2025 Chevrolet Equinox Review:  Not the Electric One, the Other One!

• The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. 

• Its base price is $36,525. 

• The Equinox 2025 catalogue includes three versions: LT, Activ and RS. 

The Equinox is positioned as a compact SUV between the Trailblazer and Blazer within the Chevrolet SUV range. Mechanically, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox is a simple and ordinary proposition. Whichever model you choose, you’ll find a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine under the bonnet. It develops 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Far from being a high performer, this engine also grumbles under acceleration.

The engine is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission if you opt for the basic LT version with front-wheel drive. If you opt for four-wheel drive (standard on the Activ and RS versions, optional on the LT version), the engine is mated instead to an eight-speed automatic transmission. During our test drive, we found that the eight-speed automatic transmission didn’t work very well. The engine revs were sometimes unnecessarily high, as the transmission was slow to react.

In passing, we cannot fail to mention, once again, that General Motors is stubbornly refusing to offer an automatic four-wheel drive system. It’s quite understandable that Jeep Wrangler drivers, for example, appreciate being able to select the driving mode that best suits their needs. However, in the case of the Equinox and other General Motors SUVs designed for urban or suburban use, it’s hard to understand why the vehicle isn’t equipped with an automatic four-wheel drive system. The other manufacturers have all chosen to make life easier for drivers.

2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV First Drive: Finally!

There’s nothing impressive or innovative about the 2025 Equinox’s drive. Its performance is rather disappointing. After more than 800 kilometres behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Equinox RS 2025, the onboard computer recorded an average fuel consumption of 10 L/100 km. Natural Resources Canada claims a combined rating of 9.2 L/100 km, which seems ambitious.

We deplore that Chevrolet does not offer any other engine with the Equinox. In fact, both the manufacturer and consumers would benefit from a broader and more diversified range of engines. For example, Ford offers Escape buyers two petrol engine choices and hybrid and plug-in hybrid technologies. Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota offer generous options, with the Tucson, Sportage, and RAV4 all available with hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. Unfortunately, Chevrolet is content with the bare minimum with the Equinox.

An average interior

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox is average overall. The same applies to its cabin, which is nothing special. We found the seats to be short, which reduces comfort a bit.

Admittedly, the 11.3-inch touchscreen is clear and makes it simple to navigate the infotainment system. That said, we have criticized its unnecessarily wide bezel, which makes the dashboard unduly heavy.

Avoid the Activ or RS versions

For 2025, the Chevrolet Equinox 2025 lineup includes only three versions: LT, Activ and RS. In light of our analysis, the LT version is the best choice if you want an Equinox. The entry price is $36,525 for a front-wheel-drive version. An additional $2,300 is required for four-wheel drive. The Activ and RS versions are priced at $43,625. In our opinion, the extra equipment is generally superfluous.

In the shadow of the electric

Since its arrival on the market, the fourth-generation Chevrolet Equinox has been in the electric model’s shadow. In the province of Quebec, Chevrolet sold more than 14,000 units of the Equinox EV in 2024. As for the petrol model, only 1,363 were sold. The gap could not be wider.

With government subsidies now suspended, interest in the Equinox EV has waned. Its base price is $48,325 in 2025 for a basic version with front-wheel drive. That’s $11,800 more than the entry-level petrol Equinox. That’s an amount that can’t be ignored.

To sum up, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox petrol does little to impress. Its powertrain is ordinary, its road handling abilities are unremarkable, its fuel consumption is relatively high, and its interior layout is average. In our opinion, the competitors’ offer is much more attractive overall. At least it has the advantage of being considerably cheaper than the electric version.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS

1 of 12