There’s been a ton of talk about the electric Equinox, but the gas model is not going away yet.
While GM’s been gunning to launch its Ultium EV platform and vehicles, including the imminent Equinox EV, it’s also been steadily revamping its entire gas-powered SUV lineup. That includes the regular Equinox, which gets a major update to more closely resemble the rest of its siblings, from the tiny Trax and Trailblazer to the new Traverse.
Both inside and out, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox brings an (almost) completely new model to the game. Keep in mind, Chevy’s long-running compact SUV competes in a ferociously heated market with the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape, among so many others. While the last generation saw a few minor updates, this is the first time Chevy has overhauled its rival to those three since early 2017.
The new Equinox gets more fresh exterior styling, and to my eye brings in cues from most of the brand’s other offerings. There’s a larger, more upright grille like the new Traverse, while the headlight design falls pretty close to the Trailblazer and the hood lines evoke a bit of Blazer. The updated exterior also gets squared-off wheel arches and a floating roof design, especially if you look at it with a two-tone paint scheme.
Most of the trims from the old Equinox remain including the LT and sportier RS. This time around, Chevrolet also offers the Equinox in a more rugged-looking Activ trim, as you can also get in with the Trax and the Trailblazer. The Activ blacks out the badging, adds in unique 17-inch machine-faced aluminum wheels, knobbier tires and a Maple Sugar and black interior theme with leatherette and microfiber seats. Available options include heated and ventilated front seats and rear heated outboard seats, as well as a driver memory function. Both the LT and RS, for their part, also change up the rear fascia as well as the badging so you can tell each of the three apart.
Inside the 2025 Chevy Equinox
Looking inside, the new Equinox brings several familiar cues from the brand’s other recently revamped models. You get a standard 11-inch digital instrument cluster as well as an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While GM is phasing that compatibility out of its EVs in favor of a bespoke infotainment setup, it seems the Equinox will retain CarPlay/Android Auto capability for the time being.
While the Activ gets that Maple Sugar-hued interior, the RS goes for the classic black-and-red layout. Like the Traverse, the new Equinox also gets an electronic column-mounted shifter, rather than the old-style console lever.
What’s changed underneath?
Underneath, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox does carry over its engine from the previous generation. So, you still get a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, although this time you get a bit more grunt. The 2025 model manages 175 horsepower, as opposed to 170 for the outgoing version. More technical details will arrive a bit closer to launch, but Chevrolet did say the all-wheel drive Equinox also gets a new transmission. The automaker also says that the new Equinox can tow up to 1,500 pounds, when properly equipped.
If you opt for a front-wheel drive model, the new Equinox comes mated to a CVT, rather than a torque-converter automatic. AWD models, on the other hand, get the latest 8-speed torque converter automatic, in place of the old 6-speed unit. The extra ratios mean the new Equinox may get at least slightly better fuel economy than the old one, which comes in at 26 mpg combined in AWD form.
Standard safety features abound on the 2025 Chevy Equinox, as per usual with the brand’s recent crossovers. Automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and “IntelliBeam” (automatic high-beams) all come baked into the new Equinox. Optional features include side bicyclist alert, a rear seat reminder, adaptive cruise control, lane change alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic braking, rear park assist and “enhanced” lane keep assist.
Pricing is a question mark for the 2025 Chevy Equinox, though the current LT model starts around $30,890 for a FWD model. Getting the RS raises the MSRP to $32,345, and we expect the Activ to cost about the same as the RS. Odds are all Equinox trims will probably go up a little bit. However, you will have to shell out more for a base model this time around, as there is no cheaper LS trim to kick off the range.
The 2025 Chevy Equinox will go on sale later this year.
