We were just discussing how popular off-road “versions” of highway SUVs are when the Chevrolet Equinox Activ arrived on my driveway for the week. With its 17-inch all-terrain tires coupled to “dark android” machine-faced wheels, it gives the Equinox the Jeep Wrangler look with available Cadillac luxuries. Full disclosure: 15 years ago, I owned a Chevrolet Equinox and although I liked the car, one thing that always bothered me was that there were no power window switches on the doors, for cost savings. There were only centrally located power window switches on the center console. Moreover, hard plastics were everywhere. Fast forward to today and the Equinox Activ interior looks like a Cadillac product. There is an 11.3-inch diagonal LCD display with Google built in. This is next to the 11-inch diagonal driver information center. I love how GM has skillfully been integrating the volume knob on the screen. Additionally, there are now window switches on the door just where God intended them to be! Chevrolet has upped its game and continually improved the Equinox to give it luxuries, features and capabilities not expected in a Chevy product. Phil Zak, Executive Design Director, notes, “This generation of Equinox has taken on a broad-shouldered, athletic appearance that conveys confidence and versatility. We leaned into distinct appearances and material selection for LT, RS and Activ so everyone can see themselves in an Equinox.”
Interior Niceties
When you step up to the Activ model, it features a Maple Sugar and Universal Black interior with synthetic Evotex seating surfaces. The Activ is as rugged as it is comfortable, perfect for exploring the great outdoors. The infotainment screen is angled slightly toward the driver for an ergonomic, cockpit-like experience. Chevy notes this isn’t just a screen; it’s the nerve center for your digital life, featuring Google Built-in compatibility that allows you to access Maps, Music, and Assistant. You’ll find soft-touch materials on the dashboard, elegant stitching on the seats, and clever ‘Y-shaped’ air vents that add a modern flair. The electronic shifter has been moved to the steering column, which frees up significant space in the center console for storage, wireless charging pads, and large cupholders. Chevrolet still gives you a dial for adjusting the Drive Modes. But as with other Chevrolet products, the lighting controls have found their way to the infotainment system when physical controls are preferred. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are also on board if you need to warm up after an outdoor excursion.
Ready for the Outdoors
The look of the Equinox mimics the larger Traverse, which is a big seller in the Chevrolet lineup. The first thing you’ll notice about the 2026 Equinox is its commanding presence. Moving away from the softer curves of the past, the new model adopts a squared-off, truck-inspired aesthetic. The front end is dominated by a wider, more aggressive grille, flanked by high-mounted LED daytime running lamps and lower-set LED headlamps that create a distinct light signature at night. The Activ trim features a unique front fascia and available two-tone paint options with a white roof. Scott Bell, VP of Chevrolet, notes, “The Equinox brings to one of our most important nameplates bodylines and proportions inspired by our brand’s truck DNA, also adopted in the Traverse. It also builds on the core strengths that have earned Equinox tremendous customer loyalty over the past two decades, and made it the second-best seller in our lineup, after Silverado.” Under the hood is only one engine option, a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. It features 175 horsepower and the rig can tow a small trailer with a 1500-pound limit.
Protecting the Kids
One cool feature of the Chevrolet Equinox is the Teen Driver mode. When set up through a PIN and a key fob linked to your newly minted driver, you can choose the maximum radio volume for your kid. It will also give you data on what has been happening since the last digital check-in on the infotainment screen. It includes Distance Driven, Maximum Speed, Overspeed Warnings, Wide Open Throttle occurrences, Forward Collision Alerts, Automatic Emergency Braking and Traction Control. Basically, if your teen is driving like a jerk, the data will come up on the infotainment screen. On the safety end of the Equinox is an impressive ADAS suite. From the start you get Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and automatic IntelliBeam headlights. If you want even more safety features, there is a safety and technology package for $945 that adds a high-definition surround camera, traffic sign recognition, and a digital camera rear-view mirror. This makes it great if your cargo blocks your view in a traditional rearview mirror.
Simple Sounds
The Equinox is available with a six-speaker audio system. Previously there were Bose systems available, but Chevrolet felt they did a good job on the standard audio system. There are plenty of adjustments available from the infotainment screen. It does sound pretty good as a simple start. But with the nice cargo hold of the Equinox, a subwoofer would be a welcome addition. You can demo one at your local mobile electronics retailer and easily have it integrated into the Equinox.
All told, the Chevrolet Equinox Activ is a solid SUV choice, offering impressive technology and a great-looking interior dominated by easy-to-use touchscreens. You get wireless charging, and even ventilated seats are available. My all-in tester came in at just over $40k, which, in the world of SUVs that have knobby tires and look the part, is a great deal.
