2020 Chevrolet Equinox review
Chevrolet Equinox highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Impressive available engine options
- Comfortable over most road surfaces
- Long list of standard features
Cons
- Fairly small cargo area for its class
- Underwhelming base engine
- Interior materials look and feel low quality
Mileage (EPA estimate)
22 city, 28 highway, 24 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
A confident SUV with lots to offer
The Chevrolet Equinox is a capable compact SUV that's been around since 2005. The 2020 model has good looks, excellent handling, sleek design, a long list of features, and powerful engine options. With four trims that have plenty to offer, there's a 2020 Equinox to suit your lifestyle.
All Chevrolet Equinox years
What is new for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
- DVD Video System features are now available as options on select trims.
- The L trim now comes with Lane Departure Warning as standard equipment.
- The LS trim now comes with Parking Sensors and Lane Departure Warning as standard equipment.
2020 Chevrolet Equinox trims
L:
Includes seven-inch touchscreen, front collision warning, emergency braking, Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and more.
LS:
Adds compact spare tire and carpeted rear.
LT:
Adds satellite radio, available heated front seats, available lane change alert, available 2.0L turbo-four engine, available remote start, and more.
Premier:
Unlocks leather upholstery, hands-free liftgate, wireless device charging, HD Radio, ventilated front seats, surround-view parking camera system, and more.
Chevrolet Equinox photos
5 reasons to buy the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
1. Plenty of features
If you're looking for lots of entertainment and tech options in your vehicle, the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox delivers. The base L trim has a seven-inch touchscreen, USB ports, Bluetooth® connectivity, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, and a six-speaker stereo. The LT trim adds satellite radio, while the Premier trim boasts wireless device charging, an upgraded stereo system, and HD Radio™—perfect for staying on top of traffic updates while commuting, or keeping you focused during long drives.
2. Expansive list of driver aids
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has a generous number of driver aids to make every ride confident and comfortable. The base L trim includes a rearview camera, following distance indicator, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, teen driver system, and more. Additional available driver aids include rear traffic alert, surround-view parking camera, adaptive cruise control, and more.
3. Two powerful engine options
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has some solid power for a compact SUV. The base engine is a 1.5L six-speed automatic four-cylinder producing 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. If you want more power, a 2.0L nine-speed automatic turbo-four engine with 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque is available on LT and Premier trims. Both get great mpg, too. The 2020 Equinox with FWD achieves an EPA-estimated 28 combined mpg with the 1.5L engine, and 25 combined mpg with the 2.0L engine.
4. Four great trims
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is available in four trims: L, LS, LT, and Premier. All come with the 1.5L four-cylinder engine as standard, but the latter two can be found with the more powerful 2.0L engine. The base trim is loaded with features, and the others add even more amenities. The LT trim adds HID headlights and two-way power lumbar control, while the Premier steps up the upholstery from cloth to leather.
5. Strong towing capacity
When it comes to towing, this compact SUV shows off its chops as a utility vehicle. The 2020 Equinox with the 2.0L turbocharged engine can pull an estimated 3,500 lbs., when properly equipped.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
A compact SUV with rugged good looks, the GMC Terrain offers high-end interior design and materials, combined with potent V6 engine availability across all model years. It also has good fuel economy for its class—the 2017 GMC Terrain with FWD and 2.4L four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 25 combined mpg.
Other features of the 2017-2021 GMC Terrain include:
Cruise control
Keyless start
Backup camera
A stylish SUV, the 2017-2021 Honda CR-V comes with familiar comforts like a straightforward infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a choice of capable engines. The handling is spry and nimble, and it's packed with convenient features like a backup camera, steering wheel controls, and cruise control.
Additional features of the 2017-2021 Honda CR-V include:
Daytime running lights
Power steering
Brake assist
This sleek compact SUV looks right at home in the city as well as the country. The 2017 base model comes with a generous list of features, including remote keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen. A 2019 redesign ushered in upgraded styling and more infotainment options. 2020 brought Android Auto connectivity and satellite radio, adding even more amenities to this roomy, comfortable vehicle.
More standard features of the 2017-2021 Toyota RAV4 include:
Lane keeping assist
Lane departure warning
Forward collision warning
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Chevrolet Equinox an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Chevrolet Equinox 13th out of 29 among Compact SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Chevrolet EquinoxChevrolet Equinox features and specs
L 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Automatic Transmission
- Cloth Seats
- Full Roof Rack
- Rear Entertainment System
- Running Boards
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
1.5L
Horsepower
170
Torque (ft-lbs)
203
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
14.9
Wheelbase
107.3"
Overall length
183.1"
Width
72.6"
Height
65.4"
Leg room
F 40.9"/R 39.9"
Head room
F 40"/R 38.5"
Front tires
P225/65R17
Rear tires
P225/65R17
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
150/1500 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2020 Chevrolet Equinox FAQ
The Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Traverse are in different vehicle classes—the Equinox is a compact SUV, and the Traverse is a midsize SUV. It's hard to say which is better, but there are similarities between the 2020 model years of each, including expansive feature lists, roomy cabins, and impressive engine options.
The highest trim of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is the Premier, which adds leather upholstery, a hands-free liftgate, and a seven-speaker Bose® stereo—among other amenities—to an already impressive list of features.
Among many other features and benefits, some models of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox LT trim include available remote start. This allows you to start your car remotely and let it warm up or cool down before you get inside.
Remote start functionality may require the purchase of a subscription plan and/or a compatible device like a smart phone. See the owner's manual or manufacturer website for more information.
More about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Color options
Exterior colors:
Cajun Red Tintcoat
Cayenne Orange Metallic
Chocolate Metallic
Iridescent Pearl Tricoat
Midnight Blue Metallic
Mosaic Black Metallic
Nightfall Gray Metallic
Pacific Blue Metallic
Satin Steel Metallic
Silver Ice Metallic
Summit White
Interior colors:
Brandy (Premier trim)
Jet Black (LT and Premier trims)
Medium Ash Gray
Interior details
Every trim of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has 103.2 cu ft of passenger volume, with 40 inches of headroom in the front, 40.9 inches of front legroom, and 39.9 inches of rear legroom. Cargo volume with the rear seats folded is 63.9 cu ft. L and LS trims offer cloth seats, the LT offers cloth or leather, and the Premier has leather seating as standard.
Child seat details
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox can fit up to three child car seats in the rear row. It has two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the outboard seats and a tether anchor for the middle seat.
Performance
The base engine of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder with 170 hp; a 2.0L turbo-four engine with 252 hp is available on the LT and Premier trims. Each trim comes in AWD or FWD.
The FWD 2020 Chevrolet Equinox achieves an EPA-estimated 28 combined mpg with the 1.5L engine and 25 combined mpg with the 2.0L engine.
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox L with the 2.0L engine and FWD can go from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds (according to the manufacturer, when new).
Year comparison
2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox (second generation)
The second generation of the Chevrolet Equinox got a serious design overhaul. It was ever-so-slightly resized for this generation, as well as rearranged on the inside and given an external facelift. The second generation offered two new engine options, which were a major upgrade to the first generation: a 2.4L direct-injected inline-four powerplant and a 3.0L direct-injected V6.
2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox (third generation)
Shorter by 5.6 inches than the first generation (2005-2009)—and thus lighter—the third-generation Chevrolet Equinox improved multiple areas with small, smart changes. A chrome grille and narrower headlights gave it an edgier look. Inside, the floor in the rear was flattened, making it more comfortable for the middle-seat passenger. Comfort was improved in general, and a seven-inch infotainment system (or optional eight-inch system) was added.
Research other vehicles
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities. By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.
We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.