CHEVROLET Equinox Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Chevrolet kept the third generation of the Equinox just six years before it replaced it with the fourth generation of this nameplate at the beginning of 2024 for the 2025 model year.

The Equinox was one of the best-selling vehicles in GM’s inventory, and the American automaker tried to maintain this advantage. As a result, instead of giving another facelift to the third generation, it completely changed the vehicle. The 2025 model was wider and roomier than its predecessor and promised to be more fun-to-drive vehicle. In addition, it gained a new trim level that made the car perfectly capable of tackling some rough roads. Even though it wasn’t a hard-core off-road vehicle, it could handle well in more difficult situations than before. Those who wanted the Equinox as an all-around, asphalt-oriented vehicle could have it in the RS clothing that sported a more aggressive look than the rest of its stablemates.

Regardless of the trim level customers chose, the Equinox featured a tall front area with a black and broad grille. The Activ version had its specific badge on the top-right corner of the grille. For the RS version, the automaker created a different pattern with a hexagonal and recessed area for the grille and a red badge on it. Interestingly, both versions had the bow-tie badge black surrounded by a chromed trim. While the Activ version had a skid-plate-like matte black trim on the lower side of the apron, the RS featured a shiny black lower area.

From its profile, the compact-sized crossover featured matte plastic cladding around wheel arches and a set of 17” alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires for the Activ version, while the RS came with 19” as standard and 20-inch as an option. A two-tone color option was also on the table, with white roofs for the Activ and black for the RS. Those looking for a more affordable version could get the LT trim level that came with a one-tone option. The sculptured door panels and the raised shoulders above the rear wheels created a muscular for the 2025 Equinox, a car that had to compete against other highly appreciated crossovers in the segment, such as the Toyota Rav4 and the Honda CR-V. Finally, at the back, the automaker installed Y-shaped taillights extended from the quarter panels to the tailgate.

Inside, GM completely ditched the traditional instrument cluster. It replaced it with an 11-inch display that showed the dials and other driving-related information. Next to it, atop the center stack, the Equinox featured an 11.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. It was Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. Unlike other automakers, Chevrolet listened to its customers and left the turn-volume knob close to the driver. In addition, the climate control functions were analog, with rotary dials and physical buttons. The minimalist design of the dashboard was adorned by a black trim in front of the side passenger. Between the bucket seats up front, the automaker installed a center console fitted with a wireless charger and two cup holders. In the back, the Equinox featured a split-folding bench seat fit for three passengers. Surprisingly, the automaker found a way to create an almost flat floor with just a small hump for the transmission tunnel.

Under the hood, Chevrolet installed a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine paired with a CVT for vehicles fitted with front-wheel drive systems. The all-wheel drive versions sent their power to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Chevrolet didn't rush on creating new electric vehicles, even though it was a pioneer in this domain with the EV1 in 1996. But this time, it didn't run and developed an entirely new platform named Ultium.

General Motors likes to take things slowly and develop its products with patience. The EV-1 was not its only tryout in the electric-car segment. Its electrified Volt (Opel/Vauxhall Ampera in Europe) and the all-electric Bolt were just part of its development towards total electric transformation.

At the beginning of 2022, the bow-tie brand unveiled the Equinox EV based on the same Ultium platform used by the Silverado EV pickup. Like its sibling, it was announced with an e-4WD traction system, with a dual-motor setup, one for each axle.

The overall exterior design was still linked to the traditional look of an SUV, with a front area that reminded of the engine compartment. This time, though, its front fascia was not dominated by a massive grille with some specific cutouts for the cooling system. Since it was an all-electric vehicle, it didn't need that much. Instead, only a minor part served that purpose on the lower part of the bumper, while a pair of air-scoops channeled the air towards the car's sides to lower the drag resistance.

Thanks to its short overhangs and long wheelbase, the Equinox provided a spacious interior. The cabin featured the same five-seat layout as usual in such a crossover, with a tall center console, which served as a storage area and armrest for the front occupants. At the back, the split-folding bench offered enough room for three passengers. Since there was no transmission tunnel, the floor was completely flat.

Launched for the first time in 2005, the Chevrolet Equinox was, in the beginning, a re-badged Suzuki Vitara XL7. But in time, the model improved a lot and made it into becoming a respected medium SUV on the market.

The evolution was constant and in 2015 it became a good contender in the mid-size SUV segment. In February 2020, at the Chicago Auto Show, the Equinox received a new update, with a sharper look and new engines. The new engines are a 1.5-liter and a 2.0-liter, both turbocharged. The new Equinox may be equipped with either a 6-speed or a 9-speed automatic transmission, depending on engine.

