2019 Chevrolet Equinox

With four trims to choose from, you get different packages as well that will enhance your experience with the SUV. As we move up the trim level, the 2019 Equinox gets a premium design, standard tech and safety, and better entertainment options. It will be available at a starting price of $23,800. The top of the line Premier trim with all the available equipment and features will cost you $35,700. The 2019 Equinox will compete with the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, and the Subaru Forester.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is available in four trim levels. With minimal equipment, the base L trim has a price of $23,800. Add a small package to that, and you have the LS trim at $25,900, where you can avail of optional AWD as well. The LT trim adds a great value with two engine options, bigger 18-inch wheels, and enhanced comfort. This trim gets touring ready with a trailer hitch and roof racks. The top-end trim costs $31,100 and offers top-notch convenience features. There's a Redline edition with the LT trim. It adds cosmetic upgrades to the LT trim such as 19-inch black and red aluminum wheels, black grille, Chevrolet Infotainment system 3 Plus with navigation, and blacked Equinox badges with a red outline.

Which trim should you buy?

Instead of spending an additional sum of money for the LS trim, one can settle with the base L trim, which is available at an affordable price. The LS trim seems irrelevant with its limited features. The base trim offers a decent package with 17-inch wheels, a Chevrolet Infotainment system 3, cruise control, driver information display, and LED headlamps with DRLs. If one wants more power from its Equinox, they can choose the top two trims with bigger engine options.

The 2019 Equinox has a 1.5L Turbo 4 cylinder as its base engine. It has a maximum output of 170 hp and 203 pound-feet of torque. With the FWD drivetrain, the engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and driver shift control. For the top two trims, you also have a Turbo diesel engine as well. The humble 1.6L 4-cylinder outputs 137 hp of power and a massive 240 lb-ft of torque. With both FWD and AWD drivetrain, it shares the transmission with the base engine. There's another performance-packed 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder with 252 hp of peak power and 260 lb-ft of torque. This one gets a 9-speed automatic transmission and can tow up to 3,500 lbs. 

With the base engine, the Equinox can do a top speed of 115 MPH with a 0-60 acceleration in 8.4 seconds and a quarter-mile run in 16.3 seconds. If you pick the fuel-efficient turbo diesel engine, the Equinox gets slower as it takes 0.6 more in both 0-60 MPH and quarter-mile runs. The bigger 252 hp motor offers a great throttle response where the Equinox sprints from 0-60 in just 7.2 seconds and takes 14.8 seconds to cover the quarter-mile.

With its base 170hp 1.5L engine, the Chevrolet Equinox has the cheapest price tag of $23,800 while the rivals cost you more. All the SUVs have an FWD drivetrain as standard except for the Subaru Forester with its standard symmetrical AWD. Even with the lowest power output, the Equinox has the fastest acceleration, thanks to its best-in-class low RPM torque. The second spot is occupied by the Hyundai Santa Fe with its 185 hp motor. 

How well does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox handle? 

For a compact SUV, the third generation Equinox was reconfigured with the new D2XX platform. With that, the all-new Equinox has a lightweight modular frame that has enhanced its driving dynamics and handling performance. Further, the Chevrolet Equinox has a shorter turning radius as compared to the previous generation, which adds better handling and turning abilities to the SUV. With the 4-link rear suspension, the off-road behavior of the Equinox is quite something as it ensures better traction as the axle can move freely. 

Braking Performance

For a balanced compact crossover, it doesn't take much effort to stop at high speeds, yet we need responsive brakes to stop the vehicle safely. In the case of the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, it offers a light brake pedal that responds well to pressure. With its four-wheel disc brakes, the Equinox has 11.8-inch brake rotors at the front and 11.3 rotors at the back. With the base engine, the Equinox is lighter in weight and stops at 119 feet from 60 mph. 

In terms of weight, the Chevrolet Equinox L is the lightest SUV. As the weight increases, we move up the trim with other engine options. As rivals offer bigger brakes, they can stop faster. Still, they weigh more than the base Equinox. The Santa Fe takes a marginally shorter distance than the Equinox, while the Subaru Forester has the shortest braking distance here. The Kia Sorento, on the other hand, travels the farthest and is also the heaviest in this comparison. 

