Chevrolet Equinox Buyer's Guide (2026–2027)

Shop Equinox inventory at Swant Graber · new vehicles sold at invoice, no dealer add-ons · call 715-537-5657

Equinox trims: LT vs. ACTIV vs. RS

The gas Equinox comes in three trims, LT, ACTIV and RS, each in FWD or AWD, all with the same 1.5L turbo; ACTIV is the rugged-look trim with all-terrain tires and RS is the sporty trim with 19-inch wheels.

From GM's 2027 Equinox order guide. Convenience Package II (ZQ3) is standard on ACTIV and RS and optional on LT.

Equinox packages and options

Convenience Package I is standard on every Equinox, Convenience II is standard on ACTIV and RS and optional on LT, Convenience III is ACTIV/RS-only, and the Safety and Technology Package is available on all trims; GM's order guide lists no package prices.

• Convenience II (ZQ3): 8-way power driver seat with 2-way lumbar, wireless charging, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate, heated wiper park, hands-free power liftgate, Universal Home Remote. On LT it adds Evotex seats.
• Convenience III (ZL4, ACTIV/RS): 8-way power passenger seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, passenger lumbar, memory.
• Safety and Technology (CWN, all trims): Rear Camera Mirror, rear camera washer, interior camera, fog lamps, Rear Pedestrian Alert, HD Surround Vision, Traffic Sign Recognition.
• Panoramic sunroof (CAJ, all trims): costs headroom: front 40.0 ? 38.2 in., rear 39.2 ? 37.8 in. On LT it includes roof rails.
• Dealer-installed (LPO): premium floor liners, cargo liners and other accessories (Swant Graber adds no dealer add-ons, so these are installed only if you ask); carpeted front and rear mats are standard.
• Engine block heater (K05): factory option on all trims.
• Spare: compact T125/70R17 on a 17" steel wheel is standard.

Equinox colors, two-tone roofs and interiors

For 2027 GM lists eight Equinox colors; Polar White Tricoat and Radiant Red Tintcoat are extra-cost, and there's no leather: seats are cloth, Evotex or (ACTIV) sueded microfiber.

GM 2027 order guide; no dollar amounts listed.

• Mosaic Black roof: available on RS, extra cost on LT, not on ACTIV.
• Summit White roof: available on ACTIV (not with Polar White), extra cost on LT (not with Summit White or Midnight Edition), not on RS.

Equinox engine, mpg and towing

Every gas Equinox uses a 1.5L turbo rated 175 hp and 203 lb-ft by Chevrolet, gets 25–27 mpg combined from the EPA, and is rated to tow 1,500 lbs FWD or AWD with factory trailering equipment.

EPA fueleconomy.gov.

• Chevrolet 2026 Trailering Guide: FWD 3.50 axle, GCWR 5,247 lbs, 1,500 lbs max; AWD 3.87 axle, GCWR 5,467 lbs, 1,500 lbs max. Tongue weight 10–15%, up to 150 lbs; trailer brakes required above 1,500 lbs.
• The max rating "requires factory-installed trailering equipment." The Trailering Package (PCH) in the 2027 guide is a dealer-installed option with the hitch; Swant Graber adds no dealer add-ons, so it goes on only if you order it.
• The Equinox can't be dinghy-towed behind a motorhome.
• Fuel: 14.8 gal (FWD) / 15.6 gal (AWD); E15 capable.

2026 vs. 2027 Equinox: what changed

The biggest 2027 change is the FWD transmission: GM's 2027 guide lists an 8-speed automatic on FWD and AWD, where the 2026 FWD used a CVT; Autumn Harvest is a new color, and the interior camera is late availability.

• 8-speed (MGH) with a 3.47 axle standard on FWD and AWD for 2027; EPA 2027 FWD 25/29/27 vs. 2026 FWD 26/29/27.
• Interior camera with Cabin Glance: "late availability; requires future vehicle software update" and only with the Safety and Technology Package. Cabin Glance shows a live rear-seat view and doesn't record.
• Autumn Harvest (LT, ACTIV) is new for 2027.
• The Trailering Package (PCH) shows as dealer-installed in the March 2026 guide; a later guide revision reportedly lists it as no longer available, so confirm orderability.

Used Equinox: generations and years to target

The current fourth-generation Equinox is all-new for 2025, replacing the 2018–2024 third generation; if you want today's styling, screens and the ACTIV trim, target 2025 and newer.

Recall history by year: used Equinox recalls by year.

Certified used Equinox: how CPO changes the decision

A used Equinox under 10 model years and 100,000 miles can be CarBravo certified at Swant Graber Motors in Barron, which adds a 12-month/12,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty with no deductible after a 126-item inspection.

