Chevy’s 2026 crossover enters a crowded and competitive compact SUV market. Despite this, the Equinox will shine due to its thrifty price tag and sophisticated technology suite. It also scores in above-average storage capacity for a car of its dimensions, making for a solid and practical SUV.
Key takeaways:
- Starts at $29,900
- Some of the best JD power reliability rankings in its class
- Cost-effective daily SUV
How much is the 2026 Chevy Equinox?
At its best price, the Equinox will start at $29,990 MSRP for the LT FWD trim. The upper Activ and RS 4WD trims both go for $36,395, offering a greater breadth of tech and conveniences for the price hike. Both these prices include a $1,395 destination freight charge.
What is the difference between the 2025 and 2026 Equinox?
The Equinox was redesigned for the 2025 model year. Due to this, the 2026 Equinox will see few changes into the new model year. The most notable change is that all trims will come with a drive mode selector.
How many miles will a 2026 Chevy Equinox last?
200,000 miles or more with proper care. As with any car, durability depends greatly on maintenance and driving habits. But for the typical driver (who drives around 15,000 miles a year), you can expect 13-17 years (until 2038-2042) out of a new Equinox before major repairs are necessary.
A JD Power survey gave the 2025 Equinox an 88/100 rating for reliability — better than comparable rivals like the Honda CRV or the Toyota RAV4.
What are the 2026 Equinox packages?
There are three trims for the 2026 Equinox: LT, RS, and Activ. The LT, serving as the base trim, comes with an already impressive array of internal features such as: Remote start, Active Noise Cancellation, and a 13.5 inch google-powered infotainment screen among many others. For a small bump, you can get the extra capabilities of the RS and Activ models (both are the same cost, so which one you want is a matter of aesthetics). The Activ trim brings a more rugged, outdoorsy look, where the RS has a more street-wise style.
All models will share the same 2.5L turbocharged-V4 that produces a respectable 170hp. The front-wheel drive trims get a thrifty fuel economy of 26mpg city/28mpg highway. All-wheel drive trims get 24mpg city, and 29mpg highway, according to the EPA. All Equinox models can go around 400 miles on a full tank of gas.
What is the safety package on the 2026 Equinox?
The 2026 Equinox will come with the Chevy Safety Assist suite: Automatic braking, Lane Keep assist, Lane departure warnings, collision warnings (forward), Pedestrian braking, etc. This above-average suite of features helps drivers avoid accidents and minimize them when they do happen. Additionally, other optional safety features, like the Safety Alert Seat, are available.
The 2025 Chevy Equinox EV received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA (ratings for the gasoline engine cars haven’t been released as of writing this).
What is the warranty on the 2026 Equinox?
The 2026 Equinox will still come with Chevy’s above-average warranty: 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, and a 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. You get a complimentary first maintenance visit (within a year of purchase), and roadside assistance/courtesy transportation for the 5-year/60,000 mile period.
What is the interior like?
The Equinox has a roomy interior capable of seating five adults. The LT trim has standard cloth seats, with the option to upgrade to faux-leather. The Activ trim gets a nice combination of vinyl and microfiber to give a more comfortable ride. Red highlights give a stylish pop to the cabin, and the infotainment screen feels intuitive to use.
Our thoughts:
The 2026 Chevy Equinox makes for a cost-effective daily SUV, handling itself easily in every day-to-day task you may need it for. It shares a burly and stylish appearance with larger Tahoes and Silverados, but none of the large-car hassle.
If you’d like to see the Equinox for yourself, come down to Burlington Chevrolet for a test drive today.