2025 Chevrolet Equinox

Compact SUVs are among the best-selling vehicles in the country, and the segment is packed with compelling options. It may be getting another, with a new and improved Chevy Equinox relieving an outgoing model that dates back to the 2018 model year. The redesigned Equinox looks more refined and rugged at once — we’re seeing more and more mainstream SUVs taking on more outdoorsy, adventurous personas — and the interior is dominated by two giant screens. Battling legends like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 is no small assignment, but Chevy is undoubtedly better equipped with the new Equinox. The new, all-electric Equinox EV is similarly sized but based on a different platform altogether.

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

The Chevy Equinox has been completely redesigned for 2025. It promises to be a significant improvement over the model it replaces, which had become one of the oldest entries in the segment.

At its starting price of a hair under $30,000, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox is in line with other popular compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. The Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5, both with all-wheel drive standard, are also close to that $30K mark. The Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson cost a bit less, while the Dodge Hornet is higher.

Before buying the Chevrolet Equinox, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Also, keep in mind that recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one. To date, the Chevy Equinox holds an average track record for retaining its value.

Although sufficient for motoring around town or highway cruising, the power generated by the Equinox’s small turbo 4-cylinder engine, carried over from last year, has never proved particularly entertaining. Nor has it lit up the fuel economy charts. Developing 175 horsepower distributed to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission, this turbo 4-cylinder won’t get your blood boiling. Opting for all-wheel drive brings along an 8-speed automatic transmission.

That said, we found the new 2025 Chevy Equinox perfectly adequate for its intended duties. It gets up to speed just fine on freeways, is easy to maneuver around town, and has a quiet cabin, too. We even found that to be the case in the new Activ trim despite its chunkier all-terrain tires. Given the choice, we prefer all-wheel-drive versions of the 2025 Equinox. Those versions get an 8-speed automatic transmission and more grunt — 203 lb-ft of torque vs. the 185 in front-wheel drive models. Those 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.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox MPG

The 2025 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 Toyota RAV4 are a couple of miles per gallon more efficient and also offer hybrid powertrains, which isn’t an option with the Equinox.

The new Equinox welcomes passengers with more modern styling and two big screens. Behind the 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.

While the new Equinox is a bit longer and wider than many compact SUVs, it doesn’t count among the roomiest. 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, which is no small difference. Folding down the rear seats opens up 63.5 cubic feet of space in the Equinox. That’s more room than most will ever need, but still more than 10 cubic feet shy of several competitors. Humans fare better, with the Equinox claiming above-average EPA interior volume figures. It appears front passengers will benefit the most from the new model’s 2.3-inch increase in width.

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 their own 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 up to the outdoor adventure-oriented Activ trim, it gains gray-finished accents and blacked-out badging.

Dual displays
Standard for all trims, 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
New for 2025, the electronic shifter is located on the steering column rather than in the center console. This frees up console space.

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

Chevy Safety Assist
Every new 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 are in addition to other features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear-park assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Teen Driver
Standard across the Equinox lineup, this technology 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 more torque and an 8-speed automatic transmission.

We wish Chevy had chosen to beef up the Equinox’s performance. Another 15 or so horsepower would have placed its turbo 4-cylinder’s output squarely in midpack with its competitors. As it is, its 175 horsepower lags behind all but the 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, which is also a bit smaller. 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 is about typical coverage for the segment.