2026 Chevrolet Equinox Consumer Reviews
Pricing
LT (Editors' Pick) - $30,795 MSRP
Edmunds suggests you pay
$28,950181 for sale near you
Prices based on sales in VA thru 5/25/26
Final assembly in Mexico
Engine Misfires
Unhappy Chevy Owner, 08/22/2025
2026 Chevrolet Equinox RS 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
45 of 45 people found this review helpful
With less than 1,000 miles, my 2026 Equinox RS has been in and out of the dealership multiple times. The Service Advisor and mechanics have tried reprogramming and recalibrating various computers and sensors; however, the misfires continue . GM issued a service bulletin for Equinox engines built prior to March 2025 (which unfortunately my vehicle falls under), but still the mechanics cannot correct the misfire defect. While the car is beautiful, it’s engine is a lemon.
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Sound system is horrible
Amy, 06/25/2025
2026 Chevrolet Equinox RS 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
38 of 44 people found this review helpful
The reason I didnt give it 5 stars doesn't have anything to do with the dealership. However I really wish I shopped around more. I had a 2021 equinox and I loved it, so of course when someone hit me and totaled my car I thought I wanted another Equinox. Unfortunately Chevy changed alot of stuff since then in the newer ones. For starters I love my music and they definitely took alot of short cuts on the sound system in the 2026. No base and sounds like you are under water listening to it. I did buy the RS... I would have assumed it had a great stereo but my 2021 was much better!
2026 Chevrolet Equinox for sale near you
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Equinox with issues
Cliffy, 02/23/2026
2026 Chevrolet Equinox LT 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Been having issues with the lane keep assist feature. It keeps wanting to come to suddent stops in the middle of driving because it thinks someone is about to hit me, sometimes due to a flood light in someones yard, but mainly when it is raining, and there is oncoming traffic from the other side of the road. I also have issues with it acting like someone or something is beside of me, when nothing or no one is near. It also does the opposite. I was coming down the interestate and there was a vehicle right beside of me, and it did not even pick it up. Maybe it is too sensitive. I also have issues with auto high beam occassionaly. It wants to pick up every small amount of light and kick off in the middle of a dark road. Just because of a single light. My other issue is probably the worst. I have had issues where I will try to come to complete stop and it does not want to stop. The brakes work fine, but it is like it gets a power surge, and if you are not paying attention, could cause a wreck. It has happened a few times now.One time with someone in the vehicle with me, and that time was probably the worst, as I went to stop behind a truck trying to get onto the interstate ramp, and it would not stop. I let off the break and hit it again, and usually that stops all the issues, but it didn't this time. I just had to hold the brake down, and it eventually corrected itself. Beside the truck I was behind in that situation, I almost rear ended him, and another vehicle at a stop light. I also almost ran into an Applebees, because it did not want to stop. Those are the biggest and most concerning issues. The infotainment center does not want to recognize my phone, and I have had to reset the infortainment center a few times because it would not recognize the hotspot on my phone, some of this cleared up after the initial free 3 months of Onstar + expired, leaving with basic 8 year service. Once that ended, I have not noticed many more issues. It does take a little time to connect to my phone and I usually have to do it manually which is fine. It does tend to keep forgetting my network information and password, and I can litterly be listiening to music through my hotspot and it will disconnect in the middle with no reason. It is hard to connect while driving down the road, impossible in fact as you have to be stationary and in park to be able to enter your credentials again from scracth, which makes it annoying when you are take a 5-6 hour trip. The only other complaint I have of any meaning that is, is the sound. You hear a lot of road noise, and do not expect a quiet ride, because it is non existent. You hear quite a bit. Much of that is because lack of rubber seals and cheap plastic parts, but what do you expect for a 29000 vehicles these days. The days of quality affordable vehicles are gone. I have a 2011 Malibu that I still drive and as long as there are no needed repairs is still very quiet. Quality is a concern, but no issue in operation of the vehicle. The gap between the windshield and hood is a visual issue. Looks like they put things together and noticed a big gap and instead of reigineering that part, they just decided to put a big piece of plastic there and it looks horrible, but while driving you do not notice it too much. Now for some of the positive on the vehicle. I like the styling of the vehicle quite a bit. Standard options are heated seats, heated steering wheel, which is amazing considering those are options on some other vehicles. With the MyChevrolet App, you can also adjust the temp when remote starting. If you want the temperature to be 80, you can set it to 80. If you want it a little cooler, you can set it cooler. I do like this option, but this option goes away after the free period which is either 5 or 8 years. Can't remember