2025 Chevy Equinox: What Changed and Is It a Good Buy

The 2025 Chevy Equinox changes are a refinement story, not a redesign. At Barry’s Chevrolet in West Union, Ohio, buyers who are deciding between a 2024 and 2025 Equinox or coming off a lease on an older generation want to know what actually changed, whether the updates matter, and whether the current Equinox is a good buy in 2025 and 2026. This post covers what is new on the 2025 model, what stayed the same, and how to decide if it is the right compact SUV for buyers in Southern Ohio.

The Current Equinox Generation: Context First

The 2025 Chevy Equinox is the second model year of the current fifth-generation Equinox platform, which launched for the 2024 model year. This was a significant redesign: new exterior design language, an updated interior with a larger touchscreen, revised powertrain lineup, and expanded safety technology as standard equipment.

Understanding this context matters because the question of what changed on the 2025 Equinox is really asking what refined or updated from the launch year 2024 model. It is not a ground-up change from the previous generation. It is a current-generation update.

The 2026 Equinox continues the same platform with similar refinements. When we reference the current Equinox at Barry’s, we are referring to the 2025 and 2026 model years as essentially the same vehicle with minor variation.

What the 2025 Equinox Has That Older Generations Did Not

For buyers who are comparing the 2025 Equinox to a 2020, 2021, or 2022 model they are coming off of, here is what the current generation brought to the table:

• Updated exterior: the current Equinox has a noticeably different exterior compared to the third-generation model (2018-2023). Sharper lines, a more distinctive front end, and a design that reads as more contemporary. This is not a minor refresh.
• Larger standard touchscreen: the current-generation Equinox comes standard with a larger infotainment screen than the outgoing model. The interface has been updated and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on most configurations.
• Chevrolet Safety Assist as standard: every 2025 Equinox includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams as standard equipment across all trims.
• Updated engine lineup: the current generation uses a turbocharged 1.5L 4-cylinder as the primary engine, replacing the previous 1.5L setup with updated calibration for improved efficiency and refinement.
• Refined interior quality: the current generation stepped up interior material quality and the overall fit and finish compared to the outgoing model, particularly on LT and higher trims.

Specific 2025 Model Year Updates

Within the current generation, the 2025 Equinox brings these specific updates compared to the 2024 launch model:

• Color palette updates: the 2025 model year included adjustments to the available exterior color options, adding new choices and retiring others from the launch year palette.
• Standard equipment refinements: minor adjustments to what is included at specific trim levels, with some features that required an option package on the 2024 moving to standard on certain 2025 configurations.
• Production and availability improvements: the 2024 launch year saw some inventory constraints typical of a first model year on a new platform. The 2025 model year benefited from more stable production and wider availability.

What did not change between 2024 and 2025: the fundamental platform, the engine, the powertrain, the interior architecture, and the core feature set. Buyers choosing between a 2024 and 2025 Equinox are choosing between the same generation with minor specification differences rather than meaningfully different vehicles.

Is the 2025 Chevy Equinox a Good Car?

This is the question buyers in the data are asking most directly, and it deserves a straight answer.

Yes, for the right buyer. The 2025 Equinox is a well-rounded compact SUV that handles the daily use case most buyers in Adams County and Southern Ohio actually need: comfortable daily driving, reasonable cargo space for family and errand use, available AWD for winter conditions and rural routes, and a modern safety technology package as standard.

It is not a performance vehicle and it does not pretend to be. The 1.5L turbocharged engine is adequate for its purpose without being exciting. Fuel economy in the mid-20s to low 30s mpg range depending on drivetrain and driving conditions is competitive for the segment.

Where the Equinox earns its place is in the combination of value, features, and practicality. Comparable compact SUVs with similar feature sets from other brands often cost more. The Equinox’s trim structure, particularly the LT, delivers a genuinely modern interior experience with heated seats, wireless connectivity, and the standard safety package at a price point that positions it well in the segment.

AWD vs FWD on the 2025 Equinox: Still Relevant

One of the most consistent questions about the Equinox for buyers in Southern Ohio is whether to choose AWD. The 2025 Equinox offers AWD as an option on most trim configurations. The AWD system is automatic and engages without driver input when traction is reduced.

For buyers in Adams County who drive county routes in winter, deal with hilly terrain year-round, and occasionally access unpaved roads, AWD on the Equinox is a practical recommendation rather than an upgrade for its own sake.

