2025 Chevy Equinox Review: Is This Compact SUV Right for You?

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox has arrived with a fresh redesign, aiming to compete in the crowded compact SUV segment against giants like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. This all-new, fourth-generation Equinox boasts updated styling, enhanced technology, and a variety of trims, including the adventure-inspired Activ model we’re focusing on today. While the Activ trim gives off rugged vibes with its all-terrain tires and slightly lifted suspension, at its heart, the Equinox remains a practical and affordable crossover designed for everyday driving. Let’s dive into a detailed Chevy Equinox Review to see if this revamped SUV deserves your attention.

Front view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ with white roof showcasing its updated design

A Fresh Take on a Familiar Name: The 2025 Equinox Overview

The Chevy Equinox has been a staple in Chevrolet’s lineup for two decades, offering a comfortable and practical option for families and individuals alike. For 2025, Chevrolet has completely redesigned the Equinox, bringing it into its fourth generation. This isn’t just a facelift; it’s a ground-up reimagining aimed at making the Equinox more competitive and appealing in a fiercely contested market segment.

What’s New for the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox?

This fourth-generation Equinox brings significant changes. The exterior styling is bolder and more modern, moving away from the softer lines of the previous generation. Inside, the cabin is redesigned with a focus on technology and user-friendly features. Under the hood, while the engine largely carries over, the overall driving experience and available features have been refined. The introduction of the Activ trim adds a new dimension to the Equinox lineup, targeting buyers seeking a more adventurous aesthetic, even if true off-road capability isn’t the primary goal.

Exploring the Activ Trim and its Appeal

The Activ trim, as tested, is a key highlight of the 2025 Equinox range. It’s designed to project a more rugged image with features like all-terrain tires, unique five-spoke wheels, and a slightly raised ride height compared to other Equinox models. It also includes driving mode selectors with off-road and snow modes, hinting at enhanced capability in varied conditions. However, it’s crucial to understand that the Equinox Activ is not intended to rival dedicated off-road vehicles like the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler. Instead, it aims to offer a visually appealing and slightly more versatile version of the standard Equinox, catering to those who appreciate the adventurous look and some degree of all-weather confidence.

Side profile of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ highlighting its all-terrain tires and wheel design

Rear three-quarter view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ showing its taillights and rear design elements

Front grille and headlight detail of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ showcasing its updated front fascia

Close-up of the five-spoke wheels and all-terrain tires of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ emphasizing its rugged styling

Angled front view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ demonstrating its overall stance and road presence

Inside the Cabin: Technology and Comfort Features of the 2025 Equinox

Stepping inside the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ, you’ll find a cabin that largely mirrors the design and features of the standard models, aligning with Chevrolet’s contemporary interior aesthetic. This is not a drawback, as the Equinox boasts a well-designed and functional interior, especially considering its price point.

Cabin Design, Materials, and Ergonomics

The interior of the Equinox Activ features a handsome tan and black two-tone seat design, creating a welcoming and slightly upscale feel. Material quality is generally good for the class, with surfaces feeling appropriate for the price. Ergonomics are well-considered, with controls logically placed and easy to reach. Ample storage cubbies are available throughout the cabin, providing practical spaces for stowing everyday items like phones, wallets, and snacks. These thoughtful touches enhance the overall usability and convenience for both driver and passengers.

Infotainment and Digital Features

A standout feature of the 2025 Equinox is its standard infotainment system, featuring a large 11.3-inch touchscreen. This system is consistent with what you’ll find across many new Chevrolet models, known for its user-friendliness, responsiveness, and clear graphics. It offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. However, the digital gauge cluster might be a point of contention for some. While it packs a lot of information into a compact space, its design can feel somewhat cluttered and less immediately readable compared to more traditional layouts.

Practicality and Passenger Space

The Equinox is designed as a practical compact SUV, and the interior reflects this. While the review mentions potential challenges with finding an ideal driving position for some body types and notes that the rear seats are somewhat flat, which might affect car seat installation, the overall passenger space is typical for the segment. It comfortably seats five and provides a decent cargo area for groceries, luggage, or weekend gear. The focus remains on providing a functional and comfortable space for everyday needs.

Interior view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ showcasing the infotainment screen and dashboard layout

Dashboard and steering wheel detail of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ highlighting the interior design elements

Close-up of the two-tone seats in the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ emphasizing the interior material and color scheme

Driving Dynamics: How Does the 2025 Chevy Equinox Perform on the Road?

The driving experience of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ is a mixed bag. While it excels in some areas, particularly ride comfort, it falls short in others, especially when it comes to powertrain performance and handling engagement.

Engine and Powertrain Performance

Under the hood of the Equinox Activ, and indeed across the entire 2025 Equinox lineup, is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This engine produces 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The reviewer describes its performance as “wheezy” and “uninspiring,” suggesting it’s adequate for daily driving but lacksenthusiasm. Acceleration is described as reasonable but not quick. However, it’s acknowledged that for many buyers in this segment, the power will likely be considered sufficient, aligning with the accepted performance levels for compact SUVs focused on fuel efficiency and practicality.

Transmission and Drivetrain

One positive aspect of the driving experience is the eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s praised for its smooth, quick, and intelligent shifts, effectively maximizing the engine’s output. The transmission is responsive to driver input, downshifting promptly when needed for more power. The Activ trim comes standard with all-wheel drive, adding to its all-weather capability and aligning with its more rugged persona.

