Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD Midnight Version
Specs
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A- |
| Energy and Efficiency | C+ |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Economic system | A- |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 175-horsepower, 1.5-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 8-Pace automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Class: Compact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Mexico
Coloration: Sterling Grey Metallic
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 141
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 30.1 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 24/29/26 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas sort: Common Gasoline
Base worth: $30,600 (not together with $1395 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Midnight Version Package deal ($1045), Security and Know-how Package deal ($1085), Comfort Package deal II ($2050), Mosaic Black Metallic Roof ($495), Common Dwelling Distant, delete (-$50)
Worth as examined: $36,620
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Glorious
Execs and Cons
The good: Recent feel and appear, plenty of normal gear, nice gasoline mileage
The great: Roomy cabin, snug trip
The not so good: Some vital security options provided solely in expensive package deal
Evaluate
Secretly, when you had been contemplating different small crossovers, the Chevrolet Equinox has change into one in every of America’s favourite compact utilities.
Greatest-Promoting Compact Crossovers
Test this out: The Equinox now ranks among the many best-selling automobiles in its class, trailing solely the normal pack leaders. These are gross sales figures for the primary half of 2025:
- Toyota RAV4: 239,451
- Honda CR-V: 212,561
- Chevrolet Equinox: 157,638
- Hyundai Tucson: 113,310
- Nissan Rogue: 109,563
- Subaru Forester: 95,972
- Kia Sportage: 87,172
- Ford Escape: 82,589
- Mazda CX-5: 70,260
- GMC Terrain: 48,190
2025 Chevrolet Equinox: Easy Lineup
The Chevy’s reputation is particularly spectacular as it isn’t accessible with a hybrid powertrain, and is just provided in three trim ranges.
However what the Equinox lacks in lineup breadth, it makes up for in design spunk. Redesigned for 2025, this compact Chevy boasts recent exterior styling, a clear, up to date cabin, a enjoyable shade palette, and a few dress-up packages to maintain issues fascinating. Equinox may also now be had with a stylish contrasting-color roof.
Oh, and the mechanical stuff is fairly good, too.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2025, the Equinox is obtainable in LT ($29,995), Activ ($34,395), and RS (additionally $34,395) trim ranges. That’s it. Going AWD provides $2000 to the underside line. Gone this yr is the entry-level LS ($27,995 in 2024), and top-level Premier ($33,195).
You could have observed that the Energetic and RS are the identical worth, and it’s because they differ little in content material. As a substitute, patrons are tasked to decide on an Equinox that both seems rugged (Activ) or sporty (RS). And although each the Activ and RS might look the half, neither is particularly off-road or race-track prepared.
Customary Tools
The LT comes properly outfitted for what’s now the Equinox base mannequin, and consists of such normal niceties as:
- Heated entrance seats
- Distant begin
- Heated steering wheels
- Adaptive cruise management
- 6-speaker audio system
- 17-inch alloy wheels
Engines
Energy comes completely from a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 175 horsepower. The engine pairs with a CVT-automatic transmission on front-drive fashions, or a conventional 8-speed auto with AWD. And whereas a plug-in hybrid variant of the Equinox, dubbed Equinox Plus, is obtainable in China, no such drivetrain may be had within the U.S., although a hybrid Equinox is rumored for the 2027 mannequin yr.
Check Automobile
Client Information not too long ago spent per week behind the wheel of a 2025 Equinox LT in Sterling Grey and outfitted with the Midnight Version trim package deal which incorporates 19-inch black-finish alloy wheels. All informed, our check automotive got here to $36,620.
Room and Consolation
We’ve already talked about that we discover the brand new Equinox exterior design recent and fashionable. The Cabin, too, comes via as up to date and uncomplicated. Supplies high quality borders on upscale, and meeting high quality appears topnotch. Equinox is roomy for a compact crossover, and there’s ample front- and rear-seat house for full-size adults. Plus, the doorways open extensive sufficient to make straightforward work of coming into and exiting the automobile.
Controls
Each the instrument panel display screen and console touchscreen are massive and simple to learn. Plus, we suffered no connectivity points—as soon as our telephones had been Bluetooth linked to the automotive, they stayed linked. An fascinating management replace: The Equinox gear selector has been relocated from the middle console to the steering column for 2025 (see pic under). Now we have no drawback with the transfer, however did discover the shifter’s motion just a little balky till we turned used to it.
Energy and Efficiency
One the street the Equinox is simply fantastic. There’s no additional energy on faucet, however the frugal 1.5-liter engine does a succesful job of shifting the automobile alongside. We might describe the engine as affordable easy and quiet, whereas the 8-speed automated does a fantastic job of serving up easy and well timed shifts. And, over about 141 miles, we averaged simply over 30 mpg, beating the EPA freeway estimates, in addition to most small crossovers we’ve not too long ago evaluated.
Experience and Dealing with
Equinox isn’t fairly as quiet on the freeway as some class rivals, however it’s calm and relaxed on lengthy drives. Regardless of its lack of sporty character, Equinox handles competently, if not truly athletically. Experience high quality, nonetheless, is great. This compact Chevy does a wonderful job of absorbing street irregularities with out shedding composure.
Security Tools
We’d really feel just a little higher in regards to the bottom-line worth of our check automotive if the Security and Know-how Package deal ($1085) got here normal on Equinox. It consists of quite a lot of significant options embody 360-degree digital camera view, digital rear-view digital camera, and rear pedestrian alert. We urge buyers buying an Equinox so as to add the package deal to their automobiles.
Worth
Equinox doesn’t change the sport, however it’s now within the sport, and that’s good new for shoppers–and Chevrolet. We respect the recent, enjoyable, look, competent driving dynamics, shocking gasoline economic system, and roomy snug cabin. Should you’re not pondering hybrid, and also you’re open to a small crossover than isn’t a Honda or Toyota, we advise taking this Chevy compact for a check drive.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Chevrolet Equinox Midnight Version Footage
Click on under for enlarged photographs
