General Motors unveiled the all-new 2025 Chevy Equinox this past January, with the redesigned crossover boasting larger infotainment screens, a new Activ trim level, and additional safety features. However, in addition to these updates, it also appears that the 2025 Chevy Equinox returns worse fuel economy than the preceding 2024 model year. Now, GM Authority is highlighting this decline in efficiency ahead of the official announcement of EPA estimates.
Although the EPA has yet to release official fuel economy figures for the 2025 Chevy Equinox, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has published its estimates for the all-new fourth-gen crossover. As GM Authority has covered previously, NRCan’s figures typically mirror the EPA’s figures. According to NRCan, the 2025 Chevy Equinox exhibits lower fuel efficiency compared to its 2024 counterpart.
Under the hood, the 2025 Chevy Equinox continues to cradle the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD gasoline engine. However, front-wheel-drive units are now paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and achieve a peak torque rating of 184 pound-feet at 2,000 rpm. Meanwhile, all-wheel-drive variants are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a maximum torque of 203 pound-feet at 2,000 rpm. For comparison, the 2024 Chevy Equinox was outfitted with a six-speed automatic transmission across all configurations.
Front-wheel-drive variants of the 2025 Chevy Equinox achieve 9.2 L/100 km (26 mpg) in the city, 8.3 L/100 km (28 mpg) on the highway, and 8.8 L/100 km (27 mpg) combined, while front-wheel-drive variants of the 2024 model year were rated at 9.2 L/100 km (26 mpg), 7.6 L/100 km (31 mpg), and 8.4 L/100 km (28 mpg), respectively.
Meanwhile, all-wheel-drive variants of the 2025 Chevy Equinox achieve 10 L/100 km (24 mpg) in the city, 8.2 L/100 km (29 mpg) on the highway, and 9.2 L/100 km (26 mpg) combined, as compared to 10 L/100 km (24 mpg), 7.8 L/100 km (30 mpg), and 8.9 L/100 km (26 mpg), respectively, for the 2024 Chevy Equinox AWD.
These figures indicate that while city driving efficiency remains unchanged, highway and combined ratings have decreased for the 2025 models.
| Model | Engine | Drivetrain | Driving Type | 2025 MY L/100 KM | 2025 MY MPG Equivalent | 2024 MY MPG | + / – 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox | Turbo 1.5L I4 LSD | FWD | City | 9.2 | 26 | 26 | - |
| Highway | 8.3 | 28 | 31 | -3 | |||
| Combined | 8.8 | 27 | 28 | -1 | |||
| Equinox | Turbo 1.5L I4 LSD | AWD | City | 10 | 24 | 24 | - |
| Highway | 8.2 | 29 | 30 | -1 | |||
| Combined | 9.2 | 26 | 26 | - |
As a reminder, the Chevy Equinox rides on the GM D2 platform, with production of the 2025 model expected to take place exclusively at the GM San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico.
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Comments
Course it does with this EPA. Remember when the LM2 first came out, and it was getting 33mpg highway per EPA? Now the LZ0 which is approximately 5% more efficient is “rated” at 29. The EPA is nerfing anything that’s not an EV, yet allowing 100+ Empg ratings. 😡
If you’d read the article, you’d know these aren’t EPA numbers. These are Canadian equivalent numbers.
GMA shouldn’t have jumped the gun.
They didn’t, they accurately stated these are Canadian figures, and also added that EPA ratings tend to mirror the Canadian ratings.
Exactly, Put the 310hp V6 back in these vehicles and Stop The Costly Engineering NONSENSE!!
This is not surprising. The new version is both wider and boxier than the old version.
The problem is that they reduced torque and put in a more efficient CVT and mileage dropped by a whopping 3 on the highway and one for the combined number which doesn’t make sense. If the slight increase in width and styling are making such a huge difference in MPG then GM needs to go back to the drawing board.
Junk CVT
You forgot the biggest reason, it is notably heavier than the previous model also. Then you have the added bonus of a to small, underpowered, inefficient engine to boot.
I’ve looked at competition and they are all boxy.
