The paint palette for the 2026 model year is shrinking slightly for Chevrolet’s budget-friendly electric crossover. According to new reporting, one of the available exterior finishes for the Chevrolet Equinox EV has quietly been pulled from the order sheet, leaving buyers with one fewer color to choose from as the model year progresses.
The color in question is Galaxy Gray Metallic, identified internally by paint code GJY. Sources indicate that the shade has reached what automakers call an “early buildout,” meaning production allocations for that particular color have effectively been exhausted.
As a result, Galaxy Gray Metallic is no longer available to order for the 2026 Equinox EV and will not return for the remainder of the model year.
For shoppers hoping to spec their electric crossover in that hue, the window has effectively closed. Any remaining vehicles wearing the Galaxy Gray finish will likely come from existing dealer inventory rather than new factory orders.
A Color That Was There from the Start
Galaxy Gray Metallic has been part of the Equinox EV story since the nameplate’s modern electric debut for the 2024 model year.
The understated metallic gray offered buyers a neutral but contemporary alternative to more traditional whites and blacks that dominate most dealer lots.
For the 2026 model year, the color was offered exclusively on the LT trims, specifically the LT1 and LT2. Importantly, Chevrolet did not charge extra for the finish, making it one of the standard no-cost paint choices available to customers configuring the vehicle.
Buyers selecting the LT2 trim had the option to pair Galaxy Gray Metallic with contrasting roof treatments, including either a black roof or a Summit White roof for a two-tone look. The paint could also be combined with any interior color configuration offered on the LT lineup, giving customers a fair amount of visual flexibility.
Why Colors Disappear Mid-Cycle
Automakers routinely adjust paint offerings during a model year, and early buildouts are one of the most common reasons. When a color reaches its allocated production volume, manufacturers often stop taking new orders to keep assembly schedules running smoothly.
Historically, when an exterior finish reaches buildout during a given model year, it often signals that the color will not return for the following year either. In other words, Galaxy Gray Metallic may have quietly reached the end of its run across the Equinox EV lineup. That said, Chevrolet has not confirmed whether the shade will return for the 2027 model year.
This kind of change is hardly unusual in the industry. Paint availability often fluctuates due to supplier constraints, production planning, or simply evolving design trends that push automakers to refresh color palettes over time.
The Bigger Picture for Equinox EV
Aside from the color adjustment, the 2026 model year for the Equinox EV remains largely unchanged compared with the 2025 version. The electric crossover continues to serve as one of General Motors’ most accessible EV offerings, targeting buyers looking for a practical entry point into electric mobility.
The model rides on GM’s BEV3 architecture, the same underlying electric platform used by several other vehicles in the company’s expanding EV portfolio. Production of the Equinox EV takes place at GM’s Ramos Arizpe Assembly plant in Mexico.
Even with the loss of Galaxy Gray Metallic, buyers still have a healthy range of colors to choose from, including options such as Radiant Red Tintcoat, Riptide Blue Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, and Summit White. For 2026, Chevrolet also introduced a new Polar White Tricoat finish that adds another premium-looking option to the palette.
One Less Shade on the Menu
In practical terms, the removal of Galaxy Gray Metallic will likely go unnoticed by many buyers. Still, the change underscores how automakers continually tweak configurations even after a model year is underway.
For prospective owners of the 2026 Equinox EV, if Galaxy Gray was the color that caught your eye, the only remaining path is to hunt down an example already built and sitting on a dealer lot. Otherwise, it is time to pick a new shade and move on.
Sources: GM Authority