A Week With: 2025 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD

Chevrolet’s in the midst of a product transformation. And while I could be talking about EVs, I’m actually just thinking about its slate of SUVs. Specifically, their lineup of small utes that are, stylistically speaking, among the most appealing offerings in the market right now.

Leading that pack is the brand’s top-selling vehicle year in and year out: the Equinox. The recent redesign has clearly renewed interest in the compact SUV, as sales were up 31% through the first quarter.

After a week in the 2025 Equinox LT with all-wheel drive, I can see why. For what’s a reasonable price in the segment, Chevy makes certain you get plenty of bang for your buck, including good looks, better-than-expected performance and a slew of technology.

Strong styling

Our tester was more than just an entry-level vehicle, it was the midnight edition, gives it black 19-inch wheels along with black moldings, a black grille and even black bowties. That look highlights the sterling gray metallic exterior very well.

In the past, the Equinox was a stylistic wallflower. If you looked up the phrase, “it’s fine” in an automotive dictionary, there would be a picture of the previous generation Equinox. However, that’s no longer the case.

With the newest iteration, you get a more muscular, athletic-looking vehicle. First of all, it’s 2.5 inches wider, and while that may not seem like much is shows. With squared wheel openings and fender flares, it looks more stout, like it could actually handle something rough and tumble. In short, it’s a handsome SUV.

Cool cabin

The interior is as impressive as the exterior. Our model came with an artemis gray interior, including heated Evotex front seats. For a long time, Chevy interiors have been a little cringe as the kids say, but not any longer.

The 11.3-inch LCD touchscreen is clean and crisp and easy to reach. The climate controls are equally accessible and simple to use.

The gear selector’s been moved to steering column allowing for much more storage space in the center. The wireless phone charger is simple to use. Drop it in and it begins charging.

Google built-in comes with the vehicle, and I used it for a while. It was very, very good … but not enough to make me want to switch from Apple CarPlay, which was also part of the standard package along with Android Auto.

Improved performance

The 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder is powerful enough to get you through just about any situation — except beating most vehicles in the Traffic Light 500. It puts out 175 horsepower and since we had an all-wheel-drive model, it was mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

However, fuel economy is very good at 26 miles per gallon combined.

If you want better fuel economy, skip all-wheel drive and go with the front-wheel model tied to a continuously variable transmission and you should see fuel economy improve a few mpgs.

Normally in this kind of vehicle, I’d say give me the efficiency over power but I’ve yet to find the CVT I prefer over a regular transmission so I’d opt to pay the extra for all-wheel drive. Then again, I’d make that choice whenever possible as

I live in a climate that gets some … “weather” once in a while.

How did it do?

The Equinox LT is just about all you could want from a mainstream, highly contented compact SUV. The price on our tester was just over $36,500. Do I want to pay that much for an Equinox? No. Is that the going rate for a well-equipped small ute these days? Yes.

However, having driven the Active off-road-oriented model just a few months ago, I think I’d rather have that one for about $1,000 less.