2027 Chevrolet Equinox: Trims, MPG, and Value Compared

The 2027 Equinox starts at $29,000 for the front-wheel-drive LT and ranges to $35,900 for the all-wheel-drive ACTIV and AWD RS trims. Every price below is the base MSRP before the $1,995 destination charge is added.

All trims share: Destination charge: $1,995

The pricing structure tells a clear story. The front-wheel-drive LT is the most accessible entry point, while the RS front-wheel-drive version matches the ACTIV at $33,900— offering sport-accented styling at the same price as the adventure-oriented ACTIV. Adding all-wheel drive to either the LT or ACTIV costs exactly $2,000 over their FWD counterparts. The AWD RS at $35,900 sits at the top of the range alongside the AWD ACTIV.

For working families in the Russellville area who are balancing household budgets against the need for a reliable, versatile crossover, that $29,000 LT entry point is genuinely competitive. The LT gives buyers the core Equinox experience — standard safety tech, the 11.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 6-speaker audio system — without stretching into premium territory.

If you’re coming in with a current vehicle, knowing its market value before you shop makes the math much cleaner. You can estimate what your trade-in is worth online before stepping into the showroom, which helps clarify how much of the purchase price you’re covering out of pocket.

The LT and ACTIV front-wheel-drive trims carry a 14.8-gallon fuel tank, while all AWD variants and the RS FWD use a slightly larger 15.6-gallon tank — a small detail that affects range planning on longer drives between communities. On the highway, even the AWD models return 29 mpg, meaning a full tank covers roughly 400–406 miles before you need to stop. For daily driving around Russellville or commuting toward Elkton, that kind of range means far fewer trips to the pump each week.

Competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape occupy similar price territory, but the Equinox’s standard tech content at the LT level competes favorably on a feature-per-dollar basis.

The 2027 Equinox wears its Silverado-inspired front end confidently — a broad, upright grille flanked by projector-beam LED headlights that give the crossover visual authority without tipping into oversized truck territory. Car and Driver described it as “a stocky, handsome thing with a Silverado-inspired snout that lends it some visual heft at the curb,” which captures the balance Chevrolet is going for: a crossover that looks purposeful on rural roads and respectable in a historic downtown parking lot.

The body is 183.2 inches long, 74.9 inches wide, and 65.6 inches tall — proportions that make it maneuverable in tight spaces without feeling cramped inside. The 107.5-inch wheelbase provides the stable stance that gently rolling terrain rewards. Painted bumpers front and rear, a roof spoiler, and color-painted mirrors round out the exterior on most trims.

Where the three trim personas diverge visually is meaningful. The LT wears chrome window trim and chrome bumper accents that suit a more traditional, refined look. The RS drops the chrome in favor of a blacked-out treatment — black roof rails, toned mirrors — that reads more athletic and contemporary. The ACTIV steps in a different direction entirely, with chrome/silver roof rails, all-terrain tires on 17-inch alloy wheels, and a rugged stance that signals outdoor readiness rather than street sport.

Color choices include Mosaic Black Metallic, Radiant Red Tintcoat, Sterling Gray Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic, Polar White Tricoat, and Autumn Harvest Metallic. The RS and ACTIV trims offer optional two-tone roof treatments — a Mosaic Black Metallic Roof on the RS and AWD RS, and a Summit White Roof option on the ACTIV — that add a layer of personalization without requiring a full custom order.

The powertrain specs behind that stance are consistent across the lineup, with one meaningful split:

All trims share: Engine: 1.5L · Horsepower: 175 hp · Transmission: Hydra-Matic

The AWD variants generate 203 lb-ft of torque versus 184 lb-ft on FWD models — a difference that reflects the AWD system’s tuning rather than a separate engine. All six trims use the same 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder paired with the Hydra-Matic 8-speed automatic.

If you want to personalize your Equinox with genuine Chevrolet accessories — splash guards, roof rack cross rails, cargo liners, or all-weather floor mats — our parts department stocks OEM components that fit the Equinox precisely.

Five passengers fit comfortably in the Equinox’s 2+3 seating configuration, with front headroom at 40 inches, rear headroom at 39.2 inches, front legroom at 40.9 inches, and rear legroom at 39.9 inches. Those aren’t numbers that require creative interpretation — adults of average height sit without heads grazing the headliner, and rear passengers get nearly as much legroom as the driver.

Shoulder room is generous too: 57.7 inches up front and 55.8 inches in the second row. Hip room measures 54.2 inches front and 51.7 inches rear. The bench seat in back accommodates three passengers with a center 3-point seat belt, which matters for families who regularly carpool or travel with a full vehicle.

Cargo capacity behind the rear seat is about 30 cu ft across every trim. Fold the rear seatback — which splits asymmetrically for flexible loading — and that expands to about 63.5 cu ft. That’s enough room for fishing gear and a cooler, a weekend’s worth of luggage, or the kind of farm supply run that requires more than a standard trunk.

All trims share: Seating: 5 · Cargo: about 30 cu ft · Towing: 1,500 lbs

The LT FWD has the lightest curb weight at 3,428 lbs and the highest payload at 1,422 lbs, while the AWD RS at 3,629 lbs carries the most mass and the lowest payload at 1,221 lbs. For buyers who plan to load up regularly — camping gear, livestock feed, festival supplies — the FWD LT or FWD ACTIV offer the most payload headroom.

Every trim can tow up to 1,500 lbs, which covers a small utility trailer, a personal watercraft, or a light cargo hauler. The optional Trailering Package adds proper trailer towing preparation for those who want a factory-supported setup.

