When did the Chevrolet Equinox change body style?
The Chevrolet Equinox changed its body style at two key points in its history: with the 2010 model year (the move to the second generation) and again with the 2018 model year (the move to the third generation).
Beyond those major generational shifts, the lineup has seen mid-cycle refreshes and the addition of the all-electric Equinox EV, which expands the family without signaling a new internal-combustion generation. This article outlines when those big styling changes occurred and what they signified for the vehicle’s design language and packaging.
Generational shifts and what they signified
The following overview highlights the two primary moments when the Equinox underwent a distinct body-style change, marking a new generation and a reimagined silhouette.
- 2010 model year — The move from the first generation (2005–2009) to the second generation brought a redesigned exterior with a more rounded, modern look, a refreshed interior, and updated chassis underneath to improve ride and handling.
- 2018 model year — The transition to the third generation introduced a sharper, more sculpted exterior, revised underpinnings, and updated technology and safety features, signaling a broader modernization of the model line.
These two shifts define the primary exterior redesigns of the Equinox in the modern era. Subsequent updates have included interior refinements and, more recently, the introduction of the Equinox EV for an electric variant, which sits alongside ongoing gasoline models without constituting a new conventional-generation body style.
Electric variant and mid-cycle updates
In addition to generational changes, Chevrolet expanded the Equinox lineup with a mid-cycle refresh during its third generation and, starting in the 2024 model year, launched the Equinox EV, an all-electric version built on a dedicated Ultium platform. The Equinox EV represents an expansion of powertrain options rather than a separate traditional generation with a distinct external body style.
Summary
In short, the Chevrolet Equinox’s body style has changed most significantly with the 2010 model year (two generations early) and again with the 2018 model year, marking the move to its third generation. Since then, updates have focused on technology, features, and, notably, the introduction of the electric Equinox EV, which broadens the lineup without altering the recognized traditional-generation body designs.
