2027 Chevrolet Equinox RS: Kirkland Buyers Guide

Where the RS spends its money

An RS isn't a different machine; it's a different suit. Chevrolet blacks out the mirrors, moldings, emblems, and badging, and the grille gets its own dark treatment with a small red RS badge. Standard wheels grow to 19 inches, and the steering wheel loses its bottom curve for a flat-bottom shape that looks sportier. For 2027 the interior stitching moves to black with red accents. You can also choose an available two-tone black roof, which helps a bright color like red look more deliberate. Everything mechanical stays as on the LT, so you're paying for design and equipment, not for extra speed.

The inside matters too

The flat-bottom wheel carries the RS emblem at its base, and the red stitching shows up on the wheel and across the dash. Behind it sit the same 11-inch driver display and 11.3-inch touchscreen found on every Equinox. The RS also qualifies for the Convenience Package III, a bundle that adds ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, an eight-way power passenger seat, and driver memory settings, which the LT can't get. It's a useful package for a household where two people share the vehicle and want the seat and mirrors to return to their settings, and a good fit for the rear-seat passengers who ride along during long weekend drives to Leavenworth or the coast.

RS or ACTIV

These two share a starting price, so cost won't settle it. RS gets 19-inch wheels and a street-focused look, while ACTIV rides on 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, a tuned suspension, and 8.20 inches of minimum ground clearance. Ask what the vehicle sees most often. If it's I-405 traffic, parking structures in downtown Bellevue, and the tight lots around Kirkland's waterfront on a summer weekend, RS fits that world. If dirt roads and trailhead gravel appear regularly on your calendar, take an ACTIV for a drive and compare how each rides.

What buyers say

Lee Johnson's Google reviews speak to the buying experience more than to any single trim, and the experience of comparing two models back to back comes through clearly. Windy and Skip M. did just that while visiting for a softball tournament: "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." Another buyer, M B., praised the sales team's transparency from the first inquiry through negotiation. That review credits Brady Harjehausen and Andrew Wight and covers a Chevrolet purchase more generally, not an RS.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the 2027 Chevy Equinox RS?

The RS starts at $34,200 MSRP with front-wheel drive, the same starting point as the ACTIV. Destination, taxes, title, registration, and options are added separately, and all-wheel drive is available at an added cost.

What is the difference between the Equinox RS and ACTIV?

The RS is about style: black exterior trim, 19-inch wheels, and a flat-bottom steering wheel. The ACTIV is about capability: all-terrain tires, a tuned suspension, and the most ground clearance in the lineup. Both use the same engine and transmission.

Does the Equinox RS have all-wheel drive?

All-wheel drive is available on the RS, and front-wheel drive is the starting configuration. EPA combined ratings are 27 mpg for front-wheel drive and 26 mpg for all-wheel drive.

Is the RS worth the extra money over the LT?

If you want the black styling, larger wheels, and the Convenience Package III option, yes. If you care mostly about the engine, touchscreen, and safety equipment, the LT has all of that for about $4,900 less at starting MSRP.

What wheels does the Equinox RS have?

The RS comes with 19-inch wheels as standard, and 20-inch machined wheels are available. Those wheels are a main reason the RS looks different from the LT at a glance.

The bottom line on the RS

The RS is the Equinox for drivers who care how the vehicle looks in the driveway and want a cabin that matches. Park one next to an ACTIV and a LT at Lee Johnson Chevrolet, and you'll know within a minute which one fits you.

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