Overview & Reviews

Part of a growing segment of plus-sized small crossover SUVs, the Chevrolet Equinox splits the difference between compact and midsize utility vehicles and offers roomy accommodations in a five-passenger layout. Like other vehicles in its class, the Equinox emphasizes style, amenities and day-to-day practicality over more traditional SUV attributes. In short, the Chevy Equinox is a fine choice for commuting to work or transporting pets, but it's not suited for towing, or anything more rugged than a gravel road.

Although the Equinox has always had a roomy interior and an easy-driving nature, the plain styling and low-quality interior materials in earlier models are none too impressive by today's standards. Later versions of this Chevrolet crossover have made big strides in quality and are available with more desirable features and engine choices.

User Reviews:

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  An Engineers Review of the 2012 Equinox - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Eric - September 18 - 1:26 am

  We have own our 2012 Equinox since November 2011. This a very good value for the money. My wife and I both choose this vehicle after test driving this SUV along with Honda CRV, Ford Escape, and Toyota Rav4. Ride I am very pedantic with vehicles and so the ride of a vehicle is the first thing I check out. The triple door seals and the acoustic dampening of the engine make for a very quiet ride. The 18 inch wheels and suspension make for a very smooth ride -- even over rough terrain. Seats The seats in the equinox are the most comfortable seats in its class. The leather interior do not feel cheap, like it does in the Rav 4 or Escape. Powertrain The engine is seems to be a good balance of performance with economy. We tend to get about 24 miles per gallon in the Equinox which is probably related to the hills of San Diego and the fact I tend to drive close to 80 on the highway. I have experienced a rough shift in the transmission once or twice. I think that is something that could be improved upon. Controls The controls are very well thought out throughout the vehicle. You do have to lean forward to touch all the buttons on the infotainment system but you the gear shift is in a nice nature position for the drive unlike the CRV with the shifter growing out of the center stack. One change that I would like to see in the Equinox is a push button start. I had a friend of mine drive it who was use to driving an audi and he had trouble putting the key into the ignition. I think the new Ford Escape push button is very well done. No repairs needed We have never had to repair the Equinox since we have purchased it almost 4 years ago. We have only had oil changes and tire rotations. Cargo The cargo capacity is not huge but after observing the other SUVs and they are the same in size. You will want to be very careful in picking out strollers that fit inside if you have young children or babies. If the stroller collapse flat and long they will be a tough fit. If they fold in half you will not problem. All in all, I would recommend this vehicle to any wanting a Small SUV. Everyone I know who has purchased one love them.

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  Do yourself a favor and RUN away from this car! - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Amy - September 16 - 8:29 am

  Purchased the car used, a little over 100K miles on the car when we purchased. A few hours after we left the dealership, the car began idling rough when stopped, hesitated when you try to accelerate, and an engine light came on (P0420). The car began rough idling anytime it wasnt in motion > 10mph. The engine shakes very hard. The car continues to run 3-6 seconds after you remove the key. When you accelerate from a stop or when coasting the car jerks forward like you stomped on the gas pedal. Sometimes when you try to accelerate the car just kinda sits there for a few seconds before it decides to move. It sounds like a big diesel truck when you crank the car - so embarrassing. These issues continued to happen the entire time we were taking it to the dealership, and still happen today. The car also only get about 22 mpg highway / city combined. We took the car back to the dealership not even a week after purchasing - they replaced spark plugs and sent us on our way. The engine light returned again (P0420 and P0303). Took the car back and the dealership replaced the 3rd coil pack. Engine light returned again - dealership said it was some kind of seal and it was "fixed". Engine light returned again - dealership "couldnt duplicate" the issue and insinuated that it was fine. Kept insisting that the car does not have any issues when they have it and they have tried sitting, slow driving, etc. I recorded the issues on my cell phone and text them to the dealership. Suddenly their story changed to "clearly there is something wrong with the car and we need to get it fixed asap." No kidding... We opened a case with GM customer care (dont even waste your time there). GM told us to take it to a certified dealership and have diagnostics run ($100). They told us if it was a manufacturer defect they would cover the cost of repairs and reimburse the $100 diagnostic fee. It turned out to be a known issue - also a manufacturer defect but suddenly GM decided they couldnt cover the cost of repair because the car had over 100K miles. They knew this BEFORE asking us to take it to the dealership to begin with. They told us the fix was to have the catalytic converter and O2 sensor replaced ($1500). We took the car back to the dealership we purchased it from, and they sent it to another repair shop because they couldnt fix the issues themselves. Not even a week after the catalytic converter and O2 sensor were replaced the issues returned. Ive given up hope and Ive had it with this car. We tried to trade it in, but nobody will give us anywhere near what we paid for it because it runs like crap and sounds awful. Just praying the car doesnt die before we can pay down the balance enough to be able to trade the car without losing thousands on it. Seriously, do yourself a favor and stay away from GM cars. Worst car buying experience ever. My 13 year old Honda with almost 200K miles ran better than this 4 year old car. Seriously regret spending money on this POS.