See our full Equinox AWD vs FWD guide for the detailed breakdown of when AWD matters in Southern Ohio driving conditions.

2025 Equinox Trim Levels Overview

The 2025 Equinox is available in four main trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier. Here is the practical summary:

• LS: the base trim. Standard Chevrolet Safety Assist, the updated touchscreen, and the core feature set. The entry point for the current generation.
• LT: the most popular trim and the strongest value in the lineup. Adds heated front seats, additional connectivity features, and refinements over the LS. Most buyers comparing Equinox to competitors are comparing at this trim level.
• RS: the sport appearance trim. Similar feature content to the LT with exterior styling updates including a blacked-out grille and unique badging. A style choice rather than a capability upgrade.
• Premier: the top trim. Adds a larger touchscreen, leather seating, ventilated front seats, and additional driver assistance features including Blind Zone Steering Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Braking. The Premium safety package and interior upgrades are the main differentiators.

Does the 2025 Equinox Have a Third Row?

No. The Chevy Equinox does not have a third row in any configuration. It is a two-row compact SUV with seating for up to five passengers. If you need three rows, the right vehicle in the Chevrolet lineup is the Traverse, which is a larger three-row midsize SUV.

Buyers who are searching for a three-row Equinox are likely confusing it with the Traverse, or they are coming from a previous generation that was larger. The current Equinox is a two-row compact. The Traverse is the three-row option in the Chevy SUV family.

For a comparison of the full Chevy SUV lineup and which vehicle fits which family configuration, see our guide to the best Chevy SUVs for families.

Where Is the 2025 Equinox Made?

The 2025 Chevy Equinox is manufactured in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. This is the same production location used for the previous generation Equinox and is consistent with GM’s production strategy for the model. The manufacturing location does not affect the vehicle’s quality, warranty coverage, or dealer service. Every new Equinox at Barry’s carries the same Chevrolet factory warranty regardless of where it was built.

2025 Equinox vs the Previous Generation: Should You Buy New or Used?

For buyers considering a used Equinox to save money, the current generation starts with the 2024 model year. A used 2024 Equinox represents the same platform as a new 2025 or 2026 with some depreciation.

The previous third-generation Equinox (2018-2023) offers more depreciation and lower acquisition cost, but it lacks the updated exterior design, the improved interior quality of the current generation, and the standardized Chevrolet Safety Assist package. For buyers who want the modern interior and standard safety tech, the current generation is the right target.

For the full used Equinox buying framework including which years to target and which to approach carefully, see our best used Equinox years guide.

Pro Tips

The LT is the trim to start at for most buyers.

The Equinox LS is the base model and it is a complete vehicle, but the LT adds heated front seats and connectivity features that make a noticeable daily difference for buyers in Southern Ohio. The price step from LS to LT is modest relative to what you get. Most buyers who are comparing the Equinox seriously are comparing at the LT level, and that is the right comparison point.

Check availability before you decide between model years.

Inventory at any given time may include a mix of 2025 and 2026 model year Equinox trucks. The differences between the two are minor. What matters more than the model year is the trim level, the drivetrain configuration, and the color you are choosing. Do not pay a premium for a specific model year if a slightly different year in the same trim is readily available.

Additional Questions

Does the 2025 Equinox have wireless CarPlay?

Yes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on current-generation Equinox models. The specific trim level and configuration affects whether it is standard or requires an option. Verify on the window sticker of the specific vehicle you are considering.

How does the 2025 Equinox compare to the Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-5?

The Equinox competes directly with both in the compact SUV segment. See our Equinox vs Honda CR-V comparison and Equinox vs Mazda CX-5 comparison for the detailed head-to-head on key categories.

What is the towing capacity of the 2025 Equinox?

The 2025 Chevy Equinox is rated for up to 3,500 lbs towing when properly equipped. This is adequate for a small boat, utility trailer, or light recreational equipment, and is higher than several competitors in the compact SUV segment.

Talk to Barry’s About the 2025 Equinox

Barry’s Chevrolet is a family-owned dealership in West Union, Ohio. We carry new 2025 and 2026 Chevy Equinox across multiple trim levels and configurations. If you want to compare AWD and FWD versions, see the trim difference between the LT and Premier in person, or compare the Equinox to another compact SUV you are considering, come in.

For more on Equinox safety features, see our Chevy Equinox safety features guide.

Talk to Barry’s Chevrolet

Give us a call at (866) 601-5443 or visit us on the lot in West Union, OH. We are happy to answer questions and help you find the right fit.