The Chevrolet Equinox has come quite a long way from its earlier days of being a rather basic compact crossover that didn’t necessarily stand out among the competition. The redesign introduced for the 2025 model year gave the Equinox a much-needed injection of style, better interior accommodations, and some welcoming technology. Spending time with the new 2027 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD reminds me of how much Chevrolet has improved this vehicle, now offering an attractive package that does a respectable job of balancing affordability, comfort, and everyday practicality. The RS trim brings a sportier character to the Equinox, something that I think works well with its more aggressive front-end design and overall proportions. While there’s still room for improvement in the performance department, the Equinox continues to make a good case for itself in a highly competitive compact crossover segment.

Performance and Driving Character

Underneath the sportier appearance of the Equinox RS AWD is the same 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that continues as the sole powertrain option for the 2027 model year. It pumps out 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque in the all-wheel-drive configuration, sending power through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine has an “okay” amount of midrange power, particularly once the turbocharger gets into its sweet spot, but it still leaves me wanting a little more output when merging onto highways or making a quick pass. There’s enough power to handle normal driving situations without much drama, though the engine starts to feel rather strained when asking for the full beans as acceleration tends to falter in the high RPM range. In my testing, the Equinox RS AWD takes about 9.3 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill, which certainly isn’t anything to get excited about. I still believe Chevrolet could benefit from giving the Equinox a more powerful engine option, especially for those who want something beyond basic transportation.

The good news is that the 8-speed automatic transmission does a decent job of working with what the small turbocharged engine has to offer. Shifts are relatively smooth, and the transmission generally finds the right gear without much hesitation. One noteworthy change for 2027 is that Chevrolet has eliminated the CVT previously used in front-wheel-drive Equinox models, replacing it with a conventional automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive versions, including my RS AWD test vehicle, already used the 8-speed automatic, so there isn’t much of a difference in how this particular configuration drives compared with the previous model year.

Where the Equinox RS AWD does manage to impress me is in its overall road manners. The suspension has a compliant nature that does well to absorb bumps and other road imperfections without allowing excessive body movement. Chevrolet uses conventional fixed-rate dampers, and I find their tuning to be a nice compromise between comfort and control. The Equinox doesn’t attempt to be an enthusiast-focused crossover, but it remains composed over most road surfaces and feels reasonably confident through turns. There’s a little expected body lean when pushing it harder, yet the suspension settles quickly enough to keep things predictable and comfortable for passengers.

Unlike the ACTIV trim that I previously tested, the RS takes a more road-focused approach with its standard 19-inch machined aluminum wheels wrapped in 235/55R19 all-season tires. The larger wheels and lower-profile tires give the RS a slightly more connected feel on pavement without making the ride unnecessarily harsh. There’s still enough tire sidewall to help cushion sharper impacts, which works nicely with the suspension tuning. I also like how the steering responds with a predictable feel, even if it isn’t particularly engaging. The RS ultimately feels more at home as a comfortable daily driver that happens to have a sportier appearance rather than something attempting to deliver serious performance credentials.

Fuel Economy

Fuel consumption remains one of the more respectable aspects of the Equinox RS AWD, even though the small turbocharged engine doesn’t necessarily deliver class-leading efficiency. For 2027, the EPA estimates  of 25 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined for the all-wheel-drive Equinox are attainable in the real world. That’s a slight improvement in city fuel economy compared with the 24-mpg city figure of my previous 2026 Equinox ACTIV AWD test vehicle, while the highway and combined estimates remain the same.

In everyday driving, the Equinox can return fuel economy figures relatively close to those EPA estimates if you aren’t constantly asking for all the acceleration the engine can muster. Highway driving tends to be where things become most consistent, and getting near the 29-mpg highway rating should be achievable under favorable conditions. The 15.6-gallon fuel tank allows for a theoretical highway cruising range of approximately 452 miles, which is respectable for a compact crossover that runs on regular unleaded gasoline.

Interior and Technology

Inside, the 2027 Equinox RS AWD continues to demonstrate just how much attention Chevrolet paid to improving the latest generation. There’s a welcome departure from the inexpensive-looking materials and bland design that characterized some previous Equinox models. The RS brings its own distinctive personality through darker interior finishes, red-colored contrasting accents, and a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel. The overall cabin design looks more upscale than you might expect from a Chevrolet compact crossover, and the materials used throughout the areas you regularly touch are mostly pleasing for this class of vehicle.

