2026 Chevrolet Equinox

In a sea of excellent competitors, the Chevrolet Equinox swims midpack with other small SUVs and even brings a few flashes of greatness. The Equinox was totally redesigned just last year, making it one of the freshest choices in the most popular and most crowded vehicle segment that includes benchmarks like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

The Equinox’s recent revamp injected this contender with a rugged exterior design and an innovative interior. What it didn’t do was move the needle in terms of powertrain. Where some rivals offer more powerful models and/or hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, the Equinox makes do with just one choice of engine (there is the all-electric Equinox EV, a different model reviewed separately). Also, the Equinox offers only three trims, whereas others offer far more. Its lack of powertrain and trim choices notwithstanding, the Equinox remains a solid choice for compact SUV buyers looking for a 5-passenger hauler from an American brand.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact SUVs, including the Chevrolet Equinox.

The Chevy Equinox was all-new just last year, so updates for 2026 are limited to a new exterior color and the drive mode selector dial becoming standard on all models.

At its roughly $30,000 starting price for an LT trim, the Equinox is in line with the entry point of others in this segment. With only three trims to choose from, the Equinox’s pricing gap isn’t as wide as rivals that offer seven or even eight trims. The Active and RS trims begin at the same price, and loading one with all-wheel drive and some options still puts them securely under $40,000. Higher trims of rivals can easily top that, but they also offer far more choice of trims, powertrains, and options. In case you’re wondering, the Chevy Equinox’s slightly upscale cousin, the GMC Terrain, uses the same powertrain and is also only available in three trims, but can reach into the mid-$40,000 range with options.

Before buying the Chevrolet Equinox, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. The Chevrolet Equinox’s resale value is predicted to remain below that of class leaders like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester. Keep in mind that the higher the resale value, the more money you can recoup when it’s time to sell or trade in your vehicle.

The Chevy Equinox’s engine gets the job done, and that’s about where we can leave it. This 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine makes 175 horsepower, which these days is merely acceptable or below average for the class. A Honda CR-V, for example, produces 190 hp in gasoline-only form, while the hybrid models create 204. The all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4 comes standard with a hybrid powertrain that makes 226 hp in its least potent form.

These caveats made known, we discovered in our testing that the Chevy Equinox gets up to speed just fine on freeways, is easy to maneuver around town, and has a quiet cabin. Despite its chunkier all-terrain tires, we even found that to be the case in the outdoorsy Activ trim. Given the choice, we prefer all-wheel-drive versions of the 2026 Equinox. Those get an 8-speed automatic transmission and more grunt — 203 lb-ft of torque versus the 185 put out by front-wheel drive models. Front-drive versions are also saddled with a continuously variable automatic transmission. CVTs are efficient but can drone a bit when you get on the accelerator, and don’t help the cause of what is already a somewhat coarse-sounding engine.

We should note the Equinox has paddle shifters — awkwardly placed a whisper away from the audio controls on the back of the steering wheel — but they won’t work unless you hit the “L” button in the steering wheel. It’s a bit of an odd setup, but we’re told they are more for use in low-speed precision maneuvers, not race car antics.

Fuel economy

The Chevrolet Equinox is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined in city/highway driving for front-wheel-drive models and 26 mpg for all-wheel-drive variants. Competitors like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson are a bit more efficient and also offer hybrid powertrains. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 will come exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, and while its EPA numbers are forthcoming, the last RAV4 Hybrid did 39 mpg with all-wheel drive. A number like that can tally significant fuel savings over the years.

The cockpit is potentially the Equinox’s greatest asset. Behind the steering wheel is an 11-inch driver-configurable gauge and information display. Next to it, an 11.3-inch touchscreen is the command center for the infotainment system. The transmission selector moves to the steering column, opening up more usable room in the center console. For 2026, the base LT models get the drive mode selector dial in the center console that had previously been reserved for the Activ and RS trims.

While the 2026 Equinox is a bit longer and wider than other compact SUVs, its exterior dimensions don’t make it among the roomiest inside. Behind the second row of seats, the Equinox offers 29.8 cubic feet of cargo volume. The Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage offer closer to 40 cubic feet. Folding the rear seats creates 63.5 cubic feet of space in the Equinox. Compare that to the CR-V’s 76.5 cubic feet and the Sportage’s 74.1 figure. Passengers fare better, with the Equinox claiming above-average EPA interior volume figures. Second-row legroom is 39.9 inches. That’s still less than that of the Sportage and CR-V, but roomy nonetheless.

Although each of the three grades shows a slightly different face, the latest Equinox looks tougher and more capable than those that have gone before. The LT and Activ each get 17-inch wheel designs, while the sporty-looking RS uses 19-inch wheels. No matter the wheel size or design, they’re framed in a squared-off wheel opening in a flared fender. Highlighting the RS are blacked-out elements like logos and outboard mirrors, a wider grille with a high-gloss finish, and those 19-inch wheels. Stepping to the outdoor adventure-oriented Activ trim, it gains gray-finished accents and blacked-out badging.

We are fans of the two-tone color options, with a contrasting roof in white or black. For 2026, you can now get your Equinox in Polar White.

Dual displays
Two large displays dominate the instrument panel. Directly behind the steering wheel is an 11-inch driver-configurable digital color gauge and driver-information display. Immediately to its right is an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen commanding a Google Built-in operating system.

Electronic Precision Shift
The electronic shifter is located on the steering column rather than in the center console. This frees up console space and is becoming more common.

Heated front seats
Standard on every model, the front seats and the steering wheel are heated.

Chevy Safety Assist
Every 2026 Equinox comes with this bundle of advanced safety technology, which includes automatic emergency braking with bike and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist. These features are in addition to others like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear-park assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Teen Driver
This technology, standard across the Equinox lineup, allows parents a hands-on method to encourage safe driving behavior in their teens by activating customizable vehicle settings and monitoring driving performance.

All-wheel drive
Available with all three trim levels, this transparent system allows drivers more capability and control in foul weather. It also gets you an 8-speed automatic transmission and more torque.

As mentioned, the Equinox only offers one powertrain, and this 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder isn’t exactly groundbreaking. Its 175 hp lags behind all competitors except the smaller Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, and is the same as the GMC Terrain, the Equinox’s kissing cousin. All-wheel-drive models get an 8-speed automatic transmission and a bit more torque, and that’s the powertrain we’d recommend, especially if you live in colder climates where slick roads are common.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Chevy backs the Equinox with a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty for three years or 36,000 miles. It also covers the powertrain for five years or 60,000 miles. This coverage is about typical for the segment.