The Golden Bowtie’s five-seater compact crossover SUV, the Chevrolet Equinox, is positioned between the smaller Trax and Trailblazer and the bigger Traverse and Blazer. It debuted in 2005 as Chevy’s entrance into one of the most competitive and well-liked markets. Still, it quickly overtook the Silverado full-size truck as the company’s best-selling vehicle.
Equinox’s mid-cycle redesign in 2022 changed the external stylistic cues, trim levels, and packaging. The LS, LT, RS, and Premier trims continue to be offered despite the refresh’s elimination of the basic L model. Every Equinox will increase by around $300 starting in 2023, and new color options and an improved electrically powered braking system will also be available. A brand-new fourth-generation Equinox is slated to replace the current model. Around 2024, a new all-electric model will be added to the portfolio.
Even though it will soon be six years old, it is starting to seem a little dated in light of the recent arrival of newer, more innovative, and more cost-effective solutions, notably from the UK. These recent additions to the market include the very appealing new Kia Sportage and the brand-new Honda CR-V. The Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Ford Escape are more domestic SUVs.
Sadly, all upgradeable engine options were eliminated over its modifications, leaving the standard 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder as the sole engine capable of driving either the front or all four wheels. Although it barely moves the little ute out of the path, it swiftly loses steam as momentum develops. The Equinox formerly had a 2.0-litre turbo-four engine with higher power and an excellent diesel engine—the standard front-wheel-drive LS bills $27,995, which includes the required $1,395 freight fee. A further $1,600 is added for all-wheel drive. AWD Premier ticks all the criteria with the $1,495 panoramic sunroof, $1,745 Convenience package, and $1,125 Infotainment II package, totaling $38,860.
Due to its sturdy construction and the incorporation of current driving aids and safety technology that still operate brilliantly, the Equinox is still relatively relevant today since it drew inspiration and technical guidance from its European divisions. There isn’t much to distinguish Equinox from its incredibly alluring international counterparts unless you’re a fan of supporting American manufacturing (the Equinox for North America is made in Mexico or Canada).
When the current third-gen model debuted in 2017, it set a new standard. It exhibited admirable driving behavior, a ton of passenger room, comfort, and valuable safety tech to levels never entirely present in earlier models. It’s not a terrible decision and remains a possibility in the segment. It is, however, clearly outmatched by the competition while continuing to mature gracefully.
Performance: Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox is left with only its standard 1.5-litre turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder engine after discontinuing its optional and more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-four in 2021 and the beautiful fuel-efficient diesel in 2019. With the same 203 pound-feet of torque as in previous years, power output increases by five horsepower for 175 horsepower. Even with the minor bump and its refined six-speed automatic, the Equinox reaches zero to sixty in under 9 seconds. If you push the torque across its rpm range, you can keep up with traffic in the city. However, as the gearbox is constantly willing to upshift to the highest gear, overtaking and merging when traveling at highway speeds calls for much pedal-to-the-metal driving and using the “Low” gear option.
The handling area is where it does make up for it. We were surprised by how well the Equinox surprisingly stays to the road on a highly tricky, winding, two-way county route in northwest New Jersey. We were doing turns at rates that we’d typically see in some more expensive, performance-oriented cars.
Remember that this isn’t the inspirational arrangement in more specifically designed performance computers. There is enough body roll to let you know you are outclassing Equinox. However, its adhesion limitations are high and out of reach for most typical drivers. Consequently, it feels grounded in most circumstances, and transitions are handled gracefully and without incident. The vehicle’s well-tuned all-wheel drive system deserves a lot of the credit for keeping us from experiencing any tire-screeching or potentially violent understeer should one mistakenly come in too hot.
Fuel efficiency: Chevrolet Equinox
The EPA does not assess Equinox’s fuel economy for 2023. The fuel efficiency for this year won’t be too different from the 26 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined for the front-wheel model in 2022, but there won’t be much of a shift (that additional five hp aren’t expected to register any perceptible variations). Versions with all-wheel drive have a one mpg decrease overall.
We were unimpressed with Equinox’s fuel economy during our week-long study since the onboard computer showed an average of 23 to 24 mpg in a combination of highway and suburban NYC locations. This is most likely because it takes a lot of effort to go quickly or keep up with traffic, even with the little 1.5-litre turbo four. Theoretically, a small engine may provide greater fuel efficiency, but the need to push the tiny 1.5-liter engine harder to sustain forward motion cancels out any advantages.
The Equinox is below average when compared to some of the sector staples, such as the gas-only front-wheel-drive Toyota RAV4’s 30 combined mpg, the Nissan Rogue’s 33, and the Honda CR-V’s 30, all of which just underwent updates. Only the Mazda CX-5 scores somewhat worse, but it also has the advantage of being more assertive. The hybrid versions of the RAV4, CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Ford Escape are unquestionably the best choices for those who prioritize fuel efficiency.
Safety and driver support technology:
The latest Equinox debuted in 2017 with a ton of driver assistance and safety technology, all of which still work and are helpful. Forward-collision alerts with pedestrian recognition and automated emergency braking, a following distance indicator, lane-keep assist and departure warning, and automatic high beams are all part of the standard package, now bundled and commonly known as Chevy Safety Assist.
Optional options include a high-definition 360-degree surround parking and a great-resolution towing camera. However, almost all rivals will undoubtedly have better, more modern technology and assistance systems.
Despite obtaining a new “poor” rating for the upgraded moderate overlap front test, Equinox maintains its overall “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2023. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has not yet updated its assessment, gave 2022 a five-star overall grade.
