GM Authority spy photographers have captured a prototype of what appears to be the next-generation Chevy Equinox testing on public roads in Michigan.
This mysterious compact crossover is heavily camouflaged, but it still exudes some very Chevy-like overtones, including a two-tiered lighting arrangement similar to the Chevy Blazer and Trailblazer, as well as a taped Chevy bowtie emblem sitting top-center on the front fascia. Additionally, the wheel design looks like a very slight alteration of an existing Chevy wheel design that’s already offered on the Trailblazer RS.
With General Motors’ growing number of Chinese-market offerings and the existence of the automaker’s Baojun brand, there is always a chance for some slight confusion in identifying a camouflaged model such as this. However, with the aforementioned Chevy overtones, along with its distinctive side-window profile and silhouette, this new prototype checks all the boxes of what we’ve come to expect from the next-generation Chevy Equinox.
With that in mind, it does appear as though this new photo gallery provides us with our first look at the next-generation Chevy Equinox. The compact crossover will ride on the GM VSS-F platform shared with the Chevy Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX, although it will obviously be larger in size than those two subcompacts. This same platform will underpin the next-gen GMC Terrain, as well.
As GM Authority reported previously, the next-generation Chevy Equinox is expected to launch for the 2025 model year. This prototype looks quite far along in its development, though, leading us to believe the next-gen Equinox could arrive a bit earlier than expected – perhaps in 2023 as a 2024MY.
We also already know the next-gen Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain will be offered in fewer build configurations as part of a GM effort to cut back on production costs. Whereas the current models are available in over 200 build configurations, the next-gen models will be limited to around 100 build configurations. This could translate to a fewer number of exterior and interior color combinations and fewer available options and extras.
The Chevy Equinox received a small update for the 2022 model year, which included mildly revised exterior styling and new exterior colors, among other minor changes. This updated model was originally intended to launch for the 2021MY, but was pushed back to 2022 due to various COVID-19 related delays. As such, the updated model will only be on sale for a relatively brief period before this all-new, next-generation model comes along for the 2024 or 2025MY.
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Comments
it already looks better
I don’t think it’s possible for you to be subjective about gm. It’s covered in camo wrap and you immediately praise the looks already.
You can clearly see the proportions of the vehicle. It’s also less boxy. The Equinox wasn’t my favorite design and just the smidge we see here is better than what we have now.
As others have said, the proportions are visible. I like the wider look that this one has.
I don’t understand why the current Equinox didn’t get a variant of the Malibu hybrid powertrain.
Even with a cover it looks better than the current twins.
Do you get spy shots two or three years before a car is released? I would think it’s possible this goes for sale as the MY2023. Hopefully there will be an ace up GM’s sleeve — maybe a new 2.0T and hybrid/electric powertrains.
The only thing that matters to me on the upcoming Nox is the interior….it needs to go up at least six levels of where it is currently. Name me another vehicle in the Segment that has a worse Interior in the materials department….maybe the Cherokee but that vehicle is much older.
Momolos: I just don’t agree. I read comments (mostly from the same few people on here) about how bad the Nox interior is. Again, I just can’t agree.
You asked anyone to name any other vehicle with an interior that is worse:
1. Rav4.
2. CRV.
3. Ford Escape.
Heck, I work at a Volvo and Mazda store and I’ll even add one more to that list. The CX5 interior is NOT nearly as nice as people make it out to be. Especially after a couple years of use.
You’re definitely in the minority with several of your opinions.
Funny thing. I literally just rode in a near new Toyota Rav4 for an Uber. If anyone thinks those cars have a nicer interior than the Equinox, then they are smoking something. My next vehicle will most likely be the plug-in hybrid Ford Escape and I recently drove a 2021. I don’t find the interior offensive (although I dislike the stupid screen sticking up from the dash), but I would still give the Nox an edge for interior. But my entire point is that I don’t see what the few on here always complain about with the Chevy interiors.
