[Auto] 2021 Chevrolet Equinox

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Pros Standard active-safety systems Standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Roomy rear seat Cons Less cargo room than Honda, Toyota and VW rivals No hybrid option Adaptive cruise control reserved for the highest trim What's New for 2021 The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox carries over unchanged 2.0-liter turbocharged engine dropped 2022 Equinox already announced with more features 2021 Chevrolet Equinox Review The 2021 Equinox is Chevrolet’s compact crossover SUV.

It competes in one of the hottest segments against a dozen rivals including the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape. The Equinox’s roughly $24,000 starting price is among the lowest, which helps make this Chevy a po[CENSORED]r seller. The Chevrolet Equinox comes with modern tech like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration and active safety systems like automatic emergency braking. A choice of two turbocharged engines provides either competent or eager acceleration, along with a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

Unfortunately, the turbodiesel that attained up to 39 mpg left the lineup last year. The Equinox is a comfortable, roomy, and competent 2-row/5-passenger crossover SUV with an appealing price. But in its cutthroat segment, competitors are bringing more to the table. The CR-V and RAV4, for example, include more active safety and driver-assistance systems, and each also is available as a hybrid. Chevrolet has already announced that the forthcoming 2022 Equinox will add features to help it remain competitive.

Driving the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox 2021 Equinox models all use a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. That size might sound small, but it’s par for the course these days, and like others, it puts out surprising power. Its 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque translate to a decent job moving this SUV, and the engine pairs well with the standard 6-speed automatic transmission. Chevy has dropped the 2.0-liter turbo for 2021 due to low demand. We found the Equinox’s ride on the softer and more comfortable side. Cornering is acceptable but not as athletic as that of a Mazda CX-5. If you’re more inclined to heed the call of the wild, a Subaru Forester or Jeep Cherokee is better suited to off-pavement excursions.

The Equinox’s diesel engine is not available for the 2021 model year. If you’re among the few drivers seeking a diesel-powered small SUV, look to the Mazda CX-5. The Jeep Cherokee, meanwhile, is the remaining small mainstream SUV that still offers a V6 engine. One gripe we have with the Equinox is the inability to disable its engine start/stop system, which cuts power at idle. The refreshed and forthcoming 2022 Chevy Equinox is adding a button to disable this feature, as is the case in rivals.

Driving the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox STANDARD SAFETY SYSTEMS Last year the Chevy Equinox finally caught up to the competition with its suite of standard active-safety features. Now included are automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist, plus IntelliBeam automatic headlights. STANDARD APPLE CARPLAY/ANDROID AUTO True, no-cost smartphone integration is becoming all the norm in new vehicles these days — so much so, that it’s almost become a test of whether a vehicle is worth owning or not. The 2021 Chevy Equinox passes this test, allowing you to connect your smartphone and use it through the color touchscreen. 2021 Chevrolet Equinox Interior The Chevrolet Equinox has a useful and roomy 5-passenger cabin. The front seats are supportive and comfortable enough for long trips. A 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display sits in the center of the dash. Controls for common functions like fan speed, temperature, and audio are simple to use. Most Equinox models have basic cloth seating, but you can spruce it up with leather in the top-line Premier trim. The 2nd-row bench has a recline feature and legroom is generous. The Equinox has good cargo capacity, if not the best in its class. With the rear seats folded you get 63.9 cubic feet of storage.

That compares to 75.8 in the Honda CR-V or 73.5 in the Volkswagen Tiguan. The VW Tiguan is also among the few small SUVs that offer a third row. We do like the Equinox’s sub-floor in the rear cargo for securing and hiding smaller objects and keeping them out of sight. Favorite Features Our eyes think the Chevrolet Equinox’s design is fresh enough to look good now and conservative enough to hold up in the future. At just over 183 inches long, the Equinox crossover SUV is large enough to have presence and small enough to easily fit in parking spaces and garages. Available roof rails add utility and bolder SUV looks. A power liftgate with programmable height is available on higher trims. Deep tinted glass is available starting on the LS trim. Various packages add elements like a chrome grille surround and 19-inch wheels, or a more aggressive black-out treatment. 2021 Chevrolet Equinox Standard Features The 2021 Chevy Equinox is available in four trims: L, LS, LT, and Premier.

