With crossovers and SUVs accounting for such a tremendous share of new passenger vehicle sales these days, each automaker is looking to cash in on the boom by diverting ever more of their resources to introducing enticing new models and trim levels. General Motors is no different, as evinced by new product lines like the Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Blazer, and new or recent models like the Chevrolet Blazer RS, Traverse RS, and Tahoe/Suburban RST.
But there’s one obvious addition to GM’s U.S. product lineup that somehow hasn’t yet manifested: the Chevrolet Equinox RS. Such a model already exists; it launched exclusively for the Chinese market back in 2018. Now, we think it’s about time GM put it on sale in the United States.
The RS Badge
Similar to Ford Motor Company, Chevrolet’s “RS” badge stands for “Rally Sport”, but where Ford reserves the designation for only its most serious, hardcore street-legal racers, General Motors’ bowtie brand most often uses “RS” to denote a particular appearance package. It was used on just such a package available on the first-generation Camaro in the 1960s, and it’s had a place in Chevrolet’s alphanumerics bin ever since.
Today, the “RS” badge typically means blacked-out exterior features – and plenty of them. The Chinese-market Chevrolet Equinox RS features an all-black grille with a black surround, black Chevrolet bowtie badges, black nameplates, black wing mirror covers, and black wheels with polished aluminum accents. Red “RS” badges adorn the grille and rear end, and the model can be had in just two colors: red, or black.
Sure, the RS package does nothing to bolster performance, but the U.S. is the world’s capital of aggressive-looking, blacked-out vehicles, and we’ve little doubt that the Chevrolet Equinox RS could find plenty of receptive buyers in the market. GM itself apparently recognizes that the U.S. is a ripe market for such vehicles; otherwise, it wouldn’t likely have brought the Blazer RS and Traverse RS here.
Do you agree that General Motors ought to sell the Chevrolet Equinox RS in the U.S., or don’t you care? Let us know in the comments section below.
Comments
GM is smug with the sales of the Equinox. They arent in any hurry to add the RS trim, but I do agree its time GM considers adding a RS model to the lineup.
Oh look… Another GM product made to look sporty while doing absolutely nothing to make it sporty. They should kill the RS package
Redline is way better looking, AND available in the USA.
This package is offered here. But, it’s known as the Midnight Edition. Not RS.
And it would be nice to have an additional horsepower option for either pkg, like 300, to help kick it up a notch too. I hate the ‘all show and no go’ marketing plan. It just bugs the heck out of me.
Dear to dream.. the Equinox RS meant getting a Equinox with a 200 hp LWC 1.6L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo (from the Buick Cascada), firmer springs & adjustable shocks and better tires.
All show no go. Zero interest in any of the RS Chevy products.
Sure, why not. But it needs a better engine. My mom has an LT 2.0T, but the 252hp doesn’t quite cut it. The RS should have at least 300, with a REAL AWD system. None of this push button, temporary garbage.
sure,but put a turbo 4 in it like my buick regal.
Until Chevrolet offers a disable switch for that useless start/stop feature they are in last place.
Put the shifter in L, and go to 9 with the thumbswitch. Acts exactly the same as in D except no start/stop. East workaround.
Don’t they already have the blacked out package?
Why do people want a hi performance version of a soccer mom, grocery getter crossover?
The real question is why do people buy vehicles and dont use them the way they were intended to be used?
Cuvs are not designed to be driven like a race car, its designed to be driven safely around town with your family. Not cutting a light on the city streets or going 90 down the freeway.
That’s BS. I’ve been building SUVs and CUVs for years. I’ve put a Jeep SRT8 and a BMW X5M deep in the 11s in the quarter, and I guarantee the new Jeep Trackhawk will be in the 9s by the end of the year if it’s not already.
My daily is an X3 35i that will hold it own against so called “sports cars”, in a straight line and in the twisties.
Don’t generalize vehicles because of their body style. Any vehicle can do anything any other can.
We buy them because we need the space. We mod them because we want performance. Same reason I have a Ford Lightning in my garage that I’m restomodding.
So your comparing a modified car to a stock car? That’s not much of a comparison!
Every European manufacturer, and Jeep, makes a 500+hp Crossover. I don’t need to compare to my modded one. They do it stock. In case you missed it, you can buy a 707hp Jeep at any dealer.
Because GM is more interested in China than they are their home country.