2027 Chevrolet Equinox
2027 Chevrolet Equinox: The Complete Mobridge Buyer's Guide
What's new, trims, the new 8-speed automatic, colors, and technology — for South Dakota and North Dakota drivers, from Beadle Chevrolet GMC.
Quick Answer
The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox is a five-seat compact SUV with one powertrain across the lineup: a 175-hp 1.5L turbo now paired with an 8-speed automatic on every model — the CVT is gone. Three trims — LT, ACTIV, and RS — start at $29,000, each with FWD or AWD, an 11.3-inch Google Built-In touchscreen, and heated seats, heated steering wheel, and remote start standard. It's sold and serviced at Beadle Chevrolet GMC in Mobridge.
What the 2027 Equinox is built for
The 2027 Equinox is built for the drive most of us actually make: 45 minutes of highway to work, the school run in town, and the gravel stretch between the blacktop and home. It's the right-sized, right-priced SUV for commuter households, young families, and anyone who wants the ranch truck to stay on the ranch.
Around Mobridge, the Equinox earns its keep on distance. Bismarck, Aberdeen, and Pierre are each about 100 miles away, and this is the Chevy sized for that reality — comfortable at highway speed, far cheaper to feed than a truck, and available with all-wheel drive on every trim for the months that matter. Cargo space handles the real errands: 29.8 cu ft behind the back seat, 63.5 with it folded.
What's new for 2027
2027 is a focused update, not a redesign — but the one big change matters: every 2027 Equinox now shifts through an 8-speed automatic. The CVT that front-wheel-drive models used through 2026 is gone.
- 8-speed automatic on every model. FWD models drop the CVT; AWD models already had the 8-speed. Front-wheel-drive GVWR rises from 4,630 to 4,850 lbs — now the same rating on every 2027 Equinox.
- New color: Autumn Harvest Metallic. It replaces Cacti Green, which built out at the end of the 2026 model year.
- Richer camera package. The available Safety and Technology Package adds a rear camera washer and an interior camera with Cabin Glance and Security Recording — on top of the Rear Camera Mirror, HD Surround Vision, front fog lamps, Rear Pedestrian Alert, and Traffic Sign Recognition it already included.
- Factory trailering accessories discontinued. The trailering package and factory hitch are no longer orderable — towing customers add an accessory hitch instead.
- Midnight Edition update. The LT-only appearance package now specifically includes 19-inch Black aluminum wheels and can no longer be paired with the Summit White roof.
Everything else carries over: trims, the 1.5L turbo, interiors, and both screens. For the full side-by-side, our 2026 vs 2027 comparison walks through every change — including whether a leftover 2026 makes sense.
Trims: which 2027 Equinox is right for you?
There are three trims, each in FWD or AWD. LT is the value play with everything most buyers need standard. ACTIV adds rugged styling and a warmer cabin for gravel-road living. RS is the sport look — black accents, 19-inch wheels, red-stitched interior.
LT — from $29,000
17" Grazen Metallic wheels, cloth interior (Evotex with Convenience Package II), and the full standard equipment list: heated seats, heated steering wheel, remote start, 11.3" Google Built-In screen, Chevy Safety Assist.
Right for you if: you want the most Equinox for the least money — most buyers should start here.
ACTIV — from $33,900
Rugged look with 17" Dark Android wheels, Maple Sugar sueded-microfiber interior, available Summit White contrast roof, and Convenience Package II equipment standard in upper groups. Note: tires are all-seasons, not all-terrains.
Right for you if: gravel roads are part of your daily life and you want the cabin that feels warmest doing it.
RS — from $33,900
Sport styling: 19" Carbon Flash wheels, black Evotex interior with red accents, black exterior details, available Mosaic Black contrast roof. Same engine as every other trim — RS is a styling choice, not a performance upgrade.
Right for you if: you want the sharpest-looking Equinox and don't need ACTIV's softer-road styling.
Our pick: an AWD LT with Convenience Package II. You get the power seat, dual-zone climate, wireless charging, and hands-free liftgate without stepping up a trim — and the AWD matters more here than badges do.
Starting MSRP excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, and license. AWD available on every trim at additional cost. Contact us for current pricing and incentives.
Engine & performance
One engine, every trim: a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder making 175 hp and 203 lb-ft, paired with the new-for-all 8-speed automatic and a 3.47 final drive. It's tuned for steady, efficient highway miles — not stoplight drama.
