Your Guide to the Trim Levels of the 2025 Equinox

When you see the Chevy Equinox for sale in Millbrook today, you might notice a few upgrades since the last time you were browsing. That’s because the popular compact SUV is all-new for the 2025 model year, entering a fresh generation with a bold look and an upgraded slate of features. 

The infotainment system has been supersized from a standard 7-inch screen to a standard 11.3-inch screen that pairs with an 11-inch configurable digital driver information center behind the wheel. The gear shift has been moved to the steering column to free up storage space between the driver and front passenger seat. Also, more safety and driver assist technologies have become standard than ever before.

Alongside all of these changes, the Equinox has a new trim lineup for the new generation. The LS and Premier trims have been dropped, and a new ACTIV trim has been added, joining the returning LT and RS trims to give you three levels to choose from when shopping for an Equinox. Whether you’re considering this model for the first time or are ready for an upgrade and want to see how the lineup has changed for 2025, this guide will show you what each trim has to offer so you can find your perfect match.

Across All Trims

There are a few things that are the same across the entire Equinox lineup. For starters, every trim can be had with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). FWD models are more affordable and offer the best fuel economy at 27 MPG combined. AWD models cost a little extra and bring the fuel economy figure down slightly to 26 MPG combined, but because these models send power to all four wheels instead of just the two up front, making more traction, which can give you more control on wet and icy roads as well as on dirt, gravel, and other loose surfaces. 

Instead of making you pay extra for optimal safety, the Equinox makes just about all of its safety features standard across the board. This includes the Chevy Safety Assist suite, which consists of forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicyclist braking, following distance indicator, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams. Beyond that, there’s also a high-definition rear vision camera, adaptive cruise control, rear seat reminder, buckle-to-drive, and a comprehensive airbag system. 

While many vehicles make rear and side-facing sensors premium features, the Equinox comes standard with reverse automatic braking, rear cross-traffic braking, rear park assist, rear pedestrian alert, blind zone steering assist, and side bicyclist alert, so you can be aware of all of your surroundings when things get complicated either on the road or in a busy parking lot.

There’s no overestimating the importance of a comfortable cabin, which is where you and your passengers will spend your time when you’re out and about. The Equinox comes standard with plenty of features that help with cold winter days, like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated power outside mirrors, and remote start, which lets you activate the climate system before you get in. Active noise cancellation lets you converse with your passengers or listen to audio entertainment in peace. 

Speaking of which, the standard infotainment system aboard the Equinox features generous screens that are easy to see at a glance, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Built-In, natural voice recognition, personalized profiles for different drivers, a Wi-Fi hotspot you can activate with a subscription, and USB ports located both in the front and the back. You’ll be able to stay connected, entertained, and informed no matter which trim you choose.

The LT

As the base level trim, the LT is the most affordable option in the lineup. As such, it comes standard with low-tech versions of a few features, like a single-zone climate control system, a manual liftgate, and a 6-way manually adjustable driver seat. Of course, as we’ve already discussed, there are plenty of other standard comfort and convenience features that make the Equinox LT a great option for getting around Millbrook or venturing out for a longer drive.

While the LT doesn’t pull out all the stops, it makes up for that by offering plenty of available features. If you’re willing to pay extra for some features but don’t think others are worth your money, you can easily tailor this trim to fit your needs. Available features include a power-adjustable driver seat, a power liftgate, roof rails, black- and white-painted roofs for a two-tone exterior design, dual-zone climate control, a wireless charging pad, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and more. 

You can also upgrade the exterior of the LT with the available Midnight Edition, which replaces things like the Chevy bowtie emblems, wheels, and grille with black versions.

The RS & ACTIV

The RS and ACTIV trims have a lot in common, including their starting prices. Instead of one being a clear upgrade over the other, they each have a unique sense of style. The RS has a sporty aesthetic with black accents, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and an available black interior with bold red accents. Meanwhile, the ACTIV has a more adventurous vibe, with all-terrain tires, a suede microfiber interior seat trim, and an available white accent roof.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll get plenty of standard features that are either merely available or entirely unavailable on the LT. These include creature comforts in the cabin, like an 8-way power-adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support and a dual-zone automatic climate control system that lets you and your front passenger each pick your ideal temperature. 

A universal home remote can be programmed to operate your garage door, home security system, or other compatible devices without the need to clip a battery-powered transmitter to the visor. For even more convenience, you’ll get a standard wireless charging pad that lets you power up your devices cable-free.

To improve performance, the RS and ACTIV trims feature standard selectable drive modes that adjust the propulsion system to handle different conditions optimally. FWD models can switch between regular mode and snow mode, while AWD models also have an off-road mode for exploring more rural parts of New York. 

Rain-sensing front wipers and a heated wiper park make it easy to tackle any weather without losing forward visibility. Standard roof rails let you store cargo up top to free up interior space. When you are storing cargo inside the SUV, it’ll be easy to access even if your hands are full, thanks to the hands-free power programmable liftgate in the back.

Find the Equinox Here at Ruge’s Chevrolet

You have a lot of options to choose from when looking for a new Chevy Equinox, but you don’t have to decide all on your own which trim is right for you and whether you want to add any optional features or packages. Our friendly team here at Ruge’s Chevrolet can answer any questions you have and help point you in the right direction. 

Visit our conveniently located Millbrook location to see the differences between the various models in person. We’ll be happy to show you around and set up a test drive or two. We’re sure that the more familiar you get with the new Equinox, the more you’ll love it.