2026 Chevrolet Equinox

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.

Chevrolet Equinox
Pictured: Chevrolet Equinox LT (III, Facelift) – f 05102022. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD, EV 4dr SUV
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
EV, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
27 combined · 26 city / 29 hwy
EV range
319 mi · 5.9 h on 240 V
Length
183.1–190.6 in
Curb weight
3,428–4,802 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Long EV rangeUp to 319 miles on a charge (EPA).
  • Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 41 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is a small SUV offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 183 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,583 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (26 city / 29 highway), 11% worse than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $700 a year in fuel.

The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 319 miles and takes about 5.9 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2026

  • New body dimensions: 7.5 in shorter, wheelbase −8.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation

Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Equinox →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–1.5L turbo 4-cyl
Powertrain–Electric motor
DriveAWD/4WD · FWD

Trims

2LT1LTLT 2 PDERS

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Blind-spot interventionStandard
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Rear automatic brakingStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Lane centeringStandard
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes

Built in: San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi · Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2026 Equinox configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD183.1 in74.8 in65.7 in107.5 in63.8 / 63.8 in3,583 lb
4dr SUV FWD183.1 in74.8 in65.7 in107.5 in63.8 / 63.8 in3,428 lb58/42
EV 4dr SUV190.6 in75.2 in63.4 in115.7 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,802 lb54/46

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Equinox EV FWD EV180 kW AC InductionAutomatic (A1)Front-Wheel Drive319 mi · 31.0762 kWh/100mi–$700–
Equinox EV AWD (11 kW Charger) EV67 and 180 kW AC InductionAutomatic (A1)All-Wheel Drive307 mi · 32.6179 kWh/100mi–$750–
Equinox EV AWD (19 kW Charger) EV67 and 180 kW AC InductionAutomatic (A1)All-Wheel Drive288 mi · 35.1127 kWh/100mi–$800–
Equinox FWD1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 29 / 27-11%$2,500329
Equinox AWD1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 8-spdAll-Wheel Drive25 / 29 / 260%$2,600342
9/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $8,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
30.2 MPG2026 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox.

Similar 2026 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 Chevrolet Equinox (this car)27 MPGNot rated3
2026 Toyota RAV443 MPGNot rated2
2026 Honda CR-V40 MPGNot rated2
2026 Hyundai Tucson38 MPGNot rated6
2026 Subaru Forester35 MPGNot rated4
2026 Mazda CX-526 MPGNot rated0
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross42 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (3)

Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual · Feb 26, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V114000 · 5,861 vehicles

Problem
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
Risk
Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.
Back Over Prevention › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert · Dec 18, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V878000 · 81,177 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Equinox EV vehicles. The pedestrian alert sound system may not produce a sufficient change in volume between the vehicle being stopped and moving at low speeds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Risk
A vehicle that does not emit sufficient sound may fail to alert pedestrians of a moving vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252530690. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 18, 2025.
Tires › Tread/Belt · Oct 16, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V704000 · 22,914 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Cadillac Optic and 2025-2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV vehicles equipped with 21-inch Continental all-season tires. One or more of these tires may experience partial or full tread detachment.
Risk
Tire tread detachment increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect all four tires and replace those manufactured during DOT week 4024, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252525030. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 16, 2025.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

88Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
7Injuries reported
3,678 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes21
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking20
Power Train18
Electrical System15
Unknown Or Other15
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control9
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings9
Engine7
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
25/07: 125/08: 225/09: 325/10: 326/01: 926/02: 626/03: 826/04: 526/05: 1126/06: 1026/07: 826/08: 726/09: 926/10: 625/0725/0926/0126/0326/0526/0726/09max 11

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Other Equinox years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Equinox27–Not rated01
2025 Equinox27190.6 inNot rated6405
2024 Equinox28183.1 inNot rated2190
2023 Equinox28183.1 in★★★★★399
2022 Equinox28183.1 in★★★★★6186
2021 Equinox28183.1 in★★★★★4100
2020 Equinox28183.1 in★★★★★4318
2019 Equinox32183.1 in★★★★★4308
2018 Equinox32183.1 in★★★★★5410
2017 Equinox25188.2 in★★★★★0276
2016 Equinox26188.2 inNot rated1399
2015 Equinox26188.6 inNot rated2680

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →