Have you ever had that great feeling where you find the perfect solution to something and it feels so exciting? You know that feeling, when the solution checks off all your boxes and everything works out perfectly? I think that’s how compact SUVs are for a lot of people. As somebody who drives a compact SUV and knows a lot of people who drive one, the general consensus is that these cars provide the perfect combination of efficiency, flexibility between seating and cargo, body strength, and compact spatial efficiency.
Because of this combination, compact SUVs lend themselves well to single people, married couples, or even full families who can either live with five seats or need a second vehicle. Looking at a Chevy Equinox for sale, you’ll see that it’s a perfect vehicle for those living in urban or suburban areas who like to get into the great outdoors and need a flexible option to accommodate both lifestyles. But, depending on which of those lifestyles takes more of your time and attention, you’ll want to be familiar with the 2025 Equinox trim options so that you can make sure your vehicle is tailor-made for your predominant lifestyle.
The 2025 Equinox offers three primary trim options: the LT, RS, and ACTIV. All three of them offer their own unique packages, but each one caters to a slightly different type of driver, so it’s important to understand the focus of each one. So, let’s see what we’re looking at for 2025 Equinox trim options. Now, if you are not even sure what a “trim” is, don’t feel embarrassed. Before we get into the specifics of trim options, let’s define what a trim is.
What is a Trim?
You’ll often read car literature that throws the word “trim” around left and right. However, very few pieces of car literature actually define what this means, assuming drivers are familiar with the terminology. But, if you’ve never been instructed on this vocabulary, you may be understandably confused.
You can think of a vehicle trim as a specific “cut” of the vehicle. Trim packages all take the same vehicle, maintaining the same baseline core and structure of the vehicle but with different focuses. One trim option may be focused on luxury design while another is focused on off-roading. Both of those trims are likely to have the same dimensions and shape to the vehicle, but you may see some subtle architectural differences to orient them towards their respective purposes, and certainly you’ll see differences in cosmetic design.
Sometimes, trims offer different engine or powertrain options depending on the focus, so it is important to identify your driving focuses and then select the trim that is best designed for those focuses. So, with the concept of a trim package being properly defined, let’s take a look at your options for the 2025 Equinox.
LT
The LT is a standard Chevy trim, with the acronym standing for “Luxury Touring.” The LT serves as the baseline trim, offering a luxury entry-level vehicle for those seeking practicality over extravagance or adventure. Sometimes, people are a bit skeptical of the “entry-level” trims, assuming they’ll be relatively barren and low-tech. But, the term Luxury Touring does actually mean something here, as the LT trim does not back down from providing high-level features.
The LT trim will give drivers a great interior experience with an 11.3-inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen and an 11-inch diagonal Driver Information Center. Combined, that’s a total of 22.3 inches of screenage in the entry-level trim. That 11.3-inch touchscreen will give you access to available Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Google built-in, so nobody can say the LT trim is low-tech. Not only is it decked out with great connectivity technology, but you’ll also be more than comfortable in the LT trim with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
Truthfully, a lot of entry-level trims don’t start as high-end as the Equinox LT. A lot of the time, you’d have to go to at least the second trim level to have both the infotainment screen and driver information center this size, and especially a heated steering wheel. Starting that high, the Equinox only gets better from there.
RS
While the LS trim is high-tech and snazzy, the RS trim is another standardized Chevy trim which stands for Rally Sport and, as the name suggests, embraces the sportier side of the Equinox. This is the trim focused on luxury design, elevating the Equinox’s cosmetics–especially the exterior.
The RS trim maintains the same structural architecture as the LT trim, but it has an edgier persona with a dark complexion. The exterior sprinkles black throughout, giving it a more multi-dimensional appearance and sparking curiosity which draws your eye and makes you want to know what’s inside. There’s an available two-tone black roof if you want another splash of black on top, and it does look nice with a multichromatic flare.
Inside the vehicle, things are predominantly similar to the LT trim, though a bit sportier. The main difference is the RS trim’s wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel. There are some nicer, sportier features like Evotex (similar to leather) seats and an 8-way power-adjustable drivers seat. Outside of that, the overall structure of the interior remains the same as the LT trim.
As such, the RS is perfectly suited to those who value higher-level cosmetic features. That said, those who aren’t as focused on that won’t be missing anything with a still-luxurious and high-tech interior in the LT trim. But we’re not done yet. There is actually a new trim in town for 2025.
ACTIV
The Equinox, though small, is mighty. In fact, it’s so mighty that it is actually capable of light off-roading, which may come as a surprise to some. This is, in part, thanks to a brand-new trim in the Equinox lineup, known as the ACTIV trim. Debuting for 2025, the ACTIV trim focuses on cultivating adventure beyond the road. In a fascinating turn, the ACTIV trim is arguably the most luxurious of the three as well.
With 17-inch machined wheels covered by all-terrain tires, the ACTIV trim is ready to take on the elements; having the right wheels and tires is of great importance when tackling the trails since they take the brunt of the impact, and the ACTIV trim is ready to go. While it maintains the same engineering as the other two trims, the difference in wheels makes a huge difference. The ACTIV trim also has a unique, off-road front fascia with vertical grille inserts. As a lot of the ACTIV’s off-road readiness has to do with design and style, the result is that it’s the most luxurious of the three.
The ACTIV’s interior also includes Evotex interior seating, but in an elevated way, with the interior theme being Maple Sugar and black. The combination of the warm, light brown color with the deep undertone of the black makes for a truly welcoming and calming interior that is much more unique that just a standard monochrome interior.
While all the Equinox trim levels offer heated front seats, the ACTIV trim offers available ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats. Additionally, the driver seat does offer memory personalization, meaning it can save the profile of more than one driver, automatically adjusting to the preferred seating specifications. The trim also offers the ACTIV name embroidered into the driver and front passenger seat. Undoubtedly, the ACTIV trim offers the dual benefit of real class and real capability.
Now, as you may have guessed, the ACTIV trim is still bound to the Equinox’s body as a compact SUV. As such, it’s not the absolute fiercest off-roader on the market. But, for a compact SUV, it offers an athletic and sporty option for those who like to get off the beaten path. It’s a fun option, and I think it will stay well beyond the 2025 model year.
A Great Compact SUV for a Variety of Drivers
Like I said at the beginning, a good compact SUV can be a solid solution for those looking for something flexible and dynamic. The Chevy Equinox is the perfect option if you’re looking for something that provides a great driver experience with a range of styles. Truthfully, some vehicles have so many trim options that it can start to get confusing. The 2025 Equinox makes it easy with three easy-to-navigate trim options, offering standard luxury, sporty style, and off-road adventure. If you pick the one that best suits your lifestyle and preferences, I think you’ll find that the Equinox as a compact SUV ends up being a great solution for you, satisfying a variety of needs.