Comfort and Space
The Equinox has never had trouble being a pleasant vehicle; America is famed for producing them. For the present generation, the same is true. Even with its 103.5 cubic feet, the passenger compartment seems large for up to five persons. The Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, with 108.2 cubic feet each, are the only real winners, with the new Honda CR-V in base placing second with 106. Most of the competition is within an inch of this number. Equinox’s 40.9-inch front legroom falls short of its rivals by nearly an inch. The same is true for rear seat legroom, with 39.9 inches falling short of competitors’ 41+ inches.
The front seat bottoms are short for taller people with longer legs, but most body types will fit comfortably. With just 3 to 4 inches separating the back of my knees from the end of the seat bottom, it almost seemed my legs were giving way under my nearly 6-foot body. There were just enough adjustments to make the seat back recline to make up for it.
The Equinox handles road irregularities instead well on the highway, and harshness, vibration, and noise aren’t significant problems. The wider wheel choices, like those on the Premier trim of our tester, may make some people more sensitive to tire noise than some of the younger rivals. Furthermore, the ride has a bit of a stiff leg.
Infotainment: Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox still uses GM’s older touchscreen and Infotainment operating system, which gives away how old the crossover is. The 8-inch screen is optional on the LT and RS but standard on the top-spec Premier, whereas the basic LS, LT, and RS all come with a 7-inch screen.
It could seem a little dated compared to some of the latest visual delights in the competition. However, it functions just as well as a reliable device, including the standard connectivity features like Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Wi-Fi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration on all trims.
The single addition, an option for all models with the 8-inch touchscreen, is satellite navigation. The top-spec Premier now comes with a wireless charging pad as standard equipment, which was previously unavailable.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The Equinox does sacrifice its rear luggage room by having 29.9 cubic feet behind the second row of seats to enhance passenger space. The space more than doubles to 63.9 when the chairs are folded down. Both numbers are at the low end of the range.
Except for the Mazda CX-5 and CX-50, almost every competitor provides more space than 30 cubic feet behind the second row and more than 65 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Hyundai Tucson are the victors in this contest; they all provide around 39 cubic feet of space behind the second row and up to an incredible 76 cubic feet with the seats folded down.
But even though it has one of the lowest carrying capacities, the Equinox still has space for all its passengers and their belongings to go on a weekend vacation. The Equinox can pull a maximum of 1,500 pounds if that isn’t enough.
Design: Chevrolet Equinox
Although aesthetics are ultimately a matter of taste, the small crossover SUV market has long been a haven for divisive “love it” or “hate it” designs. Unlike many of its rivals, which often have unappealing designs, Equinox pulls off a considerably sleeker and more elegant appearance.
The Equinox may turn off some people since it tends toward the bland, and, regrettably, it has been available in rental vehicle fleets. But at least its uncomplicated panels seem to work together. It won’t draw any notice or praise at the dining table, but it makes some other alternatives seem too cluttered.
The inside maintains the blandness with a straightforward, user-friendly layout that avoids the clutter of other crossovers with noticeably more internal buttons. On the steering wheel, things might become hectic, but it’s never too much to handle. We like the two-tone interior, which offers a little visual variety.
The Chevrolet Equinox 2023: Is It Worth It?
Chevy gently raised prices by $300 across the board for 2023 compared to the $2,000 price hike from the previous year—the standard front-wheel-drive LS bills $27,995, which includes the required $1,395 freight fee. A further $1,600 is added for all-wheel drive, comparable to the competition by $1,000. The $38,860 AWD Premier with the $1,495 panoramic sunroof, the $1,745 Convenience package, and the $1,125 Infotainment II package tick all the criteria.
Even though it’s an acceptable vehicle, Equinox’s age and humdrum execution will probably cause consumers to turn to the competition. This is particularly true given that its pricing puts it on par with newer, more affordable competitors and specific near-luxury and premium options where it’s notably outperformed. Even so, the Equinox still has enough good qualities to be a no-frills, practical, small crossover SUV you can’t go wrong with. Just be careful while choosing the trims and extras.
The all-wheel drive LT with the $1,200 Safety and Infotainment package and the $1,595 Confidence & Convenience package is what we advise for getting the most car for your money. These packages add the upgrades that matter, like heated and cooled front cloth seats, the larger infotainment screen, Chevy’s excellent 360-degree surround camera system, radar-guided cruise control, a heated steering wheel, front and rear park assist, remote start, a power liftgate,
Even with GM’s immediate $1,000 cut, the cost of the more costly RS, when outfitted to comparable levels, may reach $35,000 to have leather and the Bose seven-speaker premium audio system. But with the impending release of the fourth-generation Equinox, you may get a great discount on any unsold stock.
How Much Does the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox Cost to Insure?
The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox is comparable to most of its competitors regarding insurance costs. An average yearly premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a clean driving record starts at $1,856 and rises to $1,930. However, this figure covers all 50 states. Similar electric vehicles are priced similarly. A Kia Sportage owner may spend $1,830 annually, compared to $1,807 for a Mazda CX-5 and $1,722 for a Honda CR-V.
Verdict
The sixth and last year of the third-generation Chevrolet Equinox is approaching, and the Golden Bowtie is getting ready to launch a brand-new fourth-generation vehicle with an all-electric version. When it was first launched in 2018, it was a reasonable effort and will remain mostly unchanged until 2023. Even if it is becoming older compared to younger, more fashionable, and value-packed competitors, it still produces a well-rounded product that serves its purpose. Without any frills, it offers enough passenger capacity, comfort, and unexpectedly excellent driving manners. However, its higher-grade price, uninspired style, unimpressive 1.5-litre turbo four, and prevalence in rental fleets may persuade consumers to go elsewhere.
