2027 Chevy Equinox: What Changed for the New Model Year

The Equinox is Chevrolet’s best-selling SUV, and the 2027 model year brings a short list of changes that punch above their weight. No new sheet metal this year, but the updates under the surface address two of the most common complaints buyers had about the fourth-generation model.

Here is what is new for 2027, what it costs, and how it stacks up against the 2026 models on our lot in Bastrop right now.

The CVT Is Gone

This is the big one. For the 2025 and 2026 model years, front-wheel drive Equinox models used a continuously variable transmission while all-wheel drive models got a traditional eight-speed automatic. For 2027, the CVT is retired and the eight-speed automatic is standard across every configuration.

Plenty of shoppers cross a CVT off their list on principle, fairly or not. If that was your hesitation, the 2027 Equinox removes it entirely.

Front-Wheel Drive Towing Nearly Doubles

The transmission change brings a real capability benefit. Front-wheel drive Equinox models previously topped out at 800 pounds of towing, which is among the lowest ratings in the compact SUV segment. For 2027, FWD models move up to 1,500 pounds, matching the all-wheel drive rating.

Fifteen hundred pounds covers a small utility trailer, a pair of jet skis on a light trailer, or a load of mulch and fencing from a Bastrop supply run. It is not a towing vehicle, but it is now genuinely useful instead of nearly useless.

2027 Equinox Pricing

Chevrolet’s pricing for the 2027 Equinox starts at $30,995 for LT front-wheel drive and $32,995 for LT all-wheel drive. The Activ and RS trims are both $35,895 with front-wheel drive and $37,895 with all-wheel drive. All figures include the $1,995 destination charge.

Compared to 2026, that is a $200 increase on LT and $300 on Activ and RS. Modest, especially given the transmission upgrade that came with it.

Other Updates

• A new vehicle surveillance feature that gives owners added peace of mind when the Equinox is parked
• Cacti Green is discontinued, replaced by a new color called Autumn Harvest Metallic
• RS models get a subtle seat trim revision
• The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder carries over across the lineup

2026 or 2027: Which One Fits You

If you tow anything at all with front-wheel drive, or the CVT was a dealbreaker for you, ask our team about 2027 availability. Those changes are aimed directly at you, and we can tell you exactly what is on the ground and what is in transit.

If neither applies, the 2026 Equinox is the smarter buy right now. It is the same vehicle to look at, sit in, and drive, and outgoing model year inventory typically carries stronger incentives than a fresh model year does. That gap is usually worth more than $200 to $300 in price difference.

What the Eight-Speed Actually Changes

Retiring the CVT is not only about reputation. A conventional eight-speed behaves differently in the situations Central Texas drivers meet most: merging onto Highway 71 at speed, holding a gear on a grade with the air conditioning working hard, and pulling a small trailer without the engine droning at a fixed pitch.

It is also the change that makes the towing improvement possible. The transmission is the reason the number moved, not a separate upgrade alongside it.

Equinox, Trax, or Trailblazer

These three overlap enough that people cross-shop them on our lot most weeks, and the honest split is size rather than price.

• Trax is front-wheel drive only, and the value pick for a paved commute
• Trailblazer adds available all-wheel drive in a slightly taller shape
• Equinox is the larger vehicle, with more rear seat and cargo room and, for 2027, the towing rating to match

If you carry adults in the back regularly, or you want the 1,500 pound rating, the Equinox is the one. If the vehicle spends its life on Highway 71 with one or two people in it, the smaller pair will save you money without costing you anything you use.

Living With One in Central Texas

Two things worth specifying here for our climate. Ventilated front seats matter more than the option sheet suggests if you park outside all day, and remote start is close to essential from June through September. Both are worth checking against the trim you are considering rather than assuming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2027 Equinox available in Bastrop now?

Availability depends on allocation and trim. Contact our sales team for current on-the-ground inventory and what is in transit.

Is there an Equinox hybrid coming?

A refresh and a hybrid are expected further out in the model cycle, not for 2027. Nothing is confirmed at this point.

What engine does the 2027 Equinox use?

A turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, standard on all trims and both drivetrains.

Does the 2027 Equinox tow enough for a small utility trailer?

Properly equipped, 1,500 pounds on either drivetrain. That covers a small utility trailer, a pair of jet skis on a light trailer, or a load of mulch and fencing. It is not a substitute for a truck.

What is the difference between the Activ and RS trims?

Both sit at the same price. Activ leans toward a rugged appearance package, RS toward a sportier blacked-out look. Mechanically they are the same vehicle, so pick on appearance and equipment rather than capability.

Shop Equinox at Covert Chevrolet Bastrop

We serve Equinox shoppers throughout Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville, Lockhart, Cedar Creek, and the Austin metro. View new Equinox inventory or contact us to schedule a test drive and compare trims side by side.

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