Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox is Chevy's bread-and-butter compact SUV, redesigned for 2025 with sharper styling borrowed from its electric sibling. It targets buyers who want practical family transport without crossing into premium pricing. A single turbocharged engine handles every trim, paired with a roomy cabin, a big standard touchscreen, and the option of all-wheel drive. It won't thrill enthusiasts, but it nails the everyday basics that most shoppers actually prioritize.

On the road, the Equinox is calm rather than quick. Its 1.5-liter turbo four produces 175 horsepower, which is adequate for commuting and highway merging but feels strained when fully loaded or climbing grades. The standard continuously variable transmission keeps revs efficient but can drone under hard acceleration. Ride quality is the real strength here: the suspension soaks up rough pavement well, and the cabin stays reasonably quiet at cruising speeds.

Inside, Chevrolet has clearly prioritized perceived value. An 11.0-inch touchscreen comes standard, running Google built-in software with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on most trims. Material quality is acceptable for the class, with soft-touch surfaces where your arms rest and harder plastics lower down. Rear-seat space is genuinely generous for a compact, and the cargo area is competitive, making it a sensible choice for small families.

Safety and driver assistance are well covered, with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a following-distance indicator included even at the base level. The available Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system, offered on higher trims, is a feature rivals struggle to match at this price. Fuel economy of roughly 28 mpg combined is respectable but not class-leading, and there's no hybrid option, which is a notable gap as competitors push electrification.

The Equinox ultimately makes its case on packaging and price rather than driving excitement. Buyers cross-shopping a RAV4 or CR-V will find the Chevy slightly less refined and less efficient, but often better equipped for the money, especially in mid-grade trims.