There’s a lot to love about the new Equinox, but it’s not perfect. Today, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons, discuss its competitors, and highlight the key features. If you want to see a more detailed video comparison between this and Matt’s new CR-V, stay tuned for that. Now, let’s get into it!
Lack of a Hybrid Option
One of the biggest surprises with this new-generation Equinox is the absence of a hybrid option. In 2025, nearly every competitor in this segment offers a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, making the Equinox feel a bit behind the curve.
With a best-rated fuel economy of 26 MPG, it’s not terrible, but it’s also not leading the pack. My wife’s CR-V Hybrid gets over 40 MPG in the city, making the Equinox look a bit thirsty in comparison. As Toyota gears up to release its next-gen RAV4—likely as a hybrid-only model—the Equinox may struggle to stay competitive.
Cargo Space and Practicality
The Equinox RS trim comes with a power tailgate, which can open automatically if you stand behind it. With the rear seats up, you get just under 30 cubic feet of cargo space.
Folding the seats down expands it to 65 cubic feet.While that’s not bad, it’s slightly smaller than segment leaders like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, and VW Tiguan. Still, it remains practical for daily use, even if it’s not at the top of the class in cargo capacity.
Pricing and Value for Money
Chevy has always positioned itself as a value-oriented brand, but the Equinox’s pricing raises some questions. It starts at $28,600, which isn’t bad, but compared to competitors, the value equation gets tricky.For example, the Subaru Forester costs a bit more but includes standard all-wheel drive.
Mazda’s CX-5 offers AWD as standard for slightly less money. The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are in the same price range but offer hybrid options with better fuel efficiency.
Our RS trim, loaded with features (minus a sunroof), comes in at $38,420. That’s close to what you’d pay for a well-equipped RAV4 Hybrid, making the Equinox feel less compelling from a value standpoint.
Missing Features and Tech Limitations
One of the biggest letdowns is the absence of GM’s Super Cruise, one of the best hands-free driving systems. While it might be a lot to expect in this segment, its inclusion would have made the Equinox a standout choice.
Additionally, despite being the top-tier RS trim, there’s no premium branded audio system—just a standard setup, which is decent but not exceptional. The drive mode selector includes Snow/Ice, Off-Road, and Normal modes, but there’s no Sport mode—odd for a trim labeled “RS” (Rally Sport).
Even more surprising, there’s no Eco mode, despite the vehicle’s focus on efficiency. Another minor omission is ambient lighting. While not a dealbreaker, some competitors offer customizable lighting options, which would add to the cabin’s premium feel.
Lastly, the paddle shifters don’t function unless you engage the “L” mode first, making them a bit cumbersome to use.
Performance and Driving Experience
Under the hood, the Equinox features a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque (184 lb-ft in FWD models).The 0-60 MPH time is around 8.5 to 9 seconds, making it one of the slower options in the segment, similar to the VW Tiguan.
While it’s not a performance SUV, it offers enough low-end torque to feel responsive in city driving.
The transmission setup varies by drivetrain:
- FWD models come with a CVT
- AWD models get an 8-speed automatic
We prefer the AWD version, especially for winter conditions. While the Equinox is slightly larger this year, it still drives smoothly, with good visibility and a comfortable ride. The suspension leans toward the softer side, giving it a classic American luxury feel, but there’s more road noise than we’d like.
Exterior Design
Design is subjective, but the 2025 Equinox has a bold and modern look that many will find appealing.
It borrows design elements from its larger sibling, the Chevy Traverse, including:
- Split headlight design
- Gloss black grille with RS badging
- 19-inch black wheels with a diamond-cut finish
- Black floating roof with a unique C-pillar detail
- Geometric taillights similar to the Traverse
While it’s not as classically elegant as the Mazda CX-5, it has a more modern and dynamic aesthetic.
Rear Seat Comfort
Despite not being the most spacious in its class, the Equinox still offers good rear-seat comfort.At 6’1”, Matt still had ample legroom and headroom.
The rear seats offer three levels of heating, climate vents, USB charging ports, and dual map pockets.The perforated seat detailing and contrast stitching give the cabin an upscale touch.
While there’s no panoramic sunroof or rear climate zone, overall, it’s a comfortable place for passengers.
Interior and Cabin Quality
The RS trim interior features sporty elements like:
- RS logo embossed headrests
- Red and blue contrast stitching
- Heated & ventilated front seats
- Memory seats (two-position)
The dashboard layout is modern and clean, resembling other Chevy models like the Traverse and Tahoe. However, the synthetic leather feels a bit rubbery, and while the cabin design is attractive, the materials don’t match Mazda or Honda’s premium feel.
That said, Chevy has included small textured details and accents, such as red trim on the vents, to add personality to the interior.
Towing and AWD Functionality
For those concerned about towing capacity, the Equinox can tow up to 1,500 lbs.
The AWD system defaults to front-wheel drive for better fuel efficiency but can be manually engaged when needed for snow or off-road conditions.
The 2025 Chevy Equinox is a solid all-around SUV, but it has a few shortcomings:
- No hybrid option
- Slightly smaller cargo space
- No Super Cruise or premium audio
- No Sport mode in the RS trim
However, it still has plenty of strengths:
- Smooth, comfortable ride
- Great technology package
- Attractive design with sporty details
- Competitive pricing (though not a class leader)
