We’re all getting pickier and pickier with how we want to invest our hard-earned cash, especially when it comes to what we’re driving. With the way the markets are going, it’s making more and more sense to shop the used market when it is time to replace your daily driver. We are also finding that more and more people are saving money by carpooling, and increasing interest in compact SUVs is growing. There are a lot of compact SUVs out there, though, and the waters can be a little muddy as far as which ones stand out above the rest.
When it comes to buying a used compact SUV, the Chevy Equinox is trending as a driver favorite right now, especially used models. This fact has many exploring our local used Chevy Equinox dealer to try and find the best deal. Consumers want the best bang for their buck, as well as the best in comfort for themselves and their passengers. So if you’re looking for a great carpooling vehicle and the Equinox has caught your attention, these are some model years with the best features for driver and passenger comfort. They are a combination of reliability, efficiency, and perhaps most importantly for those carpooling, comfort. If you are planning on regularly traveling with a group of four or five, the Equinox may exactly be what you’re looking for in a people-hauler.
The 2021 Chevy Equinox
The 2021 Equinox is an excellent pick for many drivers who are carpooling for a variety of reasons, the main being fuel efficiency. The 2021 models have great fuel economy, with the standard 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and its six-speed automatic transmission getting up to 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. This makes it easy on the wallets of those chipping in for the cost of gas for the drive to and from work.
Not just friendly to your carpool companions, the 2021 Equinox has high-quality material across all trim levels. There is plenty of legroom for drivers and passengers of the 2021 model, offering roughly 40 inches for each, and with plenty of cupholders on board, no passengers should have to hold their drinks and hope for no bumps during their trip. Our favorite trim level for the 2021s is the LT because it comes with a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The tinted windows that come with the LT are another nice touch, giving your passengers a bit of privacy or a slightly darker space to nap on the way home. If you have passengers who are more of the type to sing (our apologies), the 2021 models come with available SiriusXM, which might liven up the monotony of your daily trek if you’re not bothered by off-key singing.
While the interior touches help keep you comfortable, the 2021 Equinox also has a smooth ride suspension and quiet engine. There’s no way to eliminate all road noises, but it makes a solid effort to be quieter on the road. No highway headaches should occur for those inside unless it’s from someone singing along to the Sirius XM radio. You aren’t limited to just onboard vehicle radio features, though. With hands-free device connectivity, Bluetooth capability, plus USB and AUX cord options, the 2021 Chevy Equinox is set to help you and your carpool get the most out of the ride. You can connect to business calls, voice respond to messages, and even listen to your favorite drive-time podcasts, all available at your fingertips. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and the 2021 Equinox just may be a perfect example.
The 2019 Chevy Equinox
While slightly older, the 2019 Equinox was majorly ahead of its time, making them comparable to many of the newer vehicles we are seeing out on the lots, but you can get this model at a fraction of the cost. The 2019 Equinox was given some incredible safety features to help you and all your passengers feel safe during your travels. In fact, you should feel 5-star safe as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2019 Equinox a perfect rating for safety. Part of what helped the 2019 models achieve that coveted 5-star rating is the innovative airbag placement and strong steel frame.
Along with the build features, Chevy gave it a couple of safety features that increase the driver’s ability to maintain control, such as forward collision alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance to help drivers who may be distracted by their passengers stay safe on the road. We think these features are must-haves for anyone taking a group of people on the road. Other features, such as the rear park assist and a backup camera, help drivers with tall passengers sitting behind them easily maneuver into parking spots, as well as see everything around them.
Another part of the 2019 Equinox that makes it great for carpooling is the immense cargo capacity. If you’re driving somewhere far with your regular carpool group, whether out of state to a conference or on your daily commute, neither you nor your passengers want the hassle of sitting with a bag on their lap. The available cargo capacity makes that a non-issue. With 29.9 cu.ft. of space behind the second row, you and your 4 passengers can each have a couple bags or a large suitcase without infringing on the available leg room. This is a big deal because when we need to get out of the car, the last thing we want to worry about is knocking a bag out of the car or moving stuff around to get out. With storage space that size, everyone has plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the ride.
While slightly older, this model is far from out of date. Chevy gave them top-of-the-line infotainment and connectivity capabilities. You can expect the 2019 Equinox to come equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. This means listening to your favorite playlists on the drive, with no more random commercials on the radio. We recommend you only select a carpool DJ who only has the finest taste in music to make sure no annoying songs get played. The 7 or 8-inch screen makes it easy to interact with your device, and the onboard WiFi capability ensures you’re never out of reach of your favorite music.
Be The Carpooler Everyone Wants To Travel With
Carpooling is a great opportunity to get to know your coworkers. You might learn that Bella listens to a weird mix of country rap that you never knew existed and that Bill has a Disney-specific playlist but strangely has no kids. Traveling in a safe and comfortable vehicle allows those around you the opportunity to let their guard down and learn about one another, and that’s what sometimes makes these gas-saving travels become deeper relationships. The beauty of carpools is if you opt for a used compact SUV like the Equinox, not only will you help everyone save some money, but you’ll also help save some sanity. If you choose an Equinox, you know that no passenger is ever going to hope you don’t volunteer to drive, and that’s what makes this SUV so special.
