When the Equinox in Reef Blue Metallic color arrived, we were impressed with its confident new styling. The ACTIV trim, introduced for 2025, brought a rugged edge to the familiar Equinox profile, with black cladding around the wheel arches, unique front and rear fascias, a unique white “floating” roof and 17-inch machined wheels wrapped in all-terrain rubber. It was just a subtle hint that this Equinox was ready for more than just city streets.

A week in the life

As has become our tradition over the years, we made sure to live with the Equinox in a way that reflected how most families — even those like us — would use it. During the week, the Equinox served as Deanne’s daily driver, commuting between Springville and Provo, with a couple of longer detours thrown in for good measure.

The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine would not be a barnstormer on paper, but we found it responsive and well-matched to the smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Around town and on the freeway, it delivered, and we appreciated how composed and quiet the cabin remained even at highway speeds.

Speaking of the cabin, Chevrolet has given the 2025 Equinox a fresh interior, and the ACTIV trim receives its own touches like black Evotex faux leather upholstery with brown suede accents and a handsome bronze contrast stitch.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

We both loved the large 11-inch touch screen that now sits proudly in the center of the dash, and pairing our phones with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was quick and seamless. A wireless charging pad and multiple USB ports kept all our devices happy throughout the week.

Deanne was able to really put the cargo space to use on a midweek trip to Costco. She needed to pick up supplies for her work — that included all the food stuffs and supplies needed as Aspen Senior Day Care. The Equinox passed the test with flying colors.

Its power liftgate opened easily with a wave of Deanne’s foot under the bumper, and the cargo space swallowed everything with room to spare. With the rear seats up, the Equinox offers over 29 cubic feet of cargo space; fold them flat and you get more than 63 cubic feet to work with. Not bad for a compact SUV!

Sunday drive to Diamond Fork

After a busy week, we looked forward to our favorite part of the test drive: a leisurely Sunday outing. We decided to head up Spanish Fork Canyon and explore the Diamond Fork area — a hidden gem that offers some of the best scenic views in Utah County, especially in spring when everything is turning green and the rivers are running strong.

As we wound our way through the canyon, the Equinox’s AWD system provided steady confidence on the occasionally uneven pavement. Though it’s no hardcore off-roader, the ACTIV’s slightly raised suspension and more rugged tires gave it a surefooted feel on the dirt roads leading into the picnic and trail areas.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

We pulled off near the Fifth Water trailhead and took some time to stretch our legs and enjoy the peaceful mountain surroundings. The Equinox looked right at home against the backdrop of pines and red rock. For families or couples looking for a vehicle that can comfortably make these kinds of weekend escapes, this SUV makes a strong case for itself.

Fuel economy and practicality

Throughout the week, we were pleased with the Equinox’s efficiency. We logged a total of 371 miles, combining city commutes, freeway drives, a Costco run and our Sunday drive into the mountains. When we topped off the tank, we were impressed to see the trip computer report 28.9 miles per gallon — well above average for an AWD SUV in this class.

That kind of efficiency, combined with the practical size and usable features, makes the Equinox an ideal choice for those just starting their journey into parenthood. It’s easy to park, maneuverable in tight spaces and packed with standard safety tech like automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert. Plus, there’s enough room for car seats, strollers and all the other gear that seems to multiply with young kids.

At the same time, we found ourselves appreciating how well suited it was to our current lifestyle. With our kids grown and out of the house, we don’t need a three-row SUV, but we still want comfort, cargo room and the ability to get off the beaten path when the mood strikes. The Equinox ACTIV checked all those boxes.

At the end of the week

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox ACTIV AWD offered a smart blend of style, comfort and capability. It was the kind of SUV that would adapt well to many lifestyles — whether that’s school pickups and soccer practice or weekend getaways and trips to the home improvement store.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

Chevrolet has priced the ACTIV trim starting around $35,000, which makes it a compelling value in today’s crowded compact SUV market. For that price, you’re getting rugged good looks, AWD confidence, generous standard features and a thoroughly modern driving experience.

After a week behind the wheel, we found ourselves talking about how easy the Equinox was to live with — and how, in many ways, it was exactly the kind of vehicle we’d choose if we were starting over or simplifying our garage today. It may not have been flashy or loud, but it was smart, well-rounded and built for real life.

And isn’t that what really matters?

Base price: $35,000

Destination charge: $1,395

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

Price as driven: $38,380