2025 Chevrolet Equinox First Drive Overview: Now With a Pulse
Because it stands, the Equinox is Chevrolet’s second-best-selling mannequin, behind solely the Silverado. If you happen to held me hostage and informed me my secure launch trusted my capacity to choose an Equinox other than its Bowtie-badged stablemates, I wouldn’t be ok with my probabilities. But, greater than 200,000 households introduced theirs house for the primary time final 12 months, regardless that the outgoing Equinox dates again to 2017. GM had zero hassle shifting the previous mannequin, but it’s clear from one take a look at the fourth-gen Equinox that an effort’s been made to make sure this one stands out.
Look: I’d by no means describe the 2025 Equinox as “aspirational.” (Title a volume-selling compact SUV that’s.) However it’s actually younger—joyful, even—than the crossover it’s changing. The Equinox stays the value-minded buy this nameplate’s at all times been, beginning at $29,995 delivered. It guarantees a hell of a variety of automobile for below $40K and, extra importantly, one you won’t solely select as a result of the mathematics provides up.
The Fundamentals
If its look wasn’t sufficient of a giveaway, the Equinox has been greater than refreshed for 2025. Whereas it rides on an up to date model of GM’s D2XX platform that underpinned the last-gen SUV and carries over the identical 1.5-liter turbo-four engine, the outside has clearly been punched up, and the inside is a complete lot higher, too. The brand new Equinox strikes a leaner and wider look, partially as a result of it pulls cues from Chevy’s extra rugged choices, and partially as a result of it actually is wider, by 2.5 inches.
The hood is now extra chiseled on the edges, lending a muscular look over the entrance fenders. The tailgate is extra upright, and the roof—which may now be had in white or black impartial of physique shade, like all outdoorsy SUVs—is suspended by a floating C-pillar, similar to on the large Traverse. Chevy affectionally calls this motif the “Shark Fin,” and it ties the profile collectively properly. The brand new, sq. wheel arches are one other key distinction between this newest Equinox and the extra egg-shaped people-mover it’s changing. It’s a delicate contact, however when you’ve seen it, it turns into instantly apparent how a lot heavy lifting it’s doing for the car’s complete vibe.
In fact, any implied prowess on the path is simply that; that is nonetheless the archetypal front-wheel-drive-based crossover, with optionally available AWD. Though there’s however one engine on provide for 2025, Chevy’s supplemented the “sporty” RS trim with a extra adventurous Activ one touting Continental all-terrain tires (with suspension tuned to match), a novel entrance fascia, customary roof rails, and a few further facilities for $34,395. The Activ additionally grants a novel Maple Sugar inside therapy that merely appears glorious.
Extra on that inside, as a result of it’s such an enormous a part of the brand new Equinox’s story. Gone are the swoopy dashboard and vertical local weather vents, dated even by the usual of seven years in the past. The sprint is now dominated by two generously sized however not overlarge screens—an 11-inch panel for the instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch one for infotainment (sure—it has Apple CarPlay). They’re supplemented by loads of bodily buttons for local weather controls, mercifully, and flanked by massive round vents that wouldn’t look misplaced in a Camaro.
The shifter has now been relocated to a PRNDL stalk proper of the steering wheel which has additionally freed up a ton of area for storage the place the column would usually sit. Above this cubby is a selector dial that may faucet into Snow (customary on all however LT FWD) and Off-Highway (AWD solely) modes, modulating energy supply to optimize traction on these surfaces. And forward of that, you’ll discover an optionally available wi-fi charger, cleverly designed in order that your cellphone drops in vertically. Sadly, it didn’t work too properly for my iPhone 14 Professional sans case, however which may have one thing to do with the Professional’s ginormous digital camera bump protecting it from sitting flush with the pad. Your mileage might range.
