2026 Chevrolet Equinox Review in Chesterton, IN

Breakdown of the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox Specs and Features

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox gives drivers at Graff Chevrolet of Chesterton in Chesterton, IN, a compact SUV that feels smart, stylish, and ready for real life. It has the right mix of comfort, cargo space, standard safety technology, useful digital screens, and available all-wheel drive for Northwest Indiana commutes, school drop-offs, weekend errands, and road trips along Lake Michigan.

Compared with the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Ford Escape, the Equinox stands out for its large standard 11.3-inch touchscreen, heated front seats and steering wheel, standard Chevy Safety Assist, and a flexible cabin that can carry passengers or cargo without feeling oversized.

What Trim Levels are Available for the 2026 Equinox?

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox keeps the lineup simple with three trims that are easy to compare.

• LT: Includes a 1.5-liter turbo engine, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, 11-inch Driver Information Center, Chevy Safety Assist, Convenience Package I, and Convenience Package II.
• RS: Adds a sportier look with black mirrors, black moldings, black emblems and badging, 19-inch machined wheels, flat-bottom steering wheel, unique lower fascia, black grille, and available two-tone black roof.
• ACTIV: Adds a more rugged appearance with 17-inch machined wheels, all-terrain tires, Evotex and sueded microfiber seating surfaces, unique suspension tuning, and available two-tone white roof.

The Midnight Edition is available on LT with high-gloss black mirror caps, exclusive 19-inch black wheels, black roof rails, black grille, black badging, and black bowties. Other available packages include the Convenience Package III, Safety and Technology Package, Floor Liner Package, Midnight Edition, and available dealer-installed cargo and exterior accessories.

Interior Comfort and Measurements

The 2026 Equinox seats five passengers and makes smart use of its compact SUV footprint. The cabin has a clean layout, a commanding driving position, generous second-row space, and a pass-through center console that helps keep everyday items close without cluttering the cabin.

Interior Dimensions

Passenger measurements include:

• 104.30 cubic feet of passenger volume
• 40.90 inches of front legroom
• 39.90 inches of second-row legroom
• 57.70 inches of front shoulder room
• 55.80 inches of second-row shoulder room

Additional measurements include 40.00 inches of front headroom, 39.20 inches of second-row headroom, 54.20 inches of front hip room, and 51.70 inches of second-row hip room. The Equinox feels roomy for a compact SUV, especially in the second row, where passengers get nearly 40 inches of legroom.

Seating Materials and Trim Details

The LT offers cloth seating, with available Evotex seating in black or Artemis Gray. RS models feature Evotex seating with black and red accents, RS debossed front-seat head restraints, Torch Red and Santorini Blue interior stitching, and a wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel. ACTIV models include sueded microfiber seating surfaces, with Maple Sugar sueded microfiber available for a warmer cabin look.

Every trim includes front bucket seats, a rear center armrest, rear head restraints, front passenger and driver seatback map pockets, a rear center headrest, and a 60/40 split-folding second-row seat for flexible cargo use.

Comfort features include:

• Heated driver and front passenger seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Active Noise Cancellation
• Rear air vents

Additional available comfort upgrades include ventilated driver and front passenger seats, heated rear outboard seats, driver memory, eight-way power front passenger seat, power front passenger lumbar control, illuminated vanity mirrors, overhead sunglass storage, cabin humidity sensor, and a cabin air filter. LT and RS models offer the most flexibility in comfort packages, while ACTIV focuses on a more textured, outdoorsy interior style.

Cargo Space and Cabin Storage

The Equinox is easy to load, easy to fold, and flexible enough for daily family use. Cargo capacity measures 29.80 cubic feet behind the second row and 63.50 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

Available cargo features include a retractable cargo shade, cargo mat, integrated cargo liner, horizontal cargo net, vertical cargo net, carpeted load floor, and hidden underfloor rear cargo storage. The available hands-free AutoSense power liftgate opens automatically when it detects the key fob nearby, which is helpful when your hands are full of groceries, sports gear, or luggage.

Exterior Style and Utility

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox has a confident SUV shape with crisp lines, a bold grille, slim lighting, and trim-specific design cues. LT keeps the look clean and modern, RS adds blacked-out sporty details, and ACTIV brings a tougher stance with all-terrain tires and a more adventurous front-end treatment.

Available Exterior Colors

Available exterior paint colors include:

• Polar White
• Mosaic Black Metallic
• Sterling Gray Metallic
• Reef Blue Metallic
• Radiant Red Tintcoat
• Cacti Green

Two-tone Summit White roof combinations include Reef Blue with Summit White, Radiant Red with Summit White, Mosaic Black Metallic with Summit White, and Cacti Green with Summit White.

Exterior Lighting and Visibility

Exterior visibility features include LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, IntelliBeam, heated power outside mirrors, deep-tinted rear glass, solar-absorbing rear side windows, rear window defogger, and available fog lamps. Rainsense automatic wipers are standard on LT and RS and available on ACTIV. Heated wiper park is standard on LT and RS and available on ACTIV.

