Equinox RS Sport Package: What You Get and Is It Worth It
Equinox RS sounds like an add-on package until you realize it is actually one of only three trims in the current lineup.
Chevrolet trimmed the Equinox down to just three trims for the current generation: LT, RS, and ACTIV. The old LS base trim and the LTZ name are both gone from the gas-powered lineup entirely. RS sits in the middle, and what it actually changes is narrower than most buyers assume.
Key Takeaways:
- RS stands for Rally Sport, a full trim level, not a bolt-on package.
- RS changes styling and interior materials. It does not change the engine, core technology, or standard safety features, which are identical across all three trims.
- RS upgrades to Evotex premium synthetic leather seating, compared to LT’s cloth.
- RS gets a sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels, which trades some ride comfort for a firmer, more engaged feel.
- RS and ACTIV solve different problems: RS is about street styling, while ACTIV adds standard AWD and off-road-oriented capability.
Pro Tip: Drive the LT and RS back to back before deciding. The styling differences are easy to see in photos, but the ride quality difference is something you genuinely have to feel to judge for yourself.
RS Stands for Rally Sport
This is worth clearing up directly, since the name itself causes confusion. RS stands for Rally Sport, a Chevrolet designation used across several models to signal sportier styling. It is related to, but distinct from, RST, which stands for Rally Sport Truck and appears on Chevy’s truck and full-size SUV lineup instead. The two names sound similar and share a common root, but they apply to different vehicle categories with different meanings behind the badge.
On the current Equinox, RS is not an options package you add to another trim. It is one of exactly three trim levels available, alongside LT and ACTIV. Chevrolet simplified the lineup considerably for this generation, dropping the older LS base trim and removing the LTZ name from the gas-powered Equinox entirely.
What does RS mean on a Chevy Equinox? RS stands for Rally Sport, a Chevrolet designation for sportier styling used across several models, including the Equinox.
Is RS a package I add to the LT trim? No. RS is a standalone trim level on the current Equinox, not an add-on package. The lineup consists of exactly three trims: LT, RS, and ACTIV.
How many trim levels does the current Equinox lineup have? Three: LT, RS, and ACTIV. The older LS base trim and the LTZ name have both been dropped from the current gas-powered lineup.
RS Changes Styling, Not Capability
This is the most important thing to understand about this trim. The engine, the core technology, and the standard safety features are identical across LT, RS, and ACTIV. The 11.3-inch touchscreen, Google Built-in, Chevrolet Safety Assist, and the 1.5L turbocharged engine all carry over unchanged, regardless of which of the three trims you choose.
What RS actually changes is exterior and interior styling. Black mirrors, moldings, and badging replace the LT’s brighter trim, and the RS often includes a flat-bottom steering wheel, though exact availability can vary by model year. Larger 18-inch wheels replace the LT’s standard wheels as well, adding to the more assertive stance. None of this affects how the vehicle drives in terms of capability, only how it looks and feels from the driver’s seat and from the curb.
Does the RS trim have a different engine than the LT? No. All three current Equinox trims share the same 1.5L turbocharged engine. RS does not offer any additional engine option.
Is the technology different on the RS trim? No. The 11.3-inch touchscreen, digital driver display, and Google Built-in are standard across LT, RS, and ACTIV alike.
What does RS actually change if not the engine or technology? Primarily exterior styling, including blacked-out trim and badging, along with some interior styling touches like a flat-bottom steering wheel on some model years.
Seating Material Is a Real Upgrade
This is one of the more genuinely useful differences between LT and RS, and it is often buried under the styling talk. LT comes with cloth seating. RS steps up to Evotex premium synthetic leather, a real material upgrade rather than a cosmetic badge change.
For buyers who care about interior feel and easier cleanup, particularly with kids or pets, this is a tangible reason to consider RS beyond the exterior look alone.
What seating material does the Equinox RS have? Evotex premium synthetic leather, an upgrade from the LT’s standard cloth seating.
Is synthetic leather easier to clean than cloth? Generally yes. Synthetic leather resists stains and spills better than cloth and is typically easier to wipe down.
Does ACTIV get the same seating material as RS? No. ACTIV uses a sueded microfiber material geared toward its more adventure-focused positioning, distinct from the RS’s synthetic leather.
Ride Quality Trades Comfort for Feel
RS comes with a sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels, which genuinely changes how the vehicle feels on the road compared to LT. The tradeoff is a firmer ride, since a sport-tuned suspension prioritizes handling response over the softer, more cushioned feel a standard suspension delivers. This is a real, physical difference you can feel over rougher pavement, not just a marketing distinction.
This is not a flaw. It is a deliberate tuning choice that suits some drivers more than others. Buyers who value a plush, quiet ride above all else may prefer the LT’s standard setup, while buyers who want a more engaged feel on curvier roads will likely appreciate what RS does here.
Does the RS trim ride rougher than the LT? Somewhat, yes. The sport-tuned suspension trades some ride softness for sharper handling response, which some drivers notice more than others depending on road conditions.
Is the firmer ride quality worth it for daily driving? It depends on personal preference. Drivers who prioritize a cushioned ride may prefer LT, while those who want a more engaged feel often appreciate the RS setup.
Do the 18-inch wheels affect ride quality too? Yes, larger wheels with lower-profile tires generally transmit more road feel than smaller wheels, contributing to the RS’s firmer overall character.
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RS and ACTIV Solve Different Problems
It is worth comparing RS against ACTIV directly, since both sit above LT and buyers sometimes assume they are simply different flavors of the same upgrade. They are not. RS is a street-focused styling trim. ACTIV is built around standard all-wheel drive and off-road-oriented details like all-terrain tires and roof rails.
If genuine AWD capability and a more rugged, adventure-ready character matter to you, ACTIV is the trim built around that. If you want a sportier street look and upgraded seating without needing AWD or off-road styling, RS is the more direct fit.
What is the main difference between RS and ACTIV? RS focuses on street-inspired sport styling. ACTIV focuses on standard all-wheel drive and off-road-oriented capability and styling.
Does the RS trim come with standard all-wheel drive like ACTIV? No. AWD is available on RS as an option, similar to LT, while ACTIV includes it as standard equipment.
Should I choose ACTIV over RS if I want AWD? If AWD is a requirement rather than an option you might add, ACTIV’s standard AWD makes it the more direct choice.
Is the RS for me?
The honest answer depends entirely on what you are trying to get from the upgrade. If you specifically want the blacked-out styling, the upgraded synthetic leather seating, and do not mind a firmer ride, RS delivers exactly that over LT.
If styling and seating material do not matter much to you, and you would rather keep the LT’s cost and softer ride, there is no capability you are giving up by skipping RS. The engine, technology, and safety features stay the same either way, so this decision comes down entirely to personal preference rather than any functional tradeoff.
Is the Equinox RS worth the upgrade over LT? It depends on how much the styling and seating material matter to you specifically, since capability, technology, and safety are otherwise identical to LT.
Am I missing out on any real capability by choosing LT over RS? No. LT and RS share the same engine, technology, and safety features. The difference is entirely styling, seating material, and ride tuning.
Which trim would Barry’s recommend for a first-time Equinox buyer? It depends on priorities. If styling and seating material are not top concerns, LT delivers the full core Equinox experience at a lower cost.
Talk to Barry’s About the RS Trim
Barry’s Chevrolet is a family-owned dealership in West Union, Ohio. Come sit in an LT and an RS side by side and decide for yourself whether the styling and seating upgrade is worth it for you.
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