Chevy Equinox Interior: Space, Technology, and What Changed by Year

The Chevy Equinox interior is one of the most searched topics for this vehicle, and for good reason. Whether you are cross-shopping compact SUVs and want to know how it feels inside, researching a specific model year before buying used, or trying to figure out whether the 2024 redesign actually made a meaningful difference, the interior is where most buyers make their final decision. At McFarland Chevrolet in Maysville, KY, we sell more Equinoxes than any other vehicle in our lineup. This post covers the dimensions, the infotainment evolution by year, the interior color options, and what actually changed when Chevrolet redesigned it for 2024.

Chevy Equinox Interior Dimensions

The 2026 Equinox interior dimensions reflect a vehicle designed for everyday practicality rather than maximum volume. The numbers are honest: this is a compact SUV, not a midsize.

Front row

Front headroom is 40.9 inches, which accommodates most adult drivers without the roof pressing on taller occupants. Front legroom is 41.4 inches, generous for the segment and one of the reasons buyers who spend long days driving find the Equinox comfortable. Shoulder room in the front is 57.3 inches. The front seat design on the current generation uses a lower seating position than the previous generation, which some buyers prefer for its car-like feel and others find less intuitive after driving a taller crossover.

Rear row

Rear headroom is 39.1 inches and rear legroom is 40.0 inches. For a compact SUV, the rear legroom is competitive and accommodates adult passengers on mid-length trips without the knee-to-seatback cramping that affects smaller vehicles in the segment. Rear passengers sit reasonably upright. The rear floor hump is minimal, so a center rear passenger is not significantly disadvantaged compared to the outboard positions.

Additional question: How does the 2024 Equinox compare in interior size to the 2023?

The 2024 redesign brought a lower, wider instrument panel and a significantly revised interior layout rather than dramatically different physical dimensions. The wheelbase is similar between the third-generation (2018-2023) and fourth-generation (2024-present) models. The interior feels different because of the new screen placement, revised console design, and updated materials, but buyers expecting a substantially larger cabin from the 2024 will find the passenger space similar to what they measured in a 2022 or 2023.

Chevy Equinox Infotainment Through the Years

The infotainment system is the most visible way the Equinox interior has evolved across generations, and it is the first thing most buyers notice when they sit in a current model after spending time in an older one.

2018-2019: Infotainment 3 with wired CarPlay

The third-generation Equinox launched in 2018 with the Chevy Infotainment 3 system. LS trim received a 7-inch screen; LT and above received an 8-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available but required a USB cable connection on 2018 and 2019 models. The interface was modern for its time and a meaningful improvement over the second-generation system, but the wired-only connectivity was already becoming dated by the time the generation launched.

2020-2023: wireless connectivity arrives

Starting with the 2020 model year, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became available on equipped Equinox models, removing the cable requirement that had been a friction point for 2018-2019 buyers. The core Infotainment 3 system carried through this period with software updates but no hardware redesign. The 8-inch screen remained the standard display size on LT and above. Buyers shopping used 2020-2023 examples should confirm wireless connectivity as an option rather than assuming it is standard on all trims.

2024-present: the screen jumps significantly

The 2024 redesign brought the most significant infotainment upgrade in the Equinox’s history. The new fourth-generation interior features an 11-inch diagonal touchscreen as standard on the LT trim and above, and the Premier trim receives a 17.7-inch diagonal screen that dominates the dashboard in a way no previous Equinox interior has. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all trims on 2024 and newer models. A wireless charging pad is available on most configurations. Google Built-in provides native Google Maps, Google Assistant, and app access without a phone connected.

Pro tip: If wireless CarPlay is a must-have for you and you are shopping used, 2020 is your minimum model year target for the third generation. The 2018-2019 Equinox requires a cable for CarPlay. Starting with 2024, wireless is standard on every trim without needing to confirm it as an installed option.

Chevy Equinox Interior Colors

Interior color availability on the Equinox is relatively limited compared to some competitors, which is a common compact SUV trade-off in this price range.