• CarBravo certified: under 10 model years and 100,000 miles, 126-item inspection, 12-month/12,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty, no deductible.
• BravoBudget: 10–15 model years and/or 100,000–150,000 miles, 62-point inspection, 30-day/1,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty.
• Swant Graber Motors honors CarBravo's 10-day/500-mile Vehicle Exchange Program: within 10 days or 500 miles of purchase, whichever comes first; it's an exchange, not a refund.
• Non-certified used vehicles at Swant Graber include 45 days / 5,000 miles powertrain, on used units 10 model years or newer with under 150,000 miles. See dealer for details.

How it changes the decision: a certified late-model truck or SUV narrows the gap with new on peace of mind, so compare a CarBravo unit's remaining factory coverage plus the CarBravo warranty against a new vehicle's 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. CarBravo at Swant Graber · warranty guide

Also see: CarBravo used Equinox guide · Equinox recalls by year · CarBravo vs. Blue Advantage vs. Stellantis CPO. Check open recalls on any VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Owning a Equinox in northwest Wisconsin

For Barron County winters, choose AWD, add the factory engine block heater (K05) and floor liners, and keep loads under the 1,500-lb tow rating; the ACTIV's all-terrain tires suit gravel roads.

• AWD is offered on every trim.
• Engine block heater (K05) is a factory option on all trims.
• Heated wiper park comes with Convenience II; heated rear outboard seats with Convenience III.
• Small snowmobile or utility trailers only: 1,500 lbs max, trailer brakes above that.
• Gravel and salt: plan a spring underbody wash; ACTIV adds all-terrain tires.

Local guides: Towing an ice house and driving on lake ice · 4WD modes in winter · Winter vehicle prep · Snowmobile trailer towing in Wisconsin · Winter prep and block heater service.

Shop Equinox inventory at Swant Graber · new vehicles sold at invoice, no dealer add-ons · call 715-537-5657

Frequently asked questions

How much can a Chevy Equinox tow?

1,500 lbs, FWD or AWD, per Chevrolet's 2026 Trailering Guide, with factory-installed trailering equipment.

Is there an Equinox hybrid?

No gas-electric hybrid is listed for the 2026 or 2027 Equinox; the Equinox uses the 1.5L turbo.

What's different on the 2027 Equinox?

An 8-speed automatic on FWD (2026 FWD used a CVT), the new Autumn Harvest color, and a late-availability interior camera.

Does the Equinox have leather seats?

No. GM lists cloth, Evotex synthetic and, on ACTIV, Maple Sugar sueded microfiber.

What mpg does the Equinox get?

EPA: 2027 FWD 25 city / 29 highway / 27 combined; AWD 25/29/26.

Does the Equinox have a third row?

No. It seats five.

Can a used Equinox be CarBravo certified?

Yes, if it's under 10 model years and 100,000 miles and passes the 126-item inspection.

Where can I buy an Equinox near Rice Lake?

Swant Graber Motors, 1690 E Division Ave, Barron, WI. Call 715-537-5657.

How does Swant Graber price a new Chevrolet Equinox?

Swant Graber Motors in Barron, WI sells new vehicles at invoice with no dealer add-ons. Taxes, title, registration and the $127.50 doc fee are extra.

Shop and related pages

• New Equinox inventory
• Used Equinox inventory
• Equinox at Swant Graber Motors
• Shop Equinox near Barron
• CarBravo used Equinox guide
• Equinox recalls by year
• SUV family-fit guide
• CarBravo
• Warranties

Swant Graber Motors, 1690 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812, 715-537-5657. Sales: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Doc fee $127.50.

Sources and verification

Last verified October 22, 2026 by Swant Graber Auto Group against these manufacturer and government sources. Features, ratings and availability can change; the window sticker and door-jamb labels on the exact vehicle govern.

1. GM: 2027 Chevrolet Equinox order guide (published Mar 20, 2026) (fleet/retail order guide; copy on file)
2. Chevrolet: 2026 Trailering Guide v2 (p. 43, Equinox)
3. Chevrolet.com: Equinox (2027 specs)
4. Chevrolet support: Cabin Glance / camera app
5. EPA fueleconomy.gov: 2026 Chevrolet Equinox
6. EPA fueleconomy.gov: 2027 Chevrolet Equinox
7. Chevrolet Newsroom: 2025 Equinox stands apart (Jan 23, 2024) (generation change)
8. CarBravo: Used Car Warranties (GM) (program terms, retrieved Oct 2026)
9. NHTSA recall lookup by VIN