2025 Equinox rental review!

[dishdude]

I normally wouldn't bother with a review of an Equinox, but this is my first time in the newest generation that debuted for 2025 and it only had 600 miles on it when I picked it up.

Pluses - The ride and handling are great (for the class) and I liked the brake feel. Plenty of room inside and I thought the interior materials were excellent. The dash is well laid out, logical and I had no problem quickly getting used to where everything was. The infotainment system was excellent, my phone easily paired to it and wireless Android Auto worked perfectly. The seats were comfortable and there was no shortage of interior storage in the center console. GM has gone to a stalk mounted gear selector, I think it makes sense and frees up a lot of space. GM has also moved the headlight switch to the center screen which I love, for decades GM has had the headlight switch default to auto and I don't think I've touched a GM headlight switch in all that time, it just does what you need it to do without thought, I wish more automakers would adopt this philosophy (Honda is the only other one I am aware of).

Negatives - Sigh. This is a great platform letdown by the 1.5L turbo. I'm not going to say it's underpowered, it's adequate but not enough for me. It has a real 8 speed auto that doesn't hesitate to downshift, the 1.5T has no problem revving and does it quietly and smoothly, but it really needs something like the 2.0T, I wish they offered it as an option.

Bottomline, great little CUV that needs more engine!

 

[tburke]

I believe the '25 has a newer 1.5, the "LSD"... We have a '20 Equinox Premier with the 1.5 LYX and have been very happy with it. It's certainly no supercar, but plenty of power for a little CUV.

 

[MParr]

I normally wouldn't bother with a review of an Equinox, but this is my first time in the newest generation that debuted for 2025 and it only had 600 miles on it when I picked it up.

Pluses - The ride and handling are great (for the class) and I liked the brake feel. Plenty of room inside and I thought the interior materials were excellent. The dash is well laid out, logical and I had no problem quickly getting used to where everything was. The infotainment system was excellent, my phone easily paired to it and wireless Android Auto worked perfectly. The seats were comfortable and there was no shortage of interior storage in the center console. GM has gone to a stalk mounted gear selector, I think it makes sense and frees up a lot of space. GM has also moved the headlight switch to the center screen which I love, for decades GM has had the headlight switch default to auto and I don't think I've touched a GM headlight switch in all that time, it just does what you need it to do without thought, I wish more automakers would adopt this philosophy (Honda is the only other one I am aware of).

Negatives - Sigh. This is a great platform letdown by the 1.5L turbo. I'm not going to say it's underpowered, it's adequate but not enough for me. It has a real 8 speed auto that doesn't hesitate to downshift, the 1.5T has no problem revving and does it quietly and smoothly, but it really needs something like the 2.0T, I wish they offered it as an option.

Bottomline, great little CUV that needs more engine!

It's a nice looking car.
The FWD model comes with a CVT and the AWD model has an traditional 8 speed transmission.

 

[dishdude]

I believe the '25 has a newer 1.5, the "LSD"... We have a '20 Equinox Premier with the 1.5 LYX and have been very happy with it. It's certainly no supercar, but plenty of power for a little CUV.

I didn't mean to imply it's bad, it would make a great base engine if the 2.0T was an option for someone like me with a heavy right foot. I was in hilly Western PA and it had no problem climbing hills but needed to downshift more than I would have liked. My old XT4 parked in front of it would climb the same hill without the need to downshift.

 

[CharBaby]

I've been saying for years(since 2010), the Equinox is right up there with the best mainstream compact SUV's in its segment, if you can call'em compact these days. However for the long haul, IDK if the Equinox/Terrain are the 15+ year vehicle for many people though they do show quite good reliability since the 2018 redesign. And the 2025 redesign yet again should be even more so.
What I like most about the Equinox is its ride/handling combo, the infotainment ease of use and the interior quiet on the hiwy for its segment.

I've always hated how the PRESS didn't give the Equinox much love or even any attention as much as they give the RAV4, CR-V, CX-5, Rogue or the Tucson/Sportage twins. And even though the 1.5T seems to be enough power for everydayness, it could use a Hybrid version for that extra power boost and fuel economy. I know, I know, there is an Equinox EV(and Blazer EV) but they're different vehicles all together from their same name siblings.

Where I find the Equinox(or Terrain) falls down in people's eyes here in my neck of the woods is their full engine replacement(4cyl/V6), timing chain replacement(V6), excessive oil consumption(4cyl). However since 2018, the reliability has improved greatly even with their turbo charging all the engines. They don't seem to have turbo issues.

 

[Jetronic]

I didn't mean to imply it's bad, it would make a great base engine if the 2.0T was an option for someone like me with a heavy right foot. I was in hilly Western PA and it had no problem climbing hills but needed to downshift more than I would have liked. My old XT4 parked in front of it would climb the same hill without the need to downshift.

that downshifting negates LSPI risk. Not downshifting increases it. So pick your poison.

How does the 2.0 affect fuel economy? It's nice to gave more power than you need, but not so much if it's costing you a big fuel cost penalty all the time.

 

[MParr]

I'm not impressed with the dash layout. The instrument cluster and infotainment blending looks like a bad LEGO design.

