Chevy has been busy as of late, treating its SUVs to a thorough refresh that’s brought some significant changes to the lineup. The brand’s Traverse, Trax, Trailblazer, Blazer, and Equinox have all been updated over the last three years, modernizing the Chevy fleet with some important enhancements that bring the SUVs firmly into the modern era. While all these models are worth checking out if you’re in the market for a new crossover, the Equinox deserves a closer look. While this compact previously served as a smaller version of the midsize Traverse, the Equinox has really come into its own in its new fourth generation.
The Equinox was already Chevy’s best-selling model outside of the pickup segment, but an all-new design goes a long way toward distinguishing it from its big brother. Both SUVs share GM’s new VSS-S platform, but the Equinox gains a bevy of new tech and safety features, a fully redesigned cabin, bold new exterior styling, and an intriguing new trim in the sporty ACTIV. All of these updates might be a lot to keep up with if you’re in the market for Chevy Equinox for sale, which is why I’ve compiled a quick guide to the 2025 version of Chevy’s best-selling SUV. Read on to explore how the Equinox has finally emerged from the Traverse’s shadow to shake up the compact crossover segment.
A Crossover Space Station
The new Equinox might be leaving the Traverse in the rear-view mirror, but it has learned a thing or two from its larger sibling. Chevy has increased the Equinox’s width by 2.5 inches—a modest change that still manages to have a noticeable impact on passenger comfort. The front seat remains unchanged with 52 cu.ft. of passenger room, but the second row adds two extra cubic feet that should go a long way toward making adults feel a little more welcome in the backseat.
Cargo volume remains consistent with the 2024 model, but Chevy has thrown in a few clever storage options that make the interior feel a little more spacious. This is largely thanks to the SUV’s gear selector, which has been moved from the center console to the steering column. That makes extra room for some storage cubbies that can be easily accessed by backseat passengers, as well as a wireless charging dock designed to keep everyone’s devices operating at full power.
The three-row Traverse provides increased power and space when compared with the Equinox, making it a great choice for those with growing families or drivers who put a premium on utility. It has a clear edge in terms of performance with a turbocharged 328-hp engine that gives it 5,000 lbs of towing capacity versus 1,500 lbs in the Equinox. The Traverse offers up to 97.6 cu.ft. of cargo volume when the back rows are folded away, which eclipses the Equinox’s 63.5 cu.ft. by a wide margin and makes the Traverse the best cargo hauler in the midsize segment.
The story is largely the same in terms of passenger volume, with the Traverse offering 60 cu.ft. in the front row and 53 cu.ft. in the second to the Equinox’s 52 and 49 cu.ft., respectively, not to mention the additional third row with 40 cu.ft. of space. Most importantly, the third row is largely enough for full-grown riders thanks to a seat that sits well off of the ground. Optional second-row captain’s chairs bring the SUV’s capacity down to seven passengers, but it’s a small price to pay when you factor in the added comfort.
Interior Motives
For 2025, the Equinox’s interior goes a little upscale, with Chevy giving the cabin a comprehensive overhaul that ditches the cheaper plastic trimming for some premium finishes and contemporary design cues. This effect is most noticeable on the dashboard, where, instead of a dull plastic monolith, drivers will be met with various textures, materials, and little touches that impart a more sophisticated feel.
The dashboard has also taken a page from the Traverse, integrating new tech and convenience features like an 11.0-inch configurable instrument display and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The latter operates on GM’s Google-based infotainment software, which gives drivers access to their favorite Google-based apps, including a hands-free, voice-activated assistant that acts as a sort of crossover concierge. The infotainment system also wins points for its responsiveness, which can make all the difference when you’re trying to reduce distractions behind the wheel.
The Traverse’s dashboard closely resembles that of the Equinox but includes a few additional high-end touches and an ample 17.7-inch infotainment screen that provides plenty of room to browse apps, monitor turn-by-turn GPS directions, or select the perfect song for your next ride. Both the Equinox and Traverse offer a wide array of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as part of the standard package, including automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, but the Traverse has an edge in terms of automation thanks to the presence of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system.
Super Cruise allows drivers to sit back and enjoy the ride on over 750,000 miles of roads across the United States and Canada. Super Cruise isn’t just one of the best-rated hands-free driving systems on the market; it also offers the largest hands-free driving network in North America. The gas-powered Equinox lacks the Super Cruise system—for now—but if you want to get a taste of GM’s cutting-edge tech, it’s currently available on the Equinox EV.
Room for ACTIV-ities
With the introduction of the new ACTIV trim, the Equinox finally gains an outdoorsy trim that ups the SUV’s utility in off-road environs. This allows the Equinox to keep pace with the Traverse, which introduced its own off-road offering in the Z71 for the 2024 model year, but how do the two trims compare? We’ll start with the ACTIV, which builds on the sporty RS trim with a range of styling enhancements and light off-road equipment. The Equinox ACTIV stands out with exclusive 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires that improve the SUV when venturing off the beaten path or facing slick, snowy conditions on paved roads.
Like all fourth-gen Equinox trims, the ACTIV adds new squared-off wheel openings that give the crossover an edgier, more aggressive look, but the new trim also sets itself apart with a one-of-a-kind grille that speaks to its sporty intentions. The rectangular grille is built around a honeycomb pattern reminiscent of the RS but designed with a larger opening and Black Chrome trimming throughout. These appearance-related upgrades are just part of the package, with the ACTIV also boasting synthetic leather and suede upholstery and—on models equipped with all-wheel drive—an Off-Road drive mode that adjusts the crossover’s traction and stability control systems to better handle the loose, uneven terrain that defines the off-road experience.
The Traverse Z71 continues a proud tradition of off-road trims that started with the Chevy Silverado 1500 in 1988; it lives up to its name with a generous assortment of heavy-duty equipment designed to maximize confidence on your next off-the-grid excursion. Like the ACTIV, the Z71 gains larger wheels (18 inches) and a set of traction-enhancing all-terrain tires. The Z71 also has an upgraded off-road suspension complete with an extra inch of ground clearance and specialized dampers with hydraulic rebound control that’ll ensure a comfortable ride no matter how rocky the road gets. A wider track enhances stability and handling, while underbody skid plates help to protect vital components from the rocks, logs, and debris of the off-road experience.
The Traverse Z71 comes standard with a twin-clutch AWD system and a variety of selectable driving modes, including Terrain Mode and a Hill Descent Control feature that provides enhanced control when navigating steep descents. The Z71’s cabin won’t be mistaken for any other Traverse trim, with Chevy providing the interior with red interior accents and black synthetic leather upholstery with red stitching. While the ACTIV might not be as robust as the Z71 when it comes to pure off-road ability, the gulf in performance really isn’t that surprising when you consider the price. The Z71 retails for almost $15k more than the ACTIV, which goes a long way toward explaining the difference in hardware.
The Equinox Acquires Its Own Style
If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly family vehicle that doesn’t skimp on style, it might be time to consider the Chevy Equinox. Low starting and ownership costs make the Equinox a notable value in the midsize market. The Traverse has been put on a more premium path, while the Equinox is more geared toward the mass market with a much lower price and a well-rounded roster of performance, safety, comfort, and convenience credentials. It’s a logical approach on the part of Chevy, which has found a lot of success in prioritizing the Equinox’s affordability.
The Equinox and Traverse might be headed in different directions, but this move was really long overdue from a marketing perspective. The Equinox had traditionally defined itself in relation to its bigger brother by offering a compact version of the Traverse, but Chevy’s efforts to differentiate the two models should help each establish its own reputation and identity.
