2026 Chevrolet Equinox · Trims

2026 Chevrolet Equinox Trim Levels NWA AR

Three trims, one job: help you stop guessing. This guide breaks down the LT, RS, and ACTIV side by side, what each adds, what each costs, and which one is the right buy for how you actually drive in Northwest Arkansas.

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The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox keeps its lineup short and clear: three trims, the LT, the RS, and the ACTIV, that split by personality rather than by power. Every one runs the same 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 175 hp, so the choice is not about how fast it goes. It is about look, feature content, and a starting-price spread that runs from $28,800 for the LT to $33,600 for the RS and ACTIV (excluding destination). Front-wheel drive is standard on all three, and all-wheel drive is a $2,000 option on any of them.

George Nunnally Chevrolet in Bentonville stocks the full lineup, and this page covers each trim in depth, a side-by-side matrix, the natural head-to-head comparisons, and a value verdict that names the sweet spot and the trim most shoppers in Northwest Arkansas overpay for. For numbers like cargo volume and exact dimensions, see the Equinox specs guide; for the cabin, the cargo and interior guide. Start anytime from the Equinox Research Hub.

3 trims: LT, RS, ACTIV 175 hp on every trim From $28,800 AWD +$2,000 any trim

The Lineup

2026 Equinox Trim Lineup at a Glance

Here is the whole lineup in one view. Prices are front-wheel-drive starting MSRP and exclude destination; add $2,000 for all-wheel drive on any trim.

Trim	Starting MSRP (FWD)	In one line
LT	$28,800	The value pick. The tech and comfort most buyers want, at the lowest price.
RS	$33,600	The sport look. Blacked-out styling and larger wheels for pavement-first drivers.
ACTIV	$33,600	The rugged look. All-terrain tires and a tuned suspension for gravel and light trails.

MSRP excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price. With the $1,995 destination charge, the LT starts at $30,795.

Trim by Trim

Trim-by-Trim Breakdown

2026 Equinox LT

Starting MSRP: $28,800 FWD, or $30,800 with all-wheel drive (excludes destination). Powertrain: the 1.5-liter turbo, 175 hp, with a CVT on FWD and an eight-speed automatic on AWD. Drivetrain: front-wheel drive standard, AWD available for $2,000. The LT is where the value lives. It comes standard with the 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, keyless entry, LED lighting, cloth seating, and 17-inch machined-aluminum wheels. Chevy Safety Assist is standard, and so is the rest of the active-safety suite: like every Equinox, the LT comes with blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic braking, reverse automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control. That suite is the same across the lineup. The optional Safety and Technology Package ($945) adds different items: fog lamps, HD Surround Vision, rear pedestrian alert, traffic sign recognition, and a rear camera mirror. Other available upgrades include a panoramic sunroof and a Convenience package with a power driver seat, dual-zone climate, and wireless charging. Who it is for: the commuter or family buyer who wants the core tech and comfort without paying for appearance.

2026 Equinox RS

Starting MSRP: $33,600 FWD, or $35,600 with all-wheel drive (excludes destination). Powertrain: the same 1.5-liter turbo, 175 hp, CVT on FWD and eight-speed on AWD. Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD available for $2,000. The RS is the appearance trim. It adds blacked-out exterior styling, a gloss-black grille and badging, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and 19-inch wheels (20-inch available). Compared with the LT, the RS adds a power driver seat, roof rails, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic wipers, and a standard hands-free power liftgate, so part of the step up is equipment, not just looks. The active-safety suite is the same as the LT. Available extras include the panoramic sunroof and a Convenience package that adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a power front passenger seat. Who it is for: the buyer who spends nearly all their miles on pavement and wants the Equinox to look sharper doing it.