Available Rear Camera Mirror Washer, roof rack cross rails, front license plate bracket, front and rear splash guards, and dual-pane power sunroof add extra convenience depending on trim and package selection.

Wheels and Tire Options

The Equinox wheel lineup includes several styles designed to match each trim’s personality.

Available wheel options include:

• 17-inch Dark Android machined-face aluminum wheels
• 17-inch Grazen metallic machined-face aluminum wheels
• 19-inch Carbon flash metallic machined-face aluminum wheels
• 19-inch black painted aluminum wheels
• 20-inch black machined-face aluminum wheels

Additional wheel and tire combinations include available 19-inch black machined-face aluminum wheels, all-season tires, and all-terrain tires on ACTIV models.

Liftgate and Exterior Utility Features

Exterior utility features include:

• AutoSense power liftgate
• Manual liftgate on select configurations
• Roof-mounted side rails
• Dual-pane power sunroof
• Roof rack cross rails

Additional exterior and accessory options include wheel locks, all-season tires, all-terrain tires on ACTIV, compact spare wheel and tire, front upper and lower active grille shutters, high-gloss black mirror caps, and Midnight Edition styling equipment.

Performance and Capability

The 2026 Equinox keeps performance simple and practical with one turbocharged engine, smooth driving manners, and available all-wheel drive for changing road conditions in Northwest Indiana. Every 2026 Equinox uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine designed for responsive everyday driving and efficient highway cruising.

Performance features include:

• 175 horsepower
• 203 lb-ft of torque
• Eight-speed automatic transmission
• Automatic Stop/Start technology
• Drive Mode Selector

Additional mechanical features include a 130-amp alternator and a 70AH 12-volt battery. The 2026 Equinox can tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. That makes it useful for compact utility trailers, lightweight recreational equipment, and smaller hauling tasks.

Available All-Wheel Drive Capability

The Equinox offers all-wheel drive for drivers who want added traction in rain, snow, or on slippery roads.

Available drivetrain and traction features include:

• Automatic Vehicle Hold
• Electric power steering
• Brake lining wear indicator
• Drive Mode Selector

Front-wheel-drive configurations are also available depending on trim and setup preferences.

Ride Quality and Suspension

The Equinox focuses on comfort and stability for commuting, road trips, and daily errands.

Ride and handling features include:

• MacPherson front suspension
• 4-link rear suspension
• 4-wheel antilock disc brakes
• Brake rotors with FNC coating
• Hidden turned-down exhaust

The suspension setup helps the Equinox feel composed over rough pavement while maintaining easy maneuverability in parking lots and city traffic.

Fuel Economy

The Equinox delivers efficient fuel economy for daily commuting and longer drives.

Fuel economy ratings include:

• EPA-estimates of up to 25 city mpg
• EPA-estimates of up to 29 highway mpg
• EPA-estimates of up to 26 combined mpg
• 15.6-gallon fuel tank

The combination of strong fuel economy and practical driving range makes the Equinox a solid fit for commuters and family drivers alike.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox comes with more than 15 standard safety and driver assistance features. Chevy Safety Assist is standard across the lineup, giving every trim a strong safety foundation.

Standard Chevy Safety Assist Features

Standard safety features include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Alert
• Following Distance Indicator

Additional standard Chevy Safety Assist technologies include IntelliBeam and enhanced driver-awareness systems designed to improve confidence in daily driving.

Standard Driver Assistance Technologies

The Equinox also includes several advanced driver-assistance systems beyond Chevy Safety Assist.

Additional standard safety systems include:

• Blind Zone Steering Assist
• Rear Cross Traffic Braking
• Reverse Automatic Braking
• Rear Park Assist
• Safety Alert Seat

Other standard safety technologies include HD Rear Vision Camera, Side Bicyclist Alert, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, Teen Driver technology, Buckle to Drive, Rear Seat Reminder, front and rear Occupant Presence Detection, Passenger Sensing System, LATCH, adjustable seat belt guide loops, OnStar® services capability, and a full airbag system.

Available Safety Upgrades

Available safety upgrades help improve visibility and parking confidence in heavy traffic, tight parking spaces, and crowded shopping areas.

Available safety features include:

• HD Surround Vision
• Rear Pedestrian Alert
• Rear Camera Mirror
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Safety and Technology Package

These available systems provide additional camera views, improved visibility, and more advanced driver awareness technologies for everyday driving.

Test Drive the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox in Chesterton, IN

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox gives drivers in Chesterton, IN, a compact SUV with standout technology, impressive cargo flexibility, available all-wheel drive, and modern styling that fits everything from daily commuting to weekend travel. Whether you prefer the practical LT, sporty RS, or adventure-inspired ACTIV, the Equinox lineup offers a trim for every lifestyle.

Visit Graff Chevrolet in Chesterton to test drive the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox, compare trims, explore available inventory, get pre-qualified for financing, and value your trade. If you are also shopping for other Chevrolet SUVs, our team can help you compare the Trax, Trailblazer, Blazer, Traverse, and Equinox EV

* All fuel economy mpg listings in the content above are EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary.

*Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.