Now in its second decade on the market, Chevrolet’s compact crossover SUV continues to capture a steady stream of buyers. Bigger and heavier than most competitors, the five-passenger Equinox runs smoothly and quietly, coming with a choice of four-cylinder or V6 power. In one of the upper trim levels, with a few options, it could serve as alternative to a full-size family vehicle that costs far more.
What's New for 2016
Freshening of the exterior includes new front and rear fascias, a chrome-accented dual-port grille, and projector-beam headlights. LT and LTZ models have new LED daytime running lamps, as well as newly available Side Blind Zone and Rear Cross Traffic alerts. A seven-inch touchscreen radio goes into L and LS trims.
Choosing Your Chevrolet Equinox
Five occupants can relax in an Equinox, helped by a back seat that slides and reclines, as well as a blissfully quiet cabin. Ride quality earns high marks, too.
The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine makes 182 horsepower; with a fuel-economy estimate of 22 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway. With the available 301-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, an Equinox can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The V6 gets a decidedly non-thrifty estimate of 17/24 mpg (city/highway). Both engines mate with a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive may be added to any trim level except the base L, dropping gas mileage estimates to 20/29 mpg with the four-cylinder and 16/23 mpg for the V6.
The previous 1LT and 2LT trim are gone, leaving four levels: budget-minded L (new this year), LS, LT, and top LTZ.
Some observers liked the previous Equinox look, but the 2016 revisions give it a cleaner, more modern appearance. Sticking to the middle is usually the prudent way to buy, picking either an LS or an LT. In this case, neither of those trim levels adds all that much to the basic L edition. For those who do want more, better to pick a fully-loaded LTZ than to check off additional options on an LT.