After getting a big refresh for the 2022 model year, the 2023 Chevy Equinox will carry on largely unchanged. Size-wise, it falls in between the compact Trailblazer and midsize Blazer in Chevy’s ample lineup. Riding on good looks and functional capability, the Equinox earned its spot as one of the top-selling vehicles in its segment. So, what do you need to know about this new model before checking out a Chevy Equinox for sale? You asked, we answered.
What Does It Look Like?
Crossovers are a dime a dozen, but Chevy does a good job of giving its models a distinctive style. At the front end, an oversized grille is capped on each side by hawkish headlamps. The grille has a billet or mesh design, depending on the trim level, and is usually black but can be bright chrome as well. The rear end of the vehicle is kept relatively clean and simple, which contrasts nicely with the boldness of the front fascia.
The Equinox’s style is definitely more on the side of sophistication rather than the cheery, friendly aesthetic you see in a lot of crossovers. This is due to its sharp lines and dark color palette, featuring hue options like a muddy-green Harvest Bronze Metallic and a slate-ish Iron Gray Metallic.
Is It a Crossover or an SUV?
The lines between a crossover and an SUV are not drawn all that clearly, but Chevy themselves refer to the Equinox as a “small SUV crossover.” There are a few very general visual differences, like SUVs tend to be larger and have a boxier look, with capability that’s more in line with a truck’s than a sedan’s.
Technically, a crossover can be differentiated from an SUV by looking at its platform. If a vehicle shares a platform with trucks, it’s an SUV, and if it shares a platform with a sedan it’s a crossover. The Equinox is built on the GM D2XX platform, which is shared with the likes of the Chevy Cruze and GMC Terrain. That means they’ll have similar frames, suspensions, and supports. The full-sized Chevy Suburban, on the other hand, is built on the GMT T1XX platform, shared with the Silverado. So, long story short, the Equinox is a crossover and will perform more similarly to a car than a pickup truck.
What Trim Options Are Available to Me?
There are four different trim options available for the Equinox. They are as follows:
The LS
At the cheapest end of the Equinox spectrum, the LS resides. It’s the base model and has the least amount of creature comforts. It isn’t completely bare-boned, though, and comes with a good amount of standard features for the money, like Chevy’s suite of standard safety features and a seven-inch touchscreen for infotainment that has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android compatibility.
The LT
Next is the LT. An Equinox LT will get some added features, like a power-adjustable driver seat and a larger driver information screen with color (upgraded from monochromatic in the LS). The driver information screen is where your instrument panel would be and displays important specs like vehicle speed and engine temperature.
The RS
The RS is the next step up as we’re moving along the trim ladder. It gets additional driver assistance features, like front and rear park assist and lane change alert with blind spot monitoring. The RS also includes dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote start, and a power liftgate.
The Premier
Finally, at the very top of the trim hierarchy, we have the Premier. It’s the priciest of the four but comes with the most options. Its infotainment center is upgraded with an eight-inch touchscreen, and it’s the only trim to come standard with an HD backing camera and leather seats. The power liftgate also gets upgraded to have hands-free functionality.
Is It Safe?
Yes, the Equinox is safe. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Equinox a 5/5 overall safety rating for their crash tests, which include front and side impacts and rollovers. Another big entity that tests vehicle safety is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). They have yet to rate the 2023 Equinox, but the previous model year earned top marks in both crash safety and front-crash avoidance.
The Equinox is built to keep occupants safe in the event of a crash, but it also has several driving assistance features that will help to avoid collisions altogether. Each trim level of the Equinox comes standard with the Chevy Safety Assist, which includes forward collision and pedestrian alert with emergency braking, lane keep assist, IntelliBeam automatic high beams, and the following distance indicator.
Is It Comfortable?
The 2023 Equinox can comfortably seat up to five passengers. Being a crossover, you can expect a roomier feel than what you’d get with a sedan. Its headroom—the distance between the seat cushion and the roof—is 40 inches for the driver and front passenger, enough to accommodate even the tall folks. It also has 63.9 cu.ft. of cargo space with the seats folded down and 29.9 cu.ft. of cargo space with the seats upright (compared to the 15 cu.ft. of trunk space for the average sedan, that’s a ton of room). The Equinox’s rear seats also have a 60/40 folding split, which ensures both passengers and cargo can be flexibly accommodated.
Does It Handle Well in Bad Weather?
Yes, it does, specifically when equipped with all-wheel drive. Regardless of the trim level you choose, you have the option of equipping the Equinox with either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. The difference between these two powertrains is in the power sent to the wheels; with all-wheel drive, all four wheels can receive power when needed, whereas, with front-wheel drive, just the front two wheels receive power.
Each powertrain has its pros and cons, but vehicles with all-wheel drive undeniably handle better. They have more traction and are less likely to lose grip in the rain or snow. All-wheel drive is also the more expensive of the two options, and front-wheel drive vehicles tend to get better fuel economy.
Is It Fuel Efficient?
While we’re on the subject, let’s talk about the Equinox’s fuel economy. With gas prices being what they are, fuel efficiency has quickly projected to the front of shoppers’ minds when looking for a new car. For its size and cargo capacity, the Equinox gets good fuel ratings. An Equinox with all-wheel drive will get 24 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway, and the more-efficient front-wheel drive version will get 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway.
How Much Does It Cost?
The answer to this question is a moving target. The starting MSRP for the 2023 Equinox is currently $26,600, but that’s unlikely to be the amount you pay. Depending on supply and demand, dealerships will mark the price of the vehicle up by a certain percentage. Pricing will also vary depending on the trim you choose and any available packages you add, so bear that in mind when deciding on your budget for this model.
There’s No Question: The 2023 Equinox Excels
If you’re in the market for a crossover, chances are you’re looking for a versatile vehicle that can do a little bit of everything. The 2023 Chevy Equinox is showing that it is that vehicle. With its cargo capacity and available all-wheel drive, the 2023 Equinox certainly fits the bill, all while keeping the bill affordable with its fuel efficiency and starting price point.
