For U.S. vehicles; figures from Chevrolet's 2026 Equinox page and the Chevrolet Newsroom technical specifications, checked November 4, 2026.

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped with all-wheel drive, and 800 pounds with front-wheel drive. That is a light-duty rating. It suits a small utility trailer or a pair of bicycles on a carrier hitch better than a camper or a boat. Always confirm the figure for your exact vehicle in the owner's manual and on the door-jamb label before you hitch anything up.

2026 Equinox towing capacity table

Configuration Maximum towing capacity Source
Equinox with front-wheel drive 800 lb Chevrolet Newsroom specifications
Equinox with all-wheel drive 1,500 lb Chevrolet Newsroom specifications

Chevrolet's 2026 Equinox page states the same headline: "when properly equipped, the 2026 Chevy Equinox can tow up to 1,500 lbs." SUVLook's 2026 Equinox profile records both figures.

The Newsroom specifications are from the January 2024 release for the current-generation Equinox. Chevrolet's 2026 page confirms the 1,500-lb maximum for 2026. It does not repeat the 800-lb FWD figure, so that number rests on the Newsroom specification alone.

Conditions that come with the number

Chevrolet attaches these conditions in its published materials:

  • Drivetrain. The 1,500-lb maximum applies to AWD. The FWD rating is 800 lb, which is 700 lb lower.
  • "Properly equipped." Chevrolet's 2026 page uses this phrase. The Newsroom footnote says to review the Trailering section of the owner's manual first, and that "the weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow."
  • No trim difference is published. Neither page lists a different rating for LT, RS or ACTIV. The published split is by drivetrain only. Our Equinox trim guide covers the differences among the trims.

What these sources do not say matters too. We found no published braked versus unbraked split, no tongue-weight figure and no gross combined weight rating on the pages we read. If you need those numbers, they are in the owner's manual. We do not estimate them.

Why the AWD model tows more

Every Equinox uses a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder rated at 175 horsepower. Chevrolet's Newsroom pairs it with a continuously variable transmission on FWD models and an eight-speed automatic on AWD models. It lists 184 lb-ft of torque for FWD and 203 lb-ft for AWD.

Those hardware differences are the visible ones, and the tow ratings follow the same split. Chevrolet does not explain its reasoning, so we will not claim to know which component sets the limit. What the published data supports is simple: if you might tow, choose AWD, and confirm that the specific vehicle you are buying is the AWD configuration.

What 1,500 lb means in practice

A tow rating is a ceiling for the total weight of the trailer and everything on it. It is not the weight printed on the trailer's sales page. The loaded weight includes cargo, water, fuel, batteries, and any gear you add. Weigh the loaded trailer or use its identification plate, which lists its own weight limits.

Four checks keep you inside the numbers:

  1. Loaded trailer weight versus the rating. For an AWD Equinox, stay at or below 1,500 lb. For FWD, stay at or below 800 lb.
  2. Passengers and cargo in the vehicle. Chevrolet warns that passengers, cargo and accessories can reduce the amount you can tow. A full cabin and a loaded cargo area eat into the margin.
  3. Hitch and equipment. The owner's manual describes what equipment the Equinox supports. This article does not give installation instructions; follow the manual or ask a qualified installer.
  4. Tongue weight. The portion of the trailer weight resting on the hitch also counts against the vehicle. The manual explains the limit. We did not find a published figure on the pages we read.

The Equinox's curb weight also matters for context. Chevrolet's 2026 page gives an unloaded weight range of 3,428 to 3,629 pounds, depending on drive type, trim, optional equipment and cargo. A tow rating of 1,500 lb is about 44 percent of the lowest listed weight; that is simple arithmetic, not a Chevrolet claim, and it shows why this is a light-duty vehicle.

Loads that can fit under 800 or 1,500 lb

We cannot weigh your trailer, but the categories below give a sense of scale. Check the actual loaded weight of anything you plan to tow.

  • Small utility or cargo trailers: many are light when empty, but add cargo and check the total against 800 lb (FWD) or 1,500 lb (AWD).
  • Hitch-mounted carriers: these are not towed trailers. Ask the manual whether it publishes a separate limit for them; we did not find one on the pages we read.
  • Campers, boats and car trailers: look up the loaded weight, not the dry weight, and compare it with the rating before you commit.

If your regular load is heavier than 1,500 lb, the Equinox is the wrong tool. Our SUV towing capacity comparison lists larger options.

How the Equinox compares with compact rivals

The figures below come from the SUVLook profile for each model and the manufacturer sources those profiles cite.

Compact SUV (2026) Published towing Condition Source
Chevrolet Equinox 1,500 lb AWD; 800 lb FWD Properly equipped AWD for the maximum Chevrolet Newsroom
Honda CR-V 1,500 lb gas; 1,000 lb hybrid By powertrain Honda specifications
Nissan Rogue 1,500 lb Properly equipped Nissan brochure
Kia Sportage 2,500 lb With trailer brakes Kia Media specifications
Toyota RAV4 3,500 lb maximum; 1,750 lb lower rating 3,500 lb on specified AWD hybrid and plug-in hybrid grades; 1,750 lb on FWD models and LE AWD Toyota brochure

The gas Equinox AWD ties the gas CR-V and the Rogue at 1,500 lb. The Sportage is rated 1,000 lb higher, and the RAV4's specified hybrid grades are rated 2,000 lb higher. Remember that each manufacturer attaches different conditions, so the numbers are not identical tests. The Sportage figure assumes trailer brakes. The RAV4 maximum applies only to specified grades.

If towing is a priority within the compact class, the Equinox is not the leader on paper. If you will tow rarely and want the Equinox for other reasons, its 1,500-lb AWD rating matches several rivals. For a broader head-to-head, see our Honda CR-V versus Chevy Equinox comparison, and the vehicle profiles for the Sportage and the Equinox.

Before you tow with an Equinox

Read the Trailering section of the owner's manual for your exact model year. It is the authority on equipment, loading and limits. Check the door-jamb label for the weight ratings of your vehicle. Weigh the loaded trailer. Stay under the rating with margin. If a figure on a dealer listing or a website differs from your manual, trust the manual.

SUVLook has not tested towing on any vehicle. The ratings above are manufacturer-published, and the practical advice is editorial.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a 2026 Chevy Equinox tow?

Up to 1,500 lb when properly equipped with AWD, and 800 lb with FWD, per Chevrolet.

Does the RS or ACTIV tow more than the LT?

Chevrolet's published materials split the rating by drivetrain, not by trim. We found no higher rating for the RS or ACTIV.

Can an Equinox tow a camper?

Only if its loaded weight is within the rating for your drivetrain (1,500 lb AWD, 800 lb FWD). Check the camper's loaded weight against your owner's manual.

Does the Equinox have a braked versus unbraked rating?

Not on the Chevrolet pages we read. Check the owner's manual.

Which compact SUV tows the most?

Among the five listed here, the Toyota RAV4's specified AWD hybrid and plug-in hybrid grades have the highest published maximum, at 3,500 lb. See the table for conditions.

Sources

Ratings can change by model year and configuration. Confirm with the owner's manual and door-jamb label.