Back in 2022, I spent a week in the Chevy Equinox. It was the sort of week that doesn’t exactly haunt your dreams but doesn’t set your world ablaze either—solid, predictable, a bit like a coffee that says “I work at an insurance firm.” Fast forward to 2025, and the Equinox has rolled in for another week with a whole new look; sort of like Chevy decided to put on a well-tailored suit and ditch the khakis. It’s sharper, more refined, almost as if it’s been to a design boot camp and came back ready to turn heads.
From the outside, the 2025 Equinox is a stunner compared to its past life. Lines are crisp, the grille’s got a bold swagger, and the LED lights look like they mean business. It’s as if the designers finally stopped looking at spreadsheets and started sketching with some passion.
Step inside the 2025 Chevy Equinox, and it feels like stepping into an entirely new era. Gone are the days of plastic panels that felt like leftover Lego bricks. Now, you’re met with soft-touch materials, a redesigned dash that actually looks like a thought or two went into it, and an infotainment system that’s no longer trying to boot up from 2007. Even the seats have had an upgrade; they’re not just “acceptable” anymore—they’re genuinely comfortable, with enough support to keep your spine from writing complaints to management on longer drives.
But there is, however, one glaring piece of old-school stubbornness staring at you: the column shifter. It’s as if Chevy borrowed it from a pickup truck that refuses to retire. Sure, I get it—it frees up space, it’s retro-cool in theory—but in practice? It’s like trying to navigate a Rubik’s Cube with oven mitts on. You’ll find yourself wondering why the perfectly good console shifter wasn’t enough, muttering under your breath as you inevitably fumble with it at a stoplight. It’s clunky, it’s awkward, and it demands you rethink your muscle memory every single time.
The Equinox lineup still covers the usual suspects: the LT, Activ and now there’s an RS trim that wants you to believe it’s sporty, even if deep down it knows it isn’t going to be setting any Nürburgring lap times. Still, it looks aggressive enough to make you think twice about calling it a grocery-getter.
Now, let’s address the elephant under the hood—or rather, the tiny hamster on a wheel. On the front-wheel-drive models there is another piece of old-school tech: a continuously variable transmission. Tt drones, it whines, and it’s about as thrilling as a rainy Tuesday. You’d think with all this newfound elegance Chevy would have taken a hard look at the transmission and said, “Maybe it’s time we got serious,” but no. The CVT lingers on like that one friend who refuses to leave a party even after the lights come on. Fortunately for me I had the all-wheel-drive version which gets a new eight-speed automatic.
But here’s perhaps the best surprise when comparing the 2025 and 2022—the price only ticked up a couple thousand bucks. For a car that’s been completely overhauled inside and out, that’s not just a fair deal, it’s a solid value play. You’re still getting a crossover that looks fresh, feels modern, and doesn’t empty your wallet. So while the shifter and that whiny CVT may have you scratching your head, your wallet won’t be crying itself to sleep.
It’s a total transformation from the 2022 model, with a sharp new exterior, a refined cabin, and fresh tech that makes it feel like a true modern contender. While the addition of trims like the RS adds visual flair, the stubborn column shifter is an annoyance, and the continued use of a CVT in the FWD is baffling. However, with only a modest price increase, the Equinox still delivers great value, wrapping all its improvements into a package that keeps your budget intact. It’s a stylish, well-rounded crossover, quirks and all.
So, while you might wrestle with the shifter, you’ll at least be doing so in a car that makes the rest of the journey worthwhile.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Activ
MSRP: $38,480
MSRP: $39,875
Engine: 1.5L turbocharged I4, 175 hp, 184 lb-ft torque
Fuel Mileage (EPA): 24 city, 29 highway, 26 combined
Fuel Mileage (as tested, mixed conditions): 28 mog
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (AWD)
Curb Weight: 3,428 lbs
Exterior Dimensions
Length: 183.2 inches
Width: 74.9 inches
Height: 65.6 inches
Wheelbase: 107.5 inches
Interior Dimensions
Passenger Volume: 104.3 cubic feet
Cargo Volume (rear seats up): 29.8 cubic feet
Cargo Volume (rear seats down): 63.5 cubic feet
Front/Rear Headroom: 40.0 / 39.2 inches
Front/Rear Legroom: 40.9 / 39.9 inches
Warranty
Basic: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Powertrain: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Protection: 6 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Greg has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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