This week I am behind the wheel of the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox ACTIV AWD, Chevrolet's adventure-themed version of its popular compact SUV. The gas-powered Equinox underwent a complete redesign last year, so changes for 2026 are minimal, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Chevrolet got a lot right with the redesign, giving the Equinox a much bolder appearance, a far more upscale interior, and technology that rivals SUVs costing considerably more.
Exterior
The ACTIV trim is one of the most distinctive models in the lineup.
While the RS leans toward sporty styling, the ACTIV has a more rugged personality with all-terrain tires, unique front and rear fascias, black exterior accents, roof rails, a white contrasting roof, and exclusive 17-inch dark Android machined-face aluminum wheels. Finished in Sterling Gray Metallic with the Summit White roof, my tester looked more expensive than its window sticker would suggest.
Performance
Power comes from Chevrolet's familiar 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 175-horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. In all-wheel-drive form, the engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission instead of the continuously variable transmission used in front-wheel-drive models. While no one will mistake it for a performance SUV, I found the engine had decent power for everyday driving. It accelerates confidently, merges onto freeways without drama, and never felt strained during extended highway driving.
Interior
Open the door and the Equinox immediately feels more upscale than many compact SUVs in this price range. My tester featured the beautiful Maple Sugar interior with Evotex and suede seating surfaces accented by orange stitching and ACTIV embroidery in the headrests. The light-colored dashboard and door panels brighten the cabin considerably, while the optional panoramic power sunroof makes it feel even more spacious.
One thing that surprised me was just how roomy the interior is. Looking at the exterior, you'd expect a tighter cabin, but Chevrolet has done an outstanding job maximizing passenger space. Front seat occupants enjoy generous shoulder and legroom, while rear-seat passengers have ample space for adults. Heated outboard rear seats, rear air conditioning vents, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and a fold-down center armrest make the second row a pleasant place to spend time.
The front seats themselves deserve special mention. They're supportive, extremely comfortable, and remained that way after hours on the highway. Both front seats are heated and ventilated, and the driver's seat offers eight-way power adjustment with two-way power lumbar support, making it easy to find an ideal driving position.
The dashboard is clean, modern, and dominated by two impressive displays. An 11-inch fully digital driver information center sits directly in front of the driver while an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen occupies the center of the dash. The graphics are crisp, menus are intuitive, and response times are quick. Google Built-In is standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and wireless phone charging. I also appreciated that Chevrolet retained real climate control buttons beneath the screen instead of burying every function inside the touchscreen.
The center console is thoughtfully designed and easy to use. A rotary selector controls the various drive modes, including Normal, Snow, and Off-Road settings, while the electronic gear selector is mounted conveniently on the steering column to free up additional storage space between the seats. The console itself features a large wireless charging pad that securely holds a smartphone, two oversized cupholders, generous storage beneath the center armrest, and additional open storage below the climate controls for smaller items.
Utility
Cargo space is another strong point. Behind the second row, the Equinox provides 29.8 cubic feet of storage, expanding to 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded nearly flat.
The cargo opening is wide, the load floor is low, and my tester included a hands-free power liftgate that made loading groceries and luggage effortless. Chevrolet also includes a compact 17-inch spare tire, something many competitors have abandoned in favor of an inflator kit.
Standard Equipment/Safety
The ACTIV comes generously equipped before you add a single option. Standard equipment includes all-wheel drive, 17-inch machined-face aluminum wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, LED headlights and taillights, heated power outside mirrors, roof rails, remote start, keyless open and start, remote folding rear seats, active noise cancellation, wireless phone charging, an 11-inch digital driver information center paired with an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, a Wi-Fi hotspot, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, an eight-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support, heated outboard rear seats, a power liftgate, adaptive cruise control, and Chevrolet Safety Assist.
Chevy Safety Assist, which includes automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, IntelliBeam automatic high beams, and more. My tester also included the Safety & Technology Package that adds HD Surround Vision, Rear Pedestrian Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, Rear Camera Mirror, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, Side Bicyclist Alert, and Enhanced Lane Keep Assist. Adaptive Cruise Control also comes standard on the ACTIV trim and worked flawlessly during my highway driving.
Options on my tester were straightforward and worthwhile. The panoramic power sunroof added $1,495, the Convenience Package III added $950 and brought ventilated front seats, driver memory settings, and an eight-way power passenger seat.
The Safety & Technology Package added $945 and included HD Surround Vision, the Rear Camera Mirror, Traffic Sign Recognition, Rear Pedestrian Alert, Side Bicyclist Alert, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, and Enhanced Lane Keep Assist.
MPG and MSRP
Fuel economy is EPA rated at 25 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the highway, and 26 MPG combined. My experience matched those estimates closely, which is always nice to see. MSRP on this very loaded SUV came in at $40,985 right in line with all its competition but better equipped than many.
Ride and Drive
Ride quality is one of the Equinox's biggest strengths. Even with the ACTIV's all-terrain tires, it remained remarkably quiet on the highway and soaked up rough pavement with ease. Chevrolet has struck an excellent balance between comfort and control, and after spending long stretches behind the wheel, I climbed out feeling fresh instead of fatigued. Steering is light, visibility is excellent, and the all-wheel-drive system operates seamlessly in the background. It isn't intended for serious off-roading, but it'll handle gravel roads, muddy campsites, snow, and bad weather with confidence.
Verdict
I would like to note that I drive this vehicle many more miles than I am normally able to do. I spent over 600 miles behind the wheel. I was surprised by the fact that the more time I spent with it, the better I liked, and was thankful for the really good highway fuel economy I was able to achieve. If you are in the market for a compact SUV, do not leave this one off your shopping list, it's an exceptional SUV at a really terrific price point.