There is no scarcity of decisions within the compact SUV area, and the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox fairly frankly will get misplaced within the scrum. It is a bland automobile with little to excite or offend from the curb. Most of its key parts like passenger area, gasoline economic system, energy and extra are merely common at finest, and there may be little or no that actually units it aside from the remainder. Previous to the Equinox’s mid-cycle refresh, it provided an odd diesel engine choice and even had a 2.0-liter turbo choice that made it some of the highly effective autos within the section. Each had been dropped in earlier mannequin years, so your solely choice now could be an uninspiring (however environment friendly) 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
On the plus facet, the Equinox gives lots of the anticipated options and tech objects you is likely to be in search of on this section. Its infotainment system is simple to make use of, and a plentiful quantity of driver help methods can be found in order for you them. If mixing into the background is your purpose, the Equinox will not disappoint. Even the RS and Premier trims do not outwardly mission or entice further consideration. We would in the end counsel you look elsewhere in your compact crossover search earlier than deciding on an Equinox..
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Options | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2022?
Earlier than we get into precisely what’s new, notice that the entire following was initially scheduled to be launched (and was revealed for) the 2021 mannequin yr Equinox. As a result of pandemic, GM pushed the replace again a yr.
The above mentioned, 2022 is an enormous yr for the Equinox, as a result of it’s the mannequin’s mid-cycle refresh. It will get new entrance and rear fascias, new headlights, taillights and a brand new RS trim. The RS is the sportiest wanting of the bunch, including a bunch of black exterior trim, dark-painted 19-inch wheels, RS logos all through and crimson inside stitching.
On the tech entrance, Chevy added wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wi-fi Android Auto. Plus, it now has heated, energy adjustable facet mirrors and extra out there security tech. New inside trim is used for LS and LT fashions, plus the Premier will get a small makeover each in and out to separate it farther from the opposite trims.
What are the Equinox’s inside and in-car know-how like?
In its easiest kind, the Equinox is snug however sparsely appointed. Make a journey up the trim ladder to both the RS (above) or Premier and the inside feels extra premium. The crimson accents on the RS give it a modicum of persona, and the two-tone, leather-appointed seating choice provided on the Premier trim is each engaging and pleasing to the contact. It might be a step up from, say, a Ford Escape, however most different rivals present a richer, extra inviting ambiance.
Wi-fi Android Auto and wi-fi Apple CarPlay integration are each customary on the bottom LS trim, and this performs on a 7-inch infotainment system. You’ll be able to improve to an 8-inch display from the LT and above in order for you slightly extra actual property. Chevy’s infotainment methods are pretty simple to make use of as a common rule, and the Equinox isn’t any exception. The place the inside begins to really feel its age is whenever you look out over the boring heart stack and sea of unexciting black plastic. There’s nothing right here that’s outwardly offensive, however it’s the embodiment of boring. Many different compact crossovers out-style the Equinox, but when fundamental is what you need, fundamental is what you’ll get right here.
How huge is the Equinox?
The Equinox belongs to the compact household of crossovers, in contrast finest to section gross sales leaders just like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. It’s comparable in footprint to those fashions, making it eminently usable for small households, however nonetheless simple to cope with in city settings.
You get cheap headroom each with and and not using a sunroof, and rear-seat passengers will probably be a lot snug too, because of ample legroom (39.9 inches). On the flip facet, the Equinox gives large-car practicality, with slightly below 30 cubic ft of cargo capability behind the second row, or practically 64 cubes with the rear seats laid flat. That is significantly lower than the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson, and in addition south of the Subaru Forester and Nissan Rogue. It is nonetheless a really sensible area with a usable form, however know that others are higher.
What are the Equinox’s gasoline economic system and efficiency specs?
The bottom (and just one for now) engine is a turbocharged, 1.5-liter inline-four that makes a decent 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. That is on par with different entry-level engines within the section. The 1.5-liter is paired with a six-speed computerized transmission, a combo rated at 26 mpg metropolis, 31 freeway and 28 mpg mixed with customary front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive drops these figures to 25/30/27 mpg.
There are not any highly effective engine upgrades out there, nor a hybrid choice.
What is the Equinox wish to drive?
