Used Chevrolet Equinox Quick Facts
- The best years to buy a used Chevrolet Equinox are model years 2020-2024.
- Over its lifetime, the Equinox used a V6, diesel, and turbocharged engines
- Teen Driver technology helps parents monitor and improve teen driving habits.
The Equinox is Chevrolet’s answer to popular compact SUVs in the marketplace. It offers a roomy cabin, a modest cargo area, and several unique features, like a sliding rear seat on the first two generations and a massive digital driver information screen on the latest version. The Equinox is known for its smooth ride, generous standard equipment, and frugal fuel use. For the most part, the Equinox is a good vehicle, although its reliability and resale figures can’t compare with rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. On the bright side, a used Chevrolet Equinox won’t cost as much as a comparably equipped competitor’s vehicle. For 2025, there’s also an electric Equinox. Since the Equinox EV rides on a completely different platform, it’s not included in this review.
- What Is the Best Model-Year Used Chevrolet Equinox?
- Chevrolet Equinox by Generation: Which Should You Buy?
- Is the Chevrolet Equinox a Good SUV?
- Does the Chevrolet Equinox Have a Hybrid Option?
- How Much Can the Chevrolet Equinox Tow?
- What Are the Most Reliable Years for the Chevrolet Equinox?
- What Are the Worst Years for the Chevrolet Equinox?
What Is the Best Model-Year Used Chevrolet Equinox?
While the fourth-generation Chevy Equinox is by far the best of the bunch, its introduction in 2025 makes it a bit too new as a viable choice. For this reason, we recommend a third-generation 2020-2024 Equinox. It comes with the latest safety and infotainment tech, gets good marks for fuel economy and reliability, and features four trims designed to appeal to a specific buyer. This generation is not without its faults, with some major concerns around failed turbochargers, excessive oil consumption, sluggish shifting transmissions, weak or erratic braking, and glitchy infotainment systems.
See used Chevy Equinox SUVs near you.
Chevrolet Equinox by Generation: Which Should You Buy?
Fourth Generation: 2025-Current
A used fourth-generation Equinox debuted in 2025 and isn’t a bad choice. However, it will probably cost nearly as much as a new model. As a result, it may not be the best used car decision unless you’re getting a smoking deal. There is much to like in the 2025 car, which makes significant strides over the previous generation. The styling is far more aggressive, the interior is more accommodating, and the technology is near best-in-class.
While the 1.5-liter turbo engine carries over from the last generation, that’s the only similarity. With a total output of 175 horsepower, this engine doesn’t deliver stellar performance, but it is adequate for most needs and does return good fuel economy. The front-wheel drive (FWD) models use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which doesn’t do much to help with acceleration. However, opt for the all-wheel drive (AWD) version, and you’ll get more torque and an 8-speed automatic, contributing to better acceleration and passing ability.
Max towing is limited to 1,500 pounds.
The Equinox comes in three trims: LT, RS, and Activ. All three offer class-competitive stats for headroom and legroom but fall far short of the segment leaders regarding cargo space, with just 29.8 cubic feet behind the second row. Compare that to the Honda CR-V’s nearly 40 cubic feet.
Where the fourth-gen Equinox really shines is its tech, starting with the interior.
LT Trim
Standard on the Equinox LT trim is:
- An 11-inch digital driver display and 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Unexpected at this price are heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a heated steering wheel.
- Standard driver aids include forward collision warning with emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, rear parking sensors, a safety alert seat, lane-keeping assist with lane departure warning, auto high-beam LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, and intersection assist braking.
RS Trim
Move up the RS, and you’ll get more features. Here’s what you’ll see:
- A power liftgate
- Rain-sensing wipers
- 8-way power driver’s seat
- Wireless charging pad
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Options like driver’s seat memory, a rear camera mirror, and fog lights.
Activ Trim
The Activ has much of the same equipment as the RS, only wrapped in a more rugged-looking package with features like:
- 17-inch wheels
- All-terrain tires
- Summit White painted roof and mirror caps.
- Optional equipment includes a dual-pane power sunroof, a tow package, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, traffic sign recognition, and a surround-view camera. Oddly, no trim level offers an upgraded premium audio system.
Model-Year Changes:
2026: The LT gets a drive mode dial.
See 2025 to current Chevrolet Equinox SUVs near you.
Third Generation: 2018-2024
The third-generation Equinox is plentiful, having run from 2018 to 2024. It is a good used SUV choice as it offers most of the advanced safety and infotainment tech of a new model, but it will likely sell for less than a comparably equipped Honda or Toyota.
Although smaller than the second generation, this Equinox offers more engine choices, including two turbocharged 4-cylinders (1.5-liter and 2.0-liter) and a 1.6-liter diesel. And, while some early 2018-2020 models with the 1.5-liter engine struggle with issues like excessive oil consumption, transmission shift delays, and fuel pump failure, the 2020 and newer models seem to have far fewer complaints in these areas. If you can snag an Equinox with the 2.0-liter turbo, you’ll get an SUV with 252 hp, decent fuel economy, and better performance. The 2.0-liter’s known issues include excessive oil consumption, premature water pump and turbo wear, and coolant leaks.
Max towing is limited to 1,500 pounds.
Although the diesel didn’t sell well and was discontinued after 2020, it has a good reputation for durability and excellent fuel economy. However, we found some complaints about the diesel emissions system, namely DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) and DPF (diesel particulate filter) components, which can be costly to repair.
