Chevrolet seems to have gotten the memo about SUV popularity earlier than most manufacturers. Its lineup includes an impressive range of sizes, from the entry-level Trax to the enormous Suburban. Also in the lineup are the Trailblazer, Blazer, Traverse, and Tahoe. In the compact SUV category, however, it's all about the Chevy Equinox, a model first introduced in 2005. It's gone through a number of major redesigns since launch and the 2025 model represents the fourth full revamp. As of 2024, the Equinox has an EV option, an increasingly popular choice for EV enthusiasts with over 18K units sold in 2024Q4 alone.
Given the breadth of its SUV lineup, I was definitely interested in checking out the new 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ AWD when I was offered the chance to drive a stunning Reef Blue Metallic / Summit White model with Maple Sugar interior. No, I'm not just making up these color names. Here's the newly redesigned Equinox:
The weather finally started to improve with this week's driving adventure, though you can see that there was still plenty of snow - and therefore ice - on the ground. The front is bold and the entire vehicle has a very nice line and much curb appeal, and doubly so with this bright, cheery blue. It might remind you of another recently redesigned SUV; the Ford Bronco. You can read my review of the 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades edition, but there's no question in my mind that these two companies are inspiring each other with this retro two-tone compact SUV design.
Not a worry, though, because I really like the style and design of both vehicles and was quite impressed with the Equinox as I drove it through various road conditions and weather. Powered by a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine that delivers a very modest 175 horsepower and is coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission (AWD). It's definitely not a performance SUV but was still a peppy enough drive that I never felt it was underpowered when going up hills or merging into highway traffic.
People have complained about the CVT transmission on the front-wheel drive Equinox, but that's a completely different model from what I drove, so I cannot say if it feels smooth and well-balanced or clumsy and underpowered.
Fuel efficiency was better than I expected, with EPA numbers of 24/29 and a combined 26mpg. I got a bit better than that 26 miles per gallon, which was good for a vehicle in this class and with this reasonably modest price tag.
Let's jump into the car so you can see some of the rather retro design touches:
There's an interesting mix of simple and complex with the Equinox Activ AWD. For example, notice the center console is quite streamlined with a drive mode knob and nothing else. No gearshift! Conversely, the steering wheel crossbar and control sticks are dense with buttons and features, as is the curious hybrid of modern and classical design for the climate controls. The seats and interior are that Maple Sugar, as you can see above too. Is it possibly too light and will show dirt? Maybe.
Here's a closer view of the center console. See what I mean? Almost no controls at all, though the storage spots are helpful and Chevy's done a very good job with the Qi wireless charging space that's so eminently accessible. Should I admit that I like to be able to glance at my phone screen while driving to see if there are notifications, even though the vehicle includes support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
You might be wondering where the gearshift is. It's on the right-hand stick behind the steering wheel and it's unusual:
Notice that the current gear is illuminated and it's echoed on the screen behind the stick too. Still, it takes a moment or two to get used to the idea that you have to pull and up for reverse, pull and down for drive, and push in the side button to shift into park. While I missed the more traditional gearshift in the center console, the fact is that with an automatic you only change gears when you're getting started or parking, so it really is no big deal. This Equinox design is definitely not your father's gearshift.
Since we're looking at these stick controls, we might as well have a look at the windshield wiper controls:
This is a really complicated control and even with the various notations, I never figured out how to reliably spray windshield wiper fluid onto the front window. When you have to study the user guide, it might be time to reconsider whether the design is optimal or not. (Note: Looking at this photo I can now see that the solution is to push the button on the end, but since this is hidden behind the steering wheel, it's not so easy to immediately understand all the controls).
Speaking of the steering wheel, here are the controls on its crossbar. I was the first person to get this loaner car (it had under 600 miles on the odometer) but notice that the leftmost cruise control toggle area is already showing signs of oil from fingerprints. This definitely raises the question of how it will look in a year or three after this control has been utilized a few thousand times. While you're looking at these controls, can you figure out how to adjust the volume of the infotainment system?
It's a trick question: You cannot from these front controls. There are additional buttons behind the steering wheel that offer paddle shifters (just barely visible) and next/prev track on the left hand and volume up/down on the right hand. A streamlined dashboard and steering wheel bar, but at what price when so many controls are tucked away and ultimately so darn complicated?
Climate controls continue the theme of transitional control design, with mostly old-school elements coupled with the very modern temperature adjustment knobs that also display the current temperature setting. That's sixteen buttons on the climate control above if you're counting. If you were an interface designer, how might you change the above to streamline the user experience?
Speaking of complicated...
There are multiple display modes, but somehow I ended up with what seems like the most complicated, with the information usually spread across all three areas condensed into the central pane. That's fuel, tach, speed, oil temp, and current speed limit, all in a space that's maybe 5" x 5".
Finally, the 11.3-inch infotainment system is a very typical size and layout, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto:
Unlike many vehicles where you can opt to stretch the CarPlay screen to utilize the entire screen, Chevy locks its own navigational buttons along the side and information along the top, only allowing Apple about 95% of the display. Giving the drive options seems like a better choice, but that might then hide key controls that are only accessible from the infotainment area. Note also the old-school power and volume knob on the top left.
Stepping out of the vehicle for a moment...
If the driver and front-seat passengers were willing to slide their seats forward, there was adequate space for adults in the back seat, though tall drivers and tall rear-seat passengers are definitely going to argue about who needs the space more. As with so many vehicles, the Equinox is far more comfortable for the driver and front passenger than for people in the back seat. If you're a kid or tween, however, it's going to work fine, though older teens might have to roll their eyes at their available legroom. Then again don't teens roll their eyes at everything? :-)
Compensating, the rear cargo space was quite adequate:
The Equinox is equipped with a pretty standard 60/40 rear seat, but I was surprised that it didn't fold flat, as can be seen above. Likely not a big deal to most owners, but if you dream about tossing a mattress in for a quick sleep on your next epic road trip, this might not be as comfortable as other SUVs in its class.
Finally, there's a lot I really liked about the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ AWD. It was sure-footed in mediocre driving conditions, the modest turbo offered sufficient power to ensure I felt safe merging onto a busy highway, and the drive experience was comfortable and enjoyable with a sharp sound system. What I most enjoyed was the look of this SUV, however, admiring it every time I approached it in a parking lot. The bright blue was a factor, but the overall design is just really appealing. If you're in the market for a smaller compact SUV, you owe it to yourself to check this Chevy out.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox Activ AWD, powered by a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. BASE PRICE: $36,395. Options included with the vehicle included Power Dual Glass Panoramic Sliding Sunroof, Safety and Technology Package, and Navigation System. Estimated price AS DRIVEN: $40,000.
Disclosure: Chevrolet loaned me the Equinox Activ AWD for a week in return for this candid write-up. This article was originally published on PlanetDave.com with the title Better and Better, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Activ AWD.