“But my entire point is that I don’t see what the few on here always complain about with the Chevy interiors.”
It’s just something they parrot all the time. Change the emblem from a bow tie to a “sombrero” or a star-wars shaped H, and they will praise it to the skies.
Are Honda fanboys really spending time on this website? I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m here because I’m a GM fan. I also think their interior design and materials have been lacking. That said, I’m encouraged by the latest Cadillac SUVs and new truck interiors. Excited to see how that seemingly revised philosophy translates to some less expensive products.
@Mark
I agree. Last couple interiors have been pretty good but as you stated all of them are on higher priced vehicles. We need GM to once again make great mid market interiors on such important vehicles as the upcoming Nox. I am very hopeful but will also not be shocked if GM disappoints.
@The Friendly Grizzly
Sorry but that is simply not the case. I am a huge GM fan but their interiors are just terrible and have been for a while. Last person within GM that spoke about interior quality was Lutz and as soon as he left GM went backwards.
Not sure how people here besides the fact that we are GM fans can even argue that GM doesn’t make the worst interiors in almost every segment. I mean GM had to basically announce they will have an All New Interior for the Sierra and Silverado almost the day it was shown because that is just how awful that interior was from Day one.
GM has some great interiors and those are the following….
Escalade, Tahoe, C8, Yukon Denali (which should be the base interior as well, stupid GM beancounters) New Sierra, and upcoming Lyriq. That is it. So I am hopeful that with each new vehicle that GM shows off the interiors will finally be class competitive at least. Asking for class leading might be wishful thinking.
Excuse me for jumping in. I actually agree good interiors gets gm the best bang for the buck. But that’s too broad a brush.
High volume Chevys might be a better place to have two interiors. A friend of mine & his wife pick Jeeps. They’ll choose what they perceive, holds up better long-term. That’s also in effect with them looking for 6 cylinders, after trying a used early gen ‘Nox that wore out its’ 4 early. Point being that a simpler, robust low trims should translate into a better purchase value with higher resale. Just can’t sell too many to fleets.
I agree, I think it is very nice, and definitely a huge upgrade from the 2nd gen
I have had experience with a 2019 Nox Premier and now have a left over 2020 nox 2.0L with leather , sunroof etc .
My wife has a Subaru sport. The Nox does not take a back seat to Subaru on the interior or vehicle refinement. I drove my 2019 Nox premier for 165,000k and it was tight and solid , ( now my son has )
The Subaru is almost tractor like compared to the nox in terms of noise and refinement. Fuel economy the Nox is hands down better.
@Dan Berning
If you think any of the mentioned Interiors are not far superior to the current Nox then I am not sure what to say. Not a single NON GM Fan like ourselves would every pick the Nox interior over any of those….especially the CX-5, I mean that interior is considered best in Class. People view Mazda interiors as a Bargain Sub Luxury for a lot cheaper price. The Nox is definitely deadlast in material Quality. It isn’t even close!!!
Does the Ford Explorer count? That interior is atrocious. And the infotainment screen is worse than anything anyone else makes now.
Even the Escape has a nicer interior layout than the Explorer.
The Equinox isn’t that bad. But it was outclassed by the CR-V 4 years ago and Chevy hasn’t responded at all. It’s only their best selling non-pickup. They need to keep this thing updated.
As a former Cherokee owner, the interior blows away the Nox. The only downside is the 4:3 radio. Otherwise, the touch materials are far superior, less rattles, less plastic.
Much better proportions than the existing model. Overall, looks wider and lower, with more a sloped rear hatch hidden under all that cladding. The Equinox has always been an OK-looking car, but this definitely appears to be more sporty.
Well, at least Chevy really can’t go downhill on the Equinox…it is already a crappy outdated crossover. The drivetrain and the interior leave everything to be desired. Looks like this will be similar in shape to the Envision which would be a step in the right direction.
