The Chevrolet Equinox has never been the flashiest compact SUV. For years, it served as a straightforward family vehicle that offered decent space, familiar controls, and competitive pricing. The current generation, introduced for the 2025 model year and carried into 2026, changes that formula in several important ways.
The 2026 Equinox has a more confident exterior, a much more modern interior, and enough standard technology to make the previous model feel genuinely old. It is comfortable, practical, and easy to live with. Unfortunately, Chevrolet continues to rely on a small 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that does not deliver the performance or fuel economy expected from a newer compact SUV.
The gasoline-powered Equinox should not be confused with the Equinox EV. Despite sharing a name and some styling ideas, the two are separate vehicles with different platforms, interiors, and powertrains. This review focuses on the conventional gasoline model.
Canadian pricing starts at approximately $37,700, depending on current fees and configuration. Adding all-wheel drive, appearance packages, and higher trim levels can push the final price beyond $50,000. The Equinox is offered in LT, RS, and ACTIV versions, giving buyers a choice between a conventional family-oriented model, a sportier-looking version, and a more rugged design.
Exterior design
The Equinox finally has an exterior that stands out. The previous generation looked conservative and slightly anonymous, especially beside newer competitors. The 2026 model is more upright, squared-off, and truck-like, with design cues borrowed from larger Chevrolet vehicles such as the Traverse and Silverado.
A wide grille, slim upper lights, and a taller hood give the front end a stronger presence. The body has pronounced wheel arches and straighter lines, making the Equinox appear larger and more substantial than it really is. It looks less like a tall hatchback and more like a proper SUV.
Each trim has a slightly different personality. The LT is the simplest and most restrained version. An available Midnight Edition gives it black wheels, black badges, dark mirror caps, and a black grille.
The RS uses a gloss-black grille, black exterior trim, 19-inch wheels, and a flat-bottom steering wheel. It certainly looks sportier, but the RS badge does not bring additional power or meaningful performance upgrades.
The ACTIV goes in the opposite direction. It receives 17-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, roof rails, unique trim, and an available contrasting white roof. The smaller wheels and taller tire sidewalls are useful on rough roads, although the ACTIV should still be viewed as a light-duty adventure package rather than a serious off-road model.
Overall, the redesign has given the Equinox far more character. It may not have the elegance of a Mazda CX-5 or the distinctive shape of a Hyundai Tucson, but it now looks confident enough to avoid disappearing in a crowded parking lot.
Interior and comfort
The interior is one of the Equinox’s strongest improvements. The old dashboard has been replaced by a modern layout built around two large digital displays. An 11-inch digital instrument panel sits directly in front of the driver, while an 11.3-inch touchscreen handles infotainment, navigation, and many vehicle settings.
The screens are angled slightly toward the driver and sit high enough to be viewed without looking too far away from the road. Graphics are clear, menus are reasonably easy to understand, and the system feels responsive. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make it easy to connect a phone without dealing with a cable.
Chevrolet has also kept physical controls for the climate system. That may sound like a small detail, but it makes a noticeable difference in everyday driving. Changing the temperature or adjusting the fan does not require digging through several touchscreen menus.
Some decisions are less successful. The gear selector is mounted on the steering column, close to where many drivers expect to find the windshield-wiper control. It frees up storage space in the centre console, but it can be confusing until the driver becomes familiar with it. Some lighting and vehicle functions have also been moved into the touchscreen, where they are not always as easy to reach.
Cabin materials are a mixture of soft surfaces, patterned trim, and harder plastics. The interior looks better than the old Equinox, but it does not feel as expensive as the best cabins in the class. The higher trims add more interesting colours and textures, yet some inexpensive materials remain visible.
The front seats are supportive and comfortable enough for longer trips. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are included on the LT, making even the entry model suitable for Canadian winters. Depending on the trim and packages, buyers can also get ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, and a surround-view camera.
Rear-seat room is generous. Two adults can sit comfortably in the back, and the wide cabin gives families enough space for child seats. The doors open broadly, and the relatively flat floor makes it easier for a centre passenger to find foot room.
Visibility is not perfect. Thick roof pillars and the high rear bodywork create blind spots, particularly when changing lanes or backing into a parking space. Blind-spot monitoring is standard, while the available surround-view camera is worth considering for drivers who regularly park in tight areas.
Cargo space and practicality
The Equinox offers approximately 845 litres of cargo room behind the rear seats and close to 1,800 litres when they are folded. That is enough for groceries, luggage, sports equipment, or a family road trip.
The cargo floor is usefully flat and sits close to the height of the rear bumper, so heavy items do not have to be lifted over a large ledge. There is also hidden storage beneath the floor for smaller belongings.
The rear seats fold to create a longer loading area, although the Equinox does not provide quite as much cargo volume as the Honda CR-V or Volkswagen Tiguan. Its space is still competitive and should be sufficient for most households.
The centre console benefits from the column-mounted gear selector. There is a large open storage area between the front seats, along with useful spaces for phones, drinks, and other small items. Chevrolet has clearly designed the cabin around daily family use rather than visual style alone.
Engine and performance
Every 2026 Equinox uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower. In all-wheel-drive form, it delivers 203 lb-ft of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive model uses a continuously variable transmission.
The engine is acceptable during relaxed driving. It has enough low-speed torque to move away from traffic lights without much effort, and the eight-speed automatic keeps it in a useful part of its power range. Around town, the Equinox generally feels smooth and responsive enough.
