In case it wasn’t already abundantly obvious, auto buyers are going gaga over rugged crossover models. Just a few examples include the GMC Terrain AT4, the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road, and the Ford Bronco Sport, each of which combine a crossover body with a selection of unique equipment designed to leave the pavement. Now, we’re taking a look at what Chevrolet might do in this space with this new 2022 Chevy Equinox Activ rendering.
For those that don’t know, the “Activ” nomenclature is already in use with the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer, denoting the range-topping trim (alongside the sporty RS) with a few special touches to help it in the rough. Now, we’re taking the Activ formula and applying it the the Chevy Equinox as well.
Introducing an Activ trim for the Chevy Equinox lineup makes a whole lot of sense, especially with the continuing popularity of the rugged crossover segment. In fact, we fully expect Chevy to add an Activ trim (or something like it) to the Equinox lineup at some point in the future. The Chevy Blazer crossover is another logical next step for the Activ treatment as well, as GM Authority explained previously.
As for this 2022 Chevy Equinox Activ rendering, it has all the upgrades one would expect, starting with new off-road-oriented tire specs. The new rubber is mounted on new wheels, while the front end was revised with a new fascia design that accommodates a higher approach angle. The tail end of the crossover was also touched-up, with a new rear fascia that complements the front with a higher departure angle. Meanwhile, the ride height was raised slightly compared to the standard model.
As a reminder, the 2022 Chevy Equinox introduces a model refresh that includes a bevy of changes and updates, including new styling, a new interior, a new RS trim level, and new features. Under the hood, the 2022 Chevy Equinox is motivated by the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LYX gasoline engine, which produces 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque.
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Comments
I dig it.
Me too.
Would be nice if Chevrolet offers some Soft Off roaders for their customers. Especially since we cannot get a Bronco, Wrangler, or Raptor competitor.
I mean Subaru is doing it with a much smaller budget so why can’t Chevrolet?
The ‘Activ’s are fine, but Chevrolet really needs a more legit off-road line as well. Something more similar to Subaru’s Wilderness or Ford’s upcoming Timberline. Maybe expand Trailboss to crossovers?
With it’s 1.5L Turbo, it won’t even be capable of any off-roading of any sort. Stop w/ the aesthetic packages, and actually provide substance,
Not necessarily supporting the decision to drop the 2.0T, but getting to the trail or campsite (or perhaps a bit beyond) does not require massive amounts of power, or torque. The 1.5T is just fine for that purpose.
This class of vehicles is about protecting the body, upgrading the approach and departure angles, having a solid AWD system, and giving the interior a few rugged touches/materials.
Then how do you explain the Spark Activ….
Talking about rugged interiors… you couldn’t add more plastic into a GM interior if you even tried… how’s that for ‘rugged interior’
I agree. Activ seems to be analogous to RS in that it’s mostly about aesthetics…which is totally fine. But give us something real also.
Not sure it was necessary to “explain” the Spark Activ. After all, it’s a very straight forward product, as it brings the rugged appearance treatment to the most affordable new vehicle sold in America.
Let’s keep in mind that Activ does not have to mean the same thing for all models. Some Activ models will have more content, while others will have less. A Spark Activ would naturally have less ruggedized content than a potential Equinox Activ, which in turn would have less of such content than a Blazer Activ.
Slow to the party compared to other companies. Subaru been doing this for years. Might have been able to save Cruze and Sonic with little effort.
I didn’t think they could make it uglier, but they did! Time to kill the fish mouth.
The 2.0 is way superior, no thanks !
Have any of you seen the All New Kia Sportage?
GM interiors are soooooooo far behind it is borderline criminal.
Cannot believe GM allowed Hyundai and especially Kia to leapfrog them this badly. GM needs to rid themselves of the Bean Counters ASAP or if it is not their fault, new Interior teams from other Companies. GM interiors look like they are three generations behind the competition. Thank God the industry is shifting to EV’s, that might give GM a chance again in the interior Department.
Only great GM interior in my opinion for their segments are the C8, Tahoe, Yukon Denali, and Escalade. Envision is almost there but needs some serious Tech upgrade like Digital Gauge Cluster.
