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2019 Chevrolet Equinox

2019 Chevrolet Equinox

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Overview

The Chevrolet Equinox ranks relatively low on the Best American Small SUVs list, with a score of 2 out of 5. This suggests that there are several other American small SUVs that are considered better in terms of performance, reliability, or other factors. However, the Equinox fares much better in terms of affordability, ranking 4th out of 19 on the Most Affordable Small SUVs list. This indicates that while it may not be the top performer among its peers, it offers good value for money, making it a viable option for those on a budget.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox

Overview (Final Score: B)

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is one of the newer compact crossovers on offer right now. Redesigned in 2018, the Equinox sees a few changes for this new model year, but remains the same staid performer with no fewer than three engine options, including a fuel efficient diesel. Yet the Equinox competes in a segment that is rife with excellent choices.

For the 2019 model year, the Chevrolet Equinox receives an updated infotainment interface, available adaptive cruise control, and a new LT package upgrade called Lights and Brights. The Equinox retains its reputation for a smooth ride, comfortable interior, and predictable handling characteristics.

There are some downsides to the new Equinox as well, but consumers may overlook many of those given the low entry price for the crossover and some of its near-exclusive engine options.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox seats up to five as a compact three-row crossover. There are four trim choices for the Equinox, starting with the base model L and moving through the LS, LT, and Premier points. The top two trim points have three engine options available.

What We Love About the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox:


  • Good packaging choices and engine options

  • Well-done, smooth ride with confident handling

  • Right-sized for many with contemporary looks that stand out a bit


What We Don't Love About the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox:


  • Base trim is special-order only and not very loaded

  • Interior materials quality is not up to par for the segment

  • Cargo area a bit more cramped than most competitors' are


2019 Chevrolet Equinox

Exterior View (8/10)

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox has a good look to it that's both simple and modern. The new look for the Equinox starts with a contemporary fascia with thin, inset headlamps flanking a split grille with a well-defined lower bumper. The hood of the Equinox is curved nicely to accentuate its sportiness while also offering some added bolstering to the fenders to make up for a lack of flare.

The raked windscreen on the 2019 Equinox is offset by a light downward drop to the roofline at the rear, again emphasizing sport. The forward rear pillar and rounded glass at the rear adds some upscale appeal that makes the Equinox unique compared to contemporaries. Plain bodywork and simple lines around the greenhouse finish the design.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is not the prettiest or most eye-grabbing option on the market, surely, but it's definitely got something going for it regardless. The overall look of the Equinox is a good mixture of sportiness and versatility, making it a well-balanced design.

Interior Comfort, Quality, Ergonomics (7/10)

The interior of the 2019 Equinox is functional and well laid out, but includes many cheap-feeling materials and build quality. The Equinox works well for what it's for, but others in this class offer a better interior experience at a commensurate price tag.

Given that, we do like the roomy and well-designed front seats, which are comfortable and have plenty of adjustment. The driver might wish for more steering adjustment in the Equinox, but the cockpit layout is otherwise very nicely done. We like the array of storage and access to technology that the 2019 Equinox offers.

The rear seats are also good, though opting for the panoramic sunroof makes headroom an issue for those who are above average in height. The rear seat is largely for two, even with kids, but three across is possible when needed. Parents will like the easy access to child safety seat installation points.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox

The cargo area in the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is a little problematic as well. The dip of the roofline makes the opening smaller and restricts space downward. There is 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space available in the Equinox and 63.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. We note that the second row does not fold entirely flat, however, further hampering cargo usefulness. The underfloor area below the rear cargo floor is useful for stowing small items out of sight, but otherwise not all that helpful.

Technology (10/10)

The technology in the 2019 Equinox is well above par with no fewer than six USB ports, a great infotainment setup, and well-done optional Bose premium sound. There's little to complain about with the Equinox's revamped tech, making it one of the best in the business right now.

The newest iteration of Chevy's infotainment has sharp graphics and MyLink includes excellent voice controls for hands-free operation. The clear screen also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Our chief complaint with Chevrolet's system is that is requires the panoramic sunroof to get the navigation upgrade, which seems idiotic, but a connected smartphone can do better nav than a built-in system can anyway.

The controls and menus on the MyLink system are fast and easy to understand. Optional items like wifi hotspot and MyConnect for on-the-go purchasing and reservations are also nice touches.

Fuel Economy (9/10)

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox comes with three engine options, each with a separate but very good MPG rating from the EPA. The base engine receives an estimate of 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway in front-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine option is rated at 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. We averaged about 24 mpg overall in that model, so the estimates for highway may be a bit high. Finally, a diesel option has a top-tier MPG rating of 28 in the city and 39 on the highway.

