Overview

What's New for 2023

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox is available in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. All trims are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

The RS is the popular model, and the one we recommend for most buyers. We'll explain why.

LS

The entry-level LS starts at $27,695 (including a $1,395 destination fee). Standard features include automatic LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, proximity key with push-button start, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, power door locks, power windows with driver express up/down and front and rear passenger express down, and a 3.5-inch monochromatic driver information screen. Additional features include a 60/40-split folding rear seat with fold-down center armrest and cupholders, a six-speaker AM/FM stereo system, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard safety and driver-assist tech includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam assist, and a rear-seat reminder that lets you know if you're about to leave pets or small children unattended in the back seat.

LT

For $28,795, the LT upgrades to a power-adjustable driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support, LED daytime running lights, deep-tinted rear privacy glass, a 4.2-inch color driver information screen, body-color side mirror caps, and rear-seat release levers in the cargo area. Navigation, a surround-view camera, and a heated steering wheel are optional.

RS

The RS trim ($31,795) is the sportiest-looking Equinox you can buy, although it includes no powertrain upgrades. This trim comes with black-out exterior trim, 19-inch black alloy wheels, a black interior with contrasting red stitching, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Additionally, the RS adds heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-operated liftgate, and remote engine start. Finally, this trim ushers in driver-assist upgrades such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic monitoring, and rear parking assist.

This trim has a stylish look and it adds important safety features like blind-spot warning. It also brings in useful amenities like heated front seats and a power liftgate. We recommend the RS for its attractive combination of features at a reasonable price.

Premier

The range-topping Premier ($32,895) comes with fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, integrated turn-signal mirrors, memory settings for the driver's seat and side mirrors, a hands-free liftgate, leather upholstery, a garage-door opener, a heated steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Automatic parking assist, a surround-view camera, and adaptive cruise control are optional on the Premier trim.

All versions of the 2023 Chevy Equinox come with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower. Rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 have more muscle under the hood. This Chevy's engine is hooked to a six-speed automatic transmission. Unlike its major competitors — the RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape — the Equinox does not have a hybrid version.

As a daily driver, the Equinox does the job. But for buyers looking for more fun, the compact Chevy SUV's straight-line performance requires patience; its relatively slight horsepower translates into leisurely acceleration. The Equinox does, however, come with active noise cancellation, which helps quell unwanted droning when its engine is working hard.

Once underway, the Equinox delivers carlike handling and agile driving dynamics courtesy of well-tuned shocks. It provides good body control, flat handling with very little lean in corners, direct and precise steering that's well weighted, and confidence-inspiring brakes. The 19-inch wheel/tire package that's standard with the sporty RS improves its looks but provides a bumpier ride. Buyers focused on comfort should consider the LS, LT, or Premier models since their smaller tires help smooth out rough roads.

Towing with the Equinox's small 1.5-liter turbo engine is limited to 1,500 pounds.

The Chevrolet Equinox got smaller during its last redesign in 2018, not only to make it lighter and more fuel-efficient but also to open up space in the Chevy lineup for the slightly larger Chevrolet Blazer. The 2018 Equinox lost its nifty sliding rear seat in the bargain, but overall its current size is closer to its compact-SUV competitors. The Equinox offers more rear-seat legroom than the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue. However, it falls short when it comes to cargo space; the Equinox provides 29.9 cubic feet with all seats in place and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats lowered. That's less cargo space than you'll get with the Rogue, RAV4, or Hyundai Tucson.

The driver and front passenger get cloth-covered bucket seats except in the Premier trim, where perforated leather dresses up the cabin. The front seats, while supportive, are a bit short for tall drivers. Outward visibility is hampered by thick roof pillars, which is a good reason to make sure blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring are part of the package.

The Chevy Equinox comes with one of the best infotainment systems in the compact-SUV segment. The easy-to-use system features a standard 7-inch touchscreen in LS, LT, and RS models, and an 8-inch screen in the Premier. Both offer quick responses to inputs, whether it's via the large, bright, and colorful screen tiles or steering wheel buttons. A rotary volume knob makes quick adjustments easy, and every 2023 Equinox comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In-car Wi-Fi, satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility are standard.

All trims come with a six-speaker AM/FM stereo. RT and Premier models offer an optional upgraded system.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn't officially rated the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, but the similar 2022 model earned a top five-star rating. Though it hasn't yet rated the 2023 model, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the identical 2022 Equinox Good ratings for crashworthiness in small- and moderate-overlap front impacts, roof strength, head restraints, and seats. However, in a retest for side-impact performance, the Equinox received a Marginal rating.

Aside from six airbags and a backup camera, standard safety features across all trims include forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection and auto emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam control, and a rear-seat reminder. Equinox RS and Premier trims add standard blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring; these are optional on the lower trims. Also optional but limited to higher trims on the Equinox is a package with adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox competes with the top sellers in the compact-SUV space, including the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Forester. The Equinox doesn't offer the outstanding fuel economy of the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the RAV4, Ford Escape, and Hyundai Tucson. Also, it has less horsepower than the Hyundai Tucson and RAV4. While the Equinox isn't at the front of the pack, this comfortable SUV has many of the attributes valued by buyers in this segment.

Chevrolet Equinox vs. Ford Escape

Chevrolet Equinox vs. Honda CR-V

Chevrolet Equinox vs. Hyundai Tucson

Chevrolet Equinox vs. Mazda CX-5

Chevrolet Equinox vs. Nissan Rogue

Chevrolet Equinox vs. Subaru Forester

Chevrolet Equinox vs. Toyota RAV4