The Equinox is a fairly agile handler for a tall crossover. Even with the Premier or RS trim’s massive wheels and thinner tire sidewalls, others within the section are extra participating and aware of drive, however for a household automobile, the chassis reacts shortly sufficient when altering instructions and is rock-stable via sweeping turns. The steering is the most important let down. It is pretty delicate and exact all over the place besides simply off-center, however it’s very numb and devoid of suggestions. That is particularly disappointing for the reason that Chevy Blazer is a stand-out member of its section with regard to driving dynamics. Journey high quality is agency sufficient to encourage confidence, however in the end skews extra towards consolation, which is for one of the best.
The Equinox’s little four-cylinder is somewhat anemic whenever you’re attempting to stand up to freeway speeds, and it’s not a pleasing noise at full throttle. Low-end torque is plentiful to stand up to hurry round city, however acceleration isn’t this automobile’s robust swimsuit. That may be mentioned for the bottom engines of many rivals, although. Actually, the disgrace right here is there is not any longer a extra highly effective engine improve out there, nor a hybrid. Most rivals provide one or the opposite.
It is necessary that we contact on the Equinox’s uncommon (and elective) all-wheel-drive system. Most AWD vehicles make the most of a system wherein the entrance wheels are powered the entire time, and once they slip, some portion of accessible energy is routed robotically via a middle coupling (whether or not a clutch pack or a differential) to the rear wheels. The Chevy Equinox’s AWD system can solely switch energy rearward when it is turned on, making it a part-time system. This implies the motive force has to decide on to show it on when circumstances warrant it, establishing the potential for forgetting to take action and lacking out on the advantages of AWD when wanted probably the most. Now, this method does provide the promise of improved gasoline consumption, however the Equinox’s gasoline economic system is much from class-leading.
What different Chevy Equinox evaluations can I learn?
2018 Chevrolet Equinox First Drive
Our first take from behind the wheel of the 1.5-liter Equinox.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox 2.0T First Drive
We went again to pattern a 2.0-liter Equinox for comparability functions.
How a lot is the 2022 Equinox’s value and what options can be found?
The Chevrolet Equinox LS begins at $26,995 (together with vacation spot) with the 1.5-liter engine and front-wheel drive. Commonplace gear for the Equinox consists of 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, handbook liftgate, heated/energy facet mirrors, keyless entry, push-button begin, material upholstery, handbook local weather management, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six-speaker audio system and rear seat USB cost ports.
You’ll need the RS trim — $31,295 — if a sportier exterior look is necessary to you, and the Premier — $32,145 — has as many extras as doable baked in as customary. The one draw back of the Equinox’s comparatively agreeable trim base costs is all the cash in packages and choices you’re probably going to need to spend. Even the Premier is missing plenty of gear you would possibly count on to be included. Absolutely loaded, you’re a crossover nearing or cresting the $40,000 mark. And that’s with the weak 1.5-liter turbo.
This is the total breakdown and pricing for the 2022 Equinox lineup, however you could find a full breakdown of those trims ranges’ options, specs and native pricing right here on Autoblog.
These are the bottom costs for FWD fashions. Simply add $1,600 to get the worth for AWD.
- LS: $26,995
- LT: $28,095
- LT: $31,295
- Premier: $32,195
What are the Equinox’s security scores and driver help options?
Commonplace security gear for the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox consists of ahead collision warning with pedestrian detection and computerized emergency braking, an in-cluster following distance indicator, lane-keeping help, lane-departure warning, a rear seat reminder and computerized excessive beams. This sort and quantity of content material is now typical for the section and trade on the whole.
The Driver Confidence II package deal provides a couple of extra niceties, together with rear parking sensors and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning methods. An add-on package deal to greater trim fashions provides adaptive cruise management an auto-park help and a 360-degree digicam.
The 2022 Equinox didn’t obtain any awards from the Insurance coverage Institute of Freeway Security (IIHS). Nevertheless, it scored “Good” scores in each crash check apart from the facet influence, wherein it acquired a “Average” rating. On the federal government facet, the Nationwide Freeway Transportation Security Administration awarded the 2022 Equinox an total five-star crash check score. The one check it didn’t rating an ideal 5 stars in was the rollover check, the place it was awarded 4 stars as an alternative. That is typical for a crossover SUV.
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