The new Equinox is slightly wider and much sharper. There's also a new Activ trim for so-called off-road adventures.

The best-selling bowtie SUV has a striking new look for the new model year, but the changes are more than superficial. Announced as a new generation model, the 2025 Equinox is a major technical renewal. It uses a modified version of its existing platform that's 2.3 inches wider and sports new, rugged-themed Activ trim, among many other updates.

This is not the first time we have seen the New Equinox. The SUV was unintentionally revealed for China in June 2023. It gets Chevy's bolder, upright design language similar to the Traverse and Trailblazer; slim headlights are neatly placed on light clusters surrounding a largely rectangular grille. Further back, the forward-leaning C-pillar is still there as an Equinox identifier, but it's further emphasized by the floating roof motif. The taillights are also narrower and sharper, giving the new Equinox a very sharp look.

There is also a new internal order. As with the aforementioned Trailblazer, Chevy gives the Equinox a large dual-screen setup with a standard 11-inch driver display and an 11.3-inch infotainment screen. They are not combined into a single display, but combined to provide Equinox with a completely modern, digital greenhouse. The console shift lever is being replaced by a column-mounted electronic lever, but button fans have reason to be happy. Many common haptic controls are still available, including climate settings and standard heated seats.

Speaking of standard equipment, Chevrolet isn't skimpy on driver assistance and safety features. The Chevy Safety Assist package includes advanced lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking with collision warning and pedestrian/bicycle braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane departure warning, a rear camera. Not too long ago, most of these systems were dispersed in expensive option packages.

As for trim levels, the big news for 2025 is the Equinox Activ. This is Chevrolet's new ruggedly themed offering, which we've also seen on other SUV models; It adds the requisite amount of black trim, a custom fascia, and 17-inch wheels wearing all-terrain tires. Inside the Activ, you'll find Evotex material with "suedeed microfiber seating surfaces."

Regardless of trim, there's only one engine option under the hood: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower. On front-wheel-drive models, maximum torque is connected to a CVT set at 184 pound-feet. All-wheel-drive versions have an eight-speed automatic and 203 lb-ft of twist. To make the most of it (at least on RS and Activ trims) there's a mode selector dial on the center console to switch between Normal, Snow and Off-Road driving modes, though Off-Road is only offered on AWD models.

Source: https://www.motor1.com/news/705754/2025-chevrolet-equinox-debut-details/