Is $30,000 Equinox EV price a "False Hope" or just a "Lure"?

1699 Views 75 Replies 20 Participants Last post by Steverino, 4 d ago

NoBugsPlease

Discussion Starter · 10 d ago

So Bolt is going bye-bye because it was not a "money maker" for GM. Timing interesting with the Equinox EV replacing the Bolt end of year. But base model for the Equinox EV is $30,000 and it certainly has more bells and whistles than the departing Bolt, plus it can go 300 miles on battery power.

So 1LT/LT base models won't be offered to buyers until Spring of 2024 which is almost a year off, yet one has to wonder if $30,000 sticker price will hold come next year? And will GM make much of a profit off LT trims? GM claims it was losing money on Bolt so one has to seriously wonder if the same problem could surface next year on upcoming base Equinox EV, if production costs increase or GM quarterly profits slip?

Ford, Rivian and other EV makers have jacked EV prices at the risk of buyer backlash. So one has to wonder if GM is playing the lowball (lure) price game offering Equinox base at $30,000, only to jack up price next year before actually deliveries? Obviously right now there's a demand for EV's priced in $30,000 to $35,000 range yet very view to pick from. So "Kudos" to GM for putting on paper they plan to sell the base Equinox at $30,000. But that estimated price quote is May/2023. Not March/April 2024? So anyone here feel $30,000 base price is "locked in stone" for Spring 2024 or just a LURE?

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Mapleev

· #41 · 8 d ago

CTAPRN said:
That’s about my attitude as well. We have a $2250 rebate in CT which takes off $9750 if you include the full tax credit which the Equinox gets and all at the POS. But if it’s $50, and by that point there are some prospects of a discount on the Ioniq 5, I will consider that route (also looking at ID.7). However, I highly doubt the 2LT will be more than $45K U.S. I expect the following (will be interesting to look back on:

1 LT (standard range FWD): $30,000
1LT (long range FWD): $33,500
1LT (long range AWD) $37,000
2LT (FWD): $40,000
2LT (AWD): $43,500
3LT (FWD): $46,500
3LT (AWD): $49,990

No guess on the RS trims. But I think they keep the LTs under $50,000. Looks cleaner and separates it from the Blazer. Slight overlap but gives Blazer enough room to standout as more premium and feel worth it to splurge a little more for those who are interested.

EDIT: I also say this in hopes that I am wrong and it’s cheaper

I hope your price guesses are way off, or that puts the 3LT in the same price range as the many times award winning AWD Preferred Ioniq 5, at least here in Canada. My choice of what to buy would be easy.

The whole point for purchasing the Eq EV, at least for me was getting an All Electric AWD affordable EV, that would be 7-$10,000 less than the Ioniq 5.

i wouldn’t fret about it until GM gives pricing late summer.

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CTAPRN

· #42 · 8 d ago

Mapleev said:
I hope your price guesses are way off

I do, too!

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MaybeFutureBuyer

· #43 · 8 d ago

I think yes. I think the 1LT was made just to say "starting from this low number", so they could Nickel and dime you on the other trims. My bet is that they'll also make the 1LT in much lower quantities (less available).

I was really optimistic 8 months ago. Since then, every piece of new information is a negative one. No Android Auto or Apple Carplay, no going into the vehicle on car shows, no option to get smaller rims on higher trims, subscription everything, no price release, etc. I bet any color other than white is also like $500 extra.

I went from "99% chance I'm buying the 2LT+AWD" , to "70% I'm buying the 1LT+LR+AWD", to "20% chance I'll even order any of them", and I'm on 3 separate wait-lists ($100 each). Their greed really turned me off.

Jim99

· #44 · 8 d ago

MaybeFutureBuyer said:
I think yes. I think the 1LT was made just to say "starting from this low number", so they could Nickel and dime you on the other trims. My bet is that they'll also make the 1LT in much lower quantities (less available).

I was really optimistic 8 months ago. Since then, every piece of new information is a negative one. No Android Auto or Apple Carplay, no going into the vehicle on car shows, no option to get smaller rims on higher trims, subscription everything, no price release, etc. I bet any color other than white is also like $500 extra.