Blazer is very nice! Not a fan of the Hyundai interiors, I had a new Palisade in a couple of weeks ago to detail, wasn’t really impressed, better than Japanese interiors by far, but GM has come a long way, their new products are very nice!
Blazer design wise is very nice but it’s materials are not up to par and the Infotainment system is too small and Old school when compared to others. Also, I have always thought from Day one that the steering wheel used doesn’t match its interior and exterior design at all. They should have used a sportier three spoke instead of a Truck like Steering wheel.
Well when the Chevy outlasts the Kia you can sell the Kia for scrape… Junk Kia cars that don’t last… Your buying a Chevy not a Buick the interior if fine for the prices. You want to talk interiors at least bring up some worthy car maker like Toyota or RAM!
@Pat
Not sure what you are trying to say. Kia doesn’t compete with Buick they compete with Chevrolet.
Also not sure what your comment about lasting longer has anything to do with my interior comment.
@Momolos Kia does compete with Buick… Ahhh the Telluride competes with the luxury brands like Buick according to there commercials… So like I said GM interiors are great in my opinion… Why don’t you stop reading Motor Biscuit!
@Pat
What are you talking about?
Since when did Kia become a near Luxury Brand? Lol
Kia competes with Chevrolet. The fact that you feel like Kia competes with Buick instead of Chevrolet basically proves my point. Thanks.
Kia interiors unfortunately blow away their Chevrolet segment vehicles. GM needs to start doing better and do so ASAP.
Kia competes across GM lines. Their bread and butter cars and crossovers compete with Chevy. The Cadenza was/is absolutely a Buick competitor. The Stinger competes with and destroys the Caddy CT4/5, and I’d put a Telluride up against an XT6 any day, because putting it against a Traverse is an absolute joke.
Thank you Mike L👍👍.Kia even compents with BMW with the stinger. I also think it’s unfair when motor trend compares a fully loaded Kia Telluride to a four cylinder lower trim Chevy Traverse then slam the traverse on price?? You can do the same with Kia vs Toyota as far as price goes.
What are you guys talking about?
The Buick Enclave starts at 42K and the 2022 Telluride starts at 32K which is basically where the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse starts at.
They compete with BMW now too?
Where are you coming up with this stuff. It is comical.
Their MOST expensive Base Price vehicle is the Stinger that starts at 36K which Chevrolet has no answer for. They should but they do not because they discontinued their Impala and the SS Sedan.
Just admit it, GM is so horrible at Interiors especially for the Chevrolet Brand that they allowed Cheap Ass Kia to leapfrog them by Generations.
Tell motor trend, car and driver, road and track when they compare Kia’s Telluride to a Buick Enclave I don’t make this stuff up I read it. Kia and Hyundai compete with every car brand many expect the exotics. The Telluride has been compared to the Traverse, Enclave, Explorer, Car and driver even called a Range Rover for cheaper.
Motor Trend and other Magazines always compare Cars that are above or below other car segments. That doesn’t make them a direct competitor. Like stated earlier, the 2022 Telluride starts at 32K and the 2021 Buick Enclave starts at 42K and remember that the 2022 Enclave will drop their Base Trim so we shall see what the Base MSRP will be.
A fully loaded Telluride is around 50K and a fully loaded Enclave is 62K
The Buick Envision starts at 32K but Kia somehow competes with Buick all of a sudden? Lol
Buick and Kia are not even remotely close. Buick is Near Luxury Segment.
Stop making excuses for the horrendous Chevrolet Interiors when compared to their Direct Competitors.
GM simply needs to do better. It is all on them for allowing Cheap Ass Hyundai and Kia to surpass them this badly. It is actually embarrassing.
Leased 6 KIA’s over the years – all 3 years of each trouble free – to many that is priceless.
I think Kia is trying too hard to stand out from the crowd with the new Sportage face. Interior looks nice, though.
They ruined the Equinox. So much so, that I have a wholesaler looking to buy out my 2018 2LT lease when it ends next month. He thinks he can make more money selling a 3 year old, 18k mile, 2.0T than a new one with the 1.5. I mean that’s fine by me. Saves me the disposition fee, so GMs screw ups are my gain.
