2027 Buyer's Guide · Dave Gill Chevrolet · Columbus, Ohio
Which 2027 Chevy Equinox Trim Is Right for You?
LT · RS · ACTIV · Starting at $30,995* · AWD Available
Three trims, two personalities at the top, one honest answer for most buyers. This guide compares every trim head to head — pricing, what's standard, what's not, and exactly which buyer each one is built for.
If you are cross-shopping a 2026 or seeing mixed information online, a few 2027-specific changes are worth knowing before you look at any trim details.
FWD Gets an 8-Speed Auto
The CVT that FWD Equinox models used in 2026 is gone. For 2027 all Equinox models — FWD and AWD — use the same 8-speed automatic transmission. Smoother acceleration, no more CVT feel.
Interior Camera Now Standard
New for 2027: cabin security recording lets you monitor the interior and exterior of your Equinox on a mobile app. Useful for parents with teen drivers and anyone parking in unfamiliar areas.
More Safety Standard
Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking and Side Bicyclist Alert are now standard on all trims, including the base LT. Adaptive Cruise Control also moved to standard equipment across the lineup.
Every 2027 Equinox
What You Get on Every Single Trim
The 2027 Equinox has an unusually generous standard feature set. Items that rival compact SUVs put on higher trims or charge extra for are standard on the base LT here. This is the most important thing to understand before comparing trims — because it means the LT already covers most of what most buyers need.
Standard on every 2027 Equinox — including the base LT: 11.3" touchscreen · 11" driver display · Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto · Google built-in · Heated front seats · Heated steering wheel · Remote start · Keyless Open and Start · 8-way power driver seat · Adaptive Cruise Control · Chevy Safety Assist · Interior security camera
11.3" diagonal touchscreen 11" digital driver display Wireless Apple CarPlay standard Wireless Android Auto standard Google built-in (Maps, Assistant)* Interior security camera (new 2027)* Wireless phone charging standard
Safety (All Trims)
Adaptive Cruise Control standard Automatic Emergency Braking* Intersection AEB (new 2027)* Front Pedestrian Braking* Side Bicyclist Alert (new 2027)* Blind Zone Steering Assist* Lane Keep Assist* Reverse Automatic Braking* Safety Alert Seat*
Compare the Three
LT vs. RS vs. ACTIV
LT
~$30,995* incl. dest. · FWD
Best for most buyers
The LT is the honest answer for most Columbus buyers. It already includes everything in the "standard on all trims" section above — and at roughly $5,000 less than the RS or ACTIV, it is hard to argue with. The step up to RS or ACTIV buys you styling and personality, not fundamentally more utility or capability.
What LT Adds Beyond Base
17" aluminum wheels Body-color exterior details Cloth seating (Evotex or Artemis Gray cloth upgrade available) Manual rear liftgate standard AutoSense Power Liftgate available* Panoramic sunroof available* Convenience Package II available* Roof rails available*
Choose the LT If
You want maximum value for money You don't care about sporty or rugged styling cues You want AWD without paying for RS/ACTIV trim features You're buying for a teen driver who doesn't need a $36K SUV You want to add only the packages that matter to you
RS
~$35,895* incl. dest. · FWD | ~$37,895* AWD
Sporty street style
The RS takes the same Equinox foundation and makes it look fast standing still. The black exterior treatment, flat-bottom steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, and red interior accents make the RS the most visually distinctive version. At the same price as the ACTIV, the choice between them is entirely about personality — sporty and street-focused vs. rugged and adventure-focused.
What RS Adds Over LT
19" black aluminum wheels Black exterior trim and badging Contrasting black roof Red badging and interior accents Flat-bottom steering wheel Convenience Package II standard (incl. power liftgate, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers) Convenience Package III available* ($1,095) (ventilated seats, heated rear seats, power passenger seat, memory) Panoramic sunroof available* ($1,495)
Choose the RS If
You want the sharpest-looking Equinox on Columbus roads You like black-on-black exterior styling You want the Convenience Package III upgrades (ventilated seats, heated rear) You want a panoramic sunroof (only available RS/ACTIV) You spend most of your time on pavement
ACTIV
~$35,895* incl. dest. · FWD | ~$37,895* AWD
Adventure styling
The ACTIV is the outdoor personality of the Equinox — but it is worth being honest about what it is. It is a road-biased compact SUV with adventure-inspired styling, not a true off-road vehicle. The all-terrain tires give it real gravel-road and snow confidence, and the Off-Road drive mode (AWD required) helps in low-traction situations. But it is not replacing a Jeep or a Trailhawk. If the look of a more rugged SUV appeals to you and you want tires that can handle Ohio winter roads better than standard all-season, the ACTIV is worth the step up.
What ACTIV Adds Over LT
Unique bold ACTIV grille and front fascia Black exterior badging 17" Dark Android wheels All-terrain tires (better snow/gravel grip) Sueded microfiber Maple Sugar interior Off-Road drive mode (with AWD)* Convenience Package II standard (incl. power liftgate, roof rails) Convenience Package III available* ($1,095) Panoramic sunroof available* ($1,495)
Choose the ACTIV If
You want a rugged look over a sporty one You drive Ohio winters on unplowed roads or gravel You prefer the ACTIV's unique interior over the RS's red accents You like the all-terrain tires for mixed-surface confidence You want AWD with Off-Road drive mode on weekend trails
Quick Decision Guide
How to Decide in Under a Minute
Buy the LT if...