Ride Comfort and Handling

The Equinox Activ prioritizes ride comfort, which is a common expectation in this segment. The taller ride height and “squishy” high-profile tires contribute to a comfortable ride, effectively absorbing bumps and imperfections in the road. This makes it a pleasant vehicle for everyday commuting and longer drives. However, the handling is less impressive. The steering is described as “vague,” offering minimal feedback to the driver. The suspension, while comfortable, contributes to noticeable body roll in corners, making the Equinox feel less composed during more dynamic driving. The reviewer also points out overly light throttle and soft brake pedal feel, which can detract from driver confidence.

Comparison to Segment Rivals

In terms of driving dynamics, the review suggests that the Equinox falls behind some of its key competitors. Vehicles like the Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR-V are mentioned as offering a more refined and engaging driving experience. For buyers prioritizing genuine all-weather or light off-road capability and better handling, the Subaru Outback or Forester are recommended as superior alternatives to the Equinox Activ.

Angled front view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ demonstrating its overall stance and road presence

Front three-quarter view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ in motion on a paved road

Rear view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ driving on a winding road demonstrating its handling in curves

Features, Trims, and Value: What Does the 2025 Chevy Equinox Offer for the Money?

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox aims to deliver strong value in the competitive compact SUV market. It offers a good level of standard equipment, particularly in terms of technology, and remains competitively priced, especially in its base configurations.

Trim Levels and Key Features

The Equinox lineup starts with a base model that’s well-equipped for its price point. Even the entry-level Equinox includes attractive 17-inch wheels, Chevrolet’s excellent 11.3-inch infotainment system, and heated front seats. Moving up to higher trims and adding options packages brings in features like a heated steering wheel, active sound cancellation, wireless phone charging, digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera, and rear pedestrian alert. The Activ trim, while visually distinct, builds upon this foundation, adding its rugged styling elements and some specific features, but it comes at a price premium.

Pricing and Competition

The base front-wheel-drive Chevy Equinox starts at a competitive price, making it an accessible option for many buyers. Adding all-wheel drive is also relatively affordable. However, the Activ trim, while still reasonably priced compared to some competitors, pushes the Equinox into a higher price bracket where it faces more direct competition from similarly styled and equipped rivals. Competitors mentioned include the Subaru Outback Onyx Edition, Toyota RAV4 Woodland, Hyundai Tucson XRT, and Nissan Rogue Rock Creek. These models offer similar levels of equipment and off-road-inspired styling, making the choice a matter of personal preference and specific feature priorities.

Front angled view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ highlighting its available color options and design details

Side profile of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ parked showing its ground clearance and wheel design

Rear view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ emphasizing its taillight design and rear badging

Interior shot of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ showcasing the spacious cabin and seating arrangement

Cargo area of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ demonstrating its storage capacity and practicality

Front three-quarter view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ parked in an urban setting

Fuel Efficiency: Chevy Equinox MPG in Real-World Driving

Fuel economy is a crucial consideration for compact SUV buyers, and the 2025 Chevy Equinox delivers respectable, though not class-leading, figures.

EPA Ratings and Real-World MPG

The EPA rates the all-wheel-drive Chevy Equinox Activ at 24 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. The reviewer notes that their real-world experience largely aligned with these figures. These MPG numbers are competitive within the segment, aligning closely with the Hyundai Tucson. However, they fall slightly short of the Subaru Forester and significantly behind the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which boasts exceptional fuel economy thanks to its hybrid powertrain.

EPA fuel economy sticker for the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ detailing city, highway, and combined MPG

Pros and Cons: The Highs and Lows of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ

To summarize, here’s a look at the key advantages and disadvantages of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ based on this review:

Highs:

• Attractive and distinctive styling, especially in Activ trim: The Equinox Activ stands out with its “chonky” and fun design, offering a more visually appealing alternative to some more bland crossovers.
• Impressive technology features: The standard 11.3-inch infotainment screen is a highlight, offering excellent functionality and user experience.
• Well-equipped for the price: Even base models offer a good level of standard features, and higher trims and option packages add desirable amenities without becoming overly expensive.
• Comfortable ride: The Equinox excels in ride comfort, making it well-suited for daily driving and commutes.

Lows:

• Underwhelming engine performance: The 1.5-liter turbo engine is adequate but lacks excitement and can feel strained at times.
• Vague handling and steering: The driving experience is not engaging, with numb steering and noticeable body roll.
• Questionable value of the Activ trim: While visually appealing, the Activ trim doesn’t significantly enhance the driving experience or off-road capability to fully justify its price premium over other Equinox models.
• Minor ergonomic quirks: Seating position and rear seat belt placement are mentioned as potential drawbacks for some users.

Verdict: Is the 2025 Chevy Equinox a Good Buy?

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox presents a compelling option in the compact SUV segment, particularly for buyers prioritizing value, technology, and style. It’s a good-looking, well-equipped, and comfortable crossover that excels as an everyday commuter. For most buyers, the standard Equinox models likely represent the sweet spot in the lineup, offering a strong blend of features and affordability. The Activ trim, while visually appealing and adding a touch of ruggedness, might not be worth the extra cost for those primarily focused on on-road driving dynamics. If you’re seeking a practical, feature-rich, and stylish compact SUV and driving engagement isn’t your top priority, the 2025 Chevy Equinox, especially in its standard form, is definitely worth considering.

Front three-quarter view of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ parked in a scenic outdoor location

2025 Chevrolet Equinox Specs (AWD Model as Tested)

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Quick Take

A practical and value-oriented compact crossover, ideal for everyday use. The Activ trim adds visual appeal but may not be the best value for all buyers.