Cargazing
By Derek Price
After over 20 years and 3 million units sold, Chevrolet is rebooting its popular Equinox compact SUV for the 2025 model year with a complete redesign aimed at rejuvenating the nameplate’s appeal in one of the auto industry’s most fiercely competitive segments.
While I have not yet driven the redesigned 2025 Equinox, details from a press release by General Motors paint the picture of a major improvement over the outgoing model.
The all-new fifth-generation Equinox ushers in a fresh exterior design with more expressive bodylines inspired by Chevy’s truck lineup. It adopts a wider, more planted stance with pronounced wheel arches and a distinctive C-pillar design. Three distinct front fascia treatments allow for more personalization across the LT, RS and new ACTIV trim levels.
The ACTIV brings an outdoorsy, off-road-inspired look with rugged styling cues like a unique grille, trim accents and all-terrain tires. It’s a first for Equinox, giving buyers an option tailored toward active lifestyles.
Inside, the Equinox continues the more modern design language found in recently updated Chevy crossovers and SUVs. An overhauled interior trades the outgoing model’s budget-focused aesthetic for improved materials and a tech-focused layout with a push-button transmission.
The redesigned 2025 Chevrolet Equinox showcases an expressive new exterior with bold bodylines, pronounced fender flares and a distinctly truckish profile.
The centerpiece is an all-new 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen — over 30% larger than the current Equinox’s biggest display.
It runs Google’s native automotive software and connectivity features, bringing cloud-based user profiles and over-the-air update capability.
Under the hood, Chevy is employing an updated 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and up to 203 lb-ft of torque with all-wheel drive. That torque rating does outmuscle segment stalwarts like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
The new Equinox comes standard with a full arsenal of driver assistance technology bundled in Chevy’s Safety Assist suite. Features include automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
The overhauled 2025 Equinox interior brings a modern, tech-focused layout highlighted by an all-new 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen running Google’s automotive software.
On the road, a choice of selectable drive modes (including an off-road mode for ACTIV AWD models) allows tailoring the Equinox’s performance personality. The cabin aims for a premium vibe.
With its modern tech, bold styling and varied trim choices, the 2025 Equinox appears poised to revive Chevy’s fortunes in the critically important compact SUV space. Its improved infotainment system and available driver aids keep it competitive with segment leaders.
However, the Equinox may still fall shy of buyers seeking a truly upscale cabin experience or higher levels of interior roominess and utility. Its driving dynamics remain a question mark as well.
Whether those potential shortcomings matter in the real world remains to be seen. The outgoing Equinox was Chevy’s second best-selling model, indicating the nameplate’s enduring appeal despite its flaws. The 2025 redesign elevates the Equinox’s packaging and features, which could be enough to keep it toward the front of an immensely popular pack.
At A Glance
Wheelbase: 107.5 in.
Length: 183.2 in.
Width: 74.9 in.
Height: 65.6 in.
Engine: 175 horsepower, 203 ft. lbs. torque
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Trailering capacity: 800 lbs. FWD, 1,500 lbs. AWD
Fuel economy: Not yet rated
Predicted Ratings
Style: 8
Performance: 7
Price: 8
Handling: 6
Ride: 7
Comfort: 7
Quality: 8
Overall: 7
Why buy it?
The redesigned 2025 Chevrolet Equinox blends fresh, bold styling with more personalization, improved technology and the versatility of an available off-road-inspired ACTIV trim.