2026 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD Interior ReviewEric Tingwall - MotorTrendFor six decades, Chevy has used the RS badge as a sort of pro sports jersey for cars. The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD might look sportier than your average family crossover, but the same way a LeBron jersey won't help your hoops game at the local Y, red stitching and 19-inch wheels can't magically transform this small family utility vehicle into an athlete. In fact, the Equinox's sluggish 175-hp four-cylinder engine and indifferent handling dynamics are about as far as you can get from driving fun. (You can read our full review of the mechanically identical 2025 model here).Where the Equinox RS Has GameWhat the Equinox RS does have, though, is a strong inside game. The RS trim splashes the Equinox's cabin with color and style in a segment where the interiors are almost universally devoid of character. Just open the door and glance at the dash for proof that Chevy designers are having more fun than anyone toiling away on a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. The circular climate vents, ringed with black-to-red ombré fade, remind us of the taillights of the rocket age, when the domestic auto industry was on top of the world.Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendA few chrome accents add brightness to the cabin, as does the optional $1,495 dual-pane sunroof, which stretches over the rear seats. (Honda and Toyota still punch postage-stamp-sized holes in the roofs of their small SUVs.) Patterned seat inserts and red stitching (plus a stray thread of blue across the seats) dress up the acres of black. The dash, door panels, and center armrest are trimmed in a soft, vinyl-like material that would look like it came from a soft-sided lunch box if it didn't have the Equinox's textured diamond pattern. While it doesn't appear particularly expensive, it's a nice break from the typical grained urethane. We also like what we don't see in the Equinox RS' cabin. There's almost no piano-black plastic, which is impossible to keep clean and free of scratches.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs in all mainstream small SUVs, there's a small ocean patch's worth of plastic in the Equinox, and some of it looks cheaper than Honda's and Toyota's worst materials. At least the most egregious stuff is installed below your hips where it's less likely to be seen or felt. Overall, the color and texture elevate the Equinox RS, similar to how Ford gave its small Maverick pickup a cheerful—rather than cheap—vibe simply by breaking from the gray-and-black mold. Chevy's execution doesn't feel quite as inventive or original, but it's enough to make the Equinox RS feel unique among its peers. The overall quality is about on par with the all-wheel-drive version's $37,595 starting price.Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendThe Equinox's cabin is practical, too. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel's beefy rim fills your palm. An electronic column-mounted shifter opens room for a handy catch-all tray ahead of the wireless phone charger. A second cubby underneath that is difficult to access while driving but makes for a nice out-of-the-way storage space for a purse or pair of gloves. The center console bin under the armrest goes deep, and there's a sunglasses holder just behind the digital rearview mirror. There's so much small-item storage space that we're not even mad that Chevy sacrificed so much real estate to the bizarrely large drive mode knob that most people will never use. (The drive modes are Normal, Off-Road, and Ice.)Technology That's Ahead of the CurveIn recent years, Chevy has carved out a niche as a tech leader, at least among mainstream legacy automakers. While its trucks and SUVs aren't as advanced and digital-forward as a Tesla or a Rivian, GM has developed infotainment and driver assistance systems that are user friendly and highly capable. That said, the gas-powered Equinox is equipped with GM's lower-tier tech. The electric version of the Equinox comes with a standard 17.7-inch infotainment screen, and GM's excellent Super Cruise hands-free system is optional. In the gas Equinox RS, the center touchscreen measures 11.3 inches, and the driver-assistance tech tops out with hands-on lane centering.Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendBut as long as Chevy's not competing with itself, the Equinox compares well against its peers. The software is intuitive and quick to respond, and it delivers all the features car buyers want without forcing them to learn a strange, new interface. GM's infotainment system runs on the Android Automotive OS operating system, works like pretty much any other touchscreen device, and uses Google Maps as the default navigation, which is every bit as familiar and easy to use in the Equinox as it is on your phone or computer. You can also download apps like Spotify or Waze directly to the vehicle or, because GM's moratorium on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto only applies to its electric vehicles, mirror your phone on the infotainment screen.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Chevy team did make a few questionable decisions. The headlight controls and the trip meter live in the center screen, and there's a learning curve to remembering where certain secondary functions are hidden. At the same time, Chevy hasn't turned its back on physical controls. The climate system is controlled by two knobs and 16 (!) real, push-them-and-they-move buttons, making it easy to fine-tune the cabin temperature with only a momentary glance away from the road. We wish more automakers would do the same.Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendTrading SpacesThe Equinox's rear seat is among the most spacious in the compact crossover segment. In fact, it offers more legroom than the second rows of several larger SUVs. At 6-foot-3, I have tons of space for my gangly legs and size 11 shoes behind and under the driver's seat when it's set in my preferred position. Even the center seat is relatively accommodating thanks to a perfectly flat floor across the back. Unless your kid is Cameron Boozer, they'll be just fine back there.Aside from red accents splashed on the seats, the rear cabin is austere compared to the front. A few luxuries help upgrade the experience, though. The RS comes with heated outboard seats, two USB-C ports, and a center armrest with two cupholders. Climate vents in the center console keep rear passengers comfortable, and easy-to-access anchors make installing a child seat a breeze.Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendThe Equinox's rear seats don't slide fore and aft, and the cargo space is relatively small for the segment. Its 29.9 cubic feet of storage will likely be more than enough for daily use, even when that includes hauling a stroller or luggage for four people headed to the airport. It's on road trips where you might wish for more, such as the Honda CR-V's 39.3 cubic feet. At a minimum, we wish that Chevy would include a cargo cover as standard equipment. In lieu of that, the underfloor storage space is large enough to stash a backpack out of sight from prying eyes and still swallow rarely used items, such as an umbrella or first-aid kit.Is One Bright Spot Enough to Make the Equinox Shine?The Chevy Equinox RS AWD's interior is figuratively and literally the bright spot of this compact crossover. The creative use of color and materials helps lift the Equinox out of basic appliance territory on style alone, but it's not enough to distract from this SUV's shortcomings. The Equinox RS' pricing, driving experience, and smaller cargo hold can't measure up to the competition, and the segment is brimming with more well-rounded choices. If you want a compact SUV with some flash, Chevy might have exactly what you want in the Equinox RS, but there are many alternative choices for anyone seeking more substance.Photo credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Eric Tingwall - MotorTrend
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