New & Used 2026 Chevrolet Equinox for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox cost?

Prices have softened 7.70% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,277 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox a good car?

Yes — the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

It’s a compact crossover that focuses on broad everyday appeal, with a stylish design, a well-executed interior, and easy-to-use technology. It also competes in the heart of the market, where you want a balanced package rather than a single standout gimmick.

The trade-offs are that it has less cargo space than rivals and fairly pedestrian performance, and the transmission can be irritating. Even so, it fits well if you want a practical, mainstream SUV that does the basics well.

35.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there’s meaningful market choice if you shop carefully.

Is the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Equinox is presented as a balanced compact crossover with a well-executed interior and straightforward everyday usability. Its standard equipment and broad-market positioning suggest it’s built to serve as a dependable daily driver rather than a niche vehicle.

The powertrain is simple, with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine and either a CVT or an eight-speed automatic depending on drivetrain, which keeps the mechanical formula relatively uncomplicated. The cost-effectiveness notes also point to a reasonable ownership proposition for the class.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that its modest performance and transmission behavior may be more noticeable as mileage adds up.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Chevrolet Equinox?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing multiple trims or drivetrain setups. Focus on overall condition, because the model’s appeal comes from its everyday usability and tech rather than from a single standout mechanical advantage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LT, Active, and RS each bring distinct styling and equipment, with the LT starting simpler and the RS adding more black trim, a wider grille, and larger standard wheels. The Activ leans into a more rugged look with all-terrain tires and unique seat materials, but it doesn’t add meaningful off-road hardware beyond that.
• Powertrain: You get a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four with 175 horsepower. Front-wheel-drive models use a CVT, while all-wheel-drive models use an eight-speed automatic and 203 lb-ft of torque.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, and rear park-assist. The Safety and Technology Package adds a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, rear pedestrian alert, and traffic-sign recognition.
• Infotainment: Standard tech includes an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen. You also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google built-in apps, and an Android-based infotainment system.
• Fuel efficiency: The Equinox is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined (26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway). AWD models are rated 1 mpg lower in the combined and city categories.

Which 2026 Chevrolet Equinox trim should I buy?

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is offered in 3 trim levels: LT, Activ, RS.

Here's the short version:

• LT: This is the value play if you want the Equinox’s core strengths without paying for appearance extras. You still get the standard tech and safety foundation, and it’s the trim to start with if you care most about price and everyday usability.
• Activ: This is the best fit if you want the most rugged-looking version, with all-terrain tires, unique exterior treatment, and unique seat materials. It’s the trim to choose if style matters more than maximum value, but the content suggests its off-road advantage is limited.
• RS: This is the right pick if you want the sportiest appearance, with more black trim, a wider grille, larger wheels, and a flat-bottom steering wheel. It suits you best if you want the most aggressive look in the lineup.

The Safety and Technology Package adds a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, rear pedestrian alert, and traffic-sign recognition.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Chevrolet Equinox?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop but still want to move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 35.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,277 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.70% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 93.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $28,959, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox's resale value?

The current average of $28,959 sits slightly below last year's $31,375.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may temper near-term resale upside if you plan to sell soon. If you buy at the right price now, you may have less depreciation pressure than someone who paid closer to last year’s average.

The Equinox’s broad-market appeal, stylish design, and strong user satisfaction should help support demand over time. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox safe?

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox received mixed safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with Good ratings in the updated moderate overlap front and side-impact tests and Acceptable ratings in the whiplash and small overlap front tests.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard driver-assistance features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, and rear park-assist. GM also includes a vibrating driver’s seat for alerts and the Teen Driver system.

If you want more hardware, the Safety and Technology Package adds a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, rear pedestrian alert, and traffic-sign recognition. The mixed IIHS results mean you should pay close attention to crash-test performance if safety is a top priority.

Should I buy a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 35.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.70% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the redesigned Equinox’s stylish design, well-executed interior, and easy-to-use technology.

Consider the 2025 if:

• At $26,578, the 2025 costs less than the current year's $28,959 average.
• It brings a fresh redesign with new standard tech and safety features.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model year with strong inventory, a softer price trend, and broad appeal, the 2026 is the better default choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2025 is the smarter value play.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.