2026 Equinox ACTIV

Starting MSRP: $33,600 FWD, or $35,600 with all-wheel drive (excludes destination), the same price as the RS. Powertrain: the 1.5-liter turbo, 175 hp, CVT on FWD and eight-speed on AWD. Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD available for $2,000, and AWD is the configuration that matches this trim's intent. The ACTIV is the rugged-look trim: 17-inch all-terrain tires, a tuned suspension, a more aggressive fascia, and Evotex with sueded-microfiber seating. Like the RS, it adds a power driver seat, roof rails, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a standard hands-free liftgate over the LT, while carrying the same standard active-safety suite. The same Convenience package (ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, power passenger seat) and panoramic sunroof are available. The ACTIV is not a true off-roader, ground clearance and the engine are shared with the rest of the line, but the tires and suspension tune make gravel roads and snow easier to live with. Who it is for: the outdoorsy buyer who wants the look and the all-terrain footing for gravel lake roads and winter mornings.

Side by Side

Side-by-Side Comparison Matrix

Feature	LT	RS	ACTIV
Starting MSRP (FWD)	$28,800	$33,600	$33,600
Engine	1.5L turbo, 175 hp (184 lb-ft FWD / 203 lb-ft AWD), on all trims
Drivetrain	FWD standard; AWD available (+$2,000) on every trim
Wheels	17-inch aluminum	19-inch (20-inch available)	17-inch all-terrain
Blind-spot, rear cross-traffic, reverse auto brake, adaptive cruise	Standard on every trim
Safety & Technology Package ($945)	Optional on any trim: fog lamps, HD Surround Vision, rear pedestrian alert, traffic sign recognition, rear camera mirror
Hands-free power liftgate	Available	Standard	Standard
Signature character	Value, comfort	Blacked-out sport look	All-terrain rugged look
Towing (properly equipped)	800 lbs, up to 1,500 lbs with AWD and trailering equipment
Seating / headline tech	5 passengers; 11.3-inch screen with Google Built-In, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto

Head to Head

Common 2026 Equinox Trim Comparisons

LT vs RS

This is the most common cross-shop, and it is a $4,800 question. The RS gives you blacked-out styling, 19-inch wheels, a flat-bottom steering wheel, a power driver seat, roof rails, dual-zone climate, and a standard hands-free liftgate. The active-safety suite is identical, since blind-spot, rear cross-traffic, and reverse automatic braking are standard on both. So the $4,800 buys appearance, the larger wheels, and a handful of comfort features. If the look matters to you, the RS is fairly priced. If it does not, the LT keeps the same safety and core tech for less.

RS vs ACTIV

These two cost exactly the same, $33,600 to start, so price cannot decide it. The split is purely intent. The RS is the pavement trim: lower-profile 19-inch tires, sport styling, a sharper street look. The ACTIV is the gravel-and-snow trim: 17-inch all-terrain tires and a suspension tune that takes the edge off rough surfaces. They carry the same standard safety and convenience content. Pick the RS if your miles are almost all paved; pick the ACTIV if you regularly hit gravel, light trails, or winter roads.

LT vs ACTIV

Same $4,800 gap as LT versus RS, aimed differently. The ACTIV adds the all-terrain tires, the tuned suspension, the rugged fascia, the upgraded Evotex and sueded seating, and the same standard safety and liftgate upgrades. If you want the LT's value but also want all-terrain footing and a more capable-looking SUV, the ACTIV is the natural step. If you stay on pavement, that money is better kept or spent on AWD across either trim.

The Verdict

The 2026 Equinox Value Verdict and Step-Up Guide

Sweet spot, for most buyers: the LT. It carries the screen, the Google Built-In, heated seats and wheel, remote start, and full Chevy Safety Assist at the lowest entry price. Its active-safety suite (blind-spot, rear cross-traffic, reverse automatic braking, adaptive cruise) is standard and identical to the RS and ACTIV, so the $4,800 step up to those trims buys appearance and a few comfort features, not safety. This is our recommendation, not a spec claim.

Easiest place to overpay: the RS, bought for the look alone. It is a fair deal if you want the blacked-out styling and use the added equipment. If you are choosing it mainly because it is not the base trim, a well-optioned LT gets you there for less. The ACTIV at the same price is the better $33,600 spend only if you actually want the all-terrain character.