The overall shape reminds me of the new Envision, I like it.
Chevy must improve the interior. It’s the worst in its class, underwhelming and cheap. I expect it will be a 2023MY, the current Nox isn’t competitive anymore.
I bet it will have the new chinese 1,5 with 200 hp and the 2,0 LSY.
This was another one of my honeys I use to love stealing back in the day. Very easy to hot wire Chevys.
I use to Jack a lot of these and Silverado’s and Cherokees
Now, you just jack a lot.
Now I Jack anything with keys in it. Or anyone who gets out not paying attention magic rocks are the key if the window is up and door locked
Already proportionally superior to the current model. GM really need to make a statement with this upcoming Equinox, which is now their bread and butter vehicle. They need to rein in their bean counters and produce a very good reliable CUV that is visually attractive with excellent interior appointments. Get it done GM.
For a lot of people who buy the next gen Equinox – it will be one if their last IC vehicle ever purchased.
I can’t stress enough how important it is that Chevy get everything right here. It has to look good, be packaged and priced correctly, offer excellent long term reliability for well over 150,000 miles. In short, it needs to be better than the RAV4 and CRV in every way. That’s an extremely challenging, but not impossible goal.
Those buyers will one day be buying EV’s from Chevy if they are satisfied. They need to be happy with their Equinox.
Being better than the Rav4 and CRV? Already done. Those things are certainly not better than anything else on the road. It’s embarrassing how so many people still buy into that false claim of the Japanese brands being better. It’s totally wrong.
I see a muffler, so it’s still ICE despite the doomsayers say.
This does look a lot like the latest Buick Envision.
In the article they refer to the Nox riding on the same chassis as the Trail Blazer
Will be a deal breaker for me if they use the torsion bean rear suspension like the TB and not the fully independent in todays car . from the pics in the article of the rear of this vehicle , it looks similar to the TB rear suspension. if this is the case , it’s right up there with bad decisions like dropping the 2.0L in 2021.
If you drive hard enough to push a torsion beam to it’s limits, you wouldn’t be buying this class of car. It’s an over priced class of vehicle. I’d argue people paying 40-ish for a CRV or RAV4 are morons.
It’s not just about the handling with a torsion beam , its also the ride quality. Here in the north roads are rougher and this would be very noticable. If you consider the Trailblazer and Encore GX , which feature the same VSS chassis and torsion beam rear suspension, one of the critisms of these cars is the ride quality as compared to the same size competition which mostly all feature a fully independent rear set up.
In the compact class, Equinox , this would be the only product on the market with a torsion beam rear suspension and I’m sure GM pricing would not reflect that .
This is the second best selling vehicle and they are trying to destroy it, first with the power train and now the suspension.!! What is happening with GM? They will soon only be the maker of large expensive full size trucks !!!
Anti-torsion beam is one of the auto reviewer’s tropes. I’ve never driven a torsion beam car with my older relatives and had them say the ride was better in siblings’ IRS cars. Leave IRS for the high end. Also GM normally discounts more
Flipping to the VSS architecture is dumb considering no US factory is tooled for it. D2XX has served Nox and Envision very well and could cut costs for GM making this generation more of a reskin.
The third gen NOX will have an EV twin but, unlike Stellantis, they won’t share a versatile platform so I’m really suprised NOX abandoning is abandoning a Global Epsilon since it is already tooled as well as the configuration already paid for as well as debugged.
They don’t care that no US plant is tooled for it because Mexico will be the exclusive builder for North America.
If the EV Equinox and 3rd gen Equinox are to be released around the same time I wonder if GM will do the same split of trim levels that Bolt and Bolt EUV are doing. ICE Equinox 1LT and 2LT; EV Equinox: 2LT and Premier.
Chevy please eliminate the antiquated 6-speed automatic in the Equinox and bring back the 2.0L Turbo
Wasn’t there an article saying it is being released in ’23 as an EV which actually looked really nice!