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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  Problem Child - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By T_rell - February 16 - 10:39 am

  The turning radius is horrible, the center console is garbage. It collects everything and is in constant need of attention. Problems with my nox: It never seemed to go into gear. Every time I put into drive I had to play with it. Drive, Park, Drive till the gear would finally catch. The dealer tried to fix 3 times. Windshield washer fluid sprayer front in back is just horrible. Very cheap leather seats, feels like vinyl. Interior design: looks very cheap and plain, typical though- for American cars. The front end would shake if I had to jam on the brakes past 55mph. The worst car ever in the snow even with new tires. This is why American car companies are failing, lack of detail.

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  I love my Equinox - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Annie - February 15 - 10:26 pm

  I love the look of my Equinox. After driving cars for years, I really enjoy sitting up higher.

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  Im happy - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By R Adler - February 14 - 11:26 pm

  I researched, compared, and test drove the Honda CRV, Toyota Rav 4, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Hyundia Santa Fe, Ford Escape, and the Nissan XTerra. I found that although nothing in life is perfect, the Equinox was the best choice. It has the best safety rating, the most passenger and cargo room, the best "feel" on the road, the best exterior design, and the most for the money. Sure it turns wide, but its only 3 inches shoter than some full- sizr SUVs and that is to be expected. Fuel consumtion could be better, but is actually better than most of the vehicles mentioned above. Cheap looking interior? Maybe, but come on....its a Chevy, not a Mercedes. My family and I are so far very pleased.

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  Her name is Queenie Equinox - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Amanda - February 14 - 11:22 pm

  I love my new Equinox. I was originally looking for a Honda CR-V, but the moment I saw the Equinox I switched. Honda CR-Vs seems cheap looking compared to the Chevy Equinox. Im also glad to buy American.

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  Equinox Lemon - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Rachel - February 14 - 2:07 pm

  I bought this vehicle used with 70,000 miles on it. I bought it from the original owner who said they had no issues. Usually two owner vehicles are a pretty safe bet because people take care of them when they have owned them for a while. I brought it home and about 2k miles later, noticed how loud the engine had become. I took it into the dealership and they said it needed a new timing chain. The vehicle was still covered under the factory warranty so that was a relief. After the repair, and after reading reviews, I decided to purchase the extended powertrain warranty costing me $1800. Few thousand miles later, its burning oil. Took it BACK in, dealership replaced pistons, rings, etc. Paid only my deductible for the warranty ($100). TWO MONTHS later, vehicle transmission starts hesitating/slipping. Back to the dealership we go. Get the phone call that it needs a whole new transmission and SURPRISE the warranty only covers up to $3k leaving me with a $1200 bill! This vehicle has been NOTHING BUT HEADACHES and is in the repair shop almost more than I drive it. At this point, it has a whole new engine and transmission so maybe I can get another 30k miles out of it...who knows. This is only the MAJOR repairs, too. I have replaced other things like the throttle body sensor which cause the vehicle to basically shut down and not go over 30 mph which is awesome on a busy 55 mph road. *eye roll* Rant over. DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE. Save yourself the money, headache, time, everything. I will be going back to Toyota when I chuck this POS

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  Equinox LTZ Experience - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Bill - February 7 - 9:30 pm

  This vehicle is fun to drive and is quite comfortable. Has decent power and handling. Love the colour (Granite Gray Metallic), yet the interior tends to be somewhat spartan (typical chevy, although I see the 2010 model improves dramatically upon that). Turning radius is too large, and the usual issue with the cup holders is a hindrance and they are also somewhat flimsy. Back seat a model of versatility, as it moves 8" fore and aft to accommodate either passengers or cargo. I do like the height of the rear liftgate, although shorter persons may find it tough to reach. Overall a fine vehicle - and the AWD feature works well in Chicago area winters. Upgraded Pioneer stereo is rad!

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  So in love - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By shelli bell - February 7 - 12:07 pm

  This SUV is definitely the best purchase for a family in our opinion. The Equinox has more than enough power, and for tall or bigger person is is ideal. After much researching for almost a year, this car is extremely safe and puts the mind at ease with safety. We have a big truck, and didnt want to sacrifice room and power for great gas mileage of a car. Although I wish I had gone with the LS, this is my only regret. This base model has more than enough gadgets and the OnStar is wonderful. I work night shift and live in the country, and after a serious accident about a year ago I am so comfortable driving in the snowy conditions on back roads. With only the FWD, I have never had a problem!

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  A blast to drive - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By leslie - February 7 - 2:06 am

  After owning a Suburban, my expectations of finding a smaller SUV with comparable leg and head room was doubtful. I was wrong. My Equinox feels just a spacious as a larger SUV.

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  Poor mileage - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MICKEY32 - February 6 - 4:45 pm

  Experience rather noisy. Car has a whine at 35 mph that dealer says is normal. My wife will not drive it as she cannot find a comfortable seat adjustment position for her short legs. (She has no problems with our Ford product). The fuel mileage is terrible. I sold my pickup to get better mileage but it did not happen.

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  Equinox = Disaster - STAY AWAY - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Brian - February 1 - 2:46 pm

  Ive driven cars for more than 30 years now, and owned a real variety in that time. Without a doubt, the Chevrolet Equinox is the absolute worst car I have ever owned In 30 days, I have had more than $6,000 in repairs done to the abysmal, wheezy 4 cylinder engine. This included timing chain, valves, heads, pistons, and the ancillary parts that go with those repairs. (Thankfully I have an extended warranty) Even after being essentially "rebuilt", the engine idles roughly, gas mileage is terrible (the only way this thing gets 32 MPG is to be towed by another vehicle getting 32 mpg), it clatters and rattles and sounds like a diesel and now I have had acceleration surge once which nearly caused a crash. The transmission is in another league altogether. Its an automatic that feels like an old manual in terms of shifting. There is a terrible lag between gears that makes you feel like the transmission is hesitating or slipping. Combine that with the raspy, wheezy engine and it sounds like the car has emphysema. Truly an embarrassing. Mine is the LTZ model so it has all of the options, including the Pioneer audio system which is just muddy sounding and no better than the standard sound system. The leather seats are hard and flat but not totally uncomfortable. They are, however, very difficult to get into thanks to the oddly vertical and oversize side bolster. All of that being said, the Equinox does have a very comfortable ride on the open highway but quickly becomes choppy and unsettled on uneven pavement. Its reasonably quiet but not overly so, due in no small part to the poor engine. The instrumentation is great, with large, legible dials and logically placed gauges. A nice touch is the redundant digital speedometer between the analog speedometer and tach. The headlights are powerful and if you have the optional fog lamps, the lighting is superior. The Equinox handles well, with nicely weighted steering and a taut suspension that pushes back when pushed. Cargo space is really poor due to the rake of the back window encroaching over a foot into an already tight cargo space. Back seat ingress and egress is poor also due to the rake of the back door in relation to the seat cushion location. Ive heard this all before too... 2010 was the worst year, buy a 2011 or newer and youll be OK. Then it was 2011s are bad too but they got the bugs worked out in 2012 and newer. The absolutely horrible reliability of this car is its legacy and believe every other review that says "run - dont walk" away from the Equinox. Cars like this are what almost killed GM and are the best advertising for the Japanese and German brands.