I went from "99% chance I'm buying the 2LT+AWD" , to "70% I'm buying the 1LT+LR+AWD", to "20% chance I'll even order any of them", and I'm on 3 separate wait-lists ($100 each). Their greed really turned me off.

I get it that it’s a personal decision whether or not the EQ EV remains on your list, but it’s not all doom and gloom.

GM will have Google Maps and Google Assistant in their vehicles for 8 years free of charge. So the lack of Apple CarPlay is not a major factor in my view. We will still be able stream audio and phone calls to the infotainment system via our Apple phones.

I’m not sure what rims you might be looking for, but if the rims from the factory do not meet your requirements, maybe the dealer can swap them out for you. Unless they’re 14” or 21” rims, I’m okay, but it’s a personal preference and I understand.

I’ve been to many car shows and I have not seen a case of where a manufacturer lets the attendees sit in their show cars that have not yet been put into production. I get that as the Equinox EV in the show circuit was basically a hand built vehicle that might not have been at all functional or even built to production specs.

Price wise and production volumes, we only know ballpark numbers at this point and anything beyond that is speculation on our part.

Im not sure it’s necessarily GM’s greed that is turning you off, but maybe you really want a vehicle other than an Equinox EV. I can understand that as next year at this time we will certainly have many other choices.

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MaybeFutureBuyer

· #45 · 8 d ago

Jim99 said:
I get it that it’s a personal decision whether or not the EQ EV remains on your list, but it’s not all doom and gloom.

GM will have Google Maps and Google Assistant in their vehicles for 8 years free of charge. So the lack of Apple CarPlay is not a major factor in my view. We will still be able stream audio and phone calls to the infotainment system via our Apple phones.

I’m not sure what rims you might be looking for, but if the rims from the factory do not meet your requirements, maybe the dealer can swap them out for you. Unless they’re 14” or 21” rims, I’m okay, but it’s a personal preference and I understand.

I’ve been to many car shows and I have not seen a case of where a manufacturer lets the attendees sit in their show cars that have not yet been put into production. I get that as the Equinox EV in the show circuit was basically a hand built vehicle that might not have been at all functional or even built to production specs.

Price wise and production volumes, we only know ballpark numbers at this point and anything beyond that is speculation on our part.

Im not sure it’s necessarily GM’s greed that is turning you off, but maybe you really want a vehicle other than an Equinox EV. I can understand that as next year at this time we will certainly have many other choices.

Well, Bluetooth-only functionality I can get in a 15 year old vehicle.

"Free 8 years" is an insult. Imagine you're going to the store to buy a pair of pants, and they tell you that you have to lease an entire suit and some shoes in order to get the pants, but "it's free for the first 2 months". GM could've easily have offered both options on the same system. My $600 aftermarket system does that. After you plug in your phone, you press an icon, and instead of the native Android system, it switches to Android Auto. I already have maps\Spotify\waze\etc on my phone. If they think they can do it better, give me both options and COMPETE.

The rims is not a huge deal, I just prefer smaller rim+larger sidewall instead of low profile. It's much better for comfort and price of replacement.

If you consider me wanting to get something every other vehicle has for almost 10 years now as a "personal preference", then sure, let's call it that. But if a few years, your next vehicle will force you to lease their shoes to use the accelerator pedal (and maybe lease the pedal too).

GM actually admitted that this is pure greed, they just called it a "new revenue stream" instead.

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Kabloona

· #46 · 8 d ago

Yeah....GM is a business and they need to turn a profit....and I'm not terribly worried about their pricing as these new products get released....they had a very specific dollar value listed on the 1LT at the Toronto auto show of 37 grand.....not some ephemeral price range of "around $40k" which could easily expand in a few months.....🤭

Barra was also very clear in interviews that she's interested in the mass market for EVs, and not just over-priced toys for the top 25% of the market.......she reiterated that the EQ EV would be a "mass market car".....so I'm pinning my hopes on that.

Of course, I could be proven dead wrong in a few months....but what're ya gonna do? 😁

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Steverino

· #47 · 8 d ago

At the end of the day, you'll vote with your dollars.

