2025 Chevrolet Equinox: Versions, Specs and Buyer Guide
Scope: Model year 2025; verified market: US. Other market versions may differ.
Why This 2025 Model Matters
The redesigned gasoline-powered 2025 Chevrolet Equinox is easy to confuse with the Equinox EV, yet the two deserve separate purchase investigations. This fourth-generation combustion crossover offers a conventional 1.5-liter turbo engine, a normal fuel tank and compact-family packaging. The Equinox EV uses a different electric architecture, so its charging capability, range and service considerations have no place in the gasoline model's specification table. For a used 2025 listing, establish which vehicle the seller actually means before comparing prices.
Verified Powertrains and Model-Year Changes
Chevrolet's U.S. release specifies 175 horsepower from the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder. Front-drive cars use a continuously variable transmission and are rated at 184 lb-ft of torque; all-wheel-drive cars use an eight-speed automatic and are listed at 203 lb-ft. This is a real transmission difference, not a shift-programming trick. LT, RS and the outdoor-styled ACTIV provide distinct interiors and wheel packages, with ACTIV equipped for a more rugged look rather than marketed here as a hardcore off-road model.
Buying Considerations
For daily errands, the FWD version should appeal to people who prefer a straightforward city crossover and do not need all-wheel traction. Buyers who often travel on muddy property approaches or in winter conditions may want to test an AWD version, noting its different gearbox and tires. The 2025 Equinox's updated displays and driver-assistance features add convenience, but buyers should assess how readable and responsive the controls are for their own driving habits.
2026 Used-Vehicle Inspection
At inspection time, look for a complete record of oil services appropriate to the turbo engine, check transmission engagement in traffic and on inclines, and verify tire wear and any AWD warning indicators. A salesperson's claim about 'off-road tires' is insufficient evidence of trail capability. Use the exact build sheet to confirm whether RS appearance equipment or ACTIV-specific items are fitted. Check recall completion by VIN rather than treating general owner reports as model-wide defect rates.
Cross-Shopping and Market Boundaries
The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are obvious mainstream alternatives; the Mazda CX-5 makes more sense if steering feel matters more than screen area. Equinox technical figures here are limited to the U.S. 2025 gasoline models. They must not be applied to Chinese Equinox variants, the EV, or later refreshes.
Documented 2025 Market and Specification Variants
| Market / version | Powertrain, drive and transmission | Manufacturer figures |
|---|---|---|
| US — LT / RS FWD | 1.5 L turbocharged gasoline inline-four; FWD; CVT | power: 175 hp; torque: 184 lb-ft |
| US — LT / RS / ACTIV AWD | 1.5 L turbocharged gasoline inline-four; AWD; 8-speed automatic | power: 175 hp; torque: 203 lb-ft |
Sources and Further Reading
- Chevrolet Newsroom — 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Stands Apart with Fresh Looks, More Tech and Capability (2024; market: US).