The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Has Had A Makeover To Make It Better - And It Has...Mostly (2024)

The Chevrolet Equinox has been around for almost twenty years, and despite last year's version being rather dated, it was still the second-best seller in the Chevy stable. In 2023, more than 212 000 Equinox models found new homes, and halfway through 2024, sales were on track to hit those numbers again. So, it's exciting that it finally gets a significant refresh for 2025 - one that will undoubtedly bolster those sales figures for the rest of the year.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox

Engine

1.5L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

Horsepower

175 hp

Torque

184 - 203 lb-ft

Pros

• Attractive exterior design makes it look fresh and modern
• Really spacious inside, considering its size
• Frugal engine options
• High-value price tag

Cons

• Engine isn't potent, but it gets the job done
• Not a thrilling car to drive, although that doesn't matter in this segment?

The Equinox is a two-row compact SUV with seating for five people and ample room for carrying cargo. It’s a popular choice with over three million sold in its 20-year history. This year marks the fourth generation of this affordable SUV with improvements to its style and features. CarBuzz had the chance to check it out at a First Drive event recently; here's what we learned.

What’s New

The most significant changes to the Equinox are aesthetic - both inside and out. It has bolder exterior styling inspired by the newer pickup trucks in the Chevy stable, a substantially revised interior, and a new, rugged Activ trim. It's also larger than before, increasing in width, length, and height over the outgoing model.

Inside, there’s a larger infotainment touchscreen as a standard feature, along with a digital instrument cluster and a more eye-catching design. The engine may not be new, but the updated version of the 1.5-liter turbo is paired to two new transmissions, and promises more efficiency.

Interior Upgrade

Improved Materials With Better Style

The Equinox gets a significant style upgrade with new materials and new colors that make it a far more attractive SUV. The new Activ trim features a black and light brown suede microfiber interior, while the RS gets a black interior with red accents on the seats, dashboard, and vents. It also has a little bit of blue stitching on the seats, making for a striking look. Even the base LT is attractive, with either cloth or imitation leather in black and gray. The use of textured materials further enhances the overall appearance of the Equinox.

The gear shifter moves from the center console to the steering column, helping the interior feel more open while creating more storage. The infotainment system gets a larger 11.3-inch touchscreen that is easier to use and makes the Equinox feel more modern. An 11-inch digital instrument cluster sits in front of the driver, completing the tech-focused interior.

Room for Cargo

While the Equinox is a smaller option than the Traverse and doesn’t have that kind of cargo capacity, it still manages fairly well considering its size. There’s 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats with 63.5 cubic feet available when you fold the seats down. Additional storage is hidden beneath the cargo floor. The Equinox can also tow with a rating of 800 pounds with front-wheel drive or 1,500 lbs with all-wheel drive,

Exterior Refresh

Taking Its Cues From Trucks

There is a dramatic difference in the appearance of the new Equinox. The last generation was softer with more curves, a shorter hood, and a more modest, reserved design. The new Equinox borrows the style of the Chevy Silverado with an aggressive, squared off grille and three different front fascias. The wheel openings are also squared off and the Equinox is 2.5 inches wider, adding to its presence.

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Wheels in a variety of designs range from 17 inches up to 20 inches on the RS trim. That trim also gets black accents with an available black roof, while the Activ goes in the opposite direction with an available white roof and gray accents. Each Equinox has its own unique style inside and out, making for three distinctive personalities in one versatile vehicle.

Powertrain: One Engine With Two Transmissions

Power for the Equinox comes from an updated 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower. Front-wheel drive trims deliver 184 lb-ft of torque with a continuously variable automatic transmission only. All-wheel drive trims offer 203 lb-ft of torque and are mated exclusively to an eight-speed automatic. It’s not the most powerful engine, but it does the job - the little crossover isn't horribly heavy. The upside to this modest engine is good fuel economy: It gets an EPA-estimated 26/28/27 mpg city/highway/combined with front-wheel drive, and 24/29/26 mpg with all-wheel drive.

New this year are drive modes for the RS and Activ trims. Driver can choose from Normal or Snow mode on front-wheel drive trims, while all-wheel drive models also get an Off-Road mode. Although the latter suggests you can take on some rougher terrain - and the new Activ models come with all-terrain tires and a rugged look - this isn't a trail-rated off-roader. You can tackle a standard dirt road or some gravel with ease, but we wouldn't go any further into the wild than that.

Driving Impressions: Comfortable Ride With Modest Power

The Equinox doesn’t have an especially powerful engine, so this isn’t a great pick for those who are focused on performance. It’s responsive, but more mild-mannered with good acceleration which is smooth and quiet, even with a heavy foot on the gas. Steering is centered and precise, but not sporty. Again, this isn’t a performance-focused car with tight, responsive steering, but that’s okay. This is an affordable SUV more likely to be a family car, and it delivers an appropriate drive for that type of use.

In our experience, the ride is quiet and comfortable without too much road or wind noise intruding into the cabin. It’s a great choice for longer drives with the family. Seating is supportive up front with good adjustability, and we loved the new materials used throughout the cabin. It makes this budget-friendly SUV look so much better, giving it character and personality. Even the plastic trims used on the dashboard feature colors and subtle patterns that remove the somewhat ho-hum look of the last generation. We cannot overstate just how much the interior of the Equinox has improved this year.

Pricing and Verdict

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox is offered in three trims, all with a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The base LT is priced at $29,685, not including $1,395 destination, with the RS and Activ both coming in at $34,085. All-wheel drive can be added to any trim for an additional $2,000. That puts the full lineup well under $40,000, making this a great choice for families on a budget.

There is also the Equinox EV for those who want to dip a toe into EV ownership, but that's an entirely separate vehicle that doesn't share much with this one besides its name.

Although there’s not a wide range of trims, each is distinct with the more modest LT at the bottom while the sporty RS and rugged Activ offer more features and slicker styling. The new exterior styling on all three trims combined with striking interior elements make this a surprisingly appealing SUV despite its affordable price point. Combined with good fuel economy, this is a family car that is easy on the budget over the long term.

Where it falls a bit short is on performance, but that will only be an issue for some. If performance is your priority, then look elsewhere and consider the RAV4 or Kia Sportage if you want more power without a huge price increase. Otherwise, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox delivers an attractive interior with cargo versatility and pricing that’s great for families.

Sources: GoodCarBadCar.net