LOOKS

In terms of design, the 2022 Chevy Equinox RS I tested delivers a strong look that competes well with its rivals. The new RS trim level is quite sharp and sporty looking, highlighted by a bold grille design and unique headlight setup.

The Equinox RS features black-painted 19-inch wheels, power rear liftgate, roof rails, LED lighting, and more unique RS design touches.

The RS model’s interior also gets some attractive features, including red stitching on the black leather upholstery. Overall, the Equinox offers quality materials inside for its price range. Spacewise, it’s not the roomiest in the segment, but both rows still offer a generous amount of room to passengers, and cargo space is adequate.

All controls and commands, from the touchscreen and center console to the steering wheel, are well-designed and easy to use.

Dual-zone automatic climate control is included, along with heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

This is one area of the Equinox that could use some improvement.

All 2022 Chevy Equinox models are powered by a turbocharged 1.5 liter, four-cylinder engine that is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Output numbers are 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque.

Front-wheel drive is standard, but an upgrade to all-wheel drive is offered.

These are not hall-of-fame numbers when it comes to power. The Equinox offers a smooth ride overall and handles well, but it’s just not very powerful. Zero-to-60 times were around 9 seconds, and getting up to speed on highway merges was often tricky.

Towing capacity caps out at just 1,500 pounds.

If you haven’t got the hint, I’ll just say that any SUV buyers with power on their must-have list will want to skip the Equinox, as it’s not made for them.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Diving right into the technology presented on the Equinox, let’s start by talking about the excellent Chevy infotainment system at the center of it all.

Both voice and touch commands are intuitive and easy to master on the system, which is focused around either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen. And OnStar support is available as needed.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay allow for phone mirroring, and Bluetooth allows for streaming of phone calls and audio to the vehicle from your cell phone.

There’s also an available booming Bose sound system that’s extra impressive — especially on the bass end.

Other tech touches include an available Wi-Fi connection in the vehicle, keyless start and keyless entry, USB ports, 120-volt power outlet, SiriusXM satellite radio and remote vehicle start.

Moving on to safety, the Equinox also shines in this area, earning several 5-star government safety ratings. Standard features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision alert, lane keep assist and lane departure warning.

Optional safety features include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. An advanced safety package adds HD Surround Vision and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Parents will also like the Teen Driver feature, which can track how your young drivers are driving the Equinox, and gives parents a chance to set parameters on speed, radio volume and more.

And a Rear Seat Reminder warns you to check the back seat before exiting the vehicle. 

MPG
The official fuel mileage numbers on the 2022 Chevy Equinox I tested are 25 city/30 highway/27 combined. Numbers improve slightly if you opt for FWD instead of AWD.

In real world testing, II averaged 25 mpg, equivalent to about 400+ miles per tank. These are decent numbers, about middle of the pack in the compact SUV segment — beating some rivals but falling behind others.
 

PRICE

The 2022 Chevy Equinox I tested was priced just over $36,000, and its base price starts about $27K. Prices rise as you move up the trim level chain — which includes LS, LT, RS and Premier options.

While slightly more expensive than some competitors, these numbers are close enough to the Equinox’s rivals that pricing won’t be a deterrent for most buyers.

Warranties are decent but not class-leading. They include:

— Limited warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles
— Powertrain warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles
— Complimentary maintenance for the first visit

BOTTOM LINE

The 2022 Chevy Equinox is a strong domestic option for compact SUV buyers who are looking for a smooth ride but aren’t focused on power, and who want a vehicle with strong tech and safety features.

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