2026 Chevy Equinox

How does the Equinox drive? The driving experience is the Equinox's weak point. A lot is being asked of its diminutive turbocharged engine, so much so that it feels less potent than it actually is. We tested the Activ trim with all-wheel drive, which pairs the engine to an eight-speed automatic transmission. At our test track, the Equinox accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds. That's OK, but you'll likely be wishing for more power when you've got a full load of people aboard or when you need to make a quick pass on the highway. Our editors also found the Equinox's throttle sluggish to respond at lower speeds.

The Equinox's brakes are a touch soft but work smoothly on the street. During our panic-braking test, the all-terrain tires on the Activ trim delivered so-so stopping distances with a best of 133 feet; that's close to what a full-size truck can do. Handling was similarly ho-hum, and the vague steering is tuned more for parking lots than it is for accuracy or a curvy road.

How comfortable is the Equinox? The Equinox should meet most buyers' expectations for comfort. The seats are well cushioned and surprisingly supportive, the suspension soaks up potholes well, and interior noise levels are relatively low. We also like the effective cooling and heating from the climate system.

Where the Equinox lacks some sophistication is at higher speeds. The ride can become floaty, and the suspension allows far too much movement, which causes the Equinox to bounce a few times after the hump or dip has been passed.

How’s the interior? At first glance, the Equinox's interior impresses. The soft seats make it easy to slide inside, and once behind the wheel, there's ample adjustment for drivers of all sizes. First- and second-row passengers have plenty of space, and the flat floor in the second row makes it even easier to sit across.

But the various menus and settings hidden in the 11.3-inch touchscreen aren't always laid out logically or always easy to find, especially while driving. Visibility is affected by the Equinox's styling, with some pronounced blind spots resulting from its beefy roof pillars. Thankfully the big touchscreen and camera have good resolution, and when combined with the optional surround-view camera system, the Equinox isn't overly difficult to park.

How’s the storage? Competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson (37.5 cubic feet and 38.7 cubic feet, respectively) offer more cargo space than the Equinox and its 29.8 cubes, but that's not to say the Chevy isn't practical. In real life, the Equinox delivers a fuss-free cargo area with no weird angles or shapes, allowing for easy loading of larger objects. When the folding split-configuration back seats are dropped, there's no problem loading at least one bicycle in the back.

From a multi-level center console to cupholders and sizable door pockets, there are plenty of spaces to stash your stuff inside. Car seats are also easy to load in and attach, though the rear seat headrests can get in the way of taller models. If you plan on towing, you might want to explore another Chevy SUV — the Equinox is only rated to 1,500 pounds for the all-wheel-drive model and 800 pounds for the front-wheel-drive variant.

Is the Equinox a good value? The Equinox is competitively priced in its segment. Its stylish sheetmetal looks more sophisticated than most of its rivals, and the interior looks more cohesive too. Build quality is slightly above average for the class, as is the roadside assistance coverage, which Chevrolet extends for five years/60,000 miles with one year of free maintenance. Other warranties are pretty standard, with bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage of three years/36,000 miles and five years/60,000 miles, respectively.