Due to the pandemic, Chevy was forced to cancel the planned refresh of the 2021 Chevy Equinox. As a result, the 2021 Chevy Equinox was basically a carryover of the 2020 model. While this wasn’t entirely a bad thing, given the popularity of the old model, we are now getting the refresh that was supposed to arrive last year. The new 2022 Chevy Equinox offers even better features that expand upon the model’s greatness while maintaining everything that we’ve always loved about the Equinox. We’re here to help you see why Chevy’s new approach isn’t a bad one; it’s actually very appealing. The brand doesn’t change the things we’ve always loved about the Equinox. Instead, it conserves those features while adding in improvements to make the 2022 model even more appealing than ever before.
Things We Love That Stayed the Same
It’s important to first note what Chevy has stayed consistent with when it comes to the Equinox. First and foremost, the Equinox still has the same compact SUV body style as before. While it definitely has undergone some cosmetic improvements, the vehicle does not look drastically different than it did last year. This model is also just as spacious as always. The 2021 Chevy Equinox’s interior design and convenience features make it almost identical to the previous 2021 model, with its 7.0-inch standard touchscreen and standard Wi-Fi hotspot.
While the Equinox is known for its affordable price tag, Chevy makes sure that it includes safety and convenience features that aren’t typically standard on base models. Just like the 2021 model, the 2022 Chevy Equinox includes standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection and Lane Keeping Assist with Lane Departure Warning. These two standard features help prevent vehicle collisions and keep pedestrians safer. These features aren’t meant to replace your attention. Rather, driving can still be dangerous when you’re paying attention, so these features are made to act as an extra pair of eyes on the road.
We also love that the Equinox is still available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Muddy, gravel-coated backroads can pose an issue when you’ve got a front-wheel drive model, so the all-wheel drive option gives you added security if you’re a frequent backroad driver. However, those who are attuned to city driving can save a couple of miles per gallon by choosing the Equinox’s front-wheel drive variant. Overall, the 2022 Chevy Equinox has taken everything good about the 2021 model, dropped what didn’t work, and added features that suit this compact SUV perfectly.
Improvements That Make It the Better Choice
While the 2022 Chevy Equinox is generally the same in regard to body style, Chevy has added some new cosmetic differences that make it stand out. These include a nicer grille, LED headlights, four new exterior color options, and exterior heated and power-adjustable mirrors with turn signal indicators. Additionally, there’s a brand new RS trim which comes with a black and red aesthetic package. This trim falls in line with Chevy’s classic “sport” appearance package theme, meaning you’ll get red interior stitching, black trim, black wheels, and more.
In addition, rather than carrying over the same design across trims as previous model years have done, the 2022 Chevy Equinox Premier trim will come with its own unique aesthetic assets. These include a black grille with chrome inserts, 19-inch wheels, and a unique interior with French stitching and special trim. While Chevy doesn’t drastically change the Equinox’s design, the brand adds just enough aesthetic features to give it a much better visual appeal.
One small but welcome change is the addition of a new button to disable the engine start-stop system. While this feature definitely helps with fuel economy, many people are not fans of this now default feature, which is why the new Equinox offers a start-stop disable option. Even better, the option isn’t buried in the touchscreen infotainment system – it is a convenient hard button positioned right next to the button for the hazard lights. Overall, the Equinox has undergone vast improvements without a huge cost increase, making it the better option for Equinox drivers.
Do I Choose the 2021 Equinox or the 2022 Model?
Both the 2021 and the 2022 Chevy Equinox models are great compact SUV options. However, when choosing between the two, the decision really lies in what’s most important to you. Even a brand new 2022 model is affordable, but when you’re on a tighter budget, the 2021 Equinox is a great way to go. You’ll still get the same standard safety features, the same interior, and the all-wheel drive capability if needed, but at a slightly lower price tag as dealers seek to move old stock to make room for the new model year.
However, for a touch more money, the 2022 Chevy Equinox has an upgraded aesthetic appeal with more exterior customization options and a few nice new features. Chances are, you’ll get a good deal on a 2021 model since the 2022 is now out. But if a tight budget isn’t on your agenda, then we highly recommend skipping the 2021 model and heading straight to the 2021 Equinox. There are just too many perks that Equinox lovers will miss out on for a very affordable price.
Why Choose Chevy for Your Compact SUV?
There are many compact SUV models out there, so why choose the Chevy Equinox? The answer is simple – affordability. Chevy offers just as many features as its competing brands, especially in regard to safety technologies. It also offers more than its competition when it comes to convenience, like a standard Wi-Fi hotspot and a much larger standard infotainment system than the Ford Escape, for example. The Equinox also includes fun little add-on items such as an optional rear entertainment system with a DVD player and a wireless smartphone charger that comes at no extra cost when you purchase the Premier trim. But despite all of these perks, the Equinox actually starts out at an extremely competitive price.
In addition to Chevy’s affordability, the brand is also known for its innovation. Not only did Chevy come up with Teen Driver Mode, a safety suite that helps guardians monitor teenagers when they first hit the road, but they are also a leading brand when it comes to going green. Chevy is working hard to create more and more eco-friendly vehicles. In fact, by the time you’re ready to trade in your new 2021 or 2022 Chevy Equinox, you’ll likely have the option to get an Equinox-sized Chevy EV.
If their innovation isn’t enough to impress you, always remember that Chevy is also known to be one of the most long-lasting brands on the market. The brand is known to create vehicles that last well over 200,000 miles when properly cared for. In fact, Chevy falls into the top 3 most long-lasting vehicle brands. It’s safe to say that purchasing a new Chevy Equinox is not a mistake. Now that you know you can trust Chevy as a brand, it’s just a matter of whether you want the brand new Equinox or a used one. However, that is a question easily answered by taking the two models out for a quick test drive.
