- GM is investing $40 million to build a new eight-speed automatic.
- All versions of the 2027 Chevy Equinox will feature the new transmission.
- The Equinox-based Terrain and other GMC models will also use it.
Continuously variable transmissions have never had an easy time winning over enthusiasts, and not without reason. They work fine in machines like snowmobiles or scooters, but in a road car, they tend to serve up a steady dose of engine drone the moment you lean on the throttle. GM, it seems, has had enough. The Equinox is about to lose its CVT.
According to a newly published order guide on GM Inside News, the 2027 Equinox will come exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission, whether you choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. That marks a clear break from the current setup, where front-wheel-drive versions rely solely on a CVT. The change doesn’t stop there either, as the closely related GMC Terrain is set to follow the same path.
Read: After V8s, GM Faces Lawsuits Over Its Smallest Turbo Engine
This revelation comes just a week after GM announced it was investing an additional $40 million into its Toledo Propulsion Systems plant, specifically to support the production of a new FWD-focused version of GM’s eight-speed automatic. In addition to the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain, several other GMC models are expected to use this transmission moving forward, although we don’t yet know which ones.
In a statement, GM said “the plant receiving a new 8-speed front-wheel drive automatic transmission variant…will build upon our manufacturer commitment and flexibility and is part of a strategic plan to support the company’s overall needs.”
Why The Change?
GM has not explained why it is phasing out the CVT in the Equinox and Terrain. However, the eight-speed automatic could improve fuel economy from the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which will carry over into 2027. The engine produces 175 hp and 203 lb-ft (275 Nm) of torque.
The new transmission could potentially increase towing capacity for front-wheel drive models, even if few Equinox owners tow. Currently, the FWD version is rated to tow 800 lbs (363 kg), compared to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) for the AWD model equipped with the automatic.
What Else Is New?
We do not yet know when sales of the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain will begin, and it remains unclear whether pricing will change. Beyond the transmission update, the post on GM Inside News suggests the 2027 model will be largely unchanged, but the Cacti Green exterior color may be replaced by a new Autumn Harvest Metallic, and RS models could trade Santorini Blue stitching for Torch Red.
Fortunately, we shouldn’t have to wait long to find out these details, as a reveal should happen in the coming weeks or months.