The biggest problem was dropping 1.6 diesel , could have had twin turbo version 160 hp and 258 ft lbs of torque , 40 mpg highway in awd
My 1.6 TD gets 60 mpg on the highway
Ugh! China’s 2025 Equinox PHEV achieves 96 electric miles on a single charge. What’s the hold up bringing that technology here to the North American market?
Price.
I get why they chose to not update the engine. They are trying to follow the Toyota model of “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” And I’m sure it helps retain the engines reliability. But the downside of this when you is an antiquated engine is it falls behind the competition in fuel economy and performance. I was hoping having more gears would have helped though. But ultimately they need to bring the hybrid model.
Which some folks don’t want. And the hybrid will be another $3-5K.
Honda was able to hybrid their Civic for the 2025 MY without adding 3-5K. It’s just only available in the higher tiers as the sole powertrain option (replaced their 1.5T with the 2.0L PHEV the accord uses), so no, they don’t need to jack the price up by 5k.
I’m not sure about the sedans but I know the CR-V, the higher trims you can only get them as hybrids now. It’s kind of annoying (mostly because I am ok with more fuel consumption if it means I get a simpler vehicle) but they do provide better performance than the gas only model. If GM won’t offer a Turbo 4 on the Nox than maybe a hyrbid powertrain option would be a nice way to appeal to both those looking for performance and fuel efficiency.
Honda’s hybrid system has been pretty solid, there are some Ubers/taxi drivers who’ve used it getting close to 200,000 with no battery maintenance, just less MPG. (45 instead of 50). This isn’t 2000 anymore. Hybrids don’t need battery swaps at 70,000 miles.
Honda’s 1.5T in the Civic was swapped to the 2.0L hybrid and added about 20 more horsepower and 50ft-lbs of toque, shaving about 1.5 seconds off 0-60 times… mid 6’s now, and costs the same as it did with the 1.5 trims. The only downside is you don’t get a spare tire.
More complex, sure, but you’re not gonna need to get your hands any more dirty than you already did with the 1.5T in them.
The 6 spd was a good tranny, performance and mileage. Leave it to GM to fix something that wasn’t broke. And make it worse.
SOLD!
The motto at GM is, if it’s not broke, discontinue it.
Those numbers are unacceptable, and not an insignificant drop from 31 highway to 28 and the competition will eat it alive. Add in new unnecessary width, lower torque and a smaller cargo hold and this is quickly turning into a turd. All for $1500 more (comparably equipped). Such a deal! Talk about arrogance. Next up, the GMC Terrain Denali Ultimate Reserve Super-Duper-Extra-Plus for $50K . LOL!
Exactly, Put the 310hp V6 back in these vehicles and Stop The Costly Engineering NONSENSE!!
The V6 in the Equinox had 301hp, not 310. But yes, they should never have stopped offering a V6 option. I still have my 2015 Equinox with the 3.6L V6. Bought it new over 9 years ago and still daily drive it.
GM is doing a great job establishing the junkynox reputation. What a flop.
So for the love of god could someone please explain how a FWD with a more efficient CVT and a reduction in rated torque loses 3 highway MPG compared to an older designed 6 speed automatic? That is 100% backwards and apparently whoever is testing these things needs to do it when they are sober. If this is the best they can do introducing the 1.5 reduced torque engine and CVT was a colossal waste of time and money that doesn’t benefit the customer at all. These new ratings downgrade the new Equinox to lowest in class. The scary part is that the current Terrain is rated lower on both FWD and AWD compared to the 2024 Nox so I wonder if that will still be the case. Time to go back to the drawing board GM!
Silly Joe. CVTs (like touch screens) are not about fuel efficiency. Its a cheaper transmission to manufacture while the car retains (or carries a higher) MSRP. That’s right. Its about cost cutting.
Joe: Here’s your answer. Design.
This one is now bigger (like we needed that). It’s boxier. It’s front end is less aerodynamic and it is heavier.
So GM must think that everyone want a butch looking lesbian Subaru clone. I’m not, but if I were in the market for something like this, I’d certainly look for the old model 2024 with the 6 speed and better looks.
