• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, September 3, 2024

Chevrolet is rolling out a redesigned version of one of its steadfast SUVs with an eye toward playing up the Equinox’s truck-like attributes. 

“Equinox is one of our volume vehicles, so we're absolutely going to support it from a national level” along with dealer support and local marketing association support, says Amy Masica, director, Chevrolet Truck Marketing.  “So it's going to be one of those vehicles that we're going to continue to hang our hat on just like we do today.”

Marketing will emphasize safety along with “purposeful technology” and the different trim offerings, Masica tells Marketing Daily.  

For the 2025 model year, three trim levels with three unique personas will be offered: the base LT, a sportier RS and a more rugged Activ. 

Available for the first time ever on Equinox, Activ features a distinctive front fascia, style cues that accentuate the off-road look, a uniquely tuned suspension, all-terrain tires and available white roof. 

During a modest off-road test drive, the vehicle handled well on loose gravel and uneven terrain. Would I take it to the top of a mountain?  Probably not. But for the kind of “off-roading” an Equinox owner might want to do, it will be perfectly fine. It will get them to the trailhead or to the river for kayaking. 

“Our RS today is one of our most loyal trims,” Masica says. “So I think we're still going to appeal to our loyal fan base. But what's going to be great about this is because we've evolved the design so much, we're going to see new customers, especially when you bring in the Activ trim. It's a persona we've never had before. So it's going to start appealing to those customers who like that design.”

All three trim levels have a more truck-like stance.  The new design adds 2.5 inches to the width compared to the current generation -- basically returning it to the size of the previous generation, which I happen to own. 

The cargo space offers 63.5 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats folded. A pet peeve of mine (and my dog’s): The seats don’t fold completely flat on either the gas-powered version or the electric version. I checked both.  

There’s a reason Chevrolet has sold more than 3 million units in the more than 20 years of production of the nameplate. It’s the right size and accommodates a variety of needs. 

The 1.5L Turbo engine is plenty peppy. Paired with the CVT on front-wheel drive, it produces 185 lb.-ft. of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic on all-wheel drive, it produces a slightly more spirited 203 lb.-ft. of torque.  Any engine is an improvement over the 2.4L Ecotec, the subject of multiple lawsuits and the very one which I sadly had to replace in my 2015 Equinox after it blew out on me at just over 100,000 miles. 

Chevrolet had the Equinox EV on display next to the new gas-powered version, and the two are very different vehicles -- don’t think that it’s just about the power source. 

GM’s SuperCruise semiautonomous package is only available on the Equinox EV, which also has a much larger center touchscreen: 17.7 inches compared to 11.3 inches on the gas-powered vehicle. 

Despite their huge differences, the automaker kept the well-known and beloved name on the similar-sized EV. The thought is, the gas-powered versions eventually will stop being made. But for now, there are choices. And choice is always good.