which. I like the fact it not only has built in maps, which can be used offline, but it also allows you to put the map on the driver center infotainment center panel. Makes paying attention to directions much easier without taking your eyes off the road. You are not able to change what you can and can't do on some part of the driver screen. Example, if you would like radio on the left instead of the right you can not change it. You are limited at what other information you can view. Does not make sense in some regards. If you want to monitor your tire pressure you can only put it on the left side of the screen and not the right. I like the amount of storage you have in the rear. More than I was expecting, and you can lift up the floor and there is more storage in a rugged plastic bin situated int the floor. I really enjoy that part. I can tailgate if I wanted, or go fishing without worrying about it damaging the carpeted cargo area. Really have options there. I like the paint job, and from my experience easy to keep clean, and although most of that has to do with where you take it, I think a great paint job is also a plus, and I think Chevrolet did a great job in paint and colors. I like the height getting in and out. Think it makes it easier for some people. My elderly mother has a couple issues, but not as much as I thought she would have. The seats are comfortable. Even with the heated seats the seats are comfortable not too hard which is a plus if like me, you have back issues. The headrest I feel is comfortable. The steering wheel feels almost perfect. I do not like that so much of the control has to be completed using the infotainment center. Feel like many buttons should still be used. The dome lights are an example. You have to use the infotrainment center to turn the dome lights on, and they could have kept that on the dash somewhere, or even incorporated it into the rotating knob for normal or Snow/Ice Option. Otherwise most of the time the infotainment center is pretty smooth. I have not had it freeze on me yet, or be sluggish thus far. Only issues is with connection, and having to reset for those issues, otherwise, think the infotainment center is probably better than most in this class. I would buy the vehicle but recognize there are issues, and hopefully Chevrolet will fix these issues in the future. If you are aprehensive about buying right now, wait another year and see how things are going and buy then, hopefully Chevrolet will have these issues fixed, if you can not wait, I would still buy but realize you will probably be in the shop having issues looked at. As mine is right now. Styling 5/5, ride quality 3/5, mechanical issues 4/5 thus far, no mechanical issues, infotainment center 4/5, driver assist 2/5, uncontrolled acceleration 1/5. Overall 3/5. Possibly 4/5 if they can address known issues many seem to be having.
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Like the Styling
Alamo06, 01/29/2026
2026 Chevrolet Equinox RS 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I purchased my AWD Equinox RS 2026 in June 2025 and have driven it 4,600 miles. I live in an urban area in the upper Midwest. It is my fourth Equinox; the last was a 2019 Premier. Mileage varies widely depending on whether it's rural or urban driving and whether it’s winter or summer. At 4,600 miles, it averages 26.2 mpg. The urban mpg is 22-23 mpg. Driving in rural areas during the summer months, the mileage is consistently in the 30 -33 mpg range. Driving rural areas during the winter, in all kinds of weather, ranges from 26 – 30 mpg. Overall, I’m happy with my 2026 Equinox and have had no issues whatsoever with it. The styling truly stands out and makes a strong impression. The electronics, after a steep learning curve, are fantastic. I don’t think I will ever purchase another vehicle without the driver-assist and safety features that are in the 2026 Equinox. The interior is roomy and comfortable, adding to my overall satisfaction. Compared to my previous Equinoxes, the 2026 Equinox needs to improve in some areas. There are some blind spots due to its styling, such as the large fenders, which reduce visibility. (Thank goodness for surround cameras.) The added features and increased vehicle weight may have decreased its “zippiness,” although the turbo enables it keep up in all traffic conditions. I also notice there's more wind noise and lower gas mileage than in my previous Equinoxes. The sound system is also average.
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Serious Quality and Parts Issues
Nelson, 10/21/2025
2026 Chevrolet Equinox ACTIV 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
11 of 14 people found this review helpful
I bought a brand-new 2026 Chevrolet Equinox Activ (0 km) in Brazil, and it’s been a nightmare due to poor quality and unavailable parts. From the factory, the OnStar module and front camera were not working, and I’m still waiting the parts to fix it—with ETA of over three months. To make matters worse, the battery completely discharged in the first week. The dealer recharged it and claimed it was fine, but two weeks later, it discharged again. Now, there are no replacement batteries available in Brazil, leaving my new car stuck in the garage, unusable. This is unacceptable for a new vehicle, especially one sold globally. These ongoing issues with electrical systems, missing features, and a complete lack of parts raise serious concerns about the Equinox Activ’s reliability and Chevrolet’s supply chain. Chevrolet/GM needs to address these quality failures and parts shortages urgently.
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