Any Chevrolet dealer would pay strong money for that unit. Nice low mileage vehicles are at a premium right now.
Sorry just slapping some off road tires on a CUV is not making it truly Activ.
Same for the AT4 models on the Terrain and Acadia. I have owned both and they are fine on road vehicles but I would be reluctant taking to the trails in the woods.
GM needs some real engineering to make these more than Mall rated.
I see a need for some skids as the pans and Trans axles are fairly exposed as is the plastic gas tank. The sit fairly low so skid plates would be a benefit here.
Also a tow point would be something needed. Imagine someone getting stuck. There is nothing to really hook to but the wheels to pull with.
These “Faux” packages have been around for years. Great volume cars for the uneducated and low credit masses. No 2.0 is just showing how far GM is from performance nowadays.
“No 2.0 is just showing how far GM is from performance nowadays.”
The following models would beg to differ:
– Corvette Stingray (which is just the tip of the spear for the C8 in terms of performance)
– GMC Hummer EV Pickup
– GMC Hummer EV SUV
– Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
– Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
– Upcoming Escalade-V (itself just the tip of the speak for future performance Cadillac models)
Those are just select models. On the other hand look at Mopar, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, even Ford for the most part. In their lines there isn’t a single model that doesn’t have a performance version. Not a single GM brand can say that.
You mention a Corvette, 2 electrics, 2 Cadillacs which are limited runs, and 1 giant SUV. How can you even compare those against the 2.0? The 2.0 was a hot little engine for GM’s volume buyers and when you give up on that market…it pretty is saying the regular guy can go else where. I’m not interested in Electric or $60K+ performance cars.
The best “Bang-for-your-buck” performance choice is a LT1 trim camaro and you see how long it took GM to bring that out… they stopped caring about the little guy a long time ago.
New refresh equinox nice looking but would prefer a 2.0 l engine . But this is the way of the future I guess smaller and smaller
From a GM Product Trainer: GM refused to pay to recertify the 2.0 in the Equinox (They had to slightly modify the rear passenger area,–look at the rear floor mats–which requires a new certification). Then GM states it was due to low sales… It’s a money saving move. Plus the LTG is a “Dead” engine only being used in 2 “old” models right now. I’d be happy with the LSY 2.0L but you’ll never see a 2.0L again in an Equinox.
Ah! The 1.5 leader turbo, passing anyone would have to be planned. Not a wise decision.
Sorry Alex gm needs the 2 liter, I hope they add it back. I keep hearing about low sales. It took me 3 Chevy dealers to find one in 2018. I love it and would never buy the 1.5. With 4 passengers and cargo the 1.5 is not enough. Give the option back, I don’t want a larger suv and it tows my boat. Life long gm customer, 3 in the garage now. Listen gm/please
And how does that work out from a business standpoint?
We see all the folks bemoaning the discontinuation of the 2.0T in the Equinox in the comments, but the reality of it is that very few actually bought it.
I would also challenge the notion that the “1.5L is not enough.” Not enough for what? Sure, it won’t win you any 0-60 times or quarter mile sprints. But for daily driving done by the overwhelming majority of motorists, it’s perfectly fine.
The 2.0L in the Equinox sold more than the Bolt so…
Moteur 1.5l insuffisant en puissance. SVP le moteur 2.0l turbo est le moteur necessaire dans un vehicule de ce poids. Allez GM!
Soon you will have a lawnmower engine the way it go
Soon you will have a lawnmower engine the way it go
I understand that the appeal of these packages is to the uneducated consumer who doesnt understand the limitations of these vehicles. I have seen people no joke try to take these off roading in sand dunes, intense rocky trails with streams, I live in the Western United States where elevations and terrains get extreme alot of people try to push these and end up messing up the car, damaging it or getting into situations over there head. I in my 2001 Silverado always carry a ropeto help pull these facke SUvs out, I have a wynch on front that I have had to use in many situations. But the worst is the tires I have seen people who have literally ripped the tires on rocks and have had to have it towed down or even more insane those who may have damaged one tire and tries to get down with a doughnut spare.ANd yes these fake SUVS are severly underpowered and undertorqued.