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  Overall view. - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Robert Poole - September 10 - 6:31 pm

  I read all reviews. The sluggish start problems I corrected with a computer module reprogram. As for A/C compressor problem my vehicles is noisy also. I will install an aftermarket model compressor. Other than that I have no complaints. I drive all GM products and recognize some short comings. My vehicle has 45000 mi. and uses no oil between 8000 mi changes. Mileage is 25 on average city/hwy mix, I run 70 on interstate. I am a mechanic aircraft and car. I can overcome small problems. Thats my perspective.

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  My equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jared - September 10 - 3:05 pm

  I see many complaints of the equinox. I have owned mine for 7 yrs now bought it with 35000 mls now has 156000. I havent had to do any major maintenance on it til now having to replace the head gasket. I put almost 700 mls a week on it and have had nothing but being happy with its performance and reliability. My wife also feels the same. So whether it be ppl not performing their own at home maintenance of a vehicle, changing its oil and just learning their vehicle with its sound and handling and knowing when something is wrong is their fault. I love my Equinox and would not hesitate to buy another

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  If you like rust you will love this car! - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Chevy hater - September 8 - 6:46 pm

  All 4 doors are rusting already, Gm says this is a known issue, but will not fix it because it just passed its 3 year corrosion warranty. Have the 4 cylinder engine and it uses a quart of oil every thousand miles. It only has 30k on it right now.

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  Big Annoying mistake - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Val - August 28 - 4:46 pm

  The dealer kinda pushed this car on me cause I needed a vehicle to carry my stuff and my 70lb husky...that worked but my car has 80000 miles on it and the repairs are more than the things worth now. All I asked was that it gets me from point A to point B and now it over heats about every 20 minutes of driving. I see why the dealer wanted to get rid of this thing so much I NEVER WANT TO OWN ANOTHER ONE OF THESE [non-permissible content removed] AGAIN!!! they have non standard tires and a pain in butt to change the head lights and it takes forever to heat up in the winter and enjoy less than standard tire size.

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  Hate the sound system - 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sandy Steiger - August 23 - 5:30 pm

  I am so sorry I didnt stick with a GMC. I decided to get a smaller SUV, I hate this car, it drives fine since I dont drive very far. But the radio just gets on my last nerve, the sound is awful, it is so flat even when I have the base turned up. The radio keeps going to XM which I didnt use when it was free so I sure dont want to pay for it. The blower on the heater/ air is so loud you have to turn up the lousy radio or talk louder or turn it off in order to talk to anyone. But yet they put in a box in the back of the car to take up storage room, that blocks OUTSIDE sounds! WHY? I needed to put the seats dow to put some boxes in the back, the second row of seats DONT lay flay, so most of my boxes which had breakables kept shifting towards the back of the car as I was driving, what a stupid design! I want rid of this car so badly, but probably wont get diddly squat for a trade in even with only 6000 miles in a year on the thing.

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  A typical 4 cylinder Automatic. - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By David T. - August 23 - 10:55 am

  I drive a 2012 equinox LT2 FWD daily and have had no issues with it and it august 2015. It a SUV with a 4 cylinder engine so if you consider the weight to engine size of course it going to be a little slow a typical 4 without turbo. MPG is great I get 32 on long trips and 23city mix driving. I do notice the transmission jerk once in awhile when going 15-40 when I let off gas and step on again when approaching a light. I believe it is just the flywheel catching up again nothing to worry about. All automatics shift different. If you dont like automatic consider a CVT. I also own a 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5 Touring.

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  If you have one, Get rid of it or by a lot oil - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By charles - August 19 - 12:34 pm

  If you have the four cylinder model youll need a new bank loan for the amount of oil it uses. Ive had to have the top end rebuilt at around 50,000 mi. It uses 3-4 qts/5000 mi synthetic oil change at the dealership. (Its the only way to keep the warranty valid) Service blamed the top end repair on the "owner" for not changing the oil often enough and "Chevrolet made it right." The oil has been faithfully changed at 7500 mi. Suggested changes are 10000 mi. What a load of Cr*#p when you read all of the forums with users complaining about the crummy engine. Chevrolet should recall the vehicle for defective engines. This is my last Chevrolet..... Government Motors needs help!

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  LOVE IT! - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Brittany - August 18 - 9:50 am

  Bought my Equinox used from my local dealer. I went from a 2013 Malibu, to the 2011 equinox and I couldnt be more pleased. This car is perfect for me especially since I have a child in a car seat. Easily fits 3 car seats on the back seat. NO problems at all. First owner took very great care of the care and kept maintenance up as well. It does get expected gas mileage 30+ hwy and roughly 23+ city. Not to mention the DVD system works flawlessly and my baby loves it! Ive seen the bad reviews on these cars so I guess every car is different bc so far I havent had a problem out of mine!