Inside, the LT starts with cloth seating, while the RS and ACTIV trims come standard with synthetic leather upholstery. The ACTIV adds a synthetic suede accent material that gives the interior a more textured, outdoor-ready feel. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on the ACTIV and RS trims and available on the LT via the Convenience Package II. Every trim includes front and rear cup holders, a full floor console, and illuminated vanity mirrors.

Every 2027 Equinox — regardless of trim — ships with an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display paired with an 11-inch reconfigurable digital instrument cluster. That’s a meaningful hardware baseline: buyers at the $29,000 LT level get the same screen hardware as the $35,900 AWD RS. The difference between trims lies in the features layered on top, not the fundamental display architecture.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard across the entire lineup, with unlimited-duration subscriptions included. That means no cable required to mirror your phone’s navigation, music, and messaging apps onto the 11.3-inch screen. For anyone who regularly drives between Russellville and Franklin — a roughly 30-mile stretch where cell coverage can vary — having offline-capable navigation mirrored from your phone is a practical advantage.

The infotainment system includes built-in Google voice assistant functionality, Bluetooth connectivity, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a front AUX jack, and two front USB charging ports plus two rear USB charging ports. A wireless charging pad comes standard on the ACTIV and RS trims, and is available on the LT through the Convenience Package II.

OnStar telematics is standard on all trims, with the embedded SIM providing a hotspot connection. The base subscription includes 3 GB of data for one month, with the option to upgrade to the 3 Years OnStar One package for extended coverage. OnStar’s services include breakdown assistance, advanced automatic collision notification, remote lock/unlock, remote start, vehicle diagnostics, theft alert, and the ability to send a destination directly to the car’s navigation system.

SiriusXM satellite radio comes with a 3-month trial subscription on every trim, with a 3 Years SiriusXM option available for buyers who want long-term coverage without a monthly payment. The standard 6-speaker audio system handles everyday listening well; the RS trim notably comes with 4 USB connections standard (versus 2 on other trims), reflecting its slightly more feature-forward orientation.

Over-the-air software updates are supported, so the infotainment system can receive improvements without a dealer visit. The Teen Driver feature — which lets parents set speed alerts and audio volume limits — is standard across all trims, a genuinely useful tool for households with new drivers.

The Safety and Technology Package, available on all six trims, adds a 360-degree surround-view camera, front parking camera, side parking camera, traffic sign recognition, and front fog lights — a meaningful upgrade for anyone who regularly backs into tight spaces or navigates gravel lanes.

The six-trim Equinox lineup is organized around three distinct buyer personas, each available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. Understanding which persona fits your household makes the trim decision straightforward.

The LT at $29,000 FWD and $31,000 AWD is the practical foundation. It includes the full safety suite, the 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear vision camera, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control (single-zone standard, dual-zone via Convenience Package II), cloth seating with a manually adjustable driver’s seat, and 17-inch alloy wheels on all-season tires. The Midnight Edition package adds 19-inch wheels and a blacked-out exterior treatment for buyers who want a sportier look without paying RS prices. The LT is the right choice for families prioritizing budget and standard equipment over style differentiation.

The RS at $33,900 FWD and $35,900 AWD builds on the LT’s mechanical package with a sport-themed exterior — black roof rails, toned mirrors, a roof spoiler — synthetic leather seating, standard Front and Rear Park Assist with sensors and camera, a hands-free power liftgate, wireless charging, garage door opener, and 19-inch alloy wheels on all-season tires. The RS also comes standard with 4 USB connections versus 2 on other trims. An optional Panoramic Sunroof and 20-inch Black Machined-Faced Aluminum Wheels are available. The RS is the pick for buyers who want more comfort and style content baked in from the factory.

The ACTIV at $33,900 FWD and $35,900 AWD takes the RS’s comfort upgrades and reorients them toward outdoor capability: all-terrain 17-inch tires, chrome/silver roof rails, a synthetic leather/suede interior, all-wheel drive standard on the AWD variant, and the full park-assist suite. The optional Panoramic Sunroof and Summit White Roof two-tone treatment are available.

If the budget doesn’t stretch to a new Equinox right now, our pre-owned vehicle inventory includes a range of options worth exploring. When you’re ready to move forward on a new purchase, you can submit a financing application online before your visit to streamline the process at the dealership.

The Equinox’s reputation for family-focused value isn’t just marketing language — it’s backed by third-party recognition. PARENTS magazine named the Equinox both the Best Mid-Size 5-Passenger SUV and Best Value SUV in 2025, a dual honor that reflects how well the vehicle serves households balancing practicality against budget.

From the automotive press, the sentiment aligns closely with what the specs suggest. Car and Driver characterizes the Equinox as delivering utility and value in a handsome, visually confident package — the Silverado-inspired front end reads as purposeful rather than derivative. MotorTrend noted that the Equinox manages to improve on a familiar mechanical formula in ways that aren’t obvious on paper but are apparent in daily use, which speaks to how the Hydra-Matic transmission and low-rpm torque delivery translate into a refined driving experience.

Edmunds has highlighted the Equinox’s contemporary design and strong value proposition for daily routines — a characterization that fits the LT’s positioning as a feature-rich entry point at $29,000.

In the competitive compact crossover segment — where the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Ford Escape all compete for the same buyer — earning a dual recognition from PARENTS magazine signals that the Equinox succeeds specifically in the family-use case that defines most purchases in this class. For buyers in south-central Kentucky whose primary criteria are reliability, room for the family, and a price that doesn’t require stretching the household budget, that recognition carries real weight.