- The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV sold alongside the Equinox EV.
- I drove an all-wheel-drive 2025 Equinox in top-spec RS trim.
- I was impressed by its handsome styling, good tech content, and well-designed passenger cabin.
The Chevrolet Equinox is one of the most popular compact SUVs in the marketplace. In fact, GM has sold more than 3 million Equinox's over the past two decades as a competitor against segment leaders like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue.
This year, Chevy launched a new fourth-generation Equinox to be sold alongside an EV SUV of the same name.
I recently reviewed a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV with an as-tested price of $40,370. Even though I found its four-cylinder engine to be underwhelming, there is still plenty to like about the Chevy.
15 features stood out to me that help make the Equinox a competitive SUV.
Handsome looks
The Equinox's redesigned sheet metal is rugged and athletic. Like other recent additions to Chevy's SUV lineup, its exterior design was heavily inspired by the brand's pickup trucks.
The most striking element of Equinox's new look is its front facia, which is dominated by a large, wide grille flanked on both sides by LED headlights with thin horizontal running lights up top.
Well-designed cabin
Chevrolet did a good job with the Equinox's interior. Cabin ergonomics are excellent, with intuitively placed controls, a good balance between physical and digital controls, and oodles of useful storage.
There's also a good mix of different materials and textures, with red accents to add a pop of color to the cabin.
The red turbine-design air vents that felt out of place in the Blazer EV add an interesting visual element.
Google-based infotainment system
All trims come standard with a large 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen running a Google-based infotainment system that proved to be highly responsive, smartly designed, and a piece of cake to navigate. Built-in Google Maps gives Chevy one of the best integrated navigation systems around.
Digital driver's cockpit
In front of the driver is a flat-bottom steering along with a configurable 11-inch digital instrument display that comes standard on all trims. The display looks great and can be tailored to show traditional gauges, active driver's assistance features, and Google Maps.
Panoramic sunroof
Those willing to pony up an extra $1,495 can option this lovely panoramic sunroof.
Camera mirror/washer
My test came with an optional rear camera mirror, which is really useful rearward visibility is obstructed by passengers or cargo. The Equinox is also equipped with washer designed to keep camera free to road gunk.
Remote engine start
My test car came with remote engine start, which activates by pressing the "looping arrow" button on the Chevy key fob.
Multiple drive modes
Front-wheel-drive Equinoxes, which are equipped with a continuously variable transmission, come with two drive modes, Normal and Snow.
All-wheel-drive units, which have a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission, also get an Off-Road mode.
RS branded Evotex seats
My test car's heated and ventilated power front seats featured attractive red accents and RS-branded headrests. The seats, which were upholstered in an imitation leather called Evotox, proved to be comfortable and offered good lumbar support.
Roomy rear cabin
The rear 60/40 split bench seat offers plenty of room for two adults. With 39.9 inches of legroom, the Equinox's rear cabin is larger than the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota RAV4's but trails the Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V.
The rear seat passenger in my test car had heated outboard seats, dedicated AC vents, and USB sockets.
360-degree camera
The Equinox is available with the optional HD Surround Vision 360-degree camera system, which offers the driver overhead and direct views of the vehicle's surroundings.
Standard Apple CarPlay
The Equinox comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Handsfree power liftgate
The Equinox comes standard with Chevrolet's Autosense handsfree power liftgate, which opens automatically when you approach the rear of the vehicle with the key fob.
Flexible cargo compartment
Open the liftgate, and you'll find 29.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The Equinox's cargo compartment is half a cubic foot larger than the Mazda CX-50 but roughly five cubic feet smaller than the Honda CR-V and a whopping 9 cubic feet smaller than the Hyundai Tucson.
When the rear seat is folded flat, cargo capacity expands to 63.5 cubic feet. Under the rear cargo floor, there's also a small storage area and a spare tire.
Good safety tech
The Equinox comes standard with an impressive suite of safety and assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and blind zone steering assist.
Additional features like traffic sign recognition and rear pedestrian alert are available as optional extras.