The 8-speed is the story this year. Shoppers who ruled out the FWD Equinox because of the CVT no longer have that objection — every 2027 shifts like a conventional automatic, holding lower revs at highway speed and downshifting predictably for passes. The turbo four is right-sized for the Mobridge-to-Aberdeen commute; it is not quick by sports-car standards, so plan two-lane passes with room to spare.
EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2027 model year had not been published when this guide was written — contact us for the latest figures. Tank sizes are 14.8 gallons on FWD models and 15.6 on AWD.
Towing & everyday capability
The Equinox tows up to 1,500 lbs when properly equipped — a small utility trailer, not a boat or camper. For 2027, the factory trailering package is discontinued, so the hitch is an accessory install our parts department can handle.
Be honest with yourself about towing before you buy. If a fishing boat, camper, or stock trailer is in the picture even a few weekends a year, the Equinox isn't the right tool — that's Traverse or Silverado territory, and we'd rather match you to the right vehicle up front. Where the Equinox shines is everything short of towing: a 4,850-lb GVWR on every model, confident footing on gravel, and 11.8-inch front / 11.3-inch rear disc brakes. The exact towing rating for your configuration is listed on the window sticker.
Interior, seating & cargo
Five seats, 29.8 cu ft behind the second row, 63.5 cu ft with it folded, and 39.9 inches of rear legroom — enough for adults on the two-hour run to a specialist appointment, and for two car seats with a stroller behind them.
Each trim gets its own cabin character: LT runs cloth (or Black/Artemis Gray Evotex with Convenience Package II), ACTIV wears warm Maple Sugar sueded microfiber, and RS goes black Evotex with red accents. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are standard on all three — not an option you hunt for. The rear bench folds 60/40 with a fold-down center armrest, and a hands-free power liftgate comes with Convenience Package II.
Car-seat fit, cargo strategies, and real family-packing detail get their own treatment in our interior and cargo guide.
Technology & connectivity
Every 2027 Equinox gets an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In, an 11-inch digital driver display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — standard, on the base trim, no packages required.
Google Maps runs natively on the big screen — no phone required — which matters on stretches where your cell signal comes and goes. Wireless phone charging comes with Convenience Package II, and the available Safety and Technology Package stacks the cameras: Rear Camera Mirror with its new-for-2027 washer, HD Surround Vision, and the new interior camera with Cabin Glance and Security Recording. OnStar connectivity is built in.
The screens, cameras, and connected features are covered top to bottom in our technology deep dive.
Safety
Chevy Safety Assist is standard on every 2027 Equinox — Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking, Enhanced Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, and IntelliBeam — plus Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Zone Steering Assist, also standard.
That standard list matters on deer-country highways: adaptive cruise takes the fatigue out of the long straight miles, and the enhanced emergency braking watches for what steps onto the road at dusk. Buckle to Drive and Teen Driver tools are built in for households handing keys to a new driver, and dual-stage frontal, seat-mounted side-impact, and head-curtain airbags cover both rows.
The full safety-feature rundown, warranty math, and long-haul ownership costs are in our safety and cost-of-ownership guide.
Colors
Eight exterior colors for 2027, headlined by the new Autumn Harvest Metallic — a warm bronze that replaces Cacti Green. Radiant Red Tintcoat and Polar White Tricoat are the two extra-cost finishes.
The carryover palette: Summit White, Mosaic Black Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, Lakeshore Blue Metallic, and Reef Blue Metallic. Contrast roofs give the lineup its personality — a Mosaic Black Metallic roof on RS (and LT at extra cost), a Summit White roof on ACTIV (and LT at extra cost) — with pairing rules that depend on body color. Autumn Harvest pairs with Black, Artemis Gray, and Maple Sugar interiors, but not with the RS's Black-with-Red cabin.
Every color, every pairing rule, and which shades hide gravel dust best: see the 2027 Equinox color guide.
Ownership: warranty & maintenance
Chevrolet's coverage runs 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 5 years/60,000 miles on the powertrain — and the service department that handles your warranty work is the same building you bought from, right here in Mobridge.
For rural owners, the practical part of ownership is proximity: oil changes, tire rotations, and recall work without a 100-mile detour. An engine block heater is available for every trim — worth ordering if the vehicle sleeps outside in January. Buyers in our area typically keep an Equinox 7 to 10 years, which makes the boring virtues — simple engine, conventional automatic, standard safety hardware — the ones that pay off.
