Chevrolet Will Ditch One Of Its Most Hated Transmissions: Confirmed

Chevrolet will swap the Equinox’s CVT for an eight-speed automatic in the front-wheel-drive model.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox First Drive Review

Photo by: Chevrolet

Anthony Alaniz

By: Anthony Alaniz

Mar 24, at 3:30pm ET

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THE BREAKDOWN:

Chevrolet will replace the Equinox's CVT with an eight-speed automatic for 2027.
Chevy will make a few other tweaks to the crossover, like a new exterior color.
The crossover appears to largely carry over unchanged.

Update 3/27/26: A Chevrolet spokesperson has confirmed with Motor1 that the front-wheel-drive 2027 Equinox trims will have the eight-speed automatic transmission instead of the CVT. The spokesperson said, "This change unifies the Equinox powertrain lineup across all configurations, simplifying our business and reducing complexity in how we build Chevy's best-selling SUV."

It appears that Chevrolet is making a significant change to the Equinox for 2027. The automaker is allegedly swapping the crossover’s continuously variable transmission in front-wheel-drive models for an eight-speed automatic. Hallelujah.

A post on GM Inside News appears to show an assortment of minor changes Chevy will make to the 2027 Equinox. It lists the eight-speed for the FWD variant under "New Features" and the CVT under "Deletions." Motor1 has reached out to Chevrolet to confirm the report.

For 2026, the CVT pairs with the Equinox’s turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It makes 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, and the only way buyers get an automatic transmission today is to upgrade to all-wheel drive, which adds $2,000 to the price tag.

Other 2027 Equinox Changes

2025 Chevrolet Equinox First Drive Review

2025 Chevrolet Equinox

Photo by: Chevrolet

The Equinox largely carries over into the new model year. If the report is true, Chevrolet will make a few other small tweaks to the crossover. There will be a new Autumn Harvest Metallic exterior color, replacing the Cacti Green option, which the company is discontinuing.

In the Equinox RS, the Black with Red Accents interior will feature only Torch Red, replacing the Torch Red and Santorini Blue stitching. A new connected camera system will be included in the Safety and Technology Package, coming later.

What do you think?

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Comments

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox starts at $30,795, including the $1,995 destination charge. We expect the price to increase slightly for 2027.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox

Source: Chevrolet

Mototr1’s Take: The CVT has been a staple of affordable vehicles, replacing traditional automatics in several makes and models, so it’s shocking to see an automaker discontinuing one. We won’t complain about this change.

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