2027 Chevrolet Equinox: Kirkland Buyers Guide

What changed for 2027

This isn't a ground-up redesign. Chevrolet rebuilt the Equinox for 2025, and the 2027 model keeps that shape while sanding down the rough spots. The headline is under the floor: front-wheel-drive models now use an 8-speed automatic, where earlier front-drive Equinoxes paired the same engine with a CVT. EPA's 2027 records list the 8-speed for both drivetrains. On the outside there's a new color, Autumn Harvest Metallic, offered on LT and ACTIV, and inside there's an available interior camera that provides cabin glance views and security recordings. A $300 price adjustment landed this fall, and it's worth knowing about if you've been reading older pricing articles that still quote the summer numbers.

One engine, three personalities

There's no engine decision to agonize over. All three trims share the 1.5-liter turbo, which makes 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, and the choice on the options list is front- or all-wheel drive. Drive-mode selection is standard, towing tops out at 1,500 pounds on every version, and the fuel economy gap between drivetrains is a single mpg on the combined rating: 25 city, 29 highway, 27 combined for front-wheel drive, then 25, 29, and 26 for all-wheel drive. So your real decision is which cabin and which stance you want to live with, and the trim guides below walk through each.

Pick your trim

The tech and safety you get on day one

Chevrolet put the expensive-feeling pieces on every trim. The 11.3-inch touchscreen runs Google built-in, so Maps and Assistant live in the dash, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, which matters when a phone spends most of its day in a pocket on a Kirkland commute. Chevy Safety Assist bundles six features: Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Braking, and IntelliBeam auto high beams. Chevrolet counts more than fifteen standard safety and driver-assistance features in total on the 2027 model. That list becomes real on the stretch of I-405 between Kirkland and Bellevue, where traffic compresses and releases without much warning during the evening rush.

RS or ACTIV: same sticker, different attitude

People new to this lineup assume one of the two upper trims must cost more. They don't, since both start at $34,200 MSRP. RS dresses up: black mirrors, moldings, emblems and badging, standard 19-inch wheels, and a flat-bottom wheel. ACTIV toughens up: all-terrain tires, a suspension tuned for it, Evotex and sueded microfiber seating, and 8.20 inches of minimum ground clearance, the most in the family. For commuting on paved Eastside streets, either works. If your weekends involve forest-service roads off the Cascade foothills or trailhead parking lots that turn to mud by November, ACTIV's tires and ride height earn their keep.

What Kirkland drivers say about this dealership

Lee Johnson Chevrolet has more than 2,200 Google reviews and a 4.6-star average, and the Equinox shows up in them across a long stretch of years. Windy and Skip M. stopped in while in town for a softball tournament, test drove two models, and settled on a gas Equinox: "After test driving both vehicles we decided on a 2022 Chevy Equinox. It had a lot of the features we wanted in a new vehicle so it was a pretty easy decision. The sales team was very welcoming and great to deal with." Alex K. moved from an older Equinox into a new leased one and wrote: "Their sales team helps you find what you want, they don't try just sell or put you in something you don't want." A more recent buyer, M B., drove up from the south Sound and credited sales team members Brady Harjehausen and Andrew Wight: "The level of service I received far exceeded what I experienced at local dealers in my area and it was well worth the trip from the south sound to buy at Lee Johnson." That last review describes a Chevrolet purchase more generally, not an Equinox specifically.

Before and after the purchase

If you already know which trim fits, the pricing and leasing guide covers what Washington adds at the register, including the sales tax rate that applies to vehicles in Kirkland. The service and repair guide covers maintenance, warranty paperwork, and what a wet Pacific Northwest year does to tires, brakes, and wipers. Lee Johnson's Lifetime Warranty on new vehicles and its 3-Day Return or Exchange policy are worth reading before you sign anything.

Frequently asked questions

What's new on the 2027 Chevy Equinox?

The biggest change is the 8-speed automatic that now serves front-wheel-drive models too, replacing the CVT those versions used before. Smaller updates include the Autumn Harvest Metallic color on LT and ACTIV, new black-and-red interior stitching on RS, and an available interior camera.

How much does a 2027 Chevy Equinox cost?

LT starts at $29,300 MSRP, while RS and ACTIV each start at $34,200 MSRP, with all-wheel drive available on every trim. Taxes, title, registration, destination, and options are added separately, and the pricing guide explains how Kirkland's rate works.

What is the most common problem with a Chevy Equinox?

Complaints tend to cluster around older generations. The current design arrived for 2025, so it doesn't have a long ownership record yet, and the practical maintenance list is ordinary: tires, brakes, wipers, and fluids. The service guide covers what to expect.

Which Chevy Equinox trim should I stay away from?

None of them. LT, RS, and ACTIV use the same engine and the same standard safety package. The mistake to avoid is paying for looks or ground clearance you won't use, so match the trim to your driving before you pick.

Is the Chevy Equinox a good car to buy?

For a daily driver that has to handle commuting, errands, and the occasional road trip over the Cascades, it's a sound choice, with a roomy cabin, a big screen, and driver-assistance features on every trim. The limit to know about is towing: the rating is 1,500 pounds on every version.

Where can I test drive a 2027 Equinox near Kirkland?

Lee Johnson Chevrolet is at 11845 NE 85th Street in Kirkland, and the sales team can be reached at 425-296-7553. Hours and directions are on the hours page, and drivers coming from the west side of Lake Washington can ask about the dealership's SR 520 toll bridge reimbursement.

See the three side by side

Skim the trim guides, then stand between an RS and an ACTIV on the lot. The difference in wheels and ride height is obvious in a few seconds and hard to judge from photos. You can meet the people who will help on the dealership's staff page, or check the new Chevrolet specials for current offers.

All 2027 Chevrolet Equinox guides

• 2027 Chevrolet Equinox buyers guide
• 2027 Chevrolet Equinox LT
• 2027 Chevrolet Equinox RS
• 2027 Chevrolet Equinox ACTIV
• Chevrolet Equinox service & repair in Kirkland
• 2027 Chevrolet Equinox pricing & leasing in Kirkland