2027 Chevrolet Equinox Trim Levels: LT, RS and ACTIV Compared

The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox is a five-passenger compact SUV built around one turbocharged engine, one transmission and three trims — LT, RS and ACTIV — with all-wheel drive available on every one. For families and commuters around Waynesboro, that simplicity is most of the appeal. There is no engine to choose, no powertrain upgrade to price out and no entry trim that leaves the safety equipment off the sticker to hit a lower number.

What separates the three trims is appearance, wheels, seating material and a short list of comfort features. What they share is substantial. Every 2027 Equinox arrives with an 11.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start and Adaptive Cruise Control as standard equipment.

Specifications, features, packages, and availability for new model year vehicles are preliminary and subject to change without notice. Equipment and configurations may be updated by the manufacturer at any time. Confirm details for a specific vehicle with the dealership before purchase. Source: Chevrolet (chevrolet.com).

Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. The driver should remain attentive to traffic, surroundings and road conditions at all times. Visibility, weather and road conditions may affect feature performance. Read the vehicle Owner’s Manual for more important feature limitations and information.

How the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox Fits Waynesboro Driving

Waynesboro sits in the Cumberland Valley between Hagerstown and Chambersburg, and the driving here runs the same pattern most weeks: school runs and errands close to home, PA 16 and US 11 for the commute, and the occasional longer pull toward Gettysburg or Greencastle. The Equinox is sized for that. At 183.2 inches long and 74.9 inches wide on a 107.5-inch wheelbase, it parks like a compact car and carries like a small SUV.

The drivetrain decision is the one that actually matters. Front-wheel drive is standard on all three trims. All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option on each, engages automatically when grip is lost, and adds an Off-Road drive mode to the standard Drive Mode Selector. The cost is one mpg combined. For drivers who face wet leaves in autumn and untreated side streets in January, that trade is usually worth making.

2027 Chevrolet Equinox Powertrain and Performance

A single turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder does the work across the entire lineup, producing 175 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 203 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. Torque arriving that low is what makes the Equinox feel willing in town and composed merging onto the highway.

The notable change for 2027 is the transmission. Front-wheel-drive models now use the same eight-speed automatic that all-wheel-drive models already had, replacing the CVT used in prior model years. That change also removed the CVT’s torque ceiling, so front-drive and all-wheel-drive Equinox models now produce identical power and torque. Buyers cross-shopping a 2026 against a 2027 should know this is the single biggest mechanical difference between them.

Front-Wheel Drive

• EPA-estimated 25 city / 29 highway / 27 combined MPG
• 14.8-gallon fuel tank
• Standard on LT, RS and ACTIV

All-Wheel Drive

• EPA-estimated 25 city / 29 highway / 26 combined MPG
• 15.6-gallon fuel tank
• $2,000 on any trim; adds Off-Road drive mode

Every trim runs on regular unleaded fuel and is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped, which covers a small utility trailer or a pair of jet skis. There is no factory hitch for 2027; a Trailering Package with hitch and molding kit is available as a dealer-installed accessory.

EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.

Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.

2027 Chevrolet Equinox Exterior Design by Trim

The three trims share a body and diverge on finish. The LT is the clean presentation, riding on 17-inch Grazen Metallic machined-face aluminum wheels with a manual rear liftgate standard. Buyers who want the blacked-out look without moving up a trim can add the LT-exclusive Midnight Edition package, which bundles 19-inch black wheels, high-gloss black mirror caps, black roof rails and black badging.

The RS is the sport-appearance trim and it commits to the theme: a high-gloss black grille and front fascia, high-gloss black mirror caps, black moldings and badging, 19-inch Carbon Flash machined-face wheels on all-season tires, a flat-bottom steering wheel and an available 20-inch black wheel upgrade.

The ACTIV takes the opposite approach. It wears a unique rugged-oriented grille, 17-inch Dark Android machined-face wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, black roof rails and a uniquely tuned suspension, and it carries the highest minimum ground clearance in the lineup at 8.20 inches. It is still a road-biased crossover, but the all-terrain rubber and AWD Off-Road mode give it real confidence on gravel.