Predicted Reliability, Initial Quality Ratings (8/10)

There are no reliability rating metrics as of this writing, but the Equinox enjoys a reputation for at least average reliability throughout its generational line. There have been no safety recalls and the warranty for the 2019 Equinox is about average at three years or 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and five years or 60,000 miles for the powertrain.

Safety (10/10)

The 2019 Equinox has received top scores for crash test safety by both testing bodies. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates the Equinox with five stars overall, giving five stars each for frontal and side crash tests and four stars for rollover results.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated the 2019 Chevrolet Equionix with a full suite of top-most "Good" ratings for all crash tests. In addition, the Equinox received a Superior rating for front crash test prevention with advanced safety systems installed.

Performance (9/10)

The 2019 Equinox is not a sports car, that much should be obvious. Its base engine delivers just enough power to get the job done, but not enough to make it feel confident or in any way fast. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder is a high-pitched 170-horsepower unit that mates with a six-speed automatic transmission. That transmission helps make the little engine into more than it is, keeping the base offering at least realistic for most buyers driving everyday.

The upgrade option is a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that we very much appreciated as a solid fit for the 2019 Chevrolet Equionix. This engine produces 252 horsepower, and delivers it faster, and uses a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic that rarely hunts for a gear. For highway drivers and those who want the confidence to make the pass or get up the onramp quickly, this is the best choice for the Equinox.

Another option for the 2019 Equinox is a turbocharged diesel engine that outputs 137 horsepower. It's slower on the get-go than the two gasoline options, but provides steady power output through its band. It's primary purpose is to boost fuel economy to exhorbitant levels and it does so very well.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox drives well for a compact crossover-SUV. We like how it maneuvers in tighter spaces, the visibility it offers in parking lots and structures, and the smart way the technology blends with the daily drive. It's stable, poised, and predictable to drive in most situations.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox

Pricing and Value (7/10)

The Equinox offers a good mix of value for the expectation, but isn't as high on this front as are some rivals. We'd recommend skipping the base model and its bare bones offering for the more well-balanced LT model with its good mix of amenities and options. We like the Confidence and Convenience package in particular for its added safety and comfort items.

Cross-shopping with some competitors is important, but we think the Equinox stands well against most of them.

Total Score and Competitive Comparison (68/80, 85%)

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is a solid seller in an increasingly competitive segment. The compact crossover segment is the fastest-growing in North America and features excellent choices like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and the Mazda CX-5. Of these, the Equinox compares best against the RAV4, which is newly revamped for 2019 to include some very well-done interior upgrades. The Honda CR-V is a best-seller in the segment for good reason, though, and shouldn't be ignored while the CX-5 offers the sportiest drive and most upscale feel in the market. Most price-competitive against the Equinox is the Hyundai Tucson, which offers a lot of goodness for its lower sticker.

Against these options, though, we think it's worth keeping the Equinox in mind as an excellent offering in the compact crossover segment. The new design for the Equionix makes it a more upscale competitor with good tech offerings and a strong trio of engine choices.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox Trims

Trim Engine Drive Train MSRP
L 4dr SUV 4 Cylinder FWD 23800
LS 4dr SUV w/1LS 4 Cylinder FWD 25900
LT 4dr SUV w/2FL 4 Cylinder FWD 28315
LT 4dr SUV w/1LT 4 Cylinder FWD 27200
LT 4dr SUV w/2LT 4 Cylinder FWD 29700
LT 4dr SUV w/3LT 4 Cylinder FWD 29600
Premier 4dr SUV w/1LZ 4 Cylinder FWD 31100
Premier 4dr SUV w/2LZ 4 Cylinder FWD 33900
Premier 4dr SUV w/3LZ 4 Cylinder FWD 33300
4x4 LS 4dr SUV w/1LS 4 Cylinder 4X4 27600
4x4 LT 4dr SUV w/2FL 4 Cylinder 4X4 30015
4x4 LT 4dr SUV w/1LT 4 Cylinder 4X4 28900
4x4 LT 4dr SUV w/2LT 4 Cylinder 4X4 31500
4x4 Premier 4dr SUV w/1LZ 4 Cylinder 4X4 32900
4x4 Premier 4dr SUV w/2LZ 4 Cylinder 4X4 35600
4x4 LT 4dr SUV w/3LT 4 Cylinder 4X4 31300
4x4 Premier 4dr SUV w/3LZ 4 Cylinder 4X4 35100

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