2027 Chevrolet Equinox: Waukon Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox in Waukon, Iowa
Chevrolet sells the 2027 Equinox in three trims. The LT starts at $29,300 MSRP, and the RS and ACTIV each start at $34,200 MSRP. Every one of them carries the same 175-horsepower, 1.5-liter turbo and an 8-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive is a $2,000 option on any trim. Standard equipment includes an 11.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, Adaptive Cruise Control, and the Chevy Safety Assist suite. EPA estimates are 27 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 26 with all-wheel drive. R. W. Pladsen, Inc. is at 11 8th Ave SW in Waukon, and the phone number is (563) 794-4634.
What is actually new for 2027
The Equinox was redesigned for the 2025 model year, so 2027 is a tune-up year more than a reinvention. The change you'll feel most is under the floor: front-wheel-drive models now use an 8-speed automatic where they used a CVT before, and EPA's records list that same 8-speed for all-wheel drive too. Adaptive Cruise Control is now standard on every trim, 5G connectivity has been added, and there's a new color called Autumn Harvest Metallic that Chevrolet offers on the LT and ACTIV. An available interior camera can record cabin glances and security clips. Prices moved up $300 on each trim this fall, so any figure you jotted down last summer is a little low.
Three trims, one drivetrain
There is no engine decision to agonize over. All three trims get the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, rated at 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, and the only drivetrain choice is front-wheel or all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive adds $2,000 on every trim and costs one mile per gallon on the combined EPA number (25 city, 29 highway, 27 combined for front-wheel drive; 25, 29, and 26 with all-wheel drive). Towing is rated at 1,500 pounds across the board, enough for a small utility trailer or a pair of bikes and not enough for a stock trailer or a fishing boat, so choose the trim by how you want it to look and ride.
Pick your trim
Equinox LT
from $29,300 MSRP
The starting point, with the big screen, heated seats, and the full safety suite already included.
Equinox RS
from $34,200 MSRP
Blacked-out styling, 19-inch wheels, and a flat-bottom steering wheel.
Equinox ACTIV
from $34,200 MSRP
All-terrain tires, a tuned suspension, and the most ground clearance of any Equinox.
What comes on every one
Chevrolet didn't save the useful gear for the expensive trim. The 11.3-inch touchscreen, the 11-inch digital driver display, Google built-in (Maps and Assistant included), and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all standard, so a phone can stay in a coat pocket from the driveway to the grocery store lot. Chevy Safety Assist brings automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, a following distance indicator, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, and rear cross traffic braking. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start are on the list too, which counts for something when a January morning in Allamakee County starts below zero.
Two trims at $34,200, and how to tell them apart
Because the RS and the ACTIV start at the same price, neither is the "step up" from the other. They are two different answers to the same question. The RS goes for looks: black mirrors, trim, and badges, 19-inch wheels (20-inch wheels are available), a flat-bottom steering wheel, and new black-and-red stitching inside. The ACTIV goes for ruggedness: all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels, a uniquely tuned suspension, Evotex and sueded microfiber seats, and 8.20 inches of minimum ground clearance, the most of any Equinox. If your daily route includes a rutted farm lane or a gravel county road that gets soft in March, the ACTIV's tires and extra height are doing real work. If the roads are mostly paved, the RS is the one people tend to turn around and look at.
Buying close to home
Waukon sits in far northeast Iowa, near the Minnesota and Wisconsin lines, and plenty of shoppers here also drive over to La Crosse to look around before they decide. People who come to Pladsen's tend to mention the same few things: there's no hurry, nobody gets pushed toward a trim they didn't ask about, and the person who sold the last vehicle is often still around for the next one. Roads matter in this part of the state too. Iowa 9 and Iowa 76 cross in town, the Driftless hills make for long grades and plenty of curves, and winter brings salt, brine, and gravel dust that settle on everything. Heated seats, available all-wheel drive, and the extra clearance on the ACTIV all make sense for that kind of driving, and a good set of winter tires will matter more than any badge.
What Pladsen customers say
R. W. Pladsen, Inc. holds a 4.8-star average across 57 Google reviews, and the written ones read like conversations about a store people trust. Taylor B., who had been looking in the La Crosse area, wrote, "No pressure or 'pushy' sales people here but you get the facts and you get small town feel the moment you walk in." Corrina B., buying her third used vehicle from the dealership, said of Greg, "Greg is a top-notch salesman who listens to what you need, respects your budget, and values your time. At no point did I feel pressured or like I was being a bother." Those two reviews describe used-vehicle purchases rather than a 2027 Equinox, but they show what the visit is usually like.
Where to go from here
If you've settled on a trim, the pricing and leasing guide walks through the numbers, including the way Iowa handles the cost of a new registration. The service and repair guide covers upkeep, Iowa winters, and what to expect from the service department. You can also look at new Equinox inventory, browse the dealer's 2027 Equinox page, or start a trade appraisal with the Value Your Trade tool.
Frequently asked questions
What's new on the 2027 Chevy Equinox?
Front-wheel-drive models now use an 8-speed automatic in place of the CVT, Adaptive Cruise Control and 5G connectivity are standard, Autumn Harvest Metallic paint joins the LT and ACTIV, the RS gets black-and-red interior stitching, and an interior camera is available.
How much does a 2027 Chevy Equinox cost?
The LT starts at $29,300 MSRP, and the RS and ACTIV each start at $34,200 MSRP, with all-wheel drive available for $2,000 more on every trim. Destination, registration, title, and options are separate, and the pricing guide explains how Iowa treats the registration side.
What is the most common problem with a Chevy Equinox?
Most of the complaints you'll read online are about older generations. This design is only a few model years old, so the realistic upkeep list is the usual one of tires, brakes, wipers, and fluids, which the service guide covers in more detail.
Which Chevy Equinox trim should I stay away from?
None of the three is a mistake, because the engine, transmission, screen, and safety equipment are the same on all of them. The easiest way to overspend is to pay for styling or ground clearance you won't use, so pick the trim that matches your driving.
Is the Chevy Equinox a good SUV for Iowa winters?
It can be, especially with all-wheel drive, heated seats, remote start, and a good set of winter tires. The limit worth knowing about is towing, which tops out at 1,500 pounds on every version.
Where can I test drive a 2027 Equinox near Waukon?
R. W. Pladsen, Inc. is at 11 8th Ave SW in Waukon, and you can call (563) 794-4634 to ask about a drive. Sales hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Saturday by appointment, and the directions page has the details.
Come see them side by side
Read the trim guides, then park an RS next to an ACTIV and look at the wheels and the ride height. The difference takes about ten seconds to see and is hard to judge from photos. The staff page shows who you'll be talking to, and the dealer's Chevrolet special offers page lists current programs.
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.