Two-tone roof packages are available — Summit White on the LT and ACTIV, Mosaic Black Metallic on the LT and RS. Radiant Red Tintcoat is a premium color across the lineup, and Polar White is a premium color on the ACTIV and RS. Autumn Harvest Metallic is new for 2027 and exclusive to the LT and ACTIV.

Interior Comfort and Cargo Space in the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox

The cabin prioritizes usable room over showmanship. Rear legroom of 39.9 inches is generous for the class, which is the figure that matters when a rear-facing child seat pushes the front seat forward. Front and rear shoulder room of 57.7 and 55.8 inches makes the middle rear seat a realistic place to put a third passenger rather than a token squeeze.

Cargo volume is 29.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 63.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split bench folded — a full stroller, a week of groceries and a sports bag behind the seats, or luggage for a long weekend with them down. One note worth knowing before you commit: the available panoramic sunroof trims front headroom from 40.0 inches to 38.2 inches, so a six-footer should sit in a sunroof-equipped vehicle first.

Seating material tracks the trim. The LT comes standard with cloth and offers Evotex as an upgrade through Convenience Package II. The RS uses Evotex with red accent stitching. The ACTIV combines Evotex with sueded microfiber in a Maple Sugar and Black theme. A power driver’s seat, a hands-free power liftgate and roof rails are standard on the RS and ACTIV and available on the LT through Convenience Package II, which also adds wireless charging, dual-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers and a universal home remote.

2027 Chevrolet Equinox Technology and Connectivity

Every trim ships with an 11.3-inch center touchscreen and an 11-inch reconfigurable digital instrument cluster. The headline technology is not locked behind the top trim, which is unusual at this price.

Google built-in puts Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play natively in the dash rather than projecting them from a phone, so the map keeps working when the phone does not. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on all three trims — pair once, and the connection happens over the air every time after. OnStar telematics is standard across the lineup with 96 months of remote services included, covering remote start, lock and unlock, vehicle diagnostics and theft alert. New for 2027, 5G vehicle connectivity is standard on every trim.

The Safety and Technology Package is available on all three trims and adds HD Surround Vision, a Rear Camera Mirror, Traffic Sign Recognition, Rear Pedestrian Alert and front fog lamps, plus two features new for 2027: a Rear Camera Washer and an Interior Camera with Cabin Glance and Security Recording. For anyone who parks in tight spaces or leaves a vehicle loaded at a trailhead, it is the most useful option on the sheet.

Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. The driver should remain attentive to traffic, surroundings and road conditions at all times. Visibility, weather and road conditions may affect feature performance. Read the vehicle Owner’s Manual for more important feature limitations and information.

Standard Safety and Driver Assistance on the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox

Every 2027 Equinox carries more than 15 standard safety and driver assistance features, anchored by Chevy Safety Assist — Chevrolet’s six-feature suite that is standard on all three trims rather than sold as a package.

Beyond that suite, the 2027 Equinox makes two features standard that were previously reserved for higher trims or option packages: Adaptive Cruise Control, which holds a set following distance and slows automatically, and Blind Zone Steering Assist, which watches the adjacent lanes and can counter-steer if a driver begins moving into an occupied one. Also standard across the lineup are Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Reverse Automatic Braking, Rear Park Assist, an HD Rear Vision Camera, the Safety Alert Seat, Side Bicyclist Alert and Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking.

Six airbags are standard: dual-stage frontal airbags, seat-mounted front side-impact airbags and head-curtain airbags covering the front and rear outboard positions. Teen Driver is standard on every trim and lets parents set speed and audio limits and review a report card after each trip.

Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. The driver should remain attentive to traffic, surroundings and road conditions at all times. Visibility, weather and road conditions may affect feature performance. Read the vehicle Owner’s Manual for more important feature limitations and information.

2027 Chevrolet Equinox Trim Pricing

The lineup covers a $6,900 spread from the entry trim to the top of the range, and the logic of each step is easy to follow. All-wheel drive adds $2,000 on any trim.

