Review: 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Gets Many Things Right, But Takes A Back Seat To Main Rivals

The last-generation Chevrolet Equinox was such an underrated compact crossover. While everyone was so hooked up on the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, Chevrolet sold what was arguably a more interesting alternative, complete with a nice choice of turbocharged engines, with even a diesel at some point! As a matter of fact, the Equinox was the very first product launch drive event I attended way back in 2017, and I returned from that experience rather impressed. I then recommended it to two of my close friends and both of them absolutely loved their vehicle, with virtually no real issues reported since.

With the Equinox, it felt great to finally see an American automaker selling a compact crossover that was just as refined, well-put-together, clever, fuel-efficient and even quicker off the line than the Japanese status quo back then. I was also a huge fan of the old turbocharged, 2.0-liter engine in the Equinox, providing plenty of mid-range punch with above-average acceleration.

Which is why when Chevrolet announced last year that it would carry on with the internal combustion engine (ICE) Equinox for another generation while the electric one grabs all the attention, I was genuinely intrigued to see if it would preserve its predecessor’s charms. Turns out it does. Actually, the new Equinox is a much better product than the model it replaces in every way. I just wish Chevrolet had left us that turbocharged 2.0-liter engine.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox First Impressions: In RS Trim, It Looks Pretty Rad

I have to say, this new Equinox looks a lot better than the old one. I’ll even go ahead and say that it looks better than basically all other compact crossovers currently on sale. I mean, think about what this is up against: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester,

, Volkswagen Tiguan, Mitsubishi Outlander. Except for perhaps the Mazda CX-5, do any of those really look any good? Not really.

This Equinox, especially in the RS trim level like the one I was driving, looks the part. I like the whole square-jawed, angular look. It gives it a tough and rugged appearance in a world of snooze-mobiles. The RS obviously adds sportier design elements, like a blacked-out grille, roof rails, and model-specific 19-inch wheels that look pretty neat. You can also opt for a black roof option, which works beautifully with my car’s Radiant Red paint. But you do really need to opt for this RS, or at least an Activ to allow the Equinox to look good. In the basic LT trim, it looks rather bland.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox Exterior Dimensions

2025 Chevrolet Equinox: Differences Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

The main difference between both markets is that, in the U.S., Chevrolet will sell you an Equinox with front-wheel-drive across all three trim levels: LT, Activ and RS. All-wheel-drive costs $2,000 extra. In Canada, rather, only the LT can be equipped with front-wheel-drive. Activ and RS come standard with all-wheel-drive. Other than that, both markets are aligned in terms of the six available paint colors, and with the same available options and packages.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown And Starting MSRP (model tested in bold below)

Driving Impressions And Performance: Refined And Well-Balanced, Underpowered Engine

Although the Equinox wears all-new sheet metal, it actually rides on the same basic architecture as before. It’s also about the same size, albeit slightly wider due to widened front and rear tracks. It also carries over the old car’s turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, good here for the same 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque with all-wheel-drive. Default back to a front-wheel-drive Equinox, however, and that torque number drops to 184 pound-feet.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) takes care of front-wheel-drive applications, while a more interesting eight-speed torque-converter eight-speed unit oversees all-wheel-drive models. It replaces the previous Equinox’s arguably better six-speed.

Generally speaking, the Equinox carries with it the same dynamic ability as its predecessor. So, although it weighs a full 150 pounds more, it never really feels heavier in the corners. There’s a puppy dog playfulness in the way this crossover negotiates a corner, which is what I had adored of its predecessor. The Equinox is obviously no hot hatchback, but it’s good enough to get the school run completed in a jiffy, or simply for quickly zipping around traffic. This crossover has more road composure than a RAV4, and it’s more playful than a CR-V.

