There’s a lot we like about the all-new 2025 Chevy Equinox. The fourth generation of Chevy’s compact crossover boasts a much-improved interior, updated technology, and a stylish design that’s both rugged and modern. We also like the variety in the model range, which contains the sporty-styled RS model and the more adventurously-looking Activ trim.
One of our favorite design elements of the new Chevrolet Equinox is the dual-tier front light signature, which Chevy designers call the “high-brow” treatment. This design contains horizontally-oriented daytime-running LED lights up top and neatly organized headlamps, fog lamps, and turn signals below.
The first interesting detail that the casual observer might miss is the “Chevrolet” script within the main headlight cluster. The spelled-out “Chevrolet” logo is embossed in a small strip of chrome right above the primary headlamp, which then runs down and below it. Brand-specific script and logos inside of lighting elements is a trend we’ve been seeing for a while now across all four retail GM brands in North America, and it’s nice to see this upscale touch on an affordable, mainstream crossover like the Chevy Equinox.
2025 Chevy Equinox RS headlight detail with Chevrolet script and side-facing marker/reflector duo
The other interesting detail is the side reflector and marker light integrated within the headlamp cluster. On the previous-generation Equinox, these illuminating and reflecting elements were more spread out across the front corners of the vehicle. On the last-gen model, these were integrated into the wheel arch moldings. Cleaning it all up in one cohesive headlamp cluster really gives the front end of the Equinox a more polished look.
To recap, the all-new 2025 Chevy Equinox ushers in the nameplate’s fourth generation. It’s underpinned by GM’s D2-2 platform and is powered by GM’s 1.5L I4 LSD engine rated at 175 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque when equipped with front-wheel drive and, automatically, the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Optioning all-wheel drive swaps the CVT for a new eight-speed transmission, keeping the same horsepower but increasing the torque rating to 203 pound-feet. Models for the North American market are produced exclusively at the GM San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico alongside its mechanical twin, the GMC Terrain.
Notice the new marker/reflector light combo from the side
We came away satisfied when we tested the new Equinox recently. In fact, GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft even gave its CVT automatic transmission high praise, saying that it “really doesn’t suck.”
Here’s a full exterior tour and walkaround of the 2025 Chevy Equinox Activ, including a close-up look at the headlights.
Comments
These highbrow headlight treatments are getting REALLY old. That’s the problem here.
But they are incredibly useful though. With the light mounted down lower it can be sent out further without blinding oncoming traffic on taller vehicles. You get more distance of light at night. Styling wise is eh, but I am not buying a vehicle based on looks, that is WAY down my priority list. Function > Aesthetics
I always wondered if there was a functional purpose behind putting the headlights lower like that. I only see GM doing it in a way that it doesn’t look awkward. Hyundai was doing this recently too but I didn’t find their execution of it visually appealing. The only thing I saw is increased chances of having to spend money on new headlamp modules should some jack*** scrape the corner of your car while parking. Unfortunately I live in NJ where the concept of respecting other people’s personal property is nonexistent.
“It really doesn’t suck” is considered high praise for the new CVT transmission?? I hope GM tested this one more extensively than the original 8-speed that turned out to be junk.
This 8-speed, which is for transverse engine applications, has nothing to do with the original 8-speed.
The “doesn’t suck” actually IS high praise for a CVT, since all the ones I’ve driven have sucked.
If only they offered it with the 2.0 turbo. If that were the case I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
Buy it then swap the engines yourself. GM will not do it.
I’ll just keep my ‘19 2.0. Thanks for the input though.
I did not buy one last year after driving the 1.5 I bought a Hyundai santa fe. I am so happy I did.
Sad, there was an article here last year about the female person at GM who made and defended the decision to eliminate the larger engine option. She said people didn’t really care what engine was in their car. How ignorant was that? Not GM is paying the price for all of the tiny turbos that a number of customers don’t want. Including the 2.7 liter 4 cylinders in the full sized Silverados there are tons of them sitting on the lots in my area of the Midwest.
She, among many others just looked at the data and saw the take rate was below 10%, then looked at the data on the demographics that are buying the vehicle and they don’t care what size engine (most don’t know) or care that it was insanely powerful, just good enough to get from point A to B. Sales figures have the Equinox in 4th place (oh man that 2.0 really took sales away, not).
Ignorant is making comments like yours Mel and not knowing who the customer is, they aren’t car guys wanting big engines. They do want hybrids though and that is coming, GM is late to that game.
The 2.7 is well reviewed and arguably the most durable engine in the GM half ton game if not the entire half ton market. Just because you see some on the lots doesn’t make it true, anyone can lie on the internet. Should I try? I just checked a massive Texas area, I can only find 3 2.7’s on the lot, they are selling like hot cakes! See how easy that is to spin something that isn’t true to strengthen ones argument? Truth is they are selling just fine and turns out to be a smart move by GM. This allowed them to keep the V8 around which all the others except Ford have ditched. All manufacturers are doing smaller turbo engines. Toyota has, Fiat/Ram has, even the Germans; the C63 is like a 700hp monster with a turbo 4. So no, these aren’t the old iron duke fours you are used they, they are fantastic engines with tons of low end grunt, great power and better mpg. Sure the sound could be better, but I could care less about that, it isn’t why I buy a vehicle and most don’t…
Check Indiana, I looked two days ago at the GM vehicle locator and there are lots of 4 banger half tons languishing on lots. I didn’t say it was a bad engine, I said they aren’t selling in my area. And yes I’ve heard several negative comments about the tiny turbos in the Equinoxes and Traverses with no optional engine upgrade available. So my comment stands as posted but thanks for responding. P.S. the Iron Duke was a great engine. I had two of them, in a Chevy Celebrity and a Pontiac Fiero. Both regularly produced 30 mpg and plenty of power with throttle body fuel injection and no turbo. They were cheap, simple engines. My wife’s 1.5T feels less powerful, is much more complicated, and delivers the same mileage. How is that better? It’s not, it’s just more expensive and more complicated. A step backwards in my opinion. I would swap it for an Iron Duke any time.
A real improvement would be adaptive beam headlights. These have been legal in the US since 2022. I can’t understand why they aren’t on all new cars.
Motor Trend posted their review of the 2025 Equinox RS AWD yesterday. They didn’t really say anything overwhelmingly complimentary to make me want to consider one.
“Forgettable plastic crowds the cabin…”
“We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the technical glitches we encountered in testing. We saw errors impacting everything from AWD to cruise control…we wouldn’t be surprised if this GM product’s software needs some additional vetting.”
“This RS’ uninspired 9.2-second run to 60 mph is 0.3 second slower than the last Equinox…”
So, yes, it sounds like it is following the trend of modern era GM volume sellers.
TMI, did you see this? Another non-complement about GM’s tiny turbo only Equinox. Who at GM thought it was a good idea to increase the vehicle size and weight while keeping an already marginally adequate engine?
Funny how this lighting arrangement was hugely criticized and ridiculed when Jeep (back when they were a mostly US company) put it on the Cherokee, now it’s an amazing innovation.