Full specifications
| Specification | 2027 Chevrolet Equinox |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder, 175 hp / 203 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (all models), 3.47 final drive |
| Drivetrain | FWD standard; AWD available on every trim |
| Max towing | 1,500 lbs when properly equipped (accessory hitch) |
| GVWR | 4,850 lbs (all models) |
| Seating | 5 (2 front / 3 rear) |
| Cargo volume | 29.8 cu ft behind 2nd row · 63.5 max |
| Dimensions | 183.2" L × 74.9" W × 65.6" H · 107.5" wheelbase |
| Rear legroom | 39.9 inches |
| Curb weight | 3,428–3,629 lbs by trim and drivetrain |
| Fuel tank | 14.8 gal FWD / 15.6 gal AWD |
| Brakes | 11.8" front / 11.3" rear discs |
| Wheels | 17" (LT, ACTIV) · 19" (RS; optional LT) · 20" optional RS |
| Technology | 11.3" touchscreen w/ Google Built-In · 11" driver display · wireless CarPlay/Android Auto |
From the Beadle Chevrolet GMC lot
"The question I get most on the Equinox is AWD. My answer: if your winter includes a highway commute or a gravel section road, get it — and either way, don't skip the winter tires."
"Shoppers who walked away from the old CVT should drive the 2027. The 8-speed changes how this thing feels at 70 on US-12 — that objection is gone now."
"If you're cross-shopping the RAV4 or CR-V, drive them back to back with the Equinox in one afternoon. The screen and the standard heated everything usually decide it."
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox?
The big one: every 2027 Equinox now uses an 8-speed automatic — the CVT is gone from front-wheel-drive models, and FWD GVWR rises to 4,850 lbs to match AWD. 2027 also adds Autumn Harvest Metallic (replacing Cacti Green), a rear camera washer and interior camera in the available Safety and Technology Package, and the factory trailering accessories are no longer orderable. Trims, engine, interior, and screens carry over.
How much does the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox cost?
Starting MSRP is $29,000 for the LT and $33,900 for the ACTIV and RS, excluding destination freight charge. All-wheel drive is available on every trim at additional cost. Contact Beadle Chevrolet GMC for current pricing and incentives.
Is the Equinox's 1.5L turbo enough for highway driving?
For commuting, yes. The 175-hp, 203-lb-ft turbo four is tuned for steady highway cruising, and the new 8-speed automatic holds revs lower and shifts more predictably than the old CVT. It is not quick by sports-car standards — plan your passes on two-lane roads. Take a highway test drive on US-12 and judge for yourself.
Can the 2027 Equinox tow?
Up to 1,500 lbs when properly equipped — a small utility trailer, not a boat or camper. For 2027 the factory trailering package is no longer orderable, so a hitch is an accessory install; our parts department can handle it. The exact rating for your configuration is on the window sticker. If you tow regularly, look at the Traverse or Silverado.
What colors does the 2027 Equinox come in?
Eight colors: Summit White, Mosaic Black Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, Lakeshore Blue Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic, Radiant Red Tintcoat (extra cost), Polar White Tricoat (extra cost), and the new Autumn Harvest Metallic. Cacti Green is discontinued for 2027. Contrast roofs are available: Mosaic Black on RS and LT, Summit White on ACTIV and LT.
Does the 2027 Equinox have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes — wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on every trim, alongside the 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In and the 11-inch driver display.
Is AWD worth it on the 2027 Equinox in South Dakota?
If you commute between towns from November through March, we think so — AWD adds traction you'll use on snow-packed US-12 and gravel section roads. A common mistake is skipping AWD to save money without budgeting for winter tires; if you stay FWD, plan on a good set.
Quick answers
- Engine? 1.5L turbo four, 175 hp / 203 lb-ft.
- Transmission? 8-speed automatic — every model, FWD and AWD.
- CVT? Gone for 2027.
- Towing? Up to 1,500 lbs; hitch is an accessory install for 2027.
- Seats? 5.
- Cargo behind back seat? 29.8 cu ft.
- Max cargo? 63.5 cu ft.
- Screen? 11.3" touchscreen with Google Built-In, standard.
- Driver display? 11" digital, standard.
- Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto? Standard, every trim.