The LT is the value entry point and it is far from stripped — the full standard equipment list above is already on it. The RS and ACTIV are best understood as two parallel trims at the same price rather than a ladder: both make Convenience Package II content standard, both open Convenience Package III as an option, and the choice between them is sport appearance versus rugged capability, not more equipment versus less.

*Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for new vehicles includes manufacturer and distributor options and delivery, process and handling fees, which may be subject to change at any time. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license and dealer installed options, accessories, fees and charges. MSRP is not the dealer advertised price. Dealer price will vary. The dealer sets the final price.

Warranty, Coverage and Dependability

Chevrolet backs the 2027 Equinox with a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles and a powertrain limited warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles covering the engine, transmission and drive systems. Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation run 5 years or 60,000 miles. Your first scheduled maintenance visit — oil change, tire rotation and multi-point inspection — is covered when completed within the first year of delivery.

Dependability is where the nameplate has a concrete, recent result to point to. In the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, the Chevrolet Equinox ranked highest in the Compact SUV segment, and Chevrolet placed third among mass-market brands at 178 problems per 100 vehicles. The study surveys original owners of three-year-old vehicles, so the award reflects 2023 model-year Equinox ownership rather than the 2027 model described on this page.

Warranty terms: Chevrolet Certified Service — Covered Maintenance & Warranty. Dependability: J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study.

This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Warranty coverage depends on the specific terms of your vehicle’s warranty agreement. Consult your owner’s manual or a qualified legal professional for guidance on your individual situation.

2027 Chevrolet Equinox Buyer Questions Answered

Which 2027 Equinox trim is the best value for a family that wants all-wheel drive?

The AWD LT. It delivers every standard feature that makes the Equinox a value argument — the 11.3-inch touchscreen, Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, remote start, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Zone Steering Assist and the full Chevy Safety Assist suite — with all-wheel-drive traction for $2,000 over the front-drive LT. Adding Convenience Package II brings power seating, wireless charging, a hands-free liftgate and dual-zone climate control without stepping up to the RS or ACTIV price point.

What is the difference between the ACTIV and RS trim levels?

They cost the same and take opposite approaches. The ACTIV runs 17-inch Dark Android wheels on all-terrain tires, a uniquely tuned suspension, 8.20 inches of ground clearance, black roof rails and sueded microfiber seating. The RS runs 19-inch Carbon Flash wheels on all-season tires, high-gloss black exterior treatment, a flat-bottom steering wheel and Evotex seating with red accent stitching. Unlike a conventional trim ladder, the ACTIV does change hardware — the suspension tuning and ground clearance are genuinely different, not just the tires.

Does the 2027 Equinox have enough cargo space for a family with young children?

Yes for most families. There is 29.8 cubic feet behind the second row — a full-size stroller lying flat, plus groceries and a diaper bag — and 63.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 bench folded. Rear legroom of 39.9 inches accommodates rear-facing seats without forcing the front passenger forward. On the RS and ACTIV, or on an LT with Convenience Package II, a hands-free liftgate opens the hatch with a foot wave when your hands are full.

What safety features come standard on every 2027 Equinox trim?

More than 15, anchored by the Chevy Safety Assist suite. Beyond it, every trim includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Reverse Automatic Braking, Rear Park Assist, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, Side Bicyclist Alert, the Safety Alert Seat, an HD Rear Vision Camera, six airbags and Teen Driver. The optional Safety and Technology Package adds HD Surround Vision, a Rear Camera Mirror, Traffic Sign Recognition, Rear Pedestrian Alert, front fog lamps and two new-for-2027 cameras.

How do I get started on a 2027 Equinox at Buchanan Chevrolet?

Browse the current 2027 Chevrolet Equinox inventory to see which trims and drivetrain configurations are on the ground, then call 717-762-3141 to talk through availability, packages and current offers. To compare the Equinox against a close alternative first, our Chevrolet Equinox vs. GMC Terrain comparison covers that matchup, and shoppers weighing an electrified option can look at the Chevrolet Equinox EV. You will find us at 1035 E Main St in Waynesboro, and our team can walk you through each trim’s standard and optional equipment and arrange a test drive.