2021 Chevy Equinox Review

　　

2021 Chevrolet Equinox Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　The compact crossover SUV class is the most competitive of any automotive segment, and any automaker with skin in the game has to offer a vehicle that stands out to woo consumers. Competitors might deliver unmistakable value, compelling style, next-generation tech, genuine off-road ability or class-leading ride comfort.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox L 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$135/mo  for Equinox L

　　Equinox L

　　L 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $23,800 MSRPLS 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $26,300 MSRPLS 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $27,900 MSRPLS Fleet 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $26,500 MSRPLS Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $28,100 MSRPLT 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) (Most Popular) - $27,500 MSRPLT 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $29,100 MSRPLT Fleet 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $27,900 MSRPLT Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $29,500 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $31,400 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $33,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　The Chevrolet Equinox offered few of these standout attributes to begin with, and with the cancellation of its powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine option, this year's model feels like a C-student wallflower among numerous impressive alternatives. Though the Equinox exhibits good ride comfort and has a nifty infotainment system, its drab interior, wallowy handling and tepid acceleration are decidedly unimpressive. The same goes for Chevrolet's nickel-and-dime approach to features.

　　The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox was supposed to be a refreshed model, but COVID-related delays pushed the update to next year. Our advice? If you need a compact SUV now, take a look at one of the Equinox's many superior rivals, such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 or Ford Escape. If you absolutely need a bowtie in your driveway, wait until the restyled 2022 Equinox debuts in the first half of 2021.

　　

Which Equinox does zzdcar recommend?

If you are intent on purchasing a Chevy Equinox, we recommend the LT trim level. It represents the sweet spot in the Equinox lineup, providing the broadest array of standard and available features at the most reasonable price.

　　

2021 Chevrolet Equinox models

Chevrolet offers the 2021 Equinox in four trim levels. The base L trim is available only by special order, which means you're most likely to choose from LS, LT, and Premier trims when shopping at your local Chevy dealership. For 2021, only one engine is available: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder (170 horsepower, 203 lb-ft of torque) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all but the L model can be equipped with all-wheel drive.

　　L

　　The base Equinox L gives you a choice between white and silver paint and includes:

　　17-inch alloy wheels Heated mirrors Keyless entry and ignition Height-adjustable driver's seat 7-inch touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot Four USB ports Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Rear-seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)LS

　　The LS adds a broader variety of exterior paint colors and a few extra features for a steep cost. Added equipment includes:

　　Rear floor mats Compact spare tireYou can also opt for the LS Convenience package, which adds:

　　Power-adjustable driver's seat Rear privacy glassLT

　　Our recommended trim level is your ticket to satisfaction. It comes with:

　　LS Convenience package Upgraded headlights Added chrome and body-colored exterior trim Upgraded driver information screen Satellite radio Remote rear-seat folding leversSeveral packages are available for the LT trim, including:

　　Confidence & Convenience package: Remote engine start Dual-zone automatic climate control Leather-wrapped steering wheel Heated front seats Power rear liftgate Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Leather package (requires Confidence & Convenience package): Auto-dimming mirrors Driver-seat memory settings Leather upholstery Infotainment package (requires Confidence & Convenience package): 8-inch touchscreen Navigation system High-definition backup camera 120-volt household-style power outlet Customers looking to spruce up the look of their Equinox can opt for the Blackout or Chrome packages (which add black or chrome exterior trim, respectively) or the Sport Edition or Midnight Edition packages (which add black-painted wheels and black interior trim).

　　Premier

　　Aiming upscale, the Equinox Premier includes all the LT content, plus its three core feature packages (minus the navigation system). It also adds:

　　18-inch wheels LED headlights Chrome exterior styling elements Hands-free rear liftgate Ambient lighting Wireless charging padThe Premier isn't fully loaded out of the box, however. You can further add:

　　Confidence & Convenience II package Heated steering wheel Power-adjustable passenger seat Ventilated front seats Heated rear seats Adaptive cruise control (adjusts the speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Equinox and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Infotainment II package (requires Confidence & Convenience II package) Navigation system Seven-speaker Bose premium sound system The Redline Edition appearance package adds black exterior trim with red accents.

　　

2021 Equinox Highlights

Trim: LLSLS FleetLTLT FleetPremierL

　　

Base MSRP	$23,800
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$135/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	29.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles