2026 Chevrolet Equinox Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
One of Chevrolet’s most popular models, the Equinox is among Chevrolet’s large selection of SUV offerings starting under $40,000. Originally introduced for the 2005 model year, the Equinox was redesigned last year, just one year after a new all-electric variant arrived.
Sitting above the smaller Trailblazer but below the Blazer in Chevy’s SUV range, the Equinox competes against other compact SUVs including the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Nissan Rogue.
Interested in the fully electric Equinox EV? Find out more, here.
What’s New
- Polar White exterior color
- Standard drive mode selector dial on all trims
- For the 2026 Equinox LT, roof rails are available only with the Midnight Edition and no longer offered with the Convenience Package II
What We Think
The 2026 Chevy Equinox is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, with a modern exterior and an intuitive Google-powered infotainment system that can also run Apple CarPlay—something the Equinox EV can’t do.
Although we’d skip the premium paint and panoramic sunroof to keep the price under $40,000, the Equinox still offers great value with its impressive standard features and available packages, along with useful driver assist tech.
Despite its packed features and commendable interior packaging, the Equinox RS AWD doesn’t deliver the sporty or fun-to-drive experience you’d expect from the RS badge. Ride and handling are surprisingly good, but capability degrades noticeably at the SUV’s limits.
It seems like Chevrolet focused more on adding features than enhancing performance. Overall, the new 2026 Equinox is a solid improvement, but it may need a bit more to truly stand out in a tough segment.
Performance and MPGs
All 2026 Equinoxes feature a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes as much as 175 hp. With standard FWD, the engine develops up to 184 lb-ft of torque, and AWD unlocks as much as 203 lb-ft. This allows the Equinox RS AWD to accelerate to 60 mph in a MotorTrend-tested 9.2 seconds, somewhat on the slower side.
Fuel economy could be better, too. Last year’s FWD returns 26/28 mpg city/highway, while the AWD gets 24/29 mpg.
This should mean more driving range for the Equinox FWD, but it comes with a smaller 14.8-gallon gas tank, which is only good for 400 miles. With its 15.6-gallon tank, the AWD can go as far as 406 miles.
Safety Features
Chevy Safety Assist is the Equinox’s suite of standard driver assists. The bundle includes automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, and automatic high-beams. Blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and rear emergency braking are also standard.
Upgrades include a 360-degree camera view, rear pedestrian alert, and traffic sign recognition.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Second-row legroom in the Equinox compares favorably to the 2025 RAV4 and Rogue, but that’s not the case for cargo capacity. The Equinox trails both the Toyota and Nissan in standard and maximum trunk space.
Technology
Every 2026 Equinox features an 11.0-inch driver display and 11.3-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Active noise cancellation, six speakers, remote engine start, a heated steering wheel, and heated front seats are also standard on the base model.
Available equipment partly consists of a wireless charging pad, ventilated front seats, a power driver’s seat, and heated rear seats.
Trim Levels and Prices
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is available with three trims this year: LT, Activ, and RS. With the more affordable FWD configuration, the base model starts at around $30,000. At the other end of the trim walk, both the Activ and RS AWD grades sticker for the same price, in the $36,000 range.