Look at your Honda CRV, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorrento, Telluride. The have all gone boxy.
That 1.5T struggles with power to get out of it’s own way, and then will boost to move the weight of these things, and now the non-AWD models get a power cut to make it even worse. People are gonna have to press the pedal down further to get “acceptable” performance,
I know we’re downsizing everything and there really isn’t a suitable engine outside of the 2.0T that will also drink fuel, this is where a 2.5L NA would work well. That or bring PHEV into the mix.
GM makes a great looking car, inside and out, and then ruins it with this engine. A 1.5T might work great in a Malibu, not so much in a boxy, heavy SUV
It’s funny that some of you think this is bad design on GM….sorry, gm’s part, when its all part of the plan, it’s all to push people to electrics, I’ll bet the 1.5 now also suddenly becomes unreliable too….after the 3rd or 4th engine replacement you just trade the customer up to the new EV Equitynox…..
I think a bigger engine may have helped the 1.5 is too little for that type body frame forcing it work extra hard to genrate power . A miss for sure
Lmao. My 2024 RAV4 gets bettter gas mileage with a traditional 8 speed auto (like my Camaro) and a 2.5L 4 banger.
Someone needs to explain to me like I’m a toddler what purpose the 1.5L lump is serving. I was already more than a bit annoyed when it was announced they are carrying it over into the new generation, even more when they paired it with a CVT. Now it’s short on power AND efficiency. Bravo GM, brah-freaking-vo.
Time for an all electric, ha ha.
That’s exactly what they want though.
They aren’t going to put anything more powerful in a Nox (or a terrain) because they want you to:
– Get an EV equinox with better performance
-or-
– Get a XT4 or Envision with the 2.0T. Considering the package groups for the new Equinox, it’s practically identical to an Envision outside the faster engine and a heads up display.
So, it’s bigger, uglier, now has more non-painted ugly black plastic around the wheels, more expensive and gets less MPG.
Sounds like a win to me if you like a butch looking crossover, spending more time at the fuel pumps and looking at chalky discolored plastic after 2 years while extending your loan another year to pay for it all.
This vehicle is too heavy for the 1.5, put the 2L back in it. I average 29 mpg, yes I live in a rural area a few miles suburbia. And before anyone comments I don’t use premium but I do put 89 octane. I don’t hyper mile, I could easily get 30-31 mpg and with this motor it has no issues passing. Another plus is it can tow 3500 lbs.
How much heavier is the 2025 over the 24 Ken?
Bigger wheels, wider tires?
I still like my 2020 Equinox, AWD with the punchy 2.0L turbo
Have always been a chevy man. Was thinking of buying the 25′ Equinox until I read that the engine wasn’t changing. Also, tired of the same basic styling of the suv’s. Line them up looking at the front ends and about the only difference is size. My wife and I are senior citizens but still wanted something kinda sporty and different. Just bought a new Hyundai Santa Cruz (2.5 non-turbo). I call it our Korean El Camino.
makes no sense to have this engine. gm siad they are reintroducing hybrids. its legit a no – brainer to make the equinox and whatever oter vehicles have a 4 cyl cvt to be a hybrid. a fully loaded equinox ev is like 50k which is insane. plus this 4 cyl cvt is garbage.
There’s absolutely no excuse for GM not to have any hybrid vehicles on the road today. All engine choices should either be traditional hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric. Hybrids in almost every case perform better and get better gas mileage than ICE engines. CEO Barra and her team should be terminated!
there is no need to go all hybrid or all electric.
gm will learn this as ford did.
we do not have the infrastructure to support this at this time
The 2021 FWD ‘Nox w/2.0T had 22 / 29 MPG and as a bonus 252 HP / 260 torque using the 9 speed auto!
The move to the CVT is a HUGE ERROR. Come on GM Powertrain, be the best.
My 2023 Equinox LT gets guage observed & Fuel Fill Calculated 34-35mpg at steady 70-72 mph cruise.
Get the 6 Speed Back. If you make a mistake FIX IT. Glad I bought a 2023. I wont buy a CVT
100 percent ; Larry