With its base engine, the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox has great fuel economy. It delivers 26 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on the highway, and a combined 28 MPG. With its standard 14.9-gallon fuel tank, the fuel mileage ain't that good. With the AWD version, you get a bigger 15.6-gallon tank that may deliver a better driving range. The underpowered turbo diesel is the most fuel-efficient powertrain of Equinox, offering a standard mileage of 28 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the highway, and a combined 32 MPG. And that's how you get a highway range of close to 600 miles. 

The 252 hp engine may not deliver the best economy but has a decent package for you. You get 22 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the highway, and a combined 25 MPG. Both Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Forester have similar fuel economies where the boxer engine on the Subaru delivers a better highway economy. In terms of mile range, the rivals took down the Equinox with their bigger fuel tanks. The Korean siblings, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento offer the biggest fuel tank of 18.8 gallons.

Chevrolet has revamped the dated interior of the third generation Equinox to suit the class. The boxy and simple-looking cabin is replaced by a more refined and modern design. With similar ergonomics, the interior is designed with better quality materials, new color options, the latest tech, and better convenience and comfort features to keep you at ease. The redesigned dashboard looks better in a two-tone design. The layout is similar but is more stylish than before. The shiny chrome accents highlight the AC vents and the new 3-spoke deluxe steering wheel. The redefined controls make it easier to operate the infotainment and the HVAC. The seating position offers a better view of both the road and the cluster.

The L trim is wrapped in medium ash gray premium cloth upholstery with jet black accents, while the higher trims offer perforated or premium leather upholstery. We have 4-way driver and passenger seat adjustments as standard. The LT and Premier trims offer 8-way power seats with a 2-way driver lumbar. You can get a heating function as well with the LT trim. At the rear, you have a split-fold bench seat with a center armrest. The Premier trim adds a rear-seat heating function. The convenience on the L and LS trim includes a semi-automatic single-zone AC, driver information center, and tilt/telescoping steering wheel. The higher trims add dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and multi-color display.

The Kia Sorento has a 7 seat configuration, while other offer seating for 5 only. As compared to the rivals, Equinox offers sufficient seating space with good enough headroom and legroom in both rows. Behind the rear seat, you have a cargo capacity of 29.9 cubic feet. If you fold down the rear bench seat, you get a massive cargo area of 63.9 cubic feet. Even with that, the rivals have a much better cargo capacity of more than 70.0 cubic feet. The cabin might seem uptight, but it ain't that bad. The quality of the material is not what we thought of, and the cabin on the base trim looks cheaper against the rivals. Some of the standout interior features are as follows:

• Perforated leather upholstery
• 8-way power seats with driver lumbar support
• Heated front and rear seats
• DIC with multi-color gauge display
• Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

What's there to keep you entertained?

To keep you entertained inside, the Equinox is equipped with the recently rolled out Chevrolet Infotainment system 3. It powers a 7.0-inch diagonal touchscreen display placed at the center. It offers an AM/FM radio, Bluetooth and USB audio connectivity, voice command pass-through, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The top-end Premier trim gets a bigger 8.0-inch display powered by Chevrolet Infotainment system 3 Plus. It adds infotainment personalization options such as in-vehicle apps and a SiriusXM radio subscription for a 3 months trial period.

You can also opt for the Chevrolet Infotainment system Premium 3 with the satellite navigation system, HD radio, and memory settings. As standard, we have a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot with up to 7 devices with 1 month or 3GB data trial. We have a 6 speaker audio system across all the trims. The Premier trim has an optional 7 speaker Bose sound system that comes with 2 high motor force woofers. You can also avail of the rear-seat entertainment package with 2 displays and a CD player. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:

• Chevrolet Infotainment System 3
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment
• Bluetooth and USB tethering
• Apple CarPlay and Android auto
• SiriusXM radio subscription
• Satellite navigation system
• 4G LTE WiFi hotspot
• Bose premium speakers
• Rear seat entertainment package

To make it appealing for the compact crossover SUV class, the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is more edgy and stylish than ever. The new design scheme has eliminated the front and rear boxiness of the SUV to give it a fresh modernized look. Now you get better exterior color options, where the top-end trims get chrome exterior accents on the grille, bumpers, and beltline. The major overhaul is in terms of the front and rear fascia. To compete with the stylish rivals, Equinox gets new thin LED headlamps with DRL that are integrated with the single-frame grille where the Chevrolet logo is placed on the top.

