2026 Chevrolet Equinox: What's New, Trims, Specs & Features
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox adds a standard Drive Mode Selector across every trim and introduces the new Polar White Tricoat exterior color. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are also standard on every trim, a feature rivals charge extra for. This page covers what changed, how each trim stacks up, and where to find 2026 Equinox inventory in Tulsa.
What's New for 2026
The headline change for 2026 is the Drive Mode Selector becoming standard equipment on every Equinox trim. Previously available only on select configurations, every buyer now gets the ability to adjust driving dynamics without paying up.
The second notable update is a new exterior color: Polar White Tricoat. It joins Sterling Gray Metallic, Radiant Red Tintcoat, Cacti Green, Summit White, and Mosaic Black Metallic, and is also offered in two-tone combinations on RS and ACTIV trims. That brings the total color palette to six solid options plus several two-tone pairings.
These two changes are modest but meaningful. The Drive Mode Selector standardization reflects Chevrolet responding to the reality that competing compact SUVs were including similar features without an upcharge. J.D. Power named the Equinox America's Most Dependable Compact SUV in its 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which is a substantive credential for Tulsa shoppers weighing long-term ownership.
Trim Lineup
The 2026 Equinox is offered in three trim families: LT, RS, and ACTIV.
LT
LT is the everyday driver in the lineup. It includes the 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the 11-inch Digital Driver Information Center, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto, Google Built-In, keyless entry, and remote start. A Midnight Edition package is available on LT, adding high-gloss Black mirror caps, exclusive 19-inch Black wheels, Black roof rails, and Black grille and badging for buyers who want a blacked-out look without moving to a higher trim.
RS
RS steps up with a sport-focused appearance. The RS gets a unique grille and front fascia, Black mirrors, moldings, emblems, and badging, a flat-bottom steering wheel, 19-inch machined wheels with 20-inch wheels available, Torch Red and Santorini Blue interior stitching, wireless phone charging, and RS debossed head restraints. An available two-tone Black roof sharpens the contrast.
ACTIV
ACTIV shares RS pricing but takes the Equinox in a different direction. It comes standard with all-terrain tires on 17-inch machined wheels, a uniquely tuned suspension, Evotex and sueded microfiber seating surfaces with ACTIV stitching on the head restraints, a pass-through center console, wireless phone charging, and available roof rails. A two-tone white roof is available. The ACTIV is the trim for Tulsa drivers who want a compact SUV that can handle weekend terrain without committing to a full off-road vehicle.
AWD is available across all trims.
Performance & Powertrain
Every 2026 Equinox runs on a 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 ECOTEC engine producing 175 hp. Torque output is 184 lb-ft on FWD models and 203 lb-ft on AWD models, with peak torque arriving as low as 2,000 rpm.
FWD models pair the engine with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). AWD models use a Hydra-Matic 8-speed automatic. The standard Drive Mode Selector lets drivers adjust between modes without any additional package purchase.
Towing is rated at 800 lbs on FWD and 1,500 lbs on AWD when properly equipped. Fuel economy is rated at 26 city / 29 highway / 27 combined.
EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2026 Equinox ›
The ACTIV trim rides on a uniquely tuned suspension relative to the LT and RS, which gives it a slightly different ride character on uneven surfaces.
Interior, Comfort & Cargo
The Equinox seats five. Front headroom measures 40.0 inches without a sunroof, and rear headroom comes in at 39.2 inches. Front shoulder room is 57.7 inches, giving the cabin a wider feel than its exterior dimensions suggest.
Cargo space behind the second row is 29.8 cubic feet. Fold the rear bench and that number expands to 63.5 cubic feet, which is substantial for this class. The 60/40 split-bench folds for flexible configurations. A hidden storage area sits under the rear cargo floor for securing smaller items out of view.
Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are standard on every trim, not optional. The RS and ACTIV add wireless phone charging. The available Hands-Free AutoSense Power Liftgate makes loading the cargo area easier without setting bags down. The ACTIV's center console features a pass-through design, adding usable space between front occupants.
Interior materials step up by trim. LT uses cloth seating. RS adds Evotex seating surfaces. ACTIV uses a combination of Evotex and sueded microfiber with ACTIV badging stitched into the head restraints.
Technology & Infotainment
The 11.3-inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen is standard across the entire Equinox lineup, paired with an 11-inch Digital Driver Information Center directly ahead of the driver. That is a larger screen than what RAV4, Sportage, and Ford Escape buyers get at base level.
Compare 2026 Equinox vs. competitors ›
Google Built-In is integrated into the system, including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto are both standard, eliminating the need for a cable. Keyless entry and remote start round out the convenience tech.
The Drive Mode Selector, now standard on every trim, adjusts vehicle behavior at the press of a dial. Wireless phone charging is available on RS and ACTIV. The available Hands-Free AutoSense Power Liftgate responds to a kick motion beneath the rear bumper.
Safety & Driver Assistance
The 2026 Equinox includes over 15 standard safety and driver assistance features. Chevy Safety Assist is a six-feature package that comes standard and includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams.
Additional standard features include Side Bicyclist Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Park Assist, HD Rear Vision Camera, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross-Traffic Braking.
Available safety upgrades add Rear Pedestrian Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, Rear Camera Mirror, and HD Surround Vision, which provides digital camera views around the entire vehicle to help with parking and maneuvering.
Blind Spot Intervention and Rear Cross-Traffic Braking Alert are also included as standard equipment. The depth of the standard safety package is a genuine differentiator in the compact SUV class, where several competitors charge extra for features like adaptive cruise control.
Who It's For Versus the Prior Year
The 2026 Equinox is a refined continuation of the redesigned generation rather than a ground-up change. Buyers upgrading from a 2024 or earlier Equinox will notice the larger screens immediately. Those coming from a 2025 will get the Drive Mode Selector as a standard feature they previously had to option into, plus the new Polar White color choice.
The LT is the right pick for daily Tulsa commuters who want a well-equipped compact SUV without the higher trim premium. The RS suits buyers who want a sportier appearance and wireless charging without stepping into a truck or larger SUV. The ACTIV is purpose-built for anyone splitting time between city driving and outdoor trips, with its all-terrain tires, tuned suspension, and available roof rails ready for gear.
AWD is worth considering in Oklahoma given variable weather conditions, and the torque gain from 184 lb-ft to 203 lb-ft on AWD models adds meaningful low-rpm pull for highway on-ramps and loaded driving.
See the 2026 Equinox at Jim Norton T-Town Chevrolet in Tulsa
Jim Norton T-Town Chevrolet carries the 2026 Equinox across LT, RS, and ACTIV trims in Tulsa. If you want to sit in the ACTIV's microfiber seating, see the Polar White Tricoat color in person, or compare the RS flat-bottom steering wheel side by side with the LT, the inventory is on the lot now. Check current stock, value your trade, or get behind the wheel with a test drive appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Drive Mode Selector is now standard on every trim, and a new Polar White Tricoat exterior color has been added to the palette for 2026.
Yes. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are standard on every 2026 Equinox trim, including the base LT.
The 2026 Equinox offers 29.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and expands to 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.
The 2026 Equinox uses a 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 ECOTEC engine producing 175 hp. FWD models produce 184 lb-ft of torque; AWD models produce 203 lb-ft.
Yes. AWD is available on all three trim families: LT, RS, and ACTIV.
The 2026 Equinox is EPA-rated at 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.
The 2026 Equinox tows up to 1,500 lbs when properly equipped with AWD. FWD models are rated at 800 lbs.
The 2026 Equinox has an 11.3-inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen standard on every trim, paired with an 11-inch Digital Driver Information Center.
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