All of it appears good, however what impressed me probably the most had been the supplies. The Equinox RS adopts a delicate geometric sample and crimson sheen to its exhausting plastic accents, whereas the Activ options GM’s Evotex faux-leather upholstery in a Maple Sugar suede that appears wealthy and feels strong. Chevy says that is truly the primary time it’s accomplished Evotex in a microfiber type, and the corporate has nailed it. The rubbery, soft-touch sprint and armrest therapy on the Activ is exclusive as properly, although I’m not an enormous fan of the nylon-esque materials that usually covers these touchpoints on the LT and RS. It feels chintzy on the expense of in all probability being sturdy and straightforward to wash.
Different notes? Rear legroom appears very affordable, and GM’s Android-based infotainment system appears painless sufficient to make use of. My solely gripe regarding the latter is Google Maps crashing throughout certainly one of my drives, after which remaining inaccessible for one more two minutes.
Driving Expertise
I spent about three hours behind the wheel of the brand new Equinox, throughout every of its three trims. Whereas that 175-hp four-cylinder is a continuing all through the vary, consumers do have one powertrain option to make. FWD SUVs come geared up with a repeatedly variable automated transmission whereas the AWD fashions get a traditional eight-speed Hydra-Matic 8T45 auto. The AWD possibility additionally will increase peak torque from 185 lb-ft to 203. Towing capability maxes out at 1,500 kilos.
Irrespective of the gearbox or pushed wheels, the Equinox handles predictably and comfortably. It steers the way you’d count on for a crossover like this, and I used to be truly stunned by the intuitiveness of the brake pedal’s calibration. Not too sensitive, not too squishy; excellent. The eight-speed gearbox could possibly be sprightlier to kick down for a go—shock, shock—however the CVT compares favorably to it, and retains wheezing to a minimal. All in all, 175 hp feels satisfactory for the brand new Equinox, although I’d like to attempt a hybrid model with double the facility and prompt torque. Possibly sometime.
Gas Economic system
Gas financial system seems to be a step behind phase rivals. Averaging 25 mpg throughout predominantly metropolis driving, which is correct to Chevy’s estimates, the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue promise 27, 28, and 29 mpg metropolis, respectively. Nevertheless, the Equinox’s beginning worth additionally undercuts all three, and solely the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are cheaper. The Equinox additionally packs maybe probably the most strong providing of normal security tech within the phase, together with Intersection Automated Emergency Braking, which makes use of the car’s cameras to scan for perpendicular site visitors working cease indicators earlier than you cross, and Aspect Bicyclist Alert.
The Early Verdict
Cross-shopping security tech and splitting hairs over MSRP and mpgs is probably not probably the most emotionally stirring observe in automobile buying, but it surely issues on this most crowded of segments, the place the competitors’s general stage of execution is as excessive as it’s. Will the 2025 Equinox be finest in school? The reply to that query isn’t but clear, however we all know what we are able to see: Lastly, Chevy’s bread-and-butter compact SUV is displaying indicators of life. And if it bought rattling properly with out that earlier than, you must surprise what it’ll be able to now.
| 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Specs | FWD | AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Base Worth (as examined) | $29,995 ($35,175 for LT as examined) | $31,995 ($39,925 for Activ; $40,460 for RS as examined) |
| Powertrain | 1.5-liter turbo-four | repeatedly variable automated | front-wheel drive | 1.5-liter turbo-four | 8-speed automated | all-wheel drive |
| Horsepower | 175 @ 5,600 rpm | |
| Torque | 185 lb-ft @ 2,000-4,800 rpm | 203 lb-ft @ 2,000-4,000 rpm |
| Seating Capability | 5 | |
| Cargo Quantity | 29.8 cubic toes behind second row | 63.5 cubic toes behind first row | |
| Curb Weight | 3,428 kilos | |
| Max Towing | 800 kilos | 1,500 kilos |
| EPA Gas Economic system | 26 mpg metropolis | 28 freeway | 27 mixed | 24 mpg metropolis | 29 freeway | 26 mixed |
| Fast Take | 8/10 | |
| Rating | For the primary time probably ever, the Equinox isn’t only a smart worth—it’s a sharp-looker loaded with an adventurous spirit. |
Bought a tip? E mail me at ideas@thedrive.com