The reworked bumper gets a similar diffuser with updated fog lamps. The rear look of the Equinox is designed with new tail lamps. Two exterior-specific packages for you include the LT appearance package with 18-inch aluminum wheels and metallic paint options. The Redline edition brings red and black accents for the whole exterior with 19-inch black and red aluminum wheels. Moreover, you get black side mirrors with turn indicators, a black grille, black emblems, and a black window surround.

As compared to the rivals, the Chevrolet Equinox is the smallest compact crossover. The weight varies between 3,274 lbs to 3,650 lbs, which is still lighter than some of the rivals. In terms of length and width, the Equinox only surpasses the Subaru Forester. The stance ain't that huge, still, we have 7.6 inches of ground clearance. With the new exterior design, the Equinox looks sharper and more aerodynamic than the previous generation. However, the exterior updates and options are mostly limited to the higher trim levels. Some of the standout exterior features are as follows:

• LED D-optic bi-function projector IntelliBeam auto high beam control automatic headlamps
• Active aero shutters
• Heated power-adjustable and auto-dimming mirrors w/turn signal indicators
• Rear power hands-free tailgate
• Dual SkyScape 2-panel power with tilt-sliding front and fixed rear sunroof w/sunscreen
• 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
• Chrome-tipped exhausts 

With a lightweight modular platform, the Chevrolet Equinox drives with confidence. To protect the passengers inside the cabin, every Equinox is constructed with high-strength steel and optimized joint architecture to enhance the torsional rigidity of the SUV. Apart from its 5-star safety ratings from the NHTSA, the 2019 Equinox is rated 'Good' by the IIHS.

When it comes to active safety, the Chevrolet Equinox offers a ton of features for you but only on the top-end Premier trim. The standard safety starts with teen driver technology, OnStar safety and security alerts, and a rearview camera. The top trim offers adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. Some of the standout safety features are as follows:

• Automatic emergency braking
• HD surround vision
• Lane keep assisting with lane departure warning
• Rear park assist
• Blind-spot assist with rear cross-traffic and lane change alert
• Front pedestrian braking
• Forward collision warning
• Safety alert seat with haptic warning

2019 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Equinox is a better alternative to the Hyundai Santa Fe as it offers better capability and performance. On top of that, you have 3 engine options and a much better fuel economy. The Santa Fe gets ahead with its premium cabin design that includes better seating space with convenience options and practical trunk space. If you want an agile value-for-money compact SUV, the Chevrolet Equinox is a sensible choice.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2019 Kia Sorento

Chevrolet Equinox is more of a touring SUV that can do both city and highway. It is quite ahead of the Sorento in terms of design, handling, and economy. On the other hand, the Sorento is a true family SUV that can take you anywhere with its immense space and comfort. Both offer similar packages, yet the 2019 Equinox seems a fair value.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2019 Subaru Forester

Subaru gives tough competition to the Chevrolet Equinox with its base price, better seating and cargo space, standard AWD, and massive 8.7-inch of ground clearance. With various convenience options, the Forester can easily pass as a capable touring vehicle. However, it is no match to Equinox when it comes to acceleration and available 3 engine options. Also, the top-end Equinox costs less than a top-end Forester.

Chevrolet did a great job revamping Equinox to enter the compact crossover class. It was already the best-selling Chevrolet SUV, and with the new updates, Equinox is even better. It offers immense value and great savings on fuel bills without having to shell out additional sums of money on a hybrid or EV. Therefore, Chevy has done well to price each trim attractively and load it with features so that there is a Chevy Equinox for every budget.