What each step up the ladder buys:

Step	Price delta (FWD)	What you gain
LT ? RS	+$4,800	Blacked-out styling, 19-inch wheels, flat-bottom wheel, power driver seat, roof rails, dual-zone climate, standard hands-free liftgate (active-safety suite unchanged)
LT ? ACTIV	+$4,800	All-terrain tires, tuned suspension, rugged fascia, suede-microfiber seating, power driver seat, roof rails, standard hands-free liftgate (active-safety suite unchanged)
RS ? ACTIV (lateral)	No change	No more capability, just a different aim: sport-street (RS) versus all-terrain (ACTIV). Choose by intent, not price.
Add AWD (any trim)	+$2,000	All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in place of the CVT; the traction worth having for winter and gravel

Match Yourself

Which 2026 Equinox Trim Is Right for You?

If value is the priority: the LT. You get the core experience and the same standard active-safety suite as the rest of the line for the least money.

If you want it to look sharp on the street: the RS. Almost all of its case is the blacked-out styling and larger wheels, which is fine when that is what you want.

If you head off pavement or face real winters: the ACTIV with AWD. The all-terrain tires and suspension tune do the most on gravel lake roads and icy mornings. Most of those miles in Northwest Arkansas are still pavement, so be honest about how often you leave it.

If cabin comfort matters most: an RS or ACTIV with the Convenience package adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a power passenger seat.

If snow traction is the deciding factor: add AWD to whichever trim you like; the $2,000 option is the single most useful box for slick conditions, and the ACTIV pairs it with all-terrain rubber.

Shop Local

Shop 2026 Equinox Trims at George Nunnally Chevrolet

George Nunnally Chevrolet, 2700 SE Moberly Ln in Bentonville, stocks the LT, RS, and ACTIV and can have any of them ready for a test drive. Drivers from Centerton, Lowell, and Siloam Springs are a short hop away, and ordering is straightforward if the exact color and package mix you want is not on the lot. Call (479) 319-2494 or browse the current Equinox inventory to see what is in stock, then get pre-approved when you are ready.

Questions

2026 Equinox Trim FAQs

How many trims does the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox come in?

Three: the LT, the RS, and the ACTIV. The LT is the value trim, the RS is the sport-look trim, and the ACTIV is the rugged, all-terrain-look trim. All three share the same engine.

What is the price difference between Equinox trims?

The LT starts at $28,800, and the RS and ACTIV both start at $33,600, a $4,800 step up (front-wheel drive, excluding destination). The RS and ACTIV cost the same as each other. All-wheel drive adds $2,000 to any trim.

Do all 2026 Equinox trims have the same engine?

Yes. Every trim uses the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 175 hp. Front-wheel-drive models use a CVT; all-wheel-drive models use an eight-speed automatic and make 203 lb-ft of torque. There is no V6 or hybrid option in the gas Equinox.

What is the difference between the RS and the ACTIV?

Price is identical, so it comes down to character. The RS is the pavement-focused sport trim with blacked-out styling and 19-inch wheels. The ACTIV is the rugged trim with 17-inch all-terrain tires and a tuned suspension for gravel and snow. Buyers in Pea Ridge or Tontitown who see gravel roads often tend to prefer the ACTIV.

Is blind-spot monitoring standard on the Equinox LT?

Yes. Blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic braking, and reverse automatic braking are standard on every 2026 Equinox, including the LT, along with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist. The optional Safety and Technology Package ($945) adds different items: fog lamps, HD Surround Vision, rear pedestrian alert, traffic sign recognition, and a rear camera mirror.

Can I get all-wheel drive on every Equinox trim?

Yes. All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option on the LT, RS, and ACTIV. Choosing it also swaps the CVT for an eight-speed automatic. It is the most useful single option for winter traction across Northwest Arkansas.

Which Equinox trim is the best value?

For most buyers, the LT, especially with the Safety and Technology Package added. It includes the same screen, Google Built-In, heated front seats and steering wheel, and core safety as the rest of the line, and the package closes most of the active-safety gap for far less than the $4,800 jump to RS or ACTIV. This is a recommendation, not a fixed rule.

Should I order an Equinox or buy from stock?

If a trim and color combination you want is on the lot, buying from stock is fastest. If you want a specific package mix, such as an LT with the Safety and Technology Package and AWD, ordering through George Nunnally Chevrolet lets you spec it exactly without paying for extras you do not need.

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