The weaknesses become more noticeable on the highway. Passing another vehicle or merging into fast traffic requires a firm press of the accelerator. The transmission occasionally hesitates while deciding which gear to select, and the engine begins to sound strained when asked for maximum power.
With several passengers or a full cargo area, the lack of power is even more obvious. The Equinox is not dangerously slow, but it never feels energetic. Competitors with larger turbocharged engines, conventional hybrid systems, or more powerful base engines deliver stronger acceleration.
The RS trim does not change this. Despite the black wheels, red interior stitching, and flat-bottom steering wheel, it uses exactly the same engine as the LT and ACTIV. It is an appearance package rather than a performance model.
Chevrolet deserves some credit for the eight-speed automatic used with all-wheel drive. It is a better match for the engine than the older six-speed transmission, and it helps the Equinox respond more quickly in normal driving. Buyers who dislike the feel of a CVT may also prefer the all-wheel-drive version for this reason.
Ride and handling
The Equinox is not as sharp as a Mazda CX-5, but it is more pleasant to drive than the previous generation. The steering is accurate and has a natural amount of weight, while the suspension provides a good balance between comfort and control.
The Equinox handles broken pavement without becoming overly soft or bouncy. Its body leans during faster corners, but it remains predictable and secure. Braking is smooth, and the vehicle feels stable during sudden stops.
The RS model’s larger wheels slightly reduce ride comfort and can create more road noise. The ACTIV’s 17-inch wheels and taller all-terrain tires are better suited to damaged pavement and gravel roads, although they may add some tire noise at highway speeds.
All-wheel drive is a worthwhile option for buyers who regularly deal with snow, unpaved roads, or steep driveways. However, the system must be selected using the drive-mode controls rather than operating in full all-wheel-drive mode at all times. Drivers will need to remember to choose the appropriate setting when conditions become slippery.
Road and wind noise are reasonably controlled at lower speeds, but tire noise becomes more noticeable on the highway. The Equinox is not unpleasantly loud, though competitors such as the Nissan Rogue and some versions of the Honda CR-V can feel more refined at cruising speed.
Fuel economy
The all-wheel-drive Equinox is rated at 9.6 L/100 km in the city, 8.1 L/100 km on the highway, and approximately 8.9 L/100 km combined. It uses regular-grade gasoline.
Those figures are only average for a compact SUV. The highway rating is particularly underwhelming considering the engine’s modest power. Several competitors provide stronger acceleration while using a similar amount of fuel, and hybrid models from Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Ford are considerably more efficient in city driving.
The front-wheel-drive Equinox uses slightly less fuel, but the difference may not be large enough to outweigh the benefits of the all-wheel-drive system and eight-speed automatic for many Canadian buyers.
The Equinox can tow up to approximately 680 kilograms when properly equipped with all-wheel drive. That is enough for a small utility trailer or lightweight recreational equipment but not for a large camper or heavy boat.
Technology and safety
Standard technology is one of the Equinox’s best selling points. The dual-screen dashboard gives every trim a modern appearance, and Chevrolet includes a useful collection of connectivity features.
The safety package includes automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, and rear automatic braking.
An available Safety and Technology Package adds equipment such as a surround-view camera and rear pedestrian detection. These features are particularly useful because the Equinox’s thick pillars limit visibility.
The Equinox received an overall five-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As always, driver-assistance systems are there to support an attentive driver rather than replace one.
Which trim offers the best value?
The LT is the most sensible version. It includes the large digital displays, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, modern safety technology, and the main comfort features most drivers use regularly. Adding all-wheel drive makes it more suitable for Canadian winters and replaces the CVT with an eight-speed automatic.
The RS is primarily for buyers who prefer its sportier appearance. The black trim, larger wheels, and colourful stitching look good, but the trim does not make the Equinox faster. Buyers should consider whether those visual upgrades are worth the higher price and slightly firmer ride.
The ACTIV may be the most interesting model. Its smaller wheels, all-terrain tires, distinctive interior, and available contrasting roof give it more personality. It is also likely to ride better on rough roads than an RS equipped with large wheels. However, it does not receive extra ground clearance or serious off-road hardware.
A well-equipped LT with all-wheel drive offers the strongest overall value. Once the price approaches $50,000, the Equinox becomes harder to recommend because that amount opens the door to more powerful, more efficient, or more refined alternatives.
Final verdict
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is a major improvement over the older generation. It looks better, its interior finally feels current, and its long list of standard technology makes even the LT feel well equipped. Passenger space is generous, cargo capacity is useful, and the ride is comfortable enough for daily commuting and family trips.
Its main problem is the engine. The 1.5-litre turbo is adequate but rarely impressive, and its fuel economy is not good enough to excuse the modest performance. Highway noise, awkward control placement, and rising prices on well-equipped models also keep the Equinox from leading its class.
The Equinox makes the most sense as an LT with all-wheel drive. In that form, it is a comfortable, practical, and attractive compact SUV with the features most Canadian buyers want. The RS and ACTIV add personality, but neither changes the basic driving experience.
It is no longer the bland rental-counter SUV it once seemed to be. The 2026 Equinox now has real style and a much better cabin. It simply needs a stronger or more efficient powertrain to become one of the class leaders.
Best qualities: Bold exterior design, modern dual-screen interior, generous standard technology, comfortable ride, useful passenger space, and strong safety equipment.
Main drawbacks: Slow highway acceleration, average fuel economy, noticeable road noise, awkward placement of some controls, and expensive upper trims.