The least expensive Equinox L comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, keyless entry, and push-button start, an infotainment system with 7-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB ports, 17-inch wheels, and the Teen Driver system that can set parameters and relay information on driving habits. Other highlights include General Motors’ OnStar telematics system and a subscription-based 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi. Standard safety features include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist The LS trim adds the ability to get all-wheel drive and includes a compact spare tire and floor mats, and opens the door for more options.

2021 Chevrolet Equinox Interior The more recommendable Equinox LT includes an 8-way power driver’s seat, tinted windows, high-intensity headlights, a color driver-information screen, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The LT trim also is available with the higher-powered engine. The topline Equinox Premier includes blind-spot monitoring, a hands-free power liftgate, leather interior, 8-inch touchscreen with a high-def rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, fog lights, 18-inch wheels, chrome exterior accents, heated exterior mirrors, LED headlights and taillights, and rear parking sensors. If you want adaptive cruise control, which comes standard on rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, you’ll have to get the most expensive Equinox Premier, then pay extra for it as an option. Other options include ventilated front seats, navigation, Bose audio, a panoramic sunroof, and a rear-seat entertainment system. 2021 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Only one engine is available in the 2021 Chevy Equinox. That powerplant is a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough oomph for most tasks, and is rated to tow 1,500 pounds. Front-wheel drive (FWD) comes standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional for better traction.

The 1.5-liter engine uses a 6-speed automatic transmission. All Equinox models have an idle start/stop system that cuts engine power at idle, such as at stoplights. Restarts can be annoying, and unlike in other vehicles, the system can’t be deactivated. A button to disable this is among the updates for the forthcoming 2022 Equinox. 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 170 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm 203 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,000 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/31 mpg (FWD), 25/30 mpg (AWD) 2021 Chevrolet Equinox Exterior The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $23,800 plus a $1,195 destination fee for a front-wheel-drive base L model. Most buyers will be better off in an LS or LT, starting at $26,300 and $27,500, respectively. Equinox Premier models begin at $31,400. All-wheel drive is an extra $1,600 and requires the LS trim or higher. A loaded Equinox can top $40,000. At its base price, the Equinox undercuts better-equipped rivals like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Subaru Forester. It’s closer in line with the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Before buying your new compact SUV, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what people in your area are paying. The Chevy Equinox’s resale value is about average, trailing leaders like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.

Best Deals on a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox for April Don’t allow April rains to dampen your spirits. Instead, turn your attention to the incredible 0 % APR for 72 months financing deal that also includes $2,150 cash back on select 2021 Equinox models. The offer is for Equinox models financed through General Motors Financial during April. Only well-qualified buyers will get this deal that doesn’t include L-grade models. If you have your own financing, you probably qualify for the 15% cash-back deal Chevy is also offering.

For a new Equinox Premier, that offer could put $5,466 in your pocket. Furthermore, you can get a factory-backed leasing deal like a front-wheel-drive Equinox LT for $199 per month for 39 months. Chevy is waiving the security deposit, but $3,209 is due at signing. Remember, though, with leasing there is a mileage penalty if you drive more than the contracted amount. In this case, the limit is 32,500 miles during that 39 months. The overage charge is $0.25 per mile over the limit. Best deals in brief 0% APR for 72 months and $2,150 cash back with GM Financial.

15% cash-back offer with your own financing. $199 per month for 39 months for an Equinox FWD LT. Which 2021 Chevrolet Equinox Model is Right for Me? 2021 Chevrolet Equinox L 1.5-liter turbocharged engine Keyless open and push-button start 7-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay/Android Auto 17-inch wheels 2021 Chevrolet Equinox LS Compact spare tire Floor mats Optional all-wheel drive Options packages 2021 Chevrolet Equinox LT 8-way power driver’s seat High-intensity headlights Tinted windows SiriusXM radio 2021 Chevrolet Equinox Premier Leather interior with heated front seats Blind-spot monitoring Hands-free power liftgate 8-inch touchscreen Dual-zone climate control