The automotive landscape in the compact SUV segment is about to shift dramatically with the arrival of the completely redesigned 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. After years of playing catch-up to segment leaders like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, Chevrolet has delivered a bold response that combines modern design, advanced technology, and competitive pricing to reclaim its position in this crucial market.
Exterior Design Revolution: From Bland to Bold
The redesigned Equinox looks and feels more modern than before, featuring a rugged new design that looks like a scaled-down Traverse. The cabin receives a massive makeover too, with a redesigned center console and a boldly styled new dashboard that’s bookended by two large round air vents.
The transformation is nothing short of remarkable. The new 2025 Equinox has a new look and stance. It is 2.3 inches wider and has been lifted slightly, part of the desire to look more like the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse and also give it more kinship with the truck side of the family, specifically the Chevrolet Colorado. This broader, more muscular stance gives the Equinox a commanding presence that was sorely lacking in previous generations.
Activ Trim: Adventure-Ready Styling
Chevrolet offers an Activ trim on some of its SUVs, and the Equinox joins the club for 2025. Billed as a more rugged alternative, the Equinox Activ features all-terrain tires for off-pavement adventure. The Activ variant represents Chevrolet’s answer to the growing demand for adventure-styled crossovers, competing directly with trim levels like the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road.
Interior Technology: Digital-First Approach
The interior transformation is perhaps even more impressive than the exterior changes. A pair of new digital displays take center stage, with an 11.0-inch unit behind the steering wheel serving as a gauge display and an 11.3-inch one offering access to the Equinox’s Google-based infotainment system.
Google Integration Sets New Standards
The new 11.3-inch infotainment screen is a big upgrade from the previous 7.0-inch and 8.0-inch offerings. This screen will feature built-in Google technology. This Google-based interface includes navigation via Google Maps, access to a Wi-Fi hotspot, and integration with the Google Play Store for apps – a significant advantage over many competitors still relying on proprietary systems.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cloth upholstery is standard, and faux leather is optional, but the top-spec Activ trim gets a mix of the vinyl with microfiber for a more upscale look and feel. A column-mounted shift lever frees up more space in the center console for storage, where you’ll also find a rotary knob controller for the infotainment system, an optional wireless smartphone charger, and a pair of cupholders.
The interior space allocation is impressive for a compact SUV. Seat up to five with surprising space — find 40.9 inches of legroom in the front seats and 39.9 inches of legroom for your back seat passengers. This rear legroom figure actually exceeds what the Toyota RAV4 offers, making the Equinox more family-friendly for longer journeys.
Performance and Powertrain: Efficiency Over Excitement
Under the hood, the Equinox’s squared-off hood is an updated version of the outgoing model’s turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and a continuously variable automatic transmission. The powertrain delivers 175 horsepower, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to rivals.
Transmission Updates Address Previous Complaints
Although horsepower remains the same at 175, Chevy ditched the previous model’s frustrating six-speed automatic. On the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox, FWD models receive a CVT automatic and AWD models feature an eight-speed automatic. This change addresses one of the most common complaints about the previous generation.
Fuel Economy and Towing Capacity
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined in city/highway driving for front-wheel-drive models and 26 mpg for all-wheel-drive variants. While respectable, these figures trail behind the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, both of which offer hybrid options for even better efficiency.
The Equinox can tow 800 pounds with front-drive and 1,500 pounds with the AWD model. These modest towing figures reflect the Equinox’s focus on daily commuting rather than heavy-duty tasks.
Safety Technology: Comprehensive Standard Package
Safety has become a key differentiator in the compact SUV segment, and the 2025 Equinox delivers an impressive array of standard features. Chevrolet offers a host of standard driver-assistance features on the 2025 Equinox, including advanced automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature.
Advanced Safety Features
Standard safety features on the 2025 Equinox are abundant: enhanced automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic high-beams, side bicyclist alert, adaptive cruise control, lane change alert with side blind-zone alert, rear cross-traffic braking, rear park assist, and enhanced lane keep assist.
Competitive Analysis: Taking on the Best
The compact SUV segment is perhaps the most competitive in the entire automotive market, with the Honda CR-V (sixth best-seller) and Toyota’s iconic RAV4 (fourth best-seller) dominating sales charts. The 2025 Equinox faces an uphill battle but brings several advantages to the fight.
Pricing Advantage
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox has a starting sticker price of $31,080, with the range-topping Equinox RS kicking off at $35,480. This pricing strategy positions the Equinox competitively against both the RAV4 and CR-V, though the Chevrolet Equinox starts at $29,995, slightly below the Toyota RAV4’s starting price of $30,245.
Technology Edge
Where the Equinox particularly shines is in technology integration. The generous 85-kWh battery earns a 319-mile EPA range and a still-respectable 262 miles on the MotorTrend Road-Trip Range test. Wait, that’s referring to the EV version. For the gas model, the technology advantage comes from the Google-based infotainment system and the dual-screen setup that many competitors lack at this price point.
Space and Comfort Comparison
The Chevrolet Equinox has less cargo space than the Toyota RAV4. The Chevrolet Equinox offers up to 29.8 ft³ with all seats in place with a maximum of 63.5 ft³ with the second row of seats folded. On the other hand, the Toyota RAV4 has 37.6 ft³ with the seats in place. However, the Chevrolet Equinox also has 39.9 in of second-row legroom in comparison to the Toyota RAV4’s 37.8 in.
Quality and Reliability: Building on Strengths
The Chevrolet Equinox ranks highest in the Compact SUV segment in the 2024 VDS and the 2024 IQS. This quality recognition provides a strong foundation for the new generation, addressing historical concerns about Chevrolet’s reliability in this segment.
Warranty Coverage
Chevy’s basic warranty package is just that—basic—but so is the coverage of its competitors. However, the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offer longer and more notable protection plans. Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles, powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles.
The Electric Alternative: Equinox EV
Chevrolet also offers the Equinox EV, which shares a name with the gas-powered Equinox SUV, but this is an entirely different beast, built from the ground up to sip electrons. The base front-drive powertrain has the best range, but its languid acceleration lacks the eagerness we expect from an electric. The EV version provides an alternative for buyers looking to go electric while maintaining the Equinox nameplate.
A Strong Contender Returns
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox represents a significant leap forward for the nameplate. While it may not be the most powerful or fuel-efficient option in the segment, it offers a compelling combination of modern design, advanced technology, competitive pricing, and proven quality. The Equinox isn’t a bad family hauler nor is it an expensive one.
For buyers prioritizing technology, interior space, and value, the 2025 Equinox deserves serious consideration alongside the segment-leading RAV4 and CR-V. The complete redesign addresses most of the previous generation’s shortcomings while positioning Chevrolet to compete more effectively in this crucial market segment.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox proves that with the right combination of design, technology, and value, domestic automakers can still challenge import dominance in America’s most popular vehicle segments.