GM may or may not notice as they'll be looking at not just the sales numbers but the subscriptions as well. If the subscriptions don't meet expectations they'll do surveys and re-evaluate. Maybe they'll change the $ amounts, maybe they'll reverse course. On the other hand, if their new approach actually turns out to be compelling for owners who then subscribe, GM will continue.

I can disagree with the choice GM made, but I can also live without if the price in 8 years is not acceptable. That's what I did with OnStar. 5 years free, then I chose not to pay. The benefit/cost was not worth it to me.

Whatever the result, the plan is baked in for the next few years at least. If not having Car Play or Android Auto is a critical, must have need that more important than anything else the car offers you might as well move on to another manufacturer because that ship has sailed at GM.

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Jim99

· #48 · 8 d ago

MaybeFutureBuyer said:
Well, Bluetooth-only functionality I can get in a 15 year old vehicle.

"Free 8 years" is an insult. Imagine you're going to the store to buy a pair of pants, and they tell you that you have to lease an entire suit and some shoes in order to get the pants, but "it's free for the first 2 months". GM could've easily have offered both options on the same system. My $600 aftermarket system does that. After you plug in your phone, you press an icon, and instead of the native Android system, it switches to Android Auto. I already have maps\Spotify\waze\etc on my phone. If they think they can do it better, give me both options and COMPETE.

The rims is not a huge deal, I just prefer smaller rim+larger sidewall instead of low profile. It's much better for comfort and price of replacement.

If you consider me wanting to get something every other vehicle has for almost 10 years now as a "personal preference", then sure, let's call it that. But if a few years, your next vehicle will force you to lease their shoes to use the accelerator pedal (and maybe lease the pedal too).

GM actually admitted that this is pure greed, they just called it a "new revenue stream" instead.

So I guess the Equinox EV is not in your plans. What EV will you be considering?

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SpicyBolt

· #49 · 8 d ago (Edited)

MaybeFutureBuyer said:
Well, Bluetooth-only functionality I can get in a 15 year old vehicle.

"Free 8 years" is an insult. Imagine you're going to the store to buy a pair of pants, and they tell you that you have to lease an entire suit and some shoes in order to get the pants, but "it's free for the first 2 months". GM could've easily have offered both options on the same system. My $600 aftermarket system does that. After you plug in your phone, you press an icon, and instead of the native Android system, it switches to Android Auto. I already have maps\Spotify\waze\etc on my phone. If they think they can do it better, give me both options and COMPETE.

The rims is not a huge deal, I just prefer smaller rim+larger sidewall instead of low profile. It's much better for comfort and price of replacement.

If you consider me wanting to get something every other vehicle has for almost 10 years now as a "personal preference", then sure, let's call it that. But if a few years, your next vehicle will force you to lease their shoes to use the accelerator pedal (and maybe lease the pedal too).

GM actually admitted that this is pure greed, they just called it a "new revenue stream" instead.

Navigation etc., requires ongoing updates. It's not like buying a pair of pants. If GM baked the ongoing costs of maintaining updated navigation etc. for the life of the vehicle, into the purchase price, that means everyone pays. Why should someone who doesn't need Navigation, have to pay more for the car? I'm fine with paying a reasonable price for navigation after 8 years. And if I don't need it, or it's too much, I won't get it.

As for continuing to provide AA/CP alongside GM's new built in system, I agree, it should be maintained. OTOH, I look forward to not using my phone to navigate to charge stations etc. And the GM system made with Google AAOS, will do things like precondition the battery as you head to a charge station. So, if implemented well, it should be a better system. Polestar owners and others who have the Google based AAOS in their cars are reporting that it's excellent.

We just returned from a one week road trip in our EUV. My preference is to keep my smartphone locked and in my front pocket. Having to use it for navigation, meant taking it in and out of my pocket every time I got in and out of the car. I didn't want to lose my charge from using AA, so I always had to put it on the wireless charger in the car. It was a hassle.

When traveling, navigating to charge stations is necessary for the operation of an EV. It will cease to operate otherwise. IMHO, anything necessary for the operation of my vehicle should be built into the vehicle. It shouldn't depend on an external device like a smartphone. I have friends with dumb phones, a guy on the Bolt forum has a dumb phone by personal preference. Why should someone have to pay more for a phone they don't need, just to navigate in their EV? Not to mention the additional data needed. We went over our monthly allotment due to using AA on our trip. It never happens otherwise. Sure, we could get an unlimited data plan, but they are more expensive. So, one way or another it's going to cost something to navigate in an EV to charge stations. As long as GM charges a reasonable price after the first 8 years, I'm good.

