As you read this, the first units of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox are being delivered to customers. The fourth generation of Chevrolet’s top-selling SUV showcases a significant design upgrade, but its powertrain options are somewhat less exciting. In its inaugural model year, the entirely new Equinox is equipped with a single engine: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 175 horsepower and generates up to 203 lb-ft of torque. Nonetheless, General Motors (GM) reports that a plug-in hybrid variant is expected in the future, although it may take some time to materialize.
At a recent launch event for the new SUV, The Drive inquired with Chevrolet Global Vice President Scott Bell about the potential for a hybrid option within the Equinox lineup, especially given Chevy’s range of ICE and EV models. Bell’s reply was notably positive.
“We believe that plug-in hybrids will play a role in the future of our lineup,” Bell stated. “While there’s nothing to announce today, I think Mary [Barra, GM CEO] has indicated that 2027 is the target for introducing such models, and we see plenty of potential for plug-ins. We will certainly listen to consumer demand, and yes, we can see a place for them in our portfolio.”
Notably, GM has already launched a PHEV version of the new Equinox, named the Equinox Plus, though currently, it is intended exclusively for the Chinese market and will be produced through GM’s partnership with SAIC. This model enhances the performance of the standard turbo-four engine by adding a 188-horsepower electric motor, boosting the combined power output to 365 horsepower and an impressive 416 lb-ft—an incredible update for the Equinox.
However, it seems less likely that GM will bring the Equinox Plus to North America as we know it today, possibly due to differing market needs, as well as a range of logistical and regulatory challenges. Bell recently characterized the Plus as “a vehicle with a different purpose” compared to the ICE Equinox and noted its manufacturing in China. Still, Barra has confirmed that GM has “a solid plan” to launch PHEVs within the next three years in response to customer interest and stricter EPA emission regulations.
Several major competitors of the Equinox, such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson, already include some form of electrification, whether through traditional hybrids or PHEV options. The 2025 Equinox is set to have a starting price of $31,080, remaining under $40K even for its top-tier AWD Activ version. However, the demand for hybrids suggests that consumers are willing to invest more for the added performance and efficiency a hybrid system provides. GM’s recent emphasis on EVs seems to have overshadowed their hybrid offerings, but indications suggest that the Equinox will be one of their forthcoming hybrids when they do arrive.
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