The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox has arrived with a fresh look, and the Activ trim is turning heads with its rugged styling. Sporting a contrasting white roof and beefy all-terrain tires, this compact SUV seems eager for adventure. But beyond its charming, off-road-inspired appearance, what does the Equinox Activ truly offer? We delve into a detailed review to see if this redesigned Chevy Equinox lives up to the hype and if the Activ trim is the right choice for you.
Beneath the surface of its adventurous aesthetic, the 2025 Equinox remains rooted in its economy car origins, designed for everyday commuting. This isn’t necessarily a drawback, especially in a market craving affordable and straightforward vehicles. While competition in the compact SUV segment is fierce, the Equinox presents a compelling option for buyers seeking a stylish and budget-friendly crossover. However, let’s examine if it delivers beyond just looks and affordability in these comprehensive Equinox Reviews.
Chevrolet Equinox: The Basics and Beyond
For two decades, the Chevy Equinox has been Chevrolet’s contender in the fiercely competitive compact SUV market, going head-to-head with giants like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. The 2025 model marks its fourth generation, boasting an all-new design and features. The Activ trim, specifically, aims to inject a dose of ruggedness into the lineup. It comes equipped with all-terrain tires, a slightly lifted ride height, and selectable drive modes including off-road and snow settings. It’s important to set expectations – the Equinox Activ isn’t built to tackle extreme off-roading like a Ford Bronco or Toyota Land Cruiser, and Chevrolet doesn’t position it as such.
The appeal of the Activ trim is primarily visual. While the standard Equinox presents a more conventional, if inoffensive, design, the Activ trim injects personality with its adventurous styling cues. Think of it as the Equinox shedding its everyday attire for outdoor gear – swapping out the Dockers for cargo pants and the white sneakers for hiking boots.
Inside the Activ: Cabin Comfort and Technology
Stepping inside the Equinox Activ, the interior largely mirrors the standard model and aligns with the contemporary Chevrolet cabin design language. This consistency isn’t a negative aspect. The Activ trim offers a welcoming environment with its tan and black two-tone seats, constructed with materials that feel appropriate for its price range. Ergonomics are well-considered, and ample storage cubbies cater to everyday essentials.
The dashboard integrates the same infotainment screen found across many new Chevrolet models, which is praised for its user-friendly interface and responsiveness. The gauge screen, however, receives some criticism for attempting to display too much information in a compact format, potentially hindering readability. Overall, occupants are likely to find the Equinox cabin a pleasant space, suitable for daily commutes and errands.
Driving Dynamics: Engine and Performance of the Equinox
Opening the hood of the 2025 Equinox reveals a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Describing its output as “powering” the Equinox might be an overstatement. The engine delivers adequate but uninspiring acceleration, managing to bring the vehicle up to speed without any real enthusiasm. However, for the typical compact SUV buyer, the engine’s performance is likely to be acceptable, offering reasonable fuel economy and manageable noise levels, aligning with segment expectations.
In contrast, the eight-speed automatic transmission earns praise for its smooth and responsive operation. A well-executed transmission in this class of vehicle should seamlessly blend into the background, providing effortless gear changes without drawing attention to itself. The Equinox’s transmission achieves this, delivering quick, intelligent shifts and readily downshifting when more power is needed, effectively utilizing the engine’s 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque.
The Equinox Activ prioritizes comfort in its driving experience, offering a raised seating position and compliant, high-profile tires. This setup caters to the American preference for a commanding view of the road. However, the positive driving attributes largely conclude there.
The throttle pedal is noted as being excessively light, making unintended aggressive acceleration common. The brake pedal lacks firmness, and the braking performance is considered weak. Steering feel is described as vague, even for the crossover segment, ranking among the least communicative systems in recent experience. The soft suspension contributes to noticeable body roll and sway during cornering and maneuvers beyond straight-line driving.
While there is a market for unassertive and comfortable economy vehicles, the Equinox’s driving dynamics fall short compared to competitors. For those prioritizing a more engaging driving experience in a crossover, alternatives such as the Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR-V are recommended. Furthermore, for buyers genuinely seeking enhanced off-road capability, Subaru’s Outback or Forester models significantly outperform the Equinox Activ.
