The Chevy Equinox represents one of the best vehicle values in the popular compact SUV segment. Chevy introduced this model in 2005 as it began a push toward making more SUVs. Today, Chevy offers one of the broadest lineups of SUVs among automakers, with the Equinox being one of its most popular. In fact, the Equinox came in thirteenth place among all passenger vehicles, with over 212,000 units sold in America in 2022; this was good for third place among all compact SUVs and made the Equinox the second biggest seller for Chevrolet, surpassed only by the light-duty Silverado 1500 pickup truck.
The 2024 Chevy Equinox is a member of this nameplate’s third generation. Like most mid-generation models, the 2024 Equinox has seen a number of incremental improvements, such as a choice of two new body colors and an increase in the number of standard safety features across some of its trims. The idea for the Equinox is to give drivers like you the best of both worlds: a vehicle that’s safe, comfortable, affordable, and fun to drive. This is why Chevy chose to name this vehicle after the time of year with an equal amount of daytime and nighttime.
Why the Equinox LT?
You can choose between four different trim levels on the 2024 Equinox. The most affordable is the LS, but this base trim doesn’t come with as many safety and driver convenience features as the other three. The top model, the Premier, has the highest price tag; this is justified in part by a larger touchscreen for your infotainment system, increasing in size from 7.0 to 8.0 inches. It also has additional comfort features, like a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. Meanwhile, the RS is priced slightly higher than the LT, mostly because it has fancier exterior detailing. As a result, the LT is assuredly the most cost-effective of the four trim levels of the 2024 Equinox.
Standard Safety Features
One of the biggest changes for the 2024 Equinox is the number of standard driver assistance features included. These are all part of the Chevy Safety Assist suite, and all four Equinox trims offer six standard driver assistance features. These are Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, IntelliBeam High Beam Assist, and an HD Rear Vision Camera.
The LT now also comes with a second set of features as part of the standard Driver Confidence II Package. On previous models, only the Premier and RS models came standard with these additional safety features. Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert will make it easier for you to change lanes on the highway; when you signal to change lanes in your 2024 Equinox LT, the system will let you know if it is clear to go.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert will act as a second set of eyes when you back out of a parking space in your Equinox LT. While every Equinox features a standard rear vision camera, you can’t always see pedestrians, bicyclists, or other vehicles off to the side when you are backing up; when you’re in reverse, this system will alert you if something is about to pass behind your Equinox LT.
The 2024 Equinox LT also has Front & Rear Park Assist as part of its standard Driver Confidence II Package; this consists of a set of ultrasonic sensors located in your front and rear bumpers. If these sensors detect an object within six feet of your rear bumper or four feet of your front bumper, it will sound an alert so you can avoid hitting the object. This will make it easier to get into parallel parking spots on the street.
These additional driver assistance features not only set the 2024 Equinox LT apart from the entry-level LS trim. They also set the Chevy Equinox LT ahead of many other compact SUVs from other brands. Few models in this segment can boast of as many standard active safety features as the Equinox LT.
Comfort and Convenience
The 2024 Chevy Equinox has a very roomy and comfortable interior. This allows you to seat up to five passengers with plenty of wiggle room for everyone. In fact, the 2024 Equinox has an impressive 103.5 cu.ft. of space in the cabin, affording a spacious 39.9 inches of legroom for passengers seated in the back. In addition, you get 29.9 cu.ft. of cargo space inside the trunk, which can be easily expanded to 63.9 cu.ft. by simply folding down the rear row. This gives you the best of both worlds.
Chevrolet has made a number of additions to the 2024 Equinox LT. For example, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard and wireless, so you can still connect to your infotainment system even if you forget to bring along the charging cables. In addition, you can add Connected Navigation, which will make getting where you are going easier than ever.
There are several additional comfort and convenience features that come standard on the LT trim. This outfit now has standard front heated seats, which will be a godsend on cold mornings. In addition, the Equinox LT now has a standard power liftgate; this will make it more convenient to load and unload your Equinox LT when you return from a shopping trip.
Powerful Propulsion for All 2024 Gas Models
One of the newest things about the 2024 Equinox is that Chevy has introduced a battery-electric version called the Equinox EV. Nevertheless, no matter which trim you choose on your 2024 Equinox with a conventional gas engine, you will get a standard 1.5L Turbo I-4.
This engine comes paired with a Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission. Chevy has taken steps to make the turbocharged engine on the Equinox more fuel efficient, including giving it variable valve timing and automatic stop/start, which will turn the engine off when you are stopped at a traffic light or in a traffic jam; this reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The engine automatically restarts as soon as you release pressure on the brake pedal. The Equinox features direct fuel injection on the dual overhead cam engine, delivering 175 hp at 5600 RPM and 203 lb-ft of torque at 2000-4000 RPM.
With its turbocharged engine, the 2024 Equinox is amazingly fuel-efficient. If you want the best fuel economy, you can choose a front-wheel drive model, which will get you 28 MPG combined. Choosing the available all-wheel drive will give you better traction, but it’ll reduce your fuel economy to 26 MPG combined, which is still pretty impressive!
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your 2024 Chevy Equinox LT
If you’re the kind of driver who appreciates getting the best value in their vehicle, then you will surely enjoy driving the 2024 Chevy Equinox LT. The combination of standard driver assistance tools, exceptional fuel economy, and comfort and convenience features make the Equinox LT an excellent choice for commuters and daily drivers. With its roomy interior, you get the best of both worlds, able to travel with a crew or load up the back with a major haul.
