As mentioned, the 2026 Equinox comes in three trims: the LT, RS, and ACTIV. Their powertrain pairs a 175-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The standard front-wheel drivetrain (FWD) returns an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while the available all-wheel drivetrain (AWD) achieves 24 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The RS and ACTIV include a drive-mode selector for enhanced response in a variety of road situations. All three trims are able to tow up to 1,500 pounds with AWD.
The LT gets a mix of no-nonsense features and conveniences, with cloth upholstery, heated front seats, a heated wrapped steering wheel, a 6-way manual driver’s seat, a 4-way manual front passenger seat, an 11-inch driver information display, keyless open and start, remote start, auto-on/off LED headlights, LED taillights, heated power side mirrors, single-zone manual climate control, four USB ports (two front, two rear), a manual day/night rearview mirror, a 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, active grille shutters, solar-tinted rear windows, active noise cancellation, carpeted floor mats, and 17-inch Grazen metallic machined-face aluminum wheels. The LT is eligible for the Midnight Edition appearance package, which adds black badging, high-gloss black mirror caps, black roof rails, and 19-inch black-painted aluminum wheels. The Convenience Package II includes an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, a cabin humidity sensor, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless smartphone charging, a power liftgate, and a universal home remote. A two-toned exterior with a Summit White or Mosaic Black Metallic roof and exterior accents is also offered.
The RS receives standard dual-zone automatic climate control, Evotex upholstery, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, a power liftgate, roof rails, a universal home remote, a cabin humidity sensor, and 19-inch Carbon Flash metallic machined-face aluminum wheels. The ACTIV is suede-upholstered and has all-terrain tires on 17-inch Dark Android machined-face aluminum wheels. A two-toned exterior is available with Summit White and a black roof. The RS and ACTIV are both eligible for the Convenience Package III, which includes ventilated front seats, an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat with lumbar support, driver’s seat memory settings, and heated rear seats. All trims can be outfitted with a dual-pane power sunroof.
Every 2026 Equinox comes with the Chevy Safety Assist Package installed. This tech suite consists of automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, following distance indicator, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams. A safety alert seat, adaptive cruise control, a passenger sensing system, rear park assist, rear cross-traffic braking, reverse automatic braking, blind-zone steering assist, side bicyclist alert, front and rear occupant presence detection, an HD rear camera, and a rear seat reminder also come standard. GM’s standard Teen Driver technology turns off the audio until the front passengers fasten their seatbelts, activates safety systems when the teen-designated key fob is in use, and provides an in-vehicle report card to encourage safe driving habits. The available Safety and Technology Package will add HD surround vision, a digital rearview mirror, fog lights, traffic sign recognition, rear pedestrian alert, and a rear camera washer. All trims are eligible for OnStar, GM’s subscription-based safety and connectivity suite.
Infotainment in the Equinox is handled via an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in. Its other standard components are wireless smartphone connectivity (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), cloud navigation, Bluetooth hands-free phone use, voice recognition, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a sound system with six speakers.