Equinox Model-Year Comparison
2027 Equinox vs 2026: What’s New?
Every so often, Chevy gives a fan favorite a little polish, and the Equinox is no exception this year. If you’ve been shopping around and keep seeing both a “2026” and “2027” badge on the same SUV, it’s fair to wonder what actually separates them. Is it worth waiting on the new model, or is last year’s Equinox still the smarter buy? That’s exactly the kind of question the team at Kool Chevrolet in Grand Rapids fields on a near-daily basis, and the short version is: the two years have more in common than not, with a few worthwhile updates for 2027.
Key Takeaways
- The 2027 Equinox starts around $29,000, just a few hundred dollars above the 2026’s roughly $28,800 starting point.
- New for 2027: an available interior camera and an exclusive Autumn Harvest Metallic paint color on LT and ACTIV.
- Engine specs are unchanged — both years use the same 1.5L turbo good for 175 hp and 203 lb.-ft. of torque.
- Standard safety technology carries over, with more than 15 safety and driver assistance features on both model years.
- Shoppers open to a used Equinox can often find nearly identical capability for meaningfully less money.
What Changed
What’s Actually Different Between the 2027 and 2026 Chevy Equinox?
The 2027 Equinox is a refinement, not a reinvention. Trim structure, interior layout, and everyday capability all carry over from 2026, with a handful of new details layered on top.
Chevy kept the winning formula in place: LT, RS, and ACTIV trims return for 2027, along with the 11.3” touchscreen and the roomy cargo area drivers already know. The most noticeable shift is price — the 2027 lineup runs a few hundred dollars higher across the board than 2026, which tracks with typical year-over-year adjustments. Beyond that, Chevy added an available interior camera for cabin glance and security recordings, something the 2026 model doesn’t offer, plus a new Autumn Harvest Metallic exterior color exclusive to the 2027 LT and ACTIV trims. The 2026 model, meanwhile, earned its own bragging rights during its run, picking up recognition as one of J.D. Power’s most dependable compact SUVs. Neither year clearly outshines the other — it really comes down to which combination of price, color, and features fits best.
What’s New for 2027 at a Glance
- Available interior camera for cabin monitoring and recordings
- Exclusive Autumn Harvest Metallic color on LT and ACTIV
- Slightly higher starting prices across all three trims
Powertrain & Safety
Are the Engine Specs and Safety Features the Same Across Both Years?
Yes. Both the 2027 and 2026 Equinox share the same powertrain, and largely the same standard safety suite, so day-to-day driving feels consistent whichever year ends up in the driveway.
Under the hood, both model years use a 1.5L turbocharged engine producing 175 hp and 203 lb.-ft. of torque, with available all-wheel drive and up to 1,500 lbs. of towing capacity when properly equipped. The engine specs haven’t changed, so acceleration, fuel efficiency, and everyday drivability stay consistent year over year. The same goes for safety — both the 2026 and 2027 Equinox come standard with Chevy Safety Assist. This package bundles Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam headlamps. Available upgrades like HD Surround Vision, Rear Camera Mirror, and Rear Cross Traffic Braking are also offered on both years. In short, nothing about how these SUVs perform or protect their occupants changes between model years.
This table helps lay the two model years side by side so it’s easy to see where pricing shifted and where things stayed the same.
| Trim | 2026 Starting Price | 2027 Starting Price | What Changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT | $28,800* | $29,000* | Same 1.5L turbo engine and tech; new Autumn Harvest Metallic color available |
| RS | $33,600* | $33,900* | Same sporty styling cues; slight price adjustment |
| ACTIV | $33,600* | $33,900* | Same all-terrain tires and tuned suspension; new color option added |
*Pricing shown is Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price and excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. See Kool Chevrolet for current local pricing and offers.
New or Used
Is It Smarter to Buy New or Consider a Used Equinox?
Either can be the right call — it depends on budget and priorities. A new 2027 Equinox brings the latest color option, the newest tech, and a full factory warranty, while a used 2026 or earlier model can deliver nearly the same driving experience for less upfront cost.
Because the powertrain and safety features have stayed consistent for a few model years running, a well-maintained used Equinox doesn’t leave much performance on the table compared to a new one. That makes the used lot worth a look for budget-minded shoppers, especially those cross-shopping RS or ACTIV trims where the price gap between new and used can be a few thousand dollars. On the other hand, buyers who want the newest color, the available interior camera, or the peace of mind of a factory warranty from day one will lean toward the new 2027 model. Financing terms, mileage, and trade-in value all factor in too, so it’s worth running the numbers on both before deciding.
The Bottom Line
Wrapping Up: Which Equinox Is Right for You?
At the end of the day, the 2027 and 2026 Chevy Equinox are more alike than different, and that’s not a bad thing — Chevy built a solid SUV and simply refined it. Whether the plan is a brand-new 2027 with the latest color and tech or a smart-value used model, the team at Kool Chevrolet in Grand Rapids can walk through both side by side and help match the right year and trim to the budget.
Curious how these two model years compare in person? Searching “2027 Chevy Equinox near me” is a good place to start, or stop by Kool Chevrolet in Grand Rapids to see both years on the lot, compare trims, and take a test drive. No pressure, just answers.
Explore Equinox Inventory at Kool Chevrolet
See the 2027 and 2026 Chevy Equinox side by side at Kool Chevrolet in Grand Rapids, MI. Visit us at 3770 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or browse both model years online.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s new on the 2027 Chevy Equinox compared to the 2026 model?
The biggest updates are an available interior camera and an exclusive Autumn Harvest Metallic color, along with a modest price increase across trims. Source: chevrolet.com.
Does the 2027 Equinox have a different engine than the 2026?
No — both years use the same 1.5L turbo engine making 175 hp and 203 lb.-ft. of torque. Source: chevrolet.com.
How much does the 2027 Chevy Equinox cost compared to the 2026?
The 2027 Equinox starts around $29,000, roughly $200 more than the 2026 model’s starting price of about $28,800. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Source: chevrolet.com.
Is a used 2026 Equinox a good alternative to a new 2027 model?
It can be a smart choice, since the two years share the same engine and safety features — a used 2026 often costs less while delivering a nearly identical driving experience.
What safety features come standard on the Equinox?
Both model years include Chevy Safety Assist, which bundles Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam headlamps. Source: chevrolet.com.
Where can I find a Chevy Equinox near Grand Rapids, MI?
Kool Chevrolet is located at 3770 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, serving Grand Rapids, Cascade, Wyoming, Belmont, and Lowell. Browse new 2027 and pre-owned Equinox inventory online or contact us to compare model years and trims in person.
Chevrolet Equinox pricing, engine, towing, and safety information sourced from chevrolet.com. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Towing capacity shown when properly equipped and varies by configuration. Pricing and available features may change; see Kool Chevrolet for current local pricing and offers.
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| Monday | 7:00AM | 8:00PM |
| Tuesday | 7:00AM | 5:30PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00AM | 5:30PM |
| Thursday | 7:00AM | 5:30PM |
| Friday | 7:00AM | 5:30PM |
| Saturday | 8:00AM | 1:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed |