s nomination in the Utility Vehicle category, General Motors is also represented in the other two NACTOY categories. The Cadillac Celestiq, GM’s ultra-luxury electric sedan, is vying for North American Car of the Year, while the GMC Sierra EV is in the running for North American Truck of the Year.
Built on GM’s Ultium platform, the Equinox EV is powered by GM Ultium Drive motors and a GM Ultium battery pack. GM touts the Chevy Equinox EV as the most-affordable all-electric vehicle in the U.S. with over 315 miles per charge. The Equinox EV rides on the GM BEV3 platform, while production takes place at the GM Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico.
Comments
Shouldn’t range be a factor in a utility vehicle? Seems odd to choose so many EVs to be candidates in this category. It might be better to have a separate EV Utility category instead, but truth be told I never buy a car because it won awards so I can’t say any of this would sway my decision.
It should be tbe absolute winner since the Honda Prologue has been cancelled, and the other EVs are foreign brands.
It should be the absolute winner since the Honda Prologue has been cancelled, and the other EVs are foreign brands.
I wonder if it will have less problems than the Blazer EV when it won Motor Trends Car of the Year and GM
had to halt sales because of problems?
Shouldn’t a vehicle actually be an SUV to be in the award category?
The IONIQ 5N is a cool EV, but it’s more hot hatch or sport wagon than utility vehicle. And the ID Buzz is a minivan.