LOOKS

While not the most attractive vehicle in this class, the 2023 Equinox is no slouch when it comes to design, holding up well when compared to most other small SUVs.

An attractive, rugged-looking grille and LED headlight design highlighted my test vehicle, and I would recommend this RS trim level for the best overall look on the Equinox. It features black 19-inch aluminum wheels, black roof rails and window surround, and other interior design touches.

17-inch alloy wheels come standard on the Equinox. A panoramic sunroof is an available option for all but the LS base trim, and all front and rear lighting is LED. Exterior mirrors are also heated.

Moving inside, you’ll be impressed by the considerable amount of space inside the 2023 Equinox, including for back seat passengers. Everyone will be comfortable and have plenty of leg room and head room.  

The only downside of this is there is a bit less cargo space than you'll find in other vehicles in the class. Cargo space numbers are 29.9 cubic feet with seats up, 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats down.

While not luxurious, the interior is still eye-catching and the quality of Interior materials is decent for the segment. And seating in the Equinox was high quality and comfortable, even on longer drives. The RS trim also offers leather upholstery on the seats.

Interior features include dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated front seats and steering wheel. There are also options for ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

The 2023 Equinox is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, providing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, and matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Front-wheel drive is standard on the Equinox, and all-wheel drive is optional. 

Lack of power was the biggest flaw in the Equinox driving experience. It doesn't get moving very fast, though once you are moving the ride quality is decently smooth and it handles curves well. But the Equinox lacks gusto when you need to make a quick pass or get up to speed (such as merging on the the highway). The zero to 60 time is not great, taking nearly 9 seconds.

Towing capacity on the Equinox tops out at 1,500 pounds, and the vehicle features a Stabilitrak stability control system with traction control.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY 

Either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen is the center of the Chevy MyLink infotainment setup in the 2023 Equinox, and strong technology is a highlight of the vehicle. Featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio and phone calls, ample input ports and jacks, and in-car Wi-Fi, the system does not disappoint and is a class leader for technology.

The simple, intuitive infotainment system is easy to use, and something drivers of all ages and all levels of tech capability will be able to master.

The physical buttons for climate and music controls are very clearly marked, well-placed and easy to reach. And when I used voice commands to change music or make phone calls, the vehicle understood me every time.

There is also access to in-car apps such as Spotify, plus news from USA Today and the Wall Street Journal, OnStar services, keyless start and entry, satellite radio with trial subscription, and remote vehicle start.

The sound system in the Equinox is decent, but doesn’t sound spectacular. An optional Navigation system can be added to some trim levels.

In terms of safety, a great place to start is by pointing out the nearly perfect government safety ratings of the Equinox: 5 stars overall and 5 star ratings in all but one category.

This is in part due to the Chevy Safety Assist technology that is included, such as:

— Automatic Emergency Braking
— Forward Collision Mitigation
— Front Pedestrian Braking
— Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
— Following Distance Indicator
— Intellibeam Auto High Beam

You can also monitor the driving habits of your household’s younger drivers via Chevy’s Teen Driver technology — ​​which allows you to limit audio volume, vehicle speed & more, and gives you feedback on how your teen is doing behind the wheel.

Tire pressure monitoring is included, along with a rear-seat reminder that alerts you to check the back seat for passengers prior to exiting the vehicle.

An optional Advance Safety Package adds HD Surround Vision, outside heated power-adjustable manual folding color mirrors with turn signals, and adaptive cruise control.

Perhaps the coolest safety feature is the surround-view camera system, which gives you a top-down view of the Equinox and its surroundings for tight parking situations.  This feature can help drivers a lot in parking situations and other tight spots, and it’s one of the very best camera systems in the industry.

There’s also an automated parking system offered, which can steer the Equinox into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention.

MPG

The official fuel mileage numbers on my Equinox test vehicle were officially as follows: 24 city/30 highway/26 combined. Opting for the FWD version bumps those numbers up to 25 city/31 highway. 

In my real-world testing, however, I barely cracked 20 mpg while driving the Equinox. While this may have had something to do with the way I drove the vehicle, weather and other factors, the numbers lag behind what I’ve seen in many competitors in this class.
 

PRICE

The 2023 Chevy Equinox I tested, an RS model, was priced just under $38,000; and its base price starts about $28K. Four trim levels are offered (LS, LT, RS and Premier).

The RS starts in the low $30K range and is one of the best trim options available, coming with ample safety and technology features included as standard.

Warranties are decent but not best in class, including:
— Limited warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles
— Powertrain warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles 

BOTTOM LINE

The 2023 Chevy Equinox is a modern, tech-savvy option for buyers seeking a compact SUV from a Detroit Three brand.

While its engine fails to deliver a thrilling driving experience, the quality of its design and functionality for families, along with advanced safety features and a reasonable price, may be enough to woo buyers to the Equinox over its many crossover competitors.

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