Equinox Activ: High Points and Drawbacks
The 2025 Equinox Activ undeniably boasts visual appeal. Its slightly boxy and robust design gives it a playful and appealing character, particularly in the green color option offered by Chevrolet. The interior, while not visually striking, incorporates impressive technology, lending a more premium feel to the vehicle. The Equinox Activ is also well-equipped with features and should offer adequate performance in snowy conditions thanks to its tires and available all-wheel drive. For younger buyers, the Equinox Activ could be perceived as a stylish, tech-forward, and enjoyable commuter vehicle.
However, beyond the lackluster driving experience, the Equinox Activ has other notable drawbacks. The seating position is described as awkward, with an unusual combination of legroom and arm reach requirements. The rear seat is flat, potentially causing child car seats to sit too upright. Furthermore, the seatbelt placement in the rear is positioned too far towards the doors, narrowing the seats and making it challenging for children to buckle up.
Features, Options, and Competition in the Equinox Segment
The base front-wheel-drive Equinox starts at a competitive $29,999, including appealing 17-inch wheels, Chevrolet’s excellent 11.3-inch infotainment screen, and heated front seats. All-wheel drive is available for a modest increase to $31,995, making it an accessible and well-equipped crossover. The Activ trim, however, elevates the price to $36,395. While still considered reasonably priced, it enters a more competitive price bracket where options like the Subaru Outback Onyx Edition become comparable, sometimes even more affordable.
The Activ trim does offer additional features such as a heated steering wheel, active sound cancellation, and wireless charging. Opting for the Safety and Technology Package adds further amenities like a digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera, and rear pedestrian alert. Therefore, with reasonable spending, the Equinox Activ can be equipped with a comprehensive suite of modern features.
The Equinox Activ faces strong competition from other crossovers in its category, including the Toyota RAV4 Woodland, Hyundai Tucson XRT, and Nissan Rogue Rock Creek, all priced similarly and offering comparable equipment levels. This intense competition necessitates the Equinox to excel, and its overall performance leaves some room for improvement.
Fuel Economy of the 2025 Equinox Activ
The Equinox Activ achieves respectable fuel economy figures. EPA estimates are 24 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, which aligns with real-world observations. This fuel efficiency is on par with the Hyundai Tucson but slightly less efficient than the Subaru Outback, which achieves a combined 28 mpg. The Toyota RAV4 Woodland, being a hybrid, significantly outperforms the group with a remarkable 37 mpg combined.
Value and Final Verdict on the Equinox Activ
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox undeniably offers strong value for money. It presents an attractive design, a well-constructed feel, impressive technology, and a generous features list. It serves as a competent daily commuter for the majority of crossover buyers. However, unless all-terrain tires are a specific requirement, the Activ trim may not offer sufficient enhancements to justify its price premium.
Compared to other soft-road-styled crossovers, the Equinox Activ’s driving dynamics are underwhelming. Nevertheless, for buyers prioritizing affordability, features, and styling over driving engagement, the standard Equinox remains a solid choice, especially for those drawn to its aesthetics.
| 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Specs | FWD | AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Base Price (Activ as tested) | $29,995 | $31,995 ($37,480) |
| Powertrain | 1.5-liter turbo-four | continuously variable automatic | front-wheel drive | 1.5-liter turbo-four | 8-speed automatic | all-wheel drive |
| Horsepower | 175 @ 5,600 rpm | |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2,000-4,800 rpm | 203 lb-ft @ 2,000-4,000 rpm |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Cargo Volume | 29.8 cubic feet behind second row | 63.5 cubic feet behind first row | |
| Curb Weight | 3,428 pounds | 3,583 pounds |
| Towing Capacity | 800 pounds | 1,500 pounds |
| EPA Fuel Economy | 26 mpg city | 29 highway | 27 combined | 24 mpg city | 29 highway | 26 combined |
| Score | 7/10 |
Quick Take: A practical and affordable crossover designed for value-conscious American consumers. However, the Activ trim might not be the most compelling option within the Equinox lineup.