Sadly, it’s not as quiet inside, where road and wind noise remain an Equinox flaw, especially at high speeds. Then there’s the issue with the 1.5-liter engine. It’s not that it’s slow per se, there’s actually a decent amount of low-end torque. It has also proven itself from a reliability standpoint many times over, so it’s a solid motor. The problem is how loud and trashy this engine is, and how the transmission doesn’t move its gears around with the same level of refinement as the former six-speed.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox Technical Specifications

Smash the throttle in the Equinox, and that poor little engine will shoot up into its rev-counter’s stratosphere, attempting to extract any sort of acceleration. The problem is that before you get there, you’ll have dealt with a considerable delay in the transmission’s reaction times, as if it was programmed to prioritize fuel economy at all costs. This drivetrain also feels overstressed and not as coherent as what the Japanese offer. There’s also no hybrid option here, a letdown considering GM’s commitment to electric vehicles (EVs).

2025 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Consumption

But even with GM’s efforts to focus this new Equinox on fuel economy versus performance, the end result isn’t really convincing. The EPA rates the AWD model’s average combined fuel consumption at 26 MPG, which remains lower than a

all-wheel-drive with the exact same engine displacement (29 MPG). Things get even more depressing when you consider the hybrid options offered by the competition, which, on average, get a good 10 MPG more.

Since I was driving the Equinox towards the tail-end of winter in rather cold conditions, the best fuel economy average I could muster after a full week behind its wheel was 23 MPG.

EPA And As Tested Fuel Consumption

Interior Design And Comfort: Definitely The Equinox’s Best Asset

Like its exterior design, the Equinox’s cabin is arguably one of the most interesting ones in this segment because of how different and stylish it all is. And in RS trim, red accents and sportier-looking seats truly help this crossover distinguish itself from an otherwise crowded segment. Yes, some rivals offer pretty posh interiors as well, but the Equinox’s circular air vents combined with the RS’ red trim really pops.

It’s a spacious and comfortable crossover, something American automakers have always done well. Build quality is also satisfactory, but I do wish GM found a way to work around its notoriously cheap plastics in some areas. This is something the Japanese and even the South Koreans do better. But general ergonomics are actually pretty good, with plenty of storage and physical buttons and knobs to adjust drive modes, climate settings and even audio. I like that.

Seat comfort is also an Equinox strong point, both front and rear. There’s also a decent amount of rear leg and headroom, even for tall passengers sitting behind another tall person.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use: GM Continues To Nail User Experiences

Contrary to GM’s EVs, its ICE models preserve the ability to project apps such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This not only brings a bit of an old-school flare to the Equinox’s infotainment system, but still remains the most familiar way to sync your phone to the car’s infotainment system. Look, GM usually masters user experience (UX), and the Equinox’s setup is no different.

Displayed through a large tablet display, which breaks up into two separate screens, the system is always attractive and quick to react. The infotainment system offers a straightforward main menu where icons can be moved around to your liking, very much like on your phone. In my case, wireless Android Auto connected quickly and without too many issues. The digital gauge cluster is also well-presented, relatively easy to grasp and actually pretty rad-looking. I honestly have nothing negative to say about the Equinox’s technology.

Cargo And Storage Space: Behind CR-V And RAV4

If the Honda CR-V (39.3 cu-ft/76.5 cu-ft) and the

(37.6 cu-ft/69.8 cu-ft) are the models to beat in this segment, then it only makes sense to compare the Equinox’s cargo space with those models. Sadly, although rather spacious back there, the Equinox doesn’t quite manage to beat them, both in default trunk space and total cargo space once all seats are lowered flat.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox Cargo Space

Get It For Its Looks And Interior, Not For Its Practicality Or Fuel Efficiency

In other words, if you’re in the market for a compact crossover and your priorities are fuel economy and total cargo space, you’ll be disappointed by the

. It sadly takes a backseat to its key Japanese rivals in that respect.

But if you’re tired of the monochromatic offerings in this category, and seek something a little more interesting to look at with a spunkier interior, then there’s definitely a lot to like here. The Equinox looks the part, seats five comfortably and offers the sort of technological common sense General Motors excels at.

There’s also quite a lot of value here, in both the RS and Activ trims, with neat color combinations, contrasting roofs and wheel options that will truly allow you to make your Equinox look like something that reflects your personality. It may not be the best at everything, but Chevrolet’s Equinox remains a solid alternative in its respective space.