2025 Chevy Equinox RS
If you need a stylish compact crossover that won’t call it quits when the going gets rough, the 2025 Chevy Equinox RS has you covered. Chevy’s RS trim has been giving some of the brand’s most popular models a performance-inspired makeover since the late 1960s. The Equinox got in on the fun in 2022 and represents an alluring option for drivers who appreciate a sportier take on the compact crossover.
2025 sees the introduction of a new fourth-generation Equinox that’s evolved to meet the changing needs of today’s drivers. Chevy has equipped the new model with a range of fresh infotainment, convenience, and comfort technologies, an additional off-road driving mode, and an eight-speed automatic transmission that replaces the six-speed setup found on the previous generation.
The Equinox has also grown in terms of both width and height, and looks every bit the modern SUV with its LED lighting, squared-off design, and available two-tone roof. So how does the RS trim manage to improve on the stunning fourth-gen Equinox? Let’s walk through some of the crossover’s performance stats, exclusive features, and selectable driving modes as we explore the finer points of the 2025 Chevy Equinox RS.
MSRP: $33,000[a]
Horsepower: 175
Torque: 203 lb-ft
Cargo Space: 63.5 cu.ft.
Performance
The Equinox RS embodies everything there is to love about the RS concept, but how does it stack up from a performance perspective? The SUV offers an ideal balance of power and efficiency, allowing drivers to have plenty of fun while also keeping some extra cash in their pockets.
The Standard 1.5-Liter I-4 Engine
Pop the hood on the Equinox RS and you’ll be greeted by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder that punches well above its modest displacement and cylinder count thanks to an integrated turbocharger. A little forced induction makes all the difference, enabling the Equinox to pump out 175 hp and up to 203 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission Options
The front-wheel drive model is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that has a noticeable impact on fuel economy, maximizing efficiency by allowing the engine to operate at its optimal speed. Those in the market for a more traditional experience can upgrade to the AWD version, which features an eight-speed automatic transmission that provides valuable feedback and helps forge a stronger connection between the driver and the vehicle.
Fuel Economy
The crossover might be compact, but it offers outsized fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 26 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway for the FWD model and 24 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway when opting for AWD. An SUV that can achieve nearly 30 MPG is always worth a closer look, especially when it still offers the sort of utility that’s long defined the segment.
Towing Capacity
The Equinox provides ample passenger and cargo room, featuring spacious seating for up to five passengers and a cargo capacity of 63.5 cu.ft. of cargo space. While a number of today’s compact crossovers aren’t rated for towing duty, the Equinox is a noteworthy exception. The model offers 1,500 lbs of towing capacity, which is perfect for small trailers, teardrop campers, and more. It’s an impressive resume by any measure, especially when you factor in the Chevy’s low starting price and the sporty appeal of the RS trim.
Features
The Equinox RS immediately sets itself apart from the rest of the 2025 lineup with a generous array of exclusive features. The SUV defies its budget-friendly price to provide drivers with a well-rounded cabin that’s packed with pleasantly premium features, but the RS ups the ante with some comfort, convenience, and styling improvements that are difficult to ignore.
Heated Enhancements
Take the driver’s seat, for example. The Equinox already gets off to a strong start with heated front seats, and while the RS adds eight-way power adjustability as part of the standard Convenience Package II, Chevy’s compact crossover is just getting warmed up. Drivers will also enjoy a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a heated wiper park that prevents the wipers from freezing to the windshield when the thermometer starts to drop.
The Convenience Package II and Connectivity Features
The trim’s Convenience Package II lives up to its name with a hands-free power liftgate that’ll come in handy when you’re approaching the SUV with an armful of groceries or sports equipment, and the wireless smartphone charger ensures everyone’s devices are all juiced up and ready to go when you arrive at your destination. Throw in a Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control system that allows each row to set their desired temperature and an expansive slate of infotainment tech that includes an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, and it’s easy to see why the Equinox RS has earned so much praise from drivers and critics alike.
Safety and Driver-Assistance features
Like almost every Chevy model, the Equinox RS is packed with a full suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Lane Keep Assist, as well as a unique Teen Driver Mode that gives parents the opportunity to keep tabs on their fledgling motorists. The RS also adds available fog lamps and a Rear Pedestrian Alert function to the mix as part of the Safety and Technology Package. The package also includes a rear camera mirror that’ll give you a clear view of the road, no matter how much cargo you might be carrying, and an HD Surround Vision camera function that’s sure to prove useful when trying to squeeze into a tight parking spot.
Drive Modes
From warm summer days spent off-roading to sudden winter storms that quickly coat the roads, Albany drivers need a vehicle that can keep up with Upstate New York’s unpredictable conditions. Once upon a time, an all-wheel drive system was the best a driver could hope for when it came to navigating tough road conditions, but automotive technology has come a long way since the first AWD vehicles hit the market. Modern motorists expect a little more from their vehicles, and the Equinox is never one to disappoint.
Driver Mode Control
The compact crossover is already one of the most versatile models on today’s market, but Driver Mode Control (DMC) doubles down on the SUV’s customization potential with four driving modes to choose from. DMC gives owners the opportunity to enjoy an entirely different experience every time they step behind the wheel, modifying the SUV’s pedal response, Traction Control System, StabiliTrak Electronic Stability System, and all-wheel drive settings to ensure you’re never caught off guard by a sudden change in weather.
Normal and AWD Mode
It all begins with Normal Mode, which, as the name implies, is the SUV’s de facto setting. Designed to provide a perfect balance between comfort, handling, and fuel economy, Normal Mode will see you through most day-to-day driving activities. AWD Mode does just what it says on the box, activating the Equinox’s AWD system to provide power to all four wheels and boost a driver’s confidence level when they encounter wet, slippery conditions.
Snow/Ice Mode
Snow/Ice Mode is ideal for harsh winter weather, and it will certainly earn its keep when Old Man Winter bears down on the Capital District. This mode maximizes traction by activating the Chevy’s AWD system, but also tweaks the pedal response to prevent wheelspin and deliver smooth, consistent acceleration on low-friction surfaces.
Off-Road Mode
Finally, there’s Off-Road Mode. The Equinox might not boast the same off-road tools as the readymade adventure rig that is the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, but it raises the bar in the compact segment with an Off-Road Mode that allows drivers to conquer grass, gravel, dirt, and snow-covered asphalt.
AWD is part of the equation, but it’s the tweaks to the Equinox’s Traction Control System and StabiliTrak Electronic Stability System that really seal the deal. TCS helps limit wheelspin when accelerating, while ESC aims to prevent skids and prevent oversteer or understeer by subtly applying the brakes to each individual wheel and adjusting the engine’s output.
Come in Today and Check Out the 2025 Chevy Equinox RS
If you want to experience everything the 2025 Chevy Equinox RS has to offer for yourself, stop by DePaula Chevrolet today. Our team is knowledgeable in the Equinox lineup, including the RS trim. They’ll be happy to show you everything this model has to offer and even take you on a test drive. But it doesn’t end with us finding you the ideal Equinox; we’ll be there for you throughout the car-buying process, which includes working with our finance department to create a payment plan that fits your budget.
And once the keys have been handed over and you’ve driven off our lot in a new Equinox RS, we’ll be here for all your needs throughout the ownership of your vehicle. Our dedicated service center is here for all your maintenance needs, whether you need a simple oil change or a more complex repair. To us, it’s about more than just the sale; it’s about the start of a long-lasting relationship. Come in today and talk to our team. We’re confident that the 2025 Equinox RS has everything you’re looking for in a compact SUV. Now it’s time for you to experience it for yourself!