The third-gen Equinox offers four trims: L, LS, LT, and Premier. The L and LS are pretty basic, although they do come with features like a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The LT brings more luxury items, like a power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, HID headlights, and heated side mirrors. The Premier is the luxury model, adding leather upholstery, driver’s seat memory, heated seats, a blind-spot monitor, an 8-inch touchscreen, rear cross-traffic detection, and a power liftgate. Initially, upgrades like collision mitigation and lane-keeping are isolated to the Premier’s options list, but in later years, they expanded to other trims.
Premier options bundled into packages include a Bose sound system, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree monitor, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats.
The third-gen Equinox is not without its issues. There have been a few recalls, including one for an improperly sealed seam on the fuel tank, an improper seat cushion frame weld, and a fuel pump failure. You can see a complete list of Equinox recalls and complaints by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. Some common complaints for this generation include problematic transmission shifting, engine oil consumption, and a few electrical bugs related to the touchscreen.
Model-Year Changes:
2024: No significant changes.
2023: The base engine gains five hp, and the LS trim adds a Midnight Edition package.
2022: A new RS trim joins the lineup, and the auto start/stop gains a shut-off switch.
2021: Chevrolet drops the 2.0-liter engine and adds a leather package for the LT trim.
2020: Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, and automatic high beams are made standard. Chevy drops the diesel engine option but adds a new Redline Edition for the Premier.
2019: Adaptive cruise control joins the Premier’s option list.
See 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox SUVs near you.
Second Generation: 2010-2017
A second-generation Equinox is going to feel a bit primitive compared to a newer model. Features like a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning don’t show up until late in the model run, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto never make the cut.
Trims for this generation include the LS, LT, and LTZ. The standard engine is a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, with a 264-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 optional. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The nice thing about the V6 is that it can tow up to 3,500 pounds, whereas the 4-cylinder can only pull 1,500 pounds. That’s the exact figure for the third- and fourth-generation Equinox, making this the generation to get if you need to pull heavy loads.
This generation has its share of issues, many of which may already be evident given their age and mileage. If you shop for a second-generation Equinox, look for a 2014 or newer model, as many of the earlier versions’ issues were resolved. The 2.4-liter is known for excessive oil consumption, while the V6 has issues with the timing chain and oil leaks.
Despite its large exterior, the second-gen Equinox isn’t big on interior space, especially its cargo hold. A sliding second-row seat helps improve things somewhat, provided the rear seat passengers don’t need much legroom.
Higher trims offer some luxury items, such as leather seats, navigation, Chevy’s MyLink touchscreen infotainment, a height-adjustable power liftgate, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
Model-Year Changes:
2017: Chevrolet changes the LTZ to the Premier and adds new styling packages.
2016: The Equinox gets a mild facelift and new safety options like a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic detection.
2015: No significant changes.
2014: Minor package changes to the LTZ.
2013: The V6 grows to 3.6 liters and 301 hp, and new safety features include collision warning and lane departure alert.
2012: All trims gain blind-spot mirrors, the LS gains Bluetooth, and MyLink arrives.
See 2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox SUVs near you.
First Generation: 2005-2009
The first-generation Equinox is a simple SUV with a few things going for it. The SUV in this generation features a sliding second-row seat that gives passengers and cargo more room and comes standard with a 3.4-liter V6 (185 hp) or, on the Sport, a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 265 hp. This generation includes front and optional side-curtain airbags, traction and stability control, and anti-lock brakes.
The 2005-2006 models had quite a few issues, including head gasket failures, HVAC failures, transmission shift issues (loss of reverse on the 6-speed automatic), and degradation of some front suspension control arm bushings.
Both the first and second generations are also involved in the massive Takata airbag recall.
See 2005-2009 Chevrolet Equinox SUVs near you.
Is the Chevrolet Equinox a Good SUV?
The reliability of the Equinox depends on which years and generations you’re looking at. The third and fourth generations have an average repair and reliability rating, with later third-generation models holding up better than the first few years. Reliability in this case depends on how well the previous owner kept up with routine maintenance, such as regular oil changes, fluid changes, and tuneups. Some of the early engine issues arise from low oil due to consumption, which can increase wear on engine parts and shorten their lifespan.
The second generation offers the option of a V6 or a diesel, allowing you to avoid some of the 1.5-liter’s more notorious traits.
Does the Chevrolet Equinox Have a Hybrid Option?
No, the Chevrolet Equinox does not offer a hybrid option. Although Chevy did offer a hybrid in overseas markets, we never saw it in the United States. The closest thing you’ll find to a fuel miser is the short-lived diesel option offered on the second-generation Equinox.
How Much Can the Chevrolet Equinox Tow?
Tow ratings vary by generation. For 4-cylinder models, towing is limited to 1,500 pounds, and for V6 models, it increases to 3,500 pounds.
What Are the Most Reliable Years for the Chevrolet Equinox?
There’s not enough data to give a solid answer for the fourth generation, but given that it’s still using the third generation’s 1.5-liter engine, we’re hoping Chevy has worked out all the bugs. We like 2021-2024 for the third generation and 2015-2017 for the second.
What Are the Worst Years for the Chevrolet Equinox?
Because of age and high mileage, we’d say avoid anything prior to 2015. The Equinox does not have a Toyota-like reputation for being a long-distance champ. Be sure any used Equinox gets a thorough going over by a skilled mechanic before you buy. If you’re looking at a late model Equinox, try and go with a certified pre-owned (CPO) model, as it will have received an in-depth inspection and come with a 6-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty (starts from the first day the vehicle entered service).
See all Chevrolet Equinox SUVs near you.
