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Compact Crossover SUV
Chevrolet Equinox
→ Consider
Worth considering for the right buyer
Three vehicles wear this badge, and only one deserves your attention. The Equinox EV promises 250+ miles of range for potentially under $25k after tax credits, if GM actually ships the base trim instead of burying it under dealer markups and option packages. That's legitimately game-changing pricing for a long-range EV, though ditching CarPlay will cost them sales. The current gas Equinox (2018+) is competent appliance-grade transportation that's genuinely improved from the pre-2018 disaster years, but noisy cabins and cheap plastics remind you it's built to a price. Pre-2018 models earned their bad reputation with timing chains that jump and engines that burn oil before 100k miles. If you're shopping the EV and can live without CarPlay, it's the value play of the decade. If you're considering a used gas model, 2018 or newer only, and even then, a RAV4 will age better.
The generation that matters
This product isn't one story — here's how each era is regarded.
Pre-2025 (gas models)
2018–2024
Compromised
Older gas Equinox models are criticized for poor reliability ('worst car purchase in 20 years,' frequent hub/manifold failures before 90k miles) and are described as 'cheap for a reason'—though the current 2018+ generation is noted as surprisingly reliable by Consumer Reports, contradicting widespread user sentiment.
2025 redesign (gas)
2025
Solid
The 2025 gas redesign brings improved styling ('bolder look,' 'baby Traverse'), better tech, and new transmissions that make it feel less lazy off the line—but it still ranks mid-pack (#11 in class) with mediocre fuel economy and no hybrid option to compete with CR-V/RAV4.
Equinox EV
2024–present
Strong
The EV variant is praised as a 'home run' and 'mainstream EV done right'—affordable ($35k starting, $27k after credits), 319-mile range, refined driving dynamics, and strong value. Early owners report high satisfaction, though the removal of CarPlay and base trim availability delays are noted concerns.
−
Common complaints6 issues−Pre-2018 models have documented systematic engine failures (timing chain issues, oil consumption after 60-100k miles) and transmission problems
−Lethargic acceleration and mediocre fuel economy in gas models
−Cabin is noisy at highway speeds
−Equinox EV drops CarPlay/Android Auto in favor of Google built-in system, polarizing decision
−Build quality reflects cost-cutting: cheap interior materials, typical GM penny-pinching on base trims
−EV base model availability delayed repeatedly, actual $30k version not yet widely available
✓
What owners praise7 strengths✓
Equinox EV offers exceptional value: 250-319 miles range at $30-35k base price before incentives, potentially under $25k after tax credits
✓
Current-gen gas model (2018+) significantly more reliable than pre-2018 generations, with Consumer Reports backing improved reliability
✓
Spacious, comfortable interior with good cargo room for the class
✓
Aggressive pricing and frequent dealer incentives make well-equipped models affordable ($28-35k with discounts)
✓
2025 redesign brings improved styling, updated infotainment, and better materials
✓
Strong GM employee/supplier discount programs make it extremely competitive for Michigan buyers
✓
EV model features 150kW fast charging (70 miles in 10 minutes), major improvement over Bolt's 50kW
📊 How this score was calculated — 6-dimension rubric
High confidence▼
355 sources analysed with long-term owner data present
355 sources analysed — strong data quality
Reliability & Durability(22%)4.0
8 positive vs 12 negative long-term reports
User Sentiment(22%)7.5
3,847 positive upvotes vs 1,289 negative upvotes
Complaint Severity(16%)7.2
Complaints: 18 cosmetic, 47 functional, 9 systematic, 2 safety
Consensus Strength(8%)3.2
Opinion is use-case dependent — product divides opinion by intended use
Value for Money(15%)6.7
34 'worth it', 8 'overpriced', 12 mention better-value alternatives
Owner Advocacy(17%)6.3
4 repurchased/gifted, 19 unprompted recommendations, 11 regrets
Scores are percentile ranks: 5.0 is the median product in existence. 8.5+ is reserved for genuinely exceptional products (top ~10%). The score reflects consensus quality, what owners say about the product. Risk is tracked separately and shown above the summary when present. Both are calculated deterministically, so the same signals always produce the same score.
Specifications2026
▼Pricing
Starting MSRP
$30,795
Range
$30,795 - $35,595
Capability
Towing capacity
1,500 lbs (AWD); 800 lbs (FWD)
Fuel economy
26 city / 28 hwy MPG (FWD); 24 city / 29 hwy MPG (AWD)
Drivetrain
FWD / AWD available
Dimensions & capacity
Seating
5 passengers
Cargo
29.8 cu ft behind rear seat / 63.5 cu ft rear seat folded
Powertrains
1.5L Turbo I-4
AWD models; FWD models have 184 lb-ft torque
175 hp · 203 lb-ft
Trim pricing
LT
Base trim with standard tech features
$30,795
RS
Sporty styling, unique wheels, two-tone exterior available
$35,595
Activ
Rugged styling, all-terrain tires, drive mode selector
$35,595
🏆
How it ranks in Compact Crossover SUV
10 products compared
1
GMC Terrain
8.0/10
✓ Buy
2
Mazda CX-50
7.3/10
→ Consider
3
Toyota RAV4
7.0/10
→ Consider
4
Honda CR-V
6.9/10
→ Consider
5
Mazda CX-5
6.8/10
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6
Chevrolet Equinox you are here
6.5/10
→ Consider
7
Kia Sportage
5.8/10
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8
Hyundai Tucson
5.7/10
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9
Subaru Forester
5.7/10
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10
Ford Mustang Mach-E
5.2/10
⚠ Caution
If you're buying
Know what others paid before you walk in.