GM’s familiar 1.5L turbo four returns as the sole engine for 2025. Rated at 175 horsepower, output is less than most competitors. On the front-wheel-drive LT trim, power reaches the wheels via a CVT, but the all-wheel drive system, optional on the LT and standard on the Active and RS, is mated with a conventional eight-speed automatic.

GM have upped their game regarding active safety equipment for the new Equinox. Forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot, rear cross traffic and lane departure warnings, side bicyclist alert, junction turning intervention, rear auto braking, a lane-keep assist system and active cruise control, are all standard.

Equinox
Like the larger Traverse, the new Equinox morphs from a sleek, uncluttered look to a bulkier, edgier design. Each trim level, the LT, Active and RS, boasts a unique front fascia. Like the Traverse, the Equinox greenhouse is interrupted by a an odd, triangular-like painted panel referred to as a “Shark fin”, by Chevrolet. The clean rear styling is the most pleasing aspect of the new Equinox.

Inside, the Equinox displays Chevrolet’s current cabin design. The driver faces a large digital gauge package, adjoining a large screen working the infotainment functions of the car. There are physical buttons for the climate system. The gear selector has been moved to the steering column, freeing up space on the centre console. The rest of the cabin is elegant and a number of two-tone colour combinations are available. Built on a marginally longer wheelbase for 2025, cabin space should be about the same as it was in 2024. GM claims there is 1798 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seat folded down, 11 litres less than the previous Equinox.

Terrain
The Terrain is GMC’s spin on the Equinox and shares the same fixed points (wheelbase, windshield aperture) as well as the same drivetrain. The last Terrain was very ‘styled by committee” and the new one reprises that theme but infuses a bulkier look. The new Terrain is neither elegant, noteworthy or compelling.

The cabin is fronted by a bulky and blobby-looking dashboard featuring a very 1980s gauge binnacle. The gauges themselves are an impressively-crisp digital display. A large, vertically-oriented screen takes centre stage in the middle of the dash. Other than an on-off-volume knob, audio functions need screen interaction, but there are physical piano keys for the climate system. Cabin materials look good and a bit plusher than on the Equinox. Cabin and cargo room will be essentially the same as the Equinox.

Equinox
All-wheel drive is standard on the Activ and RS and a $2300 option on the base LT trim. The base LT has a comprehensive active safety suite as well as heated front seats, heated steering wheel, deep tint glass, LED headlights, a wireless version of the iOS-Android cellphone interface and the Google built-in system, which can be a mixed blessing as it requires a lot of private information from the user before it will work. Moving up the the Active trim adds a foot-gesture power tailgate, power driver’s seat, rain-sense wipers, dual-one climate control, wireless cellphone charging, and roof rails. The RS is priced the same as the Activ trim and offers the same level of equipment. About 25 percent of Equinox buyers pick front-wheel drive which certainly re-inforces GM’s continuing to offer it. All trims are readily available but GM has elected to focus on the RS trim. Roughly 70 percent of customers finance with the balance leasing. Essentially no Equinox intenders are paying cash. In early 2025 the Equinox was available from dealer inventory.

Terrain
The Terrain has been delayed and no pricing or trim walk information were available in late 2024. It is expected that the active safety equipment and comfort and convenience features will be at lease as comprehensive as those of the Equinox.

Not rated due to low sales volumes. This vehicle does not age well with mechanical and electrical problems cropping up as they age.