2027 Chevrolet Equinox RS: Waukon Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2027 Equinox RS
The RS is the sporty-looking Equinox, starting at $34,200 MSRP with front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is available for $2,000 more. It adds blacked-out exterior trim and badging, 19-inch wheels (20-inch wheels are available), a flat-bottom steering wheel, and, new for 2027, black interior stitching with red accents. Under the hood it matches the LT and ACTIV with a 175-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo and an 8-speed automatic, rated at 27 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. The ACTIV starts at the same $34,200 MSRP, so the choice between them is about taste and terrain more than money.
What the RS changes
Almost everything the RS adds is something you can see. The mirrors, moldings, emblems, and badges go black, and the grille carries a small red RS badge. The wheels grow to 19 inches, with 20-inch wheels available if you want even more. Inside, the steering wheel has a flat bottom, and the stitching is black with red accents, which is new for the 2027 model year and replaces the red-and-blue stitching used earlier. A black roof is available as a two-tone option. Chevrolet leaves the mechanical parts alone, so the 175-horsepower turbo and 8-speed automatic are the same ones the LT uses.
Is the RS worth the extra $4,900 over the LT?
Only you can answer that, but here's a way to think about it. The LT already has the touchscreen, the safety suite, heated seats, remote start, and Adaptive Cruise Control, so the extra money buys appearance and a few options rather than capability. The RS also qualifies for the optional Convenience Package III at $1,095, which adds ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a power passenger seat, and driver memory for the seat and mirrors. That package is not offered on the LT. If you keep a vehicle for a decade and want to still like looking at it in year nine, the RS is a reasonable place to spend. If you mostly want the Equinox for hauling groceries and kids, the LT might make more sense.
Winter, gravel, and a black paint job
Dark exterior trim looks sharp until the first week of salt and gravel dust, and anyone who lives near Waukon knows how quickly a clean vehicle disappears. That's not a reason to skip the RS, only a reason to plan on regular washing from December through March, including the undercarriage. The RS uses street tires on bigger wheels, so if your winter routes include unplowed gravel, think about a dedicated winter tire set or, if the roads are rough, the ACTIV's all-terrain setup. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is a $2,000 option, and the EPA combined rating drops from 27 to 26 mpg when you add it.
What buyers say
Pladsen's reviews tend to praise a visit without any drama in it. Nick F. described David this way: "David Mark took care of me. Old school guy. No frills or games. We were in and out in about 20mins." The review is about a truck purchase rather than an Equinox, but it speaks to the way the sales floor runs, which is simple, quick, and without a lot of production. Shoppers who already know they want a particular trim can expect that kind of straight line.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the 2027 Chevy Equinox RS?
The RS 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's different about the Equinox RS?
The RS has blacked-out exterior trim and badging, standard 19-inch wheels, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and new black-and-red interior stitching, with the powertrain unchanged from the other trims.
Is the Equinox RS the same price as the ACTIV?
Yes, both start at $34,200 MSRP. The RS leans toward styling and the ACTIV toward off-pavement ability, so neither is an upgrade over the other.
Does the RS 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.
What wheels does the Equinox RS have?
The RS comes with 19-inch wheels, and 20-inch wheels are available.
Take a look at the RS
Pictures flatter dark trim, and real light is more honest. Visit R. W. Pladsen, Inc. to see what's on the lot, then compare it with the ACTIV and the LT. The pricing guide shows how the numbers work out.
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.