The Chevrolet Equinox enters its fourth generation as a 2025 model with a redesign that includes a new look, a new Activ model with an off-road look, more safety equipment, larger screens, and a slightly revised powertrain.
The Activ model gets an off-road look, but the only off-road equipment is a standard set of all-terrain tires on 17-inch alloy wheels and an Off-road mode that joins new Snow and Normal driving modes. The rest of the Activ equipment is cosmetic or convenience features. It includes a unique front fascia with more black trim, a Maple Sugar and Black interior with synthetic leather and synthetic suede seating surfaces, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel. It can also be had with a white roof for a two-tone finish. As proof it’s not a real off-roader, it offers front- or all-wheel drive.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox
2025 Chevrolet Equinox Activ
2025 Chevrolet Equinox
2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS
Activ joins base LT and sportier looking RS models. The RS is available with a black two-tone roof, and the LT can have either a black or white roof. The look for all models is more truck-influenced, with a more upright stance, squared-off wheel cutouts, and a bolder, larger grille. Each trim level has its own front fascia, and the wheel sizes include 17s for the Activ and LT, 19s for the LT and RS, and available 20s for the RS.
The Equinox rides a new front-wheel drive architecture but Chevy is making no claims that it’s stiffer or sportier. The size remains about the same. The wheelbase and overall length are mostly unchanged, according to Chevy, but the brand stopped short of providing complete specifications. The track increases 2.5 inches and the ground clearance increases 0.75 inch.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox Activ
Under the hood sits the same 1.5-liter turbo-4 as the outgoing 2024 model with the same 175 hp. Torque is 184 lb-ft with front-wheel drive, and 203 lb-ft with AWD. The transmission choices have changed. Instead of a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Equinox now offers a continuously variable automatic transmission with front-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic with AWD. The AWD system still only works when drivers hit a button on the dash to engage it, though it remains engaged on subsequent key cycles until deactivated. With AWD, the Equinox can tow 1,500 pounds. The Equinox EV is a separate vehicle with an electric powertrain.
Inside, the new Equinox gets a standard 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen. The latter still runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto rather than going to full Google built-in like GM’s EVs. However, it appears to be a half step in that direction as Google built-in is standard. A line of climate control buttons sits below the center screen. The gear selector moves from the center console to the steering column to open up more space for storage and a vertical wireless smartphone charging pad. The RS model features red and blue accent stitching and a flat-bottom steering wheel.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS
The new Equinox has 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat, which is about the same as the outgoing version. Increasing the ground clearance allowed Chevy to remove the center hump despite available all-wheel drive.
Chevy says price and value are the main reasons people buy the Equinox, so prices shouldn’t rise too much from the current $27,995 starting price. However, with more standard equipment, prices will likely rise. Newly standard features will include remote starting and a power tailgate.
Standard safety features will include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection assist, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, blind-spot monitors that can detect bicyclists, rear cross-traffic alerts with brake support, automatic high beams, a rear-seat reminder, and rear parking sensors. Chevy will also offer a surround-view camera system, a rear camera mirror, and traffic-sign recognition.
The 2025 Chevy Equinox is due to hit showrooms in mid-2024.