You want the most Equinox for the money. The LT already includes heated seats, a heated wheel, adaptive cruise, an 11.3-inch screen, and wireless CarPlay — all standard. You're saving $5,000 versus the RS or ACTIV for features most buyers will actually use every day. Add AWD for Ohio winters if needed ($2,000 more) and you have a complete, honest compact SUV.
Buy the RS if...
You want your Equinox to make a statement on Columbus roads. The blacked-out exterior, red accents, 19-inch wheels, and flat-bottom wheel make it the sharpest-looking trim. The RS also unlocks the Convenience Package III upgrades — ventilated seats, heated rear seats — and the panoramic sunroof, neither of which are available on the LT. Choose RS if styling matters and you spend your time on pavement.
Buy the ACTIV if...
You like the rugged outdoor look more than the sporty one. The all-terrain tires are the real differentiator — better on gravel, snow-covered roads, and unplowed parking lots than the standard all-seasons on the LT and RS. If you routinely drive Ohio winters on uncleared roads, the ACTIV with AWD is worth the upgrade. Just understand it is not a trail vehicle — it's a road SUV with better tires and a bolder design.
Interior and Cargo
Space, Seating, and the Equinox Interior
Cargo Space
29.8 cu ft behind rear seats* 63.5 cu ft max (seats folded)* Same on all three trims 60/40 split-folding rear seats Flat-load floor when folded
Seating Differences by Trim
LT: cloth standard (premium cloth upgrades available) RS: black interior with red stitching (leather-appointed available) ACTIV: sueded Maple Sugar microfiber 8-way power driver seat: standard all trims Power passenger seat: optional RS/ACTIV (Package III)
Dimensions
5 passengers all trims Compact size — easy to park in Columbus Reclassified mid-size SUV for 2027* More interior space than 2026* Trunk lid open, hands-free (RS/ACTIV)* Power liftgate optional on LT, standard RS/ACTIV
Seating for 5 on all trims · RS gets red-accented black interior · ACTIV gets unique Maple Sugar sueded microfiber
Shop at Dave Gill
Test Drive All Three Trims at Dave Gill Chevrolet
Reading about the RS versus ACTIV in a guide is useful — but the most efficient way to decide is to drive both back to back. The difference in road feel between the all-terrain tires on the ACTIV and the all-season tires on the RS is something you notice immediately, especially in Ohio weather. Dave Gill carries the 2027 Equinox across multiple trims in new inventory. Our team knows the lineup well enough to help you understand the differences without a sales script.
1
Inventory Across All Three Trims
We stock the 2027 Equinox in LT, RS, and ACTIV configurations. You can compare them side by side and test drive the one you are considering — not a demo with similar but different specs.
2
No Markup Above MSRP
Dave Gill prices every new vehicle at or below MSRP. The prices quoted in this guide are what you actually pay — no dealer-installed packages added to the sticker, no market adjustments.
3
Family-Owned Since 1982 — 4.7 Stars, 3,300+ Reviews
Dave Gill Chevrolet has been on Columbus's east side for over 40 years, now led by second-generation dealer Laurie Gill. Our team will help you find the right trim — even if that means telling you the LT is all you need.
The 2027 Chevy Equinox is available in three trim levels: LT, RS, and ACTIV. There is no LS or Premier for 2027. The LT starts at approximately $30,995 including destination. The RS and ACTIV are the same price, starting at approximately $35,895 including destination. AWD adds $2,000 to any trim.
The LT is the best choice for most buyers. It already includes heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an 8-way power driver seat, remote start, adaptive cruise control, an 11.3-inch touchscreen, and wireless Apple CarPlay — features that rival compact SUVs charge thousands more to include. Most buyers find the LT complete enough without needing to step up to the RS or ACTIV.
The RS and ACTIV are the same starting price and share the same engine. The RS emphasizes sporty street style: flat-bottom steering wheel, black exterior trim, contrasting black roof, red badging, red interior accents, and 19-inch black wheels. The ACTIV emphasizes outdoor styling: a unique bold grille, sueded microfiber Maple Sugar interior, 17-inch Dark Android wheels with all-terrain tires, and an Off-Road drive mode (AWD required).
Yes. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are standard on the 2027 Chevy Equinox LT — not an upgrade. This is one of the reasons the LT is the best value in the lineup. Most competitors charge extra for heated seats even on higher trim levels.
The biggest change for 2027 is the FWD transmission: front-wheel-drive Equinox models now use an 8-speed automatic instead of the CVT used in 2026. Chevrolet also adds an interior camera and security recording feature new for 2027. Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking and Side Bicyclist Alert are now standard on all trims. Pricing also increases modestly from 2026.
The 2027 Chevy Equinox offers 29.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume with the rear seats folded flat.
The 2027 Chevy Equinox with FWD is rated at 26 MPG city, 29 MPG highway, and 27 MPG combined. With AWD, the rating is 25 MPG city, 29 MPG highway, and 26 MPG combined.
Yes. Dave Gill Chevrolet carries the 2027 Chevy Equinox in inventory at 4700 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43213. Call (614) 626-7182 or browse inventory online. Hours: Monday through Thursday 10 AM to 7 PM, Friday 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM.
Still Not Sure? Come In and Drive All Three.
Dave Gill Chevrolet carries the 2027 Equinox LT, RS, and ACTIV in stock. Test drive them back to back — that's the fastest way to decide.
4700 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43213 · Mon-Thu 10-7 · Fri 10-6 · Sat 9-5
