The 2025 Chevy Equinox debuts the crossover’s latest fourth generation, bringing with it a variety of fresh updates and changes, including new styling, an overhauled cabin, and a bevy of new tech features. Notably, the new ‘Nox also carries over the same turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD gasoline engine as the preceding generation. Which leads us to ask – does the Chevy Equinox need a more powerful engine option?
For those readers who may be unaware, the 2025 Chevy Equinox offers the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD gasoline engine in two different output levels. For models equipped with front-wheel drive and a CVT, output is rated at 175 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm, while models equipped with all-wheel drive and the GM eight-speed automatic are rated at 175 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 203 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. By comparison, the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD under the hood of the 2024 Chevy Equinox is rated at 175 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 203 pound-feet across the lineup, with both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models equipped with the GM six-speed automatic transmission.
Since the release of the 2025 Chevy Equinox, some enthusiasts have expressed an opinion that the crossover should offer a more powerful engine option. Some of the possibilities suggested include the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LTG gasoline engine, which was rated at 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 2018-through-2020 Chevy Equinox, or the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LSY gasoline engine, which is rated at 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in the Buick Envision.
Earlier this year, GM Authority spoke with Vehicle Performance Manager Stephanie Ernster, asking why the next-gen Equinox didn’t offer a more-powerful engine option. According to Ernster, GM didn’t receive “any feedback that says [the Equinox is] underpowered for what customers need,” so instead, the automaker “focused on the individual transmissions to at least be able to deliver a bit better fuel economy and drive quality.”
To back that assertion, the more powerful LTG engine option offered for the 2018-through 2020 model years accounted for only 15 percent of the Equinox sales volume.
Nevertheless, we want to know – do you think the Chevy Equinox need a more powerful engine option? Tell us by voting in the poll below, and remember to voice your opinion in the comments as well!
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Coming from a 2018 Terrain owner with the 2.0: if it doesn't have a better engine option I won't buy a new one, end of story.
A few years ago we still had a 2005 Equinox that had a V6 that would get up and move AND got decent fuel economy (~23). These overworked, turbo'd 4 bangers are never going to last like a naturally aspirated 6, and it's even worse when they put these 4-hamster cage engines in trucks.
Absolutely! I bought my wife a new '24 AWD with this 1.5 engine and it's anemic. We traded in a 2018 Cruze RWD (lighter vehicle) that had a larger engine and got 10+MPG more. They had a nice 6 cylinder engine, but as usual, GM discontinued it. My motorcycle has a larger engine. It also doesn't get very good gas mileage for a small 4 cylinder (26-27MPG).
The trend seems to be smaller engines, turbo charged to the max to get HP out of them. So much that some throughout the industry are now requiring premium fuel.
I've been a GM owner all my life, but I'll have to reconsider on our next purchase. And I will definitely be doing a good test drive before committing.
If they put a bigger engine in it, it would cost way too much. If a customer wants a bigger engine, just get a Blazer or a Traverse.
They need to put the Duramax in it! I hate when I have to drive my partner's Equinox: so small and wimpy!
They tried a diesel and it didn’t sell.
175 hp might’ve scraped by in the 90’s.
Today, in that size vehicle? Laughable.
Absolutely
My wife has the 2019 red line with the 2.0 she loves it and will keep it till the wheels fall off all because of how fast it is. I have a C8, but when I drive her Equinox, I have to be careful with the gas pedal so I don't get a speeding ticket. Rented a 1.5 Equinox for a week, very big difference, not fun to drive or merge with.
I would like to see 200 to 225 HP. I currently own a 2022 Equinox RS. On trips I average about 32 to 33 mpg. City around 24 to 25 mpg. I have a 2017 Impala LT w/ the 3.6 L V-6. On the highway I get 31 to 32 mpg. and around 22 to 23 mpg in the city. The V-6 id rated a 305 HP. Basically the Equinox has half the horsepower yet gets about the same mileage as the V-6. Make you wonder if they use these moderately powered 4 cyl. to off set the poor fuel economy of the pickups and full size SUV's
Duh. The 2.0 LSY is the obvious engine upgrade choice but GM, apparently, does not want a 2.0L Equinox/Terrain competing with the more expensive Blazer. Bad call, GM.