The 2022 Chevy Equinox has been touted as “the small SUV that’s larger than life,” and the details emerging about the model indicate that it has certainly earned its reputation. With seating for five and plenty of customizable cargo room, this year’s Equinox is a vehicle that can take on a variety of tasks in a single day. From heading into the office, hitting the town, or even spending the weekends exploring the countryside, there’s a lot to love about the Equinox.
Chevrolet understands that the Equinox hits a sweet spot in drivability, budget, and fun for many drivers, and for 2022, the manufacturer has made several updates and additions to the model. This includes the addition of a new trim, as well as updated features that ensure drivers get the most out of their Equinox experience, regardless of budget or trim level selected. In fact, Chevy has made their small SUV highly customizable, with loads of safety features and plenty of room for friends, family, or adventures. Let’s take a look at what makes the 2022 Chevy Equinox one of the best options for drivers who need a vehicle that can do a lot without making them spend a lot of money.
Capacity and Economy in the 2022 Chevy Equinox
The first question many drivers ask themselves when shopping for a new vehicle is, “Can this SUV do everything I need it to do?” This is an excellent starting point since it doesn’t make sense to spend money on a car that can’t perform the necessary everyday tasks. The 2022 Chevy Equinox may not have the towing capacity of a heavy-duty Silverado, the off-road chops of the Blazer, or room for 9 passengers, like the Suburban, but it offers comfort, reliability, and a solid driving experience for drivers who need to visit a lot of different places and do a lot of different things with their vehicles.
It offers comfortable, roomy seating for up to five adults, with a backseat that provides adequate legroom and shoulder room. That means no more loading up the car and asking everyone to squeeze in tightly. Instead, you have the opportunity to impress your carpool buddies with a smooth and enjoyable commute.
That same backseat is a 60/40 split-folding backseat, which means you can transform all or just a portion of your vehicle into extra cargo room. With all seats filled, the standard cargo area provides 29.9 cubic feet of storage space, which increases to a maximum of 63.9 cubic feet with the backseat fully folded. Hidden storage is available under the rear cargo floor, providing additional places to stash valuables or breakables during transit. Drivers who know they’ll be moving lots of bags, boxes, and larger or heavier items can even choose to add the available hands-free power liftgate to make it easier to load and unload the Equinox.
Under the hood is a 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 engine. With 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, this engine is powerful enough to hold its own on the highway and can tow loads up to 1,500 pounds. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission for smooth, easy transitions in stop-and-go traffic. Best of all, the 2022 Chevy Equinox isn’t harsh on your fuel budget. The front-wheel drive Equinox offers 26 miles per gallon of fuel when driving in the city and an estimated 31 miles per gallon on the highways.
Is the 2022 Chevy Equinox Safe?
Buying a new SUV is a pretty significant investment, regardless of your budget. Therefore, it makes sense to choose a vehicle that has your back, with the most robust suite of safety and driver assistance equipment available.
The 2022 Chevy Equinox includes the Chevy Safety Assist package standard on all trims. This includes Forward Collision Alert, which uses sensors to gauge the potential of a crash with an object in front of the vehicle. To mitigate or avoid the collision, Automatic Emergency Braking will apply or enhance the brakes. Front Pedestrian Braking extends this feature to not just large objects, such as other vehicles, but people crossing the street as well.
The Following Distance Indicator lets drivers know when they’re a little too close to the vehicle in front of them. Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning scans the lane markers to ensure drivers are centered and safe at all times – the alert sounds when drifting is detected. Lastly, IntelliBeam Auto High Beam Assist dims high beams when the vehicle senses oncoming traffic, keeping everyone on the road safe.
The Driver Confidence II Package adds more safety features. Standard on the RS trim and above, but available for an additional cost on the lower trims, this package adds a Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and Front and Rear Park Assist. A surround-view camera is also an option for lower trims, though standard on the higher trims.
Which 2022 Chevy Equinox Should I Choose?
With the introduction of the RS trim, the 2022 Equinox is available in four total levels of excitement, comfort, and convenience.
The LS is the most basic of the trims, but it’s hardly boring. Chevy has ensured that the 2022 Equinox is well equipped at every level. The LS includes keyless entry with push-button start, and active noise cancellation is standard, as well. The Chevy Infotainment 3 System includes a 7-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, four USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system that allows drivers to enjoy their ultimate driving playlist. The LT trim includes a jump in price but adds a variety of helpful features, including a 4.2-inch driver information screen, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and high-intensity headlamps.
The new RS trim requires another jump in price, but the inaugural offerings are very tempting. Not only does the 2022 Equinox RS include a trim-specific dark exterior, including Dark Android-painted aluminum wheels with Gloss Black accents, but the interior is Jet Black with a signature red stitching. In addition to the safety features of the Driver Confidence II Package becoming standard, the RS gets heated driver and front passenger seats and a power liftgate.
The top-shelf Premier trim may be the most expensive Equinox, but it does have a lot to offer. From the upgraded Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus System with 8-inch diagonal HD color touchscreen to the HD rear vision camera, along with a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-appointed seating, the Premier trim brings with it a causal and functional elegance. For drivers who plan to spend a lot of time behind the wheel, this trim may be a good investment, with plenty of extras that will help them get the most out of their driving experience.
The 2022 Chevy Equinox Is the SUV You Need
Regardless of which Equinox best fits your lifestyle, drive style, and budget, it’s clear that Chevy has designed a small SUV with a lot to offer. From the ample cargo space to the comfortable and supportive seating, it’s clear the 2022 Equinox has been intelligently designed with a wide range of drivers in mind. Whether it’s making the daily commute to and from the office or heading out for a cross-country road trip, the Equinox can be enjoyed by many types of drivers. With plenty of safety features and an interior that can take on a variety of configurations, the Equinox can grow with your family, whether that means adding car seats or room for furry friends to join in the adventure.
For those looking for a small SUV that will be just as wise an investment in five years as it is today, the 2022 Chevy Equinox provides plenty of standard features and available options to create exactly the right vehicle to go wherever it’s needed…even if you aren’t quite sure where the road to the future is heading.