- AWD? Available on LT, ACTIV, and RS.
- MPG? 2027 EPA estimates pending — contact us for the latest.
- Starting price? $29,000 (LT, excl. destination).
- ACTIV / RS price? From $33,900 (excl. destination).
- New color? Autumn Harvest Metallic.
- Dropped color? Cacti Green.
- Warranty? 3 yr/36k basic, 5 yr/60k powertrain.
- Fuel tank? 14.8 gal FWD / 15.6 gal AWD.
- GVWR? 4,850 lbs, every model.
- Where to buy near me? Beadle Chevrolet GMC, Mobridge, SD.
2027 Equinox in-depth guides
Deep Dive
LT vs RS vs ACTIV: an honest trim comparison
What each trim actually changes, what's just styling, and which one is the best value for a family budget.
Read the Full GuideDeep Dive
Every 2027 color, explained
All eight colors including the new Autumn Harvest Metallic, the contrast-roof rules, and which shades hide gravel dust.
Read the Full Guide
Deep Dive
AWD vs FWD: what South Dakota winters actually demand
The straight answer on the AWD question — snow-packed highways, gravel section roads, and the winter-tire math.
Read the Full Guide
Deep Dive
The engine, the new 8-speed & real fuel costs
Is 175 hp enough? What the CVT's exit changes for your commute, and what you'll actually spend on gas.
Read the Full Guide
Deep Dive
Interior: cargo, car seats & family fit
Will two car seats and a stroller fit? Rear-seat room for adults, cargo numbers in real-life terms, and seat materials by trim.
Read the Full GuideDeep Dive
Technology: Google Built-In, cameras & connectivity
The 11.3-inch screen, wireless everything, and the 2027 camera additions — what's standard, what's packaged.
Read the Full Guide
Deep Dive
Safety features & cost of ownership
Everything in Chevy Safety Assist, the warranty math, and what it costs to keep an Equinox for 10 years.
Read the Full Guide
Deep Dive
2026 vs 2027: what actually changed
Every real difference between the model years — and whether a leftover 2026 is the smarter buy.
Read the Full Guide
Deep Dive
Equinox vs RAV4 vs CR-V
The honest three-way — where the Equinox wins, where it doesn't, and which one fits a Dakota driveway.
Read the Full Guide
Deep Dive
Is the 2027 Equinox right for rural South Dakota?
The whole-picture verdict: who should buy the Equinox, who shouldn't, and how it handles life out here.
Read the Full GuideKey takeaways
- Every 2027 Equinox gets the 8-speed automatic — the CVT is gone, removing the most common objection to the FWD model.
- Three trims from $29,000 (LT) to $33,900 (ACTIV, RS), each available with AWD; the AWD LT with Convenience Package II is our value pick.
- Heated seats, heated steering wheel, remote start, an 11.3" Google Built-In screen, and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto are standard on every trim.
- Towing is light duty — 1,500 lbs with an accessory hitch, since the factory trailering package is discontinued for 2027.
- Autumn Harvest Metallic is the new color; Cacti Green is gone; contrast roofs are available on every trim.
- Sold and serviced at Beadle Chevrolet GMC in Mobridge — about 100 miles from Bismarck, Aberdeen, and Pierre.
My take on the 2027 Equinox
I've watched a lot of Equinox deals come together at our store, and the 2027 fixes the one thing that used to stall them: the transmission conversation. With the 8-speed on every model, the FWD Equinox is now an easy recommendation for someone who mostly drives pavement, and the AWD version is the one I point commuters toward — the people doing Mobridge to Aberdeen twice a week from November through March.
My honest advice: start with the LT, add Convenience Package II and AWD, and spend the trim-upgrade money on winter tires instead. If you fall in love with the ACTIV's Maple Sugar interior or the RS's look, neither is a mistake — just know you're paying for style, not capability. And if towing is anywhere in your plans, let's talk about a Traverse or Silverado instead. When you're ready, current Equinox inventory and ordering options at Beadle Chevrolet GMC are the next step.
About the Author
Lexy Tabbert — Beadle Chevrolet, Mobridge, SD
Lexy Tabbert is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Beadle Chevrolet in Mobridge, South Dakota. She covers Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, trim comparisons, and buyer guidance — helping families, ranchers, and ag operators across the region find the right truck and configuration for their needs. Learn more about Lexy.
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