Starts at $28,600
Rank
What's New for 2025?
The all-new Equinox generation for 2025 starts with a $2k price hike ($2,400 for the AWD model), but the fresh styling and numerous feature upgrades should make that go down easier. Notably, while the outdated six-speed automatic is gone, it has been replaced by a CVT in front-drive models, which is arguably a downgrade, whereas the Equinox AWD upgrades to an eight-speed auto. Although the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine carries over from last year, the front-drive Equinox gives up 19 lb-ft of torque to ease the burden on that CVT.
FAST FACTS
"Redesigned for 2025, the Equinox certainly looks the part of a competitive small SUV, but the lackluster 1.5-liter turbo engine and its underwhelming fuel economy hold this Chevy back."—Ranked #12 out of 15 Compact SUVs
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
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The front-drive Equinox uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which is a device that sacrifices precision on the altar of fuel economy. Yet the previous Equinox FWD with the same engine and a conventional six-speed automatic was 1 mpg better overall and 3 mpg better on the highway. The new model does weigh a couple hundred more pounds, so perhaps that's the explanation, but we would have expected better efficiency nonetheless. Chevy also takes away 19 lb-ft of torque with front-wheel drive, which wasn't the case for the previous generation.
Adding AWD is a fantastic idea in the Equinox, because it swaps the undesirable CVT in the front-drive version for an agreeable eight-speed conventional automatic. Fuel economy is barely affected, and you also get an extra 19 lb-ft of torque that the front-drive Equinox is deprived of due to that CVT.
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008, personally driving most new cars on the market every year since. He also served as the project manager for Edmunds' expert vehicle rankings from their inception in 2018, building the product out from the back end to the front end. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has tested, compared and critiqued a ridiculous number of cars in his career.
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