The front seats provide good comfort and support, making longer drives a relatively easy affair. Available heated and ventilated front seats add another level of comfort, while the seating position provides a commanding view outward. There’s also a decent amount of space for rear passengers, and the overall cabin dimensions make the Equinox feel slightly larger than what you might expect from its compact crossover classification. Cargo capacity remains generous at 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.5 cubic feet when the split-folding rear seatbacks are lowered. The available hands-free power liftgate is another convenient feature that makes loading groceries or luggage a little easier.

Chevrolet continues to do an excellent job with its latest infotainment system, which remains one of my favorite aspects of the Equinox. The 11.3-inch touchscreen features Google-based software with a straightforward layout and quick responses to most inputs. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included, something that continues to be appreciated considering how some automakers have moved away from smartphone integration. The 11-inch digital gauge cluster is another nice touch, allowing the driver to customize the display with different vehicle information and navigation views. I particularly like the ability to bring mapping information directly into the instrument cluster, including supported navigation apps from a connected smartphone.

Another thing Chevrolet gets right is retaining physical buttons and knobs for the climate control system. I appreciate not having to dig through multiple touchscreen menus just to change the temperature or adjust the fan speed. It’s a simple thing, but one that makes living with a vehicle much easier. Depending on the equipment selected, the Equinox RS can also be fitted with features such as a digital rearview mirror, HD Surround Vision camera system, traffic sign recognition, and additional convenience technologies. These features help make the Equinox feel more competitive with vehicles that cost considerably more.

Safety

The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD comes with a long list of active safety features, continuing Chevrolet’s efforts to make advanced driver assistance technology available throughout its lineup. Standard equipment includes forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, blind-zone steering assist, rear cross-traffic braking, intersection automatic emergency braking, and the welcomed 360-degree camera system.

Adaptive cruise control is another welcome feature that makes highway driving less tiring, especially during longer trips or when dealing with changing traffic speeds. The systems generally work as expected without becoming overly intrusive, and the availability of additional camera-based safety features helps round out what is already a comprehensive package.

Pricing

Chevrolet continues to position the Equinox as a reasonably affordable compact crossover, even though pricing can climb considerably as you move into the upper trims and add equipment. For 2027, the base Equinox LT starts at $29,300 before destination charges and options. The sportier Equinox RS begins at $34,200, with all-wheel drive adding $2,000 to the price. That puts an RS AWD at approximately $37,895 including the destination charge, before additional options or accessories.

For the money, there’s quite a bit to appreciate about the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD. I like its more aggressive styling, nicely appointed interior, useful technology, and suspension that manages to deliver a surprisingly compliant ride without sacrificing too much body control. Its biggest shortcoming remains the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, which is adequate for most situations but could certainly benefit from additional horsepower. The RS trim looks the part of something a little more performance-oriented, and I only wish the engine delivered enough punch to match that appearance. Still, for someone looking for a stylish, comfortable, and well-equipped compact crossover that doesn’t demand an excessive premium, the Equinox RS AWD remains a solid choice.

2027 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD Specifications

Price

Starting Price: Base LT $29,300 / RS AWD $37,895 including destination, before options

Vehicle Type

Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door compact crossover SUV

Powertrain

Engine: Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.5-liter inline-4, direct fuel injection

Horsepower: 175 hp @ 5,600 rpm

Torque: 203 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Performance

0–60 mph: 9.3 seconds

Fuel Economy and Range

EPA Fuel Economy: 26 mpg combined / 25 mpg city / 29 mpg highway

Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.6 gallons

Estimated Range (City/Highway): 390 / 452 miles

Fuel Type: Regular unleaded

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase: 107.5 inches

Length: 183.2 inches

Width: 74.9 inches

Height: Approximately 65.6 inches

Seating Capacity: 5 passengers

Cargo and Wheels

Cargo Space: 29.8 cubic feet behind rear seats / 63.5 cubic feet with rear seats folded

Standard Wheels: 19-inch machined aluminum

Standard Tires: 235/55R19 all-season

Curb Weight: Approximately 3,629 pounds