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Steverino

· #50 · 8 d ago

My 2011 Volt has built-in navigation and I really prefer it to pairing my phone on y 2017 Bolt EV for the reasons you listed Spicy. And the Equinox EV's promise(?) to better integrate the nav with the car for charging and operation would be a plus for trips. This is a feature many really like on their Tesla for example.

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SpicyBolt

· #51 · 8 d ago

Steverino said:
My 2011 Volt has built-in navigation and I really prefer it to pairing my phone on y 2017 Bolt EV for the reasons you listed Spicy. And the Equinox EV's promise(?) to better integrate the nav with the car for charging and operation would be a plus for trips. This is a feature many really like on their Tesla for example.

We have built in navigation in our EUV, but after trying it out locally for a limited period of time, I wasn't impressed. Also, currently we aren't paying to keep it updated. Do you pay to keep it updated in your Volt, and how much? Perhaps I should give it another chance.

I recall you on the Volt forum back before our 2018 was totaled. Were you on CruzeTalk too? I still have my 2011 Cruze Eco.

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Jim99

· #52 · 8 d ago

Like @SpicyBolt and @Steverino have said, I prefer navigation that does not rely on using my phone. It draws too much power from my phone and causes undue wear on the phone battery with constant charging and discharging. I’ll worry about whatever charge GM might impose for their nav system in 8 years time if I’m still around/have the car (whichever comes first).

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CTAPRN

· #53 · 8 d ago

My built in nav for the ID.4 is okay. Not great. But livable and also has the benefit of activating the very cool looking blue ID.light indicating turns and it is incorporated into the binnacle so I don’t need to look at the infotainment screen. That’s nice. But I also prefer CarPlay because Google Maps is just better and a nicer aesthetic. But that doesn’t interact with the binacle nor ID.light. However, I also have to wait sometimes 5 seconds sometimes 30 seconds to connect to CarPlay. Not the end of the world, but then again I also may not want it to immediately start playing what I had going on my phone. So, I actually wouldn’t mind if the native nav was just Google Maps and incorporated into the tech of the car, and automatic. I am a little sad about being able to respond to messages by voice but again I can always say, “Hey Siri”. Time will tell and I’m looking forward to in-depth reviews in the coming months when they eventually have auto journalists get to preview it. My plan is to wait and see (and of course: test drive the thing!)…just as I would any vehicle.

EDIT: also, after 8 years, I will probably be looking to replace it with something newer, maybe even sooner, especially if the IRA for the US isn’t extended and $7500 tax credits disappear after 2032

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MaybeFutureBuyer

· #54 · 7 d ago

Jim99 said:
So I guess the Equinox EV is not in your plans. What EV will you be considering?

At the moment. Probably none. I'll see what the 1LT, LR, AWD, or 2LT AWD will go for, and decide from there. I can hold off on buying a car for at least another 5 years until there's a better deal.... It's a 2010, but shows no signs of wear at all.

At first I thought of going with a new ICE... But now even those have tons of subscriptions. So I don't mind staying on the fence a few more years, especially because I used to be a tech, so I don't mind working on my own car.

MaybeFutureBuyer

· #55 · 7 d ago

SpicyBolt said:
Navigation etc., requires ongoing updates. It's not like buying a pair of pants. If GM baked the ongoing costs of maintaining updated navigation etc. for the life of the vehicle, into the purchase price, that means everyone pays. Why should someone who doesn't need Navigation, have to pay more for the car? I'm fine with paying a reasonable price for navigation after 8 years. And if I don't need it, or it's too much, I won't get it.

As for continuing to provide AA/CP alongside GM's new built in system, I agree, it should be maintained. OTOH, I look forward to not using my phone to navigate to charge stations etc. And the GM system made with Google AAOS, will do things like precondition the battery as you head to a charge station. So, if implemented well, it should be a better system. Polestar owners and others who have the Google based AAOS in their cars are reporting that it's excellent.

