There’s a quiet excitement spreading across Fort Bragg this season, and it has nothing to do with football scores or weekend plans. The buzz is all about the next generation of electric SUVs arriving in showrooms, and two names are leading every conversation: the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Hyundai IONIQ 5. Both promise a modern approach to driving, blending technology, comfort, and personality into electric power. Yet, as many drivers are finding out, they go about it in very different ways.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV immediately draws attention with its confident styling and smooth proportions. It’s a vehicle that looks at ease anywhere, from downtown Fayetteville traffic to a quiet drive through the countryside. The new Habanero Orange exterior brings a spark of energy that feels right at home under the Carolina sun. Chevy has refined its familiar SUV design language to fit an electric identity, combining clean surfaces with subtle details that catch the light in motion. The result feels fresh and approachable without trying to reinvent the wheel.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5, by comparison, looks like it stepped out of a design studio focused on the next decade. Its angular panels and pixel-themed lights make it look bold and futuristic. Some drivers love its statement-making personality, while others find it less grounded and more experimental. There’s no question it’s distinctive, but for Fort Bragg drivers who prefer something that blends into everyday life while still turning heads, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV has a friendlier charm.
Stepping into the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV feels like entering a space designed for people rather than technology. The cabin layout is intuitive, with controls that make sense the first time you reach for them. The driver’s display and center screen are bright and clear without being overwhelming. With more than 102 cubic feet of passenger volume and over 57 cubic feet of cargo room when the rear seats are folded, there is generous space to stretch out and pack up for weekend trips. The seating position feels natural, and the quietness of the cabin enhances the sense of calm as you glide down the road.
Inside the Hyundai IONIQ 5, you’ll find a very different approach. Its interior feels almost like a lounge, wide and airy, with a sliding center console and flat floor. It’s stylish and futuristic, but the abundance of touch-sensitive controls takes a bit of practice. Adjusting simple settings while keeping eyes on the road can feel distracting at first. The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV takes the opposite route, giving drivers tactile buttons where they matter, maintaining a balance between digital innovation and practical usability.
Once on the move, the differences between the two become even more apparent. The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV offers two powertrain setups. The single-motor front-wheel-drive version produces 220 horsepower, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive model boosts that figure to 300 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque. In everyday driving, that means brisk acceleration, confident highway merging, and a calm, steady ride through tight turns. The suspension setup, featuring a MacPherson® strut in the front and a multi-link design in the rear, smooths out bumps without feeling too soft. The steering remains light at low speeds but gains reassuring weight as you pick up the pace, creating a balanced and composed driving feel.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is no slouch either. Its quick acceleration and rear-biased feel make it an exciting option for those who enjoy a sporty drive. However, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV’s tuning feels a bit more deliberate, offering the familiarity of a traditional SUV that happens to be powered by electricity. Drivers who want power with poise rather than sharp edges will appreciate that distinction.
Range is where the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV truly begins to shine. With an EPA-estimated 319 miles of range for the front-wheel-drive version and 285 miles for the all-wheel-drive setup, it can handle the daily commute, errands, and long drives without the anxiety of constant charging stops. For a trip from Fort Bragg to the coast, there’s plenty of battery to spare for detours or dinner plans along the way. Charging is also refreshingly simple. At a public fast charger, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV can recover about 77 miles of range in roughly ten minutes, thanks to its 150-kilowatt DC fast-charging capability.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 performs well in this category too, though its real-world range can fluctuate depending on driving style and conditions. Chevy’s system feels more consistent and predictable, especially for those who want reliable performance day after day.
Technology in the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV blends smoothly into the driving experience. The infotainment system syncs effortlessly with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and the layout avoids unnecessary clutter. The one-pedal driving feature adds a layer of convenience by allowing smooth acceleration and braking with just a single pedal. Once you get used to it, driving through stop-and-go traffic feels almost effortless. Safety and driver-assistance features operate quietly in the background, ready to step in when needed but never intruding on the driver’s sense of control.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5, meanwhile, takes a more futuristic route. It surrounds the driver with high-tech displays and options, emphasizing innovation at every turn. While that may appeal to those who enjoy gadgets and customization, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV focuses on making every journey straightforward and comfortable.
For Fort Bragg families and professionals, comfort often takes priority. Here, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV delivers in spades. The seats offer generous headroom and support, while the quiet cabin helps conversations flow easily even at highway speeds. With 6.4 inches of ground clearance, it also feels ready for uneven roads or light off-pavement drives. The attention to detail is clear in every element, from the door seals that block road noise to the placement of controls that reduce distraction.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 counters with its own take on comfort through its minimalist cabin and flexible seating, yet the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV manages to feel more cohesive and familiar. It creates a sense of ease that builds confidence behind the wheel.
When comparing both vehicles, the contrast in personality becomes clear. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 feels like a statement piece, designed to showcase how futuristic an electric car can be. The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV, on the other hand, feels like a partner in everyday life. It doesn’t demand adjustment or adaptation; it simply fits. The drive is composed, the ride is calm, and the power arrives smoothly and quietly. Each acceleration feels effortless, each corner reassuringly steady. It’s the type of vehicle that encourages longer drives, not just short commutes.
Fort Bragg drivers value practicality as much as progress. They want something dependable, capable, and enjoyable. The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV checks those boxes while adding a sense of refinement and quiet confidence. It’s not only about technology but about creating a driving experience that feels intuitive and natural. For those transitioning to electric driving, it feels like a seamless next step rather than a leap into the unknown.
Both the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV represent how far electric vehicles have come, yet they speak to different audiences. The Hyundai appeals to those who prioritize bold styling and tech-forward presentation, while the Chevrolet resonates with drivers who want balance, versatility, and a touch of everyday warmth in their EV experience.
For anyone around Fort Bragg ready to explore what an electric SUV can truly deliver, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV offers an experience that feels confident, capable, and surprisingly familiar from the very first drive. Visit Powers Swain Chevrolet near Fort Bragg, NC to schedule your test ride and see firsthand how the future of electric driving can feel effortless, grounded, and genuinely enjoyable.Check Out Other Power Swain Chevrolet Models
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2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV