The fourth-generation Chevy Equinox was introduced for the 2025 model year, bringing a fresh new exterior design, an overhauled cabin and the addition of the Activ trim level for active-lifestyle compact crossover shoppers. Now, GM Authority has exclusively uncovered pricing for the gasoline-powered 2026 Chevy Equinox.
The 2026 Equinox starts at $29,995 in base LT FWD trim, while adding AWD raises the price to $31,995. The Activ and RS trim levels with a front-wheel drivetrain are listed from $34,395, while the AWD Activ and RS are priced from $36,395. These prices are notably identical to those of the 2025 Chevy Equinox, and include the $1,395 destination freight charge.
| Trim Level | Drivetrain | Powertrain | 2026 MSRP + DFC |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT | FWD | Turbo 1.5L I4 LSD | $29,995 |
| LT | AWD | Turbo 1.5L I4 LSD | $31,995 |
| Activ | FWD | Turbo 1.5L I4 LSD | $34,395 |
| Activ | AWD | Turbo 1.5L I4 LSD | $36,395 |
| RS | FWD | Turbo 1.5L I4 LSD | $34,395 |
| RS | AWD | Turbo 1.5L I4 LSD | $36,395 |
As before, the Equinox LT is equipped as standard with the Chevy Safety Assist suite, which rounds up a list of active drive assist systems, along with comfort and convenience items such as LED headlights (RPO code TGC) and LED taillamps (TAB), 17-inch Grazen Metallic aluminum wheels (RSC) wrapped in 235/65R17 all-season tires (RJL/RJS), heated front seats (KA1), a heated steering wheel (KI3), remote engine start (BTV), an 11.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen with Google built-in (URL/IVE), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (PPW) as well as OnStar (UE1) with an OnStar Basics connectivity plan for 8 years.
The Activ and RS trims add heated wiper park (CMO), a hands-free power programmable liftgate (TCP), roof rails (V2P) and rain-sensing windshield wipers (CE1), power-adjustable front seats (A2X/AL9), wireless phone charging (K7A), dual-zone automatic climate control (CJ2) and a Universal Home Remote (UG1), all features that are optionally available on the LT. The 2026 Chevy Equinox Activ rides on Dark Android aluminum wheels (Q6W) with 235/65R17 all-terrain tires, while the Equinox RS boasts 19-inch Carbon Flash Metallic wheels (RJU) and 235/55R19 all-season tires (QGS).
For the 2026 model year, Iridescent Pearl Tricoat (color G1W) is being replaced by another multi-layer hue called Polar White (G4J), while roof rails are no longer included with the LT trim’s Convenience Package II (RPO ZQ3). To get the roof rails, LT buyers must choose the Midnight Edition package (WN5) or the power sunroof (CAJ). In addition, the LT trim will get the drive mode selector that was already included in the Activ and RS variants.
The gas-powered Equinox is equipped with the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD engine that produces 175 horsepower as well as 184 pound-feet with the continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drivetrain, or 203 pound-feet with the eight-speed automatic and AWD. Production of the 2026 Chevy Equinox is currently scheduled to start on March 17th, 2025, as the GM San Luis Potosà plant in Mexico.
Comments
That’s good because the ’25 model year was, what, 4 months long? Hardly enough time to justify a penny more for the ’26s.
On the 4 months:
It’s called ‘cooking the books’.
Interesting thought on holding the line for ICE cars. First time in years. They cranked the prices way up during the parts shortage and when parts were back, did anyone see the prices fall back down? The prices for Trucks and SUVs are obscene. The Equinox is nice but for its size its base is 30K. 30K? Wow. So that’s where we are now. 10K more than a couple of years ago.
you want it 10K less then the brand new Trax is there with the Trailblazer between.
That’s a gross exaggeration of price increase in “a couple of years”. The 2018 Equinox LT had a starting price of $27,795 and did not have near the safety features. So it went up for an LT with way more content $2200 in 7 years…..
I have to agree. The Equinox has had smaller increases than most. Some are unbelievably obnoxious and some still find it necessary to increase multiple times a year.
Mr. Bob, if you think the prices are bad now, just wait until trump slaps a 25% tariff on the Equinox or any other vehicle made in Mexico or Canada, and any vehicle that has parts made in another country, then we’ll see really obscene prices. Tariffs are paid by the consumer, not by the country exporting to the USA. Inflation is going to take a big increase with all these idiotic tariffs.
Still looking for the Extended Range, PHEV version.
Start with the GEN2 Voltec drive, increase the battery to 25 Kwh, add capability with a rear motor for AWD. It will use 30-40% less gasoline fuel than the RAV4 Prime for typical owners.
PHEV isn’t really where it is at for most people, they add a lot of heft, cost and once the batter is depleted make horrible hybrids. The size of battery needed to make one travel 40 miles on battery makes it thousands of dollars more expensive. Unless your drive is 15 miles one way it will be hard to make up that price difference. A regular hybrid you can easily recoop the cost in a couple of years as it is usually just a 1,500 or so added cost. Plus with the smaller batter you can easily find more places to put it without impacting storage and put it in many more cars. For each PHEV you can 11 or so hybrids that will significantly impact the overall MPG and emissions of the vehicles. Not to mention once the batter is out, it doesn’t do very well as a regular hybrid, barely exceeding or matching the non hybrid model (using the Rav4 as a basis here since it has all three options). PHEV has its place, but if an only one can be picked, right now for most it would be a regular hybrid.
Our Gen2 VOLT reports 168.2 MPG over 44,444 miles since new in 2018. Recharged at home and used mostly around town on electric with occasional trips at 40 MPG on highways. 18.4 Kwh battery for 52+ mile EV range in summer. The VOLT weighs about 550 pounds more than a comparable Chevy Cruze but a lot more fun to drive and very economical by comparison.
Don’t forget about requiring the $15-20k price increase for all those hybrid features. It’ll then be price competitive with the rav4 prime
Right!
What are they waiting for?