Current generation (2024-present)

The 2026 Equinox interior is available in Jet Black as the standard color across all trims. Ash Gray is available on select trims and provides a lighter, more open feel to the cabin. The Premier trim adds a two-tone interior option that uses the larger 17.7-inch screen’s floating design as a visual centerpiece. Color availability varies by trim and is confirmed on the Monroney sticker of any specific vehicle.

Third generation (2018-2023)

The third-generation Equinox offered Jet Black as the standard interior color with Ash Gray and Brandy available on upper trims in select years. Brandy, a warm medium-brown tone, was available on Premier and was a popular option for buyers who wanted something other than a dark interior. If you are shopping a used 2018-2023 Equinox and interior color matters, verify the specific trim and option code on the window sticker since availability varied by year.

Important note: Interior color options on the Equinox change with each model year refresh and not all options are available on all trims. The Ash Gray interior that appears on one year’s Premier may not carry to the next. Always confirm against the specific vehicle’s window sticker rather than assuming year-to-year consistency.

What the 2026 Equinox Interior Actually Looks Like

Buyers who have not sat in a current-generation Equinox often ask for a description before they come in. Here is what to expect.

Materials by trim

The LS uses cloth seating with hard plastic door uppers and a functional but entry-level feel. The LT steps up with nicer seat materials and a softer touch on more contact surfaces. The Premier uses leather-appointed seating with available heated fronts and rear and a premium feel that competes favorably with the base trim of vehicles priced well above the Equinox’s range. Moving up in trim on the Equinox produces a genuinely different interior experience rather than the minor incremental changes that characterize some competitors.

Pro tip: Sitting in the LS and the Premier back to back is worth doing if you are on the fence about trim level. The material and technology difference between them is substantial. Most buyers who sit in the Premier and then look at the price difference find the LT is the sweet spot between the two.

How the Interior Space Works in Real Life

Dimensions on paper and the feel of a space inside a moving vehicle are different things. Here is how buyers describe the Equinox interior in practice.

For families of four

Four adults in a crew cab configuration works without rear passengers feeling cramped on trips under an hour. For regular use with two adults and two child safety seats, the Equinox is the most practical vehicle most buyers in this range will need. The rear door opening is wide enough to make seating children in car seats straightforward. Cargo space behind the rear seats is 29.9 cubic feet, enough for grocery runs and weekend luggage for two. Full cargo breakdown is on our Equinox cargo space page.

For commuters and solo drivers

The front seat is where commuters live and the Equinox earns consistent praise for front seat comfort on daily drives. The driver’s seat on the Premier is heated and ventilated, and the powered seat memory can be set for two drivers sharing a vehicle. The driver visibility is good in all directions including the rear, where the backup camera quality on the 2024 generation is noticeably better than on older models.

Additional question: Is the Equinox big enough for tall drivers?

Most drivers up to 6’2″ sit comfortably in the Equinox front seat with headroom to spare. Drivers at 6’4″ and above should test the headroom specifically since the front sunroof option slightly reduces available clearance when the shade is open. Rear passengers above 6′ will be comfortable in the outboard positions on trips of normal length.

Equinox EV Interior: A Note for Buyers Researching the Electric Version

Several rows in the search data for this topic reference the Equinox EV specifically. The Equinox EV is a separate vehicle from the gas Equinox covered throughout this post, and its interior has meaningful differences worth naming.

What is different in the EV

The Equinox EV uses the same general design language as the gas model but sits on the Ultium electric platform, which allows for a flat floor in the rear (no transmission tunnel) and different center console proportions. The screen setup on the EV is similar to the fourth-generation gas Equinox in terms of size and placement. The absence of an engine and traditional drivetrain tunnel opens up slightly more floor space in the rear. The EV is a genuinely different vehicle under the shared exterior styling and similar cabin feel.

Ready for Your Next Step?

If you want to see what the Equinox interior actually looks like in person, come in. Most buyers make up their minds about the cabin within the first five minutes of sitting in it. Call us at (606) 564-6181.

Also helpful:

Equinox cargo space and dimensions
Equinox safety features by trim and year
Equinox fuel economy guide
Current Equinox inventory at McFarland