Meet the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox: Trims, Tech and What Actually Changed

What Changed for 2027

The Equinox is in year three of its current generation, so this is a refinement year rather than a redesign. That is worth saying plainly, because the one change that matters is easy to overlook on a spec sheet.

The CVT is gone. Front-wheel-drive Equinox models previously used a continuously variable transmission while all-wheel-drive models used the Hydra-Matic 8T45 eight-speed automatic. For 2027, the eight-speed is standard on every Equinox regardless of drivetrain. If you have driven a front-wheel-drive Equinox in the past and found the engine note under acceleration less than satisfying, drive a current one. The difference is real, and it is the kind of change that shows up in daily driving rather than in a brochure.

Beyond the transmission, Chevrolet added Autumn Harvest Metallic to the paint palette and discontinued Cacti Green. The RS interior lost its Santorini Blue accent stitching for a cleaner, less busy cabin. Everything else, from the body to the powertrain, carries over.

Our new Chevy SUV inventory is the fastest way to see what we have on the ground in each trim and drivetrain combination.

LT, RS and ACTIV: How the Three Trims Differ

The 2027 Equinox lineup runs three trims, and the structure is not a straight ladder. LT is the entry point, and RS and ACTIV sit side by side above it as two different answers to the same question rather than two rungs. All three offer front-wheel drive standard with all-wheel drive available. There is no Premier trim; that name left the lineup when the current generation launched.

Equinox LT

The LT is better equipped than most base trims in this segment. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are both standard, which is unusual at this level. You also get 17-inch Grazen metallic machined-face aluminum wheels on all-season tires, single-zone climate control, a six-way manual driver’s seat, cloth seating and a manual liftgate. From there you can add 19-inch wheels, an eight-way power driver’s seat, HD Surround Vision, a dual-pane power sunroof, an AutoSense power liftgate and wireless charging.

Equinox RS

The RS is the one people notice in a parking lot. Mirrors, moldings, emblems and badging all go black, 19-inch Carbon flash metallic machined-face wheels are standard with 20-inch wheels available, and a flat-bottom steering wheel changes how the cabin reads. Evotex synthetic leather seating and the AutoSense power liftgate are standard. A two-tone Mosaic Black roof is available, as are ventilated front seats, which are exclusive to RS and cannot be added to the LT. There is also a Black-with-Red-Accents Evotex interior if you want the cabin to match the exterior’s attitude.

Equinox ACTIV

ACTIV is the outdoors-minded trim: 17-inch all-terrain tires, a uniquely tuned suspension, and Evotex seating with sueded microfiber surfaces. An available two-tone white roof rounds out the look.

One honest clarification, because it comes up on our lot more than you would expect: the ACTIV does not ride higher than the other trims. Ground clearance across the lineup runs roughly eight inches on all three, and the ACTIV is not the tallest of them. What it gives you is grip and suspension tuning suited to gravel roads and unimproved surfaces, which is a different thing from a lift. If you spend weekends on trails outside Opelika or heading toward Lake Martin, that is the trim to look at. If you want the look and the bigger wheels, RS is your answer.

Powertrain: One Engine, Two Drivetrains

Every 2027 Equinox runs a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with direct injection, variable valve timing and automatic stop/start. Output is 175 horsepower at 5,600 rpm. Torque depends on drivetrain: front-wheel-drive models make 184 lb-ft from 2,000 to 4,800 rpm, and all-wheel-drive models make 203 lb-ft from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm. The Hydra-Matic 8T45 eight-speed automatic handles shifting on both, and a Drive Mode Selector is standard on every trim.

EPA estimates come in at 25 city, 29 highway and 27 combined mpg with front-wheel drive, and 25/29/26 with all-wheel drive. Regular unleaded is all it asks for. Fuel capacity is 14.8 gallons on front-drive models and 15.6 gallons with all-wheel drive.

On towing, the numbers split by drivetrain and the difference is significant: 800 pounds with front-wheel drive and 1,500 pounds with all-wheel drive when properly equipped. If a small utility trailer or a pair of jet skis is in your plans, all-wheel drive is not optional in practical terms. Under the skin, the Equinox uses MacPherson struts up front and a four-link independent rear suspension, with dual-pinion rack electric power steering and a 37.1-foot turning circle.

Technology: An 11.3-Inch Screen on Every Trim

Chevrolet did not reserve the good screen for the expensive trims. Every 2027 Equinox, including the LT, comes with an 11.3-inch diagonal color touchscreen with Google built-in, paired with an 11-inch Driver Information Center serving as the digital gauge cluster. Google built-in means native Google Maps, Google Assistant and access to apps through the Play Store without tethering your phone first.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are also standard across the lineup for compatible phones, along with a six-speaker audio system, a SiriusXM with 360L trial, remote start, OnStar capability, Active Noise Cancellation, Rear Seat Reminder and Teen Driver.

On the options side, you can add wireless phone charging, an eight-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar, HD Surround Vision, a dual-pane power sunroof, the AutoSense power liftgate on LT, ventilated front seats on RS, a cabin humidity sensor, a retractable cargo shade and all-weather mats. Chevrolet also offers a Midnight Edition package, a Safety and Technology Package and Convenience Package III.