Outside, the Equinox finally received LED headlights and taillights. Some minor changes to the exterior translate into a new black front grille with some chrome inserts. Not good, not bad, just nothing special to it. And, in addition, for the tailgate, the Equinox received a logo-projection on the rear door. You know them from eBay, where you could buy similar ones with 5 dollars for 5 doors.

Chevrolet decided to add more safety features for its mid-sized SUV. Thus, it included an HD surround vision with a camera system, forward collision alert, rear collision alert, and cross-traffic alert, and a highly awaited adaptive cruise-control based on the camera, not on laser beams like other carmakers.

Inside, there are new stitchings on the upholstery just for a better look. It is something Chevy could have done from the start, but they look fine anyway. On top of it, a new black finish was added to the center console.

Released at the autumnal equinox on September 22nd, the third generation of the Chevrolet Equinox was a compact SUV that came equipped with gasoline and diesel engines on the U.S. market.

A new design language and a friendly approach brought the Equinox closer to its customers. Moreover, the 2018 Equinox was shorter by 144 mm (5.6”) than the first generation. Its downsize in dimensions was reflected in its weight, which dropped by 400 pounds (180 kg). With all these improvements, the SUV was able to improve its fuel-efficiency.

On the outside, the Equinox featured a new chromed grille and narrower headlights that incorporated the LED daytime running lights. A slightly ascending beltline was ended on the C-pillar, creating an elegant, yet sporty, look for the car. In the rear, the black D-pillar created a look like a panoramic glass formed by the rear side windows and the rear screen.

Inside, the Equinox offered room for five adult passengers. Due to the rear flat floor, the middle passenger didn't have to ride the center tunnel. With a tilting rear seatback, the comfort was improved. A flat loading floor for the trunk could have been extended by folding the rear seats. The result was not a completely flat area, but it was considered acceptable. In the front, the infotainment unit offered a standard 7” touch-screen with an option for 8” and it was Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.

At the launch, there were three engine choices announced, with a 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline units and a 1.6-liter turbodiesel. The base version was mated to a 6-speed auto, while the diesel and the 2.0-liter were fitted with a 9-speed auto. Front-wheel drive was standard for most of the trim levels.

Chevrolet introduced the second generation of the Equinox high-rider at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Still, it wasn't an entirely new car.

GM was still in trouble due to the world financial crisis. Yet, it had to move on with what it had in its stores and parts bin. So, its engineers used the same Theta platform of the previous Equinox generation, strengthened it, and the design team created a new bodywork. Moreover, GM used some of its already developed and under-production engines and gearboxes to power it.

The design team had the most challenging task of creating a new bodywork for the Equinox while still relying on the same platform. Thus, it made a new front fascia that adopted a similar design language to the European Chevrolet Antara/Opel Captiva. The new design language also included the one-slat grille that sported the golden bow-tie badge in the middle and a few chromed trims on the lower bumper and the foglights' clusters. The raked-forward C-pillar was still present, like on its predecessor.

Inside, the Equinox featured a new dashboard with a binocular instrument cluster that combined curved lines and sharp angles in a new-edge-design styling. The same idea was applied to the vents. The front bucket seats were separated by a tall center console that hosted an armrest with a storage compartment and a couple of cup holders.

Under the hood, the base engine was the same 2.4-liter powerplant used on other GM products and, as an option, a 3.0-liter V6. Power went in all corners via a six-speed automatic transmission fitted as standard.

Chevrolet introduced the Equinox range in 2004 as a 2005 model-year and built it on the same platform with the Saturn Vue, Chevrolet Captiva/Vauxhall Antara.

While the MPVs and station wagons started to disappear from the carmakers' showrooms, new SUVs appeared on their price-lists. Despite their off-road look and AWD systems, these were more of a mall-roaders than true offroad vehicles. They worked best as family cars, from school-runs to grocery-getters.

With its Trailblazer look, the Equinox might have been mistaken with its bigger brothers, but from its profile it showed better its true intentions. Its front fascia sported a chromed horizontal slat spread from one headlight to another, across the black grille. From its sides, the ascending arched beltline induced a dynamic stance for the light-weight SUV. In the back, the raked-forward tailgate sported a roof-spoiler at the top. Its taillights, though, with their clear-lens design, looked more aftermarket than an original set.

Inside, Chevrolet didn't want to offer the SUV with a seven-seat layout, and that was a wise move since the last row would just eat some storage area without providing any usable seating place. Its rear bench was sliding back and forth to provide more legroom or a bigger trunk. The carmaker used the same dashboard as in the Captiva/Antara range at the front, but with a different design for the instrument panel.

Chevrolet offered the Equinox with two- or all-wheel-drive systems and a choice of two V-6 engines. Strangely though, it showed similar fuel consumption for both front- or all-wheel-drive versions.