The most enjoyable car I have ever driven was the original Tesla Roadster. It was back in 2011 when Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company was seeking press coverage and they offered me a test drive. I took the car for a spin on I-280, a stunning highway with smooth curves that felt like they were made for tech enthusiasts to test their fast cars. The acceleration and handling at 120 miles per hour were impressive, but let’s stick with 70, shall we?
While I’ve driven other sports cars like an ’80s Nissan Z, Fiat Spider, and a ’90s Porsche 911, the Roadster’s electric nature made the driving experience unique. The absence of gears gave it a powerful and aerodynamic golf cart-like feel. I was captivated by the driving experience rather than the tech features on the dashboard or other fancy add-ons.
I’m not an auto journalist, so opportunities to test drive new cars are rare for me. Since the Roadster experience, I’ve only briefly driven friends’ Teslas and never tried another EV. I’ve always stuck to gasoline cars myself.
Given my limited exposure to electric vehicles, I was thrilled when GM offered me the chance to live with an EV for a full week. They delivered the new Chevy Equinox to my house in San Francisco on Monday, and I was impressed by its beauty.
My first concern was about charging. This has been a major obstacle in my decision to go electric, but I decided to rely on the Shell charging stations near the gym I visit daily. With 300 miles of range upon delivery, I didn’t need to worry initially.
The Equinox’s keyless entry and push-start feature stood out to me, making it convenient to get going. The vehicle’s touchscreen control system was user-friendly, with Google Maps being a highlight. However, connecting Apple CarPlay wirelessly wasn’t an option, showing a preference for Google services.
The car’s safety features, such as the vibrating seat alert for nearby objects, were impressive and intuitive. The driving experience was powerful and reminiscent of the Tesla Roadster, with instant acceleration on the freeway.
Charging the Equinox on Tuesday morning proved to be a bit more complex than expected. Despite the slight inconvenience, the cost savings compared to gasoline were significant. However, difficulties finding an available charging station on Friday morning highlighted the challenges of relying on third-party charging infrastructure.
While the Equinox demonstrated GM’s capabilities in the EV market, it also highlighted the importance of developing a reliable charging network, similar to Tesla’s Supercharger network. The increasing complexity of modern cars, with an emphasis on technology, may deter some consumers who simply seek a straightforward driving experience.
In conclusion, the Chevy Equinox showcased GM’s commitment to electric vehicles, but it also revealed the need for a more user-friendly charging infrastructure. As someone who values simplicity in car usage, the Equinox experience made me consider an EV in the future, but I’m not quite ready to make the switch yet.