We just returned from a one week road trip in our EUV. My preference is to keep my smartphone locked and in my front pocket. Having to use it for navigation, meant taking it in and out of my pocket every time I got in and out of the car. I didn't want to lose my charge from using AA, so I always had to put it on the wireless charger in the car. It was a hassle.

When traveling, navigating to charge stations is necessary for the operation of an EV. It will cease to operate otherwise. IMHO, anything necessary for the operation of my vehicle should be built into the vehicle. It shouldn't depend on an external device like a smartphone. I have friends with dumb phones, a guy on the Bolt forum has a dumb phone by personal preference. Why should someone have to pay more for a phone they don't need, just to navigate in their EV? Not to mention the additional data needed. We went over our monthly allotment due to using AA on our trip. It never happens otherwise. Sure, we could get an unlimited data plan, but they are more expensive. So, one way or another it's going to cost something to navigate in an EV to charge stations. As long as GM charges a reasonable price after the first 8 years, I'm good.

The main point is the choice one. Everything you said is right, but it shouldn't be "our system, or nothing at all". Some people don't mind taking out their phone, some do. Some need charging on the road, some will never have to charge anywhere but home. Putting an AA or ACP is peanuts. The only reason not to is to apply more pressure on you to opt in.

Yes, it cost money to have that system, so they can give me an option to use my phone to its full capacity, and then none of us have to pay. In new cars, there's no double-DIN or single-DIN anymore, so you can't even replace the system with an aftermarket one, it's also too integrated in every aspect and functionality to have a universal one that will work.

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MaybeFutureBuyer

· #56 · 7 d ago

Steverino said:
My 2011 Volt has built-in navigation and I really prefer it to pairing my phone on y 2017 Bolt EV for the reasons you listed Spicy. And the Equinox EV's promise(?) to better integrate the nav with the car for charging and operation would be a plus for trips. This is a feature many really like on their Tesla for example.

It's seems like no one understands my point. I've never said AA or ACP will be better than GMs system, I said that if it's that much better, give both options, with even a one year free subscription. If it's that much better, people will choose it over the AA or ACP by themselves.

MaybeFutureBuyer

· #57 · 7 d ago

Jim99 said:
Like @SpicyBolt and @Steverino have said, I prefer navigation that does not rely on using my phone. It draws too much power from my phone and causes undue wear on the phone battery with constant charging and discharging. I’ll worry about whatever charge GM might impose for their nav system in 8 years time if I’m still around/have the car (whichever comes first).

I never said they shouldn't make their own (better) system. That doesn't conflict with the fact that they could have easily do both, and let you choose what works for you.

SpicyBolt

· #58 · 6 d ago

MaybeFutureBuyer said:
I never said they shouldn't make their own (better) system. That doesn't conflict with the fact that they could have easily do both, and let you choose what works for you.

I agree about what GM should do, have both systems. However, it doesn't look like that's going to happen on these upcoming EVs. If the built in system is good, and the EV, say the Equinox for example, is compelling enough, then GM will still get plenty of buyers. The lack of CP/AA hasn't stopped Tesla from being by far the #1 producer of EVs in North America. So, it may not stop me and many others from buying an Equinox EV.

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MaybeFutureBuyer

· #59 · 5 d ago

SpicyBolt said:
I agree about what GM should do, have both systems. However, it doesn't look like that's going to happen on these upcoming EVs. If the built in system is good, and the EV, say the Equinox for example, is compelling enough, then GM will still get plenty of buyers. The lack of CP/AA hasn't stopped Tesla from being by far the #1 producer of EVs in North America. So, it may not stop me and many others from buying an Equinox EV.

Unfortunately, you're right. And the trend at the moment (for all manufacturers) is to get people to pay subscription on anything and everything... So it's not like I'm going to have a much better choice. I might keep my current car a little longer, but eventually, I'll need a new car. I thought about a newer used one, but those cost just as much as new, so it makes no sense.

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hellsop

· #60 · 5 d ago

Plus, we don't know now how many customer support calls are coming in from people dumber than us who can't figure out how to get to the energy consumption screen on the CP display or have other interface/navigation issues due to there being multiple layers of "home". We're people who actively seek information, even about vehicles that don't exist yet. For better or worse...

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