 

[tbm5690]

I rented one earlier this year and was going to post a review but then saw @IveBeenRued did one in January that pretty much summed up my thoughts. I actually think the dash and plastics are garbage, but honestly expected with GM. The infotainment, yes, is well done. The fuel economy was surprisingly poor for such a small vehicle and small engine. We all agree it's woefully underpowered. I will say recent GM unibody SUV exterior design (Equinox, Blazer, Traverse) is good and they look better than they ever have by quite a long shot.

 

[Rand]

For this segment its a winner. What else are you getting under 30k? A compass? Venue?(too small)
Surprisingly good value for what you get by today's standards.

Not sure the 1.5tgdi is a worse engine than the 2013 that I do maintenance on with the 2.4L.
Anytime you have more gears or cvt they can do alot of shifting.
even the relatively torque-y cherokees I owned would shift often and badly. (thank you 9speed zf)

The 2013 equinox with a 6speed and 2.4L and 1000lb in it doesnt downshift AT ALL on I-90 towards buffalo.
my 2017 cherokee would regularly drop 3-4 gears on some hills. with the 3.2 pentastar.

 

[fantastic]

"luxury" trimming (leather seats etc.) in a fuel efficient CUV is exactly what many want. For many the fuel savings is what rewards them. I'm guessing 180 HP? I'd have to get the curb weight but this is probably at least 4k lbs.

 

[JTK]

I believe the '25 has a newer 1.5, the "LSD"... We have a '20 Equinox Premier with the 1.5 LYX and have been very happy with it. It's certainly no supercar, but plenty of power for a little CUV.

Yep, for sure. GM started using the LSD 1.5 in 2023. The major change is they deleted the cam driven vacuum pump on the LSD and went with all electronic brakes (no vac assist needed). LSD supposedly has a better piston ring pack to go along with higher pressure GDI and a few more HP.

I'm totally with you on the LYX 1.5T. I can't say enough good things about my 2021 Equinox LT AWD. I have zero complaints for what it is. Power wise, it not bad at all and I love the 6AT. All fluid maintenance is so easy on it, including the AWD fluids. The chassis and AWD system is basically identical on the 2025+.

@dishdude thanks for your write up!

 

[tbm5690]

"luxury" trimming (leather seats etc.) in a fuel efficient CUV is exactly what many want. For many the fuel savings is what rewards them. I'm guessing 180 HP? I'd have to get the curb weight but this is probably at least 4k lbs.

3500# and 175hp. An extra 25+ horses is needed and very doable while maintaining fuel economy if they gave it a spicier tune or different turbo. I don't get why any engine with a turbo would have sub 200 horsepower.

 

[fantastic]

3500# and 175hp. An extra 25+ horses is needed and very doable while maintaining fuel economy if they gave it a spicier tune or different turbo. I don't get why any engine with a turbo would have sub 200 horsepower.

Thanks! That makes sense since they've been classified as a "small" suv. Well, turbos are used for efficiency & power when needed. Gearing can make a difference too. I may be old school at this point because my 3k lbs N/A Saturn with only 130 HP was plenty for me. Doesn't GM offer a bigger engine in this platform? That would give buyers a choice of fuel economy. I need to dig into it some more tbh.

 

[goblin]

I'm not impressed with the dash layout. The instrument cluster and infotainment blending looks like a bad LEGO design.

You've been staying far and away from recent BMWs, have you
In the grand scheme of recent dashboard design, this Equinox' dash is pure perfection.

 

[MParr]

You've been staying far and away from recent BMWs, have you
In the grand scheme of recent dashboard design, this Equinox' dash is pure perfection.

I honestly can't stand the obnoxious protuding instrument clusters and infotainment centers.

 

[goblin]

I honestly can't stand the obnoxious protuding instrument clusters and infotainment centers.

Ditto
I'm not agains infotainment centers, it's just that having them displayed on what seems to be old ipads thrown at the dash to see what sticks is beyond me.

 

[MParr]

Ditto
I'm not agains infotainment centers, it's just that having them displayed on what seems to be old ipads thrown at the dash to see what sticks is beyond me.

Exactly! My F-150 has an 8" display and it's perfectly adequate. Our VW Tiguan also has it blended into the dash.

 

[D60]

Auto headlamps are great if tied into a tach signal. Otherwise too easy to kill the battery in a shop with key on engine off. If the nose is pointed at an open door you never realize they're on.

 

[Jetronic]

Auto headlamps are great if tied into a tach signal. Otherwise too easy to kill the battery in a shop with key on engine off. If the nose is pointed at an open door you never realize they're on.

First things I did when bringing the car into the shop: turn off headlights, infotainment and heater fan.

Had someone complain that I broke his infotainment screen, turned out he didn't know it could be turned off and on.....

 

[D60]

First things I did when bringing the car into the shop: turn off headlights, infotainment and heater fan.

Had someone complain that I broke his infotainment screen, turned out he didn't know it could be turned off and on.....

I don't like GM's (older) spring-loaded switch that makes you bump it EVERY time. Both my wife's '08 F150 and my '19 Wrangler allow you to STAY in an OFF or AUTO position until you move it again.

So, shut it down, then turn key on again to pull codes and everything starts over

During some years GM really wanted you on AUTO 100% of the time