2027 Chevrolet Equinox ACTIV: Waukon Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2027 Equinox ACTIV
The ACTIV is the Equinox built for rougher roads, starting at $34,200 MSRP with front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is available for $2,000 more. It rides on 17-inch machined-face aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires, uses a uniquely tuned suspension, and has 8.20 inches of minimum ground clearance, the most of any Equinox. Inside you'll find Evotex and sueded microfiber seating with ACTIV lettering on the headrests. The engine and 8-speed automatic are the same as the LT's and RS's, and towing is still rated at 1,500 pounds. It shares its $34,200 starting MSRP with the RS.
The parts that make it an ACTIV
Most of what separates this trim sits close to the pavement. The tires are the obvious clue, with a knobbier all-terrain tread on dark 17-inch wheels, and the suspension has its own tuning to go with them. Ground clearance of 8.20 inches is the highest in the Equinox lineup. Chevrolet adds ACTIV-specific exterior trim and badging, and a two-tone white roof is available. Inside, the seats combine Evotex with sueded microfiber, and the headrests are stitched with the ACTIV name. Everything under the skin matches the other trims, so you're choosing hardware for the road and not more power.
Where the extra clearance helps
An Equinox is still a crossover, not a truck, so be realistic about what the ACTIV does. It isn't built for rock crawling. What it does well is the kind of driving that happens all over northeast Iowa: a washboard gravel road in August, a field entrance that turns to mud in spring, a snowy lane that hasn't seen a plow yet. The all-terrain tires bite better on loose surfaces, and the added height clears ruts and snow ridges that could scrape a lower vehicle. If you also want the grip of all-wheel drive, it's a $2,000 option, and the EPA combined number goes from 27 to 26 mpg. For a household that drives gravel every day, that is a fair trade.
A note on tires and winter
All-terrain tires aren't the same as winter tires, and anyone who tells you otherwise has probably never hit black ice. They're better than most standard tires on loose gravel and in light snow, and they generate a little more road noise on dry pavement. If your winters involve long stretches of packed snow and cold, ask the service team about a dedicated winter tire for the ACTIV's wheel size before the first freeze. Tire wear also differs from the street tires on the LT and RS, so mention the trim whenever you book a rotation.
What buyers say
Pladsen's reviews often come from people who've been shopping there for years. J. L. K. wrote, "My family has been purchasing vehicles from Pladsens for over 25+ years. The sales team is knowledgeable and respectful." Another longtime customer put it in fewer words: "Great little Chevy dealer. Have bought over 30 vehicles here. That says something about a dealer." Both reviews are about earlier purchases, not an ACTIV, and they reflect the multi-generational loyalty you hear about at a small-town store.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the 2027 Chevy Equinox ACTIV?
The ACTIV starts at $34,200 MSRP with front-wheel drive. Destination, registration, title, and options are separate, and all-wheel drive is available for $2,000 more.
What makes the Equinox ACTIV different?
It has all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels, a uniquely tuned suspension, the highest minimum ground clearance in the lineup at 8.20 inches, ACTIV exterior trim and badging, and Evotex and sueded microfiber seating.
Is the ACTIV the same price as the RS?
Yes. The ACTIV and RS both start at $34,200 MSRP, so the choice is between rugged and sporty rather than between less and more.
Can the Equinox ACTIV tow more than other trims?
No. Every Equinox, ACTIV included, is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds.
Does the ACTIV come with all-wheel drive?
Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is a $2,000 option. EPA estimates are 27 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 26 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.
See one in person
Ride height and tire tread are easy to judge when you're standing next to them. Check new Equinox inventory at R. W. Pladsen, Inc., compare it with the RS and the LT, and read the service guide if you want to know how an ACTIV ages on gravel.
MSRP figures exclude the destination charge, registration, title, and dealer-installed accessories; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates for comparison, and your mileage will vary with conditions and driving style. Equipment, colors, and availability can change with production timing, so confirm current specifications with R. W. Pladsen, Inc. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of the dealership in Waukon, Iowa, and describe earlier purchases.