Driver Assistance and Safety Content

Chevy Safety Assist comes standard on every 2027 Equinox and bundles Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator and IntelliBeam auto high beams.

What is notable is how much sits outside that bundle as standard equipment. Adaptive Cruise Control is standard, even on the base LT with front-wheel drive, which is not something every competitor in this class can claim. You also get Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Reverse Automatic Braking, Rear Park Assist, Side Bicyclist Alert, an HD Rear Vision Camera, a Safety Alert Seat, Buckle to Drive and Teen Driver. Available additions include HD Surround Vision, Traffic Sign Recognition, Rear Pedestrian Alert and a Rear Camera Mirror.

Cargo Space and Everyday Practicality

The Equinox measures 183.2 inches long on a 107.5-inch wheelbase, 74.9 inches wide and 65.6 inches tall, and it seats five across two rows. Cargo room is 29.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which puts it comfortably in the conversation with the segment’s practical benchmarks.

Passenger volume comes in at 104.3 cubic feet without the sunroof, dropping to 100.1 with it, so if rear headroom is a priority for taller passengers, skip the dual-pane roof. Headroom measures 40.0 inches front and 39.2 rear without the sunroof. Shoulder room is 57.7 front and 55.8 rear. Curb weight ranges from 3,428 to 3,629 pounds depending on configuration.

Gas Equinox or Equinox EV?

Chevrolet sells two separate vehicles under the Equinox name, and they are not trim levels of each other. The gas Equinox runs LT, RS and ACTIV. The Equinox EV runs LT 1, LT 2 and RS, with an EPA-estimated 319 miles of range in front-wheel drive and 307 miles with all-wheel drive, and it uses a 17.7-inch screen.

The clearest dividing line is Super Cruise. Chevrolet’s hands-free driver assistance system is available on the Equinox EV from LT 2 up, and it is not offered on the gas Equinox at all. If hands-free highway driving is what you are after, that decision is already made for you. If you would rather not think about charging, the gas Equinox is the straightforward pick. You can see both sides of the lineup on our electric vehicle inventory page.

Warranty and Maintenance

Chevrolet covers the 2027 Equinox with a three-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. Corrosion coverage runs three years or 36,000 miles with rust-through protection extending to six years or 100,000 miles, and roadside assistance with courtesy transportation runs five years or 60,000 miles.

Chevrolet also includes one covered maintenance visit during your first year of ownership, covering an oil and filter change, a four-tire rotation and a multi-point inspection. Our Chevy service center in Auburn handles that visit and everything after it with certified technicians and genuine GM parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is new on the 2027 Chevy Equinox?

The biggest change is mechanical: the 8-speed automatic transmission is now standard across the board, replacing the CVT that front-wheel-drive models previously used. Chevrolet also added Autumn Harvest Metallic to the color palette, discontinued Cacti Green, and simplified the RS interior by removing the blue accent stitching. Otherwise the 2027 Equinox carries over.

Is the 2027 Equinox available with all-wheel drive?

Yes. All-wheel drive is optional on all three trims, LT, RS and ACTIV. Choosing AWD also raises torque from 184 lb-ft to 203 lb-ft and increases the maximum towing rating from 800 pounds to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped.

What is the difference between the Equinox RS and ACTIV?

They sit at the same point in the lineup rather than stacking on top of each other. RS is the street-styled trim with blacked-out exterior accents, 19-inch wheels standard and 20-inch available, and Evotex seating. ACTIV goes the outdoors route with all-terrain tires, a uniquely tuned suspension and Evotex with sueded microfiber inserts. ACTIV does not add ride height.

How many miles per gallon does the 2027 Equinox get?

EPA estimates for the 2027 Equinox are 25 city, 29 highway and 27 combined mpg with front-wheel drive, and 25 city, 29 highway and 26 combined mpg with all-wheel drive. The 1.5-liter turbo runs on regular unleaded.

Does the Chevy Equinox have Super Cruise?

Not the gas Equinox. Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance is offered on the Equinox EV from the LT 2 trim up, but it is not available on the gas Equinox. If hands-free highway driving is a priority, the Equinox EV is the one to look at.

Can I test drive the Equinox at Allen Turner Chevrolet of Auburn?

Yes. Allen Turner Chevrolet of Auburn is at 154 West Creek Pkwy in Auburn, AL, and you can set up a test drive by calling (334) 821-9001. Driving an LT and an RS back to back is the fastest way to tell whether the upgrade is worth it to you.

See the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox in Auburn

The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox rewards a few minutes of thought about how you actually use an SUV. If your driving is commutes and errands around Auburn and Opelika, a front-wheel-drive LT gives you heated seats, adaptive cruise and the big Google-powered screen without stretching. If you tow occasionally or head out toward Smiths Station on back roads, all-wheel drive earns its place. Browse our inventory, see what your current vehicle is worth, or get your financing started online. We are at 154 West Creek Pkwy in Auburn, and you can reach the team at (334) 821-9001.