That’s a terrific question and one that can be pretty easy to answer if you know what you’re looking for in your next compact SUV. When you go looking for a 2025 Chevy Equinox for sale, you will quickly discover that you have three basic options designed to meet a wide range of needs. The differences between them can be pretty subtle at first glance, but they are important and greatly impact the kinds of features and styling you get with your next SUV. That said, these three models also have a lot in common and are essentially different expressions of what the Equinox is all about rather than complete overhauls from one to the next. Today, we’re going to take you through the three trim levels that are available and see what each has to offer, making it easier for you to choose the right one.
2025 Chevy Equinox LT: Standard Styling and Excellent Features
The perfect place to start with the 2025 Chevy Equinox, of course, is with the standard trim level that includes the starting features. With some other vehicles out there, the starting trim can be a fairly barebones affair without much to offer drivers. The all-new Equinox is not one of those; even the starting model gives you a lot to enjoy and ensures you have a great time on the road each day. For starters, you have the 1.5L turbo four-cylinder engine that provides 175 hp and up to 203 lb-ft of torque, ensuring every drive is a good one each day.
This engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission for a smooth and incredibly responsive driving experience that always keeps you in control. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, though all-wheel drive (AWD) is available to enhance your time on the road; this is particularly nice for dealing with rough weather and winter road conditions. A standard MacPherson suspension up front provides you with a smooth ride that is incredibly comfortable while also keeping you connected to the road for excellent handling. And with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, you remain in total control at all times, with impressive stopping power to keep you and your passengers safe.
On the outside, the Equinox LT features 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tires along with active shutters on the front grille for great performance. You get LED headlamps and tail lamps to provide excellent visibility at night, along with IntelliBeam high beams that switch on and off automatically based on traffic around you. Body-color side mirrors are standard, power-adjustable, and heated to keep them free of ice, snow, and frost. Finally, a manual rear liftgate is standard for the LT. Inside, you get a beautifully designed cabin featuring an 11.3-inch Infotainment screen with Google built-in, an 11-inch Driver Information Center display, and a six-speaker sound system. Cloth seating is standard, with heated front seats, a six-way driver’s seat, a four-way front passenger seat, and a wrapped heated steering wheel that’s perfect for cold winter mornings.
The 2025 Equinox has one of the most impressive suites of standard safety features we’ve ever seen, starting with the Chevy Safety Assist package that includes a Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Front Pedestrian Braking. This also includes a Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and a Following Distance Indicator to warn you when you are too close to other vehicles. The Equinox LT comes with Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking that accounts for cross-traffic vehicles, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Blind Zone Steering Assist, and much more. Altogether, these driver assistance systems help keep you and others safer so you can drive with confidence and get home at the end of each day.
2025 Chevy Equinox ACTIV: Off-Road Inspired, Ready for Adventure
If you like the standard features of the 2025 Equinox but want to enjoy some upgrades and enhancements, then you have two options that both start at a similar price. The new, first-ever ACTIV model for the Equinox takes its inspiration from off-road design and performance, giving you a host of exciting features to enjoy when driving around each day or heading to your favorite campsite on the weekend. We like this model with AWD specifically for enhanced capabilities and a more adventurous ride; plus, it comes with a uniquely tuned suspension for a distinct ride quality that makes it a joy to drive. Add the all-terrain tires that the ACTIV model comes with, and you have something special that’s perfect for work and play alike.
Featuring 17-inch wheels like the LT model, one of the most striking features of this trim is its available two-tone color scheme. You can get the ACTIV with a Summit White roof paired with a number of gorgeous colors, including Mosaic Black Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, and Radiant Red Tintcoat. A unique Cacti Green color is available for the ACTIV and you can get any of these in a full-color treatment if you prefer, though we love the bold looks of the Summit White roof paired with them. Roof-mounted side rails with available cross rails give you more cargo storage options, while an AutoSense power liftgate makes loading your Equinox easy.
Inside, you get many of the standard features, including the large displays and a six-speaker sound system. Sueded microfiber seating sets the ACTIV model apart and makes every ride incredibly comfortable; notably, a unique Black and Maple Sugar color palette for this trim creates a warm, welcoming cabin. You get an eight-way power driver’s seat inside this model, with an eight-way power front-passenger seat available, plus a wireless charging pad and dual-zone automatic climate control. Available options include heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a Rear Camera Mirror for added visibility even with the rear cargo area loaded up.
2025 Chevy Equinox RS: Bold Looks and Confident Performance
Finally, the RS model provides you with gorgeous styling that is bold and sporty, making it a fantastic choice if you want to own the road each day. For starters, you’ll notice a unique lower front fascia and black grille that immediately grabs people’s attention, along with distinct RS badging, including black emblems on the outside. The RS has 19-inch wheels for a powerful and aggressive stance, with 20-inch wheels available if you want to take things to the next level. You can get a two-tone exterior color scheme with this model, but it features a Mosaic Black Metallic roof rather than the Summit White of the ACTIV. This can be paired with colors like Polar White Tricoat, Radiant Red Tintcoat, Reef Blue Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, and the exclusive Lakeshore Blue Metallic for a striking style.
Inside the RS, you’ll find Evotex seating that looks and feels amazing while also providing you with surprisingly durable upholstery that can stand up to some abuse. Red accents add an extra layer of beauty, setting the RS apart from other Equinox models and surrounding you with rich elegance. You get a wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel inside this model, which is heated, plus the available options and great features found in the ACTIV’s cabin. No matter what kinds of upgrades you want, both of these models work wonderfully; the choice mostly comes down to the styling you prefer.
Find the Chevy Equinox That’s Perfect for You
As you can see, you have three terrific trim levels available for the 2025 Equinox, giving you several fantastic options without things becoming overwhelming. The standard features of the LT trim are excellent, while the ACTIV and RS each build on them with distinct styles and unique details designed to elevate your time on the road. If you’re still not sure which one is right for you, then we can help you explore each of these models to see their features for yourself and answer all of your questions to make sure you get the perfect SUV. Best of all, we can help you take one for a test drive to get an even better sense of what they have to offer. No matter what you are looking for in your next small SUV, we will show you the perfect Chevy Equinox that you will love driving for many years to come.
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