Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A red 2019 Chevy Equinox is driving past a lit building at night.

Chevy’s Small SUV is a Serious Contender

When shopping for a small SUV, consumers are really spoiled for choice. For the consumer looking to make a sensible choice, Chevy has entered the ring strong with the 2019 Chevy Equinox. The equinox can be everything you need if you are just looking for something petite but still welcoming enough that your friends will hop in the back. You have a wide variety of options to beef up your Equinox above the the entry level model, and consumers would be hard pressed not to. Starting at $25,000, you can feel confident getting behind the wheel without worrying that scraping a curb will cost you thousands. The Equinox shows tremendous value, so let’s discuss that value in greater detail.

There will be a few criteria that we review in today’s article. The item to review will be performance. This includes all of the numbers  that you can expect to feel when the rubber meets the pavement. Exterior appeal will be our next topic, which covers both the appearance of the car and the variety of options you can get. Afterward we will discuss the interior of Chevy’s SUV. Finally, we will come to a conclusion as to who the ideal demographic for the Chevy Equinox.

What Powers You?

You have a few choices when you ecide what you want under the hood of your Equinox. If you want the most affordable option, you get a 1.5L engine. You’re two major upgrades from there would be a 2.0L engine or a 1.6L diesel option. Whichever engine you choose, you’ll be pleasantly surprised then you find out that your Equinox will be turbocharged standard. If you do opt for the 2.0L engine, you’ll be set up with a 9-speed automatic transmission. If you go the cost saving route, you’re limited to a 6-speed transmission. The options is available to upgrade to all wheel drive if you have the inclination, and 17” rims are standard but 19” wheels are an option. Overall, there is plenty of machine to propel you along in this small SUV.

This peppy engine is capable of 170 horsepower and will feel quick thanks to 203 lb-ft of torque. At under 3,300 pounds pounds in the stock model, you’ll have a blast with the power-to-weight ratio . (No doubt thanks to the turbo.) Standard, you are going to have only the two front wheels turn as a result of the engines power. If you prefer all wheel drive, you are going to need to forgo the base model in favor of the LS model. If you’re someone that you know that you needs all-wheel drive, the decision to upgrade is a no brainer. Any way you slice it, the 2019 Chevy Equinox has a a power train that exceeds traditional expectations.

A grey 2019 Chevy Equinox is driving down a city block.

Curb Appeal

Perhapse the single greatest reason to go with the Equinox over the competitors is the curb appeal of the Equinox. Chevy classifies this car as a “small SUV”, but you would’t be able to tell that just by looking at the car. The Equinox looks tall and long, tough yet refined. The exterior of the car practically challenges you to throw three adults in the back of the car and cruise with you spouse to the mountains. The tail end of the looks sharp thanks to a squared off look and the slight spoiler Chevy has added that really adds to the package. The Equinox sits high enough off of the ground that you’ll coast over light bumbs, but the car doesn’t sit so high that anyone needs to “climb” into the vehicle. Looking at this car head on, like any Most chevy models, is a pleasure to look at. This is there the Equinox might look the most sporty. The subtle grill and the aggressive headlights really round out the exterior package. The Equinox makes a large statement for a small SUV.

Inside the Cabin

No matter what seat you’re sitting in in the Equinox, you’ll have the best seat in the house. The driver enjoys a plethora of options at your fingertips. Literally. The steering wheel has a lot of buttons on it that you might not expect on a vehicle in this price range. Cruise control, voice activation and a directional pad to navigate your car’s option menus are just some of the buttons you can activat without taking you hands off of the steering wheel. You also have full power windows and locks, so you won’t be climbing across your car to shut an open window. There isn’t an overabundance of physical buttons on the center pillar, but you have a 7-inch infotainment screen to give you info on music or see your GPS directions. If you’re going to be the primary driver of the Equinox, know that the majority of Chevy’s focus was centered around you.

The black and brown interior of the 2019 Chevy Equinox is shown.

Just because the driver is the main focus, that doesn’t mean that Chevy doesn’t care about your passengers. With 35.50in. of headroom and 39.9in. of legroom, adults will be comfortable and children will be spoiled. Even if you fill all three of the back seats, you have hair under 30ft³ of cargo volume. When you don’t have the back seats filled, you can fold them down to more than double your cargo space. As an owner, you have all the room you need for people and cargo alike.  No matter your transportation needs, you’re in for a pleasant experience inside the Equinox.

Is It For You?

So who exactly should be buying the 2019 Equinox? Undoubtedly, this is a car thats designed for personal, not commercial use. This car has some utility, but not enough that you can’t find a better commercial vechicle. (Even within Chevy’s lineup.) If you’re in the market for a personal vehicle and feel that you deserve more than just a standard sedan experience, the Equinox should tick all of your boxes. With more than enough style and plenty under the hood, short trips and long trips alike should be a pleasure. The beauty of a small engine combined with a turbo let’s you get all of the Equinox’s power and still get 26 miles per gallon on the low end. Not needing to constantly stop at the gas stations is just another reason why Chevy’s offering is a cut above the competition.

You can pick up the entry-level Equinox for somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000. That is an excellent price point for anyone looking to purchase their first SUV or as a second household vehicle. This price point is also perfect for those with small children that need an SUV but aren’t prepared to drop over $30,000. The Equinox also has some nice safety features, the most Exotic of which is the “Teen Driver” configurable feature. Not only can your teen be elevated and protected in the Equinox, but you can monitor their driving habits to help provide them with advice to keep them driving safe and efficiently.

If you’re in the market for an SUV, but don’t want to break the bank , the 2019 Chevy Equinox is for you. If your raising young ones and want to be able to drive them and their friends around, the Equinox will meet your demands. If you just want to get yourself a comfortable, functional and sharp looking ride to drive from work and back in, you’d be remiss not to check out the Equinox.