As a midsized crossover vehicle, the Chevrolet Equinox is essential vehicle for General Motors, purposely designed to appeal to a wide audience with a lot of different interests and needs.
In fact, it’s been the BowTie brand’s best-selling non-pickup truck for the past several years. It’s also likely to be the first “affordable” electric vehicle the company will produce — the Bolt notwithstanding — after the GMC Hummer, Cadillac Lyriq and Chevy Silverado EVs all hit the streets in the near future.
In short, it’s a “Steady Eddie” kind of vehicle that car companies need and rely on to attract buyers.
Overview
It’s not flashy but it is practical, nicely equipped for its price point and the version I drove, the 2022 Equinox RS AWD, was equipped with a package of driver assistance features making it easier to pilot during a commute or while running errands.
It’s also roomy enough to be comfortable during a longer drives, capable of carrying multiple passengers and still has plenty of room for cargo, luggage, athletic equipment or packages picked during shopping on Saturday morning. While the engine is small, it does have ample power and it is also relatively efficient, which is a plus at a time when gasoline prices are so high.
Exterior
The exterior of the 2022 Equinox RS AWD comes with its own unique grille with the Chevrolet Bowtie and badging all in black. It is also equipped with black, 19-inch wheels and black around the windows, matching the badging and the grille. There also are black roof rails.
The Equinox is also dressed up with LED headlights and daytime running lights up front and LED tail lamps. Another impressive touch is the door handles that are the same color as the body panels. The overall effect helps dress up the vehicle’s familiar silhouette and takes a rather anonymous vehicles and makes it something that actually will catch your eye — a good trick.
Interior
The interior of the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD is neatly furnished with a nice mix of materials, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel, giving the vehicle a more upscale feel. The seats are comfortable and can be adjusted at the press of a button.
There are also dual-zone climate controls since the vehicle is specifically designed to carry passengers. GM leans heavily on knobs for controls for the HVAC and sound but there is also a touch screen in the center stack and steering wheel controls for the entertainment system and cruise control. The key fob operates the power rear lift gate and the space accessible from the rear of the vehicles is wide and surprisingly deep. The view from the heated front seats is excellent and the seats in the second row also come with cupholders.
Powertrain
The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox is powered by a 1.5-liter, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams. The engine is matched up with a 6-speed, automatic transmission with an all-wheel- drive system. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the 2022 Equinox a combined fuel economy rating of 27 mpg, which includes 25 mpg in city driving and 30 mpg on the highway.
Safety and Technology
The Equinox is equipped with multiple airbags to protect the passengers in the front and rear seats to protect against frontal and side-impact crashes. The vehicle also is equipped with automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keeping assistance and intelligent beam headlights.
The other equipment includes a rear-cross traffic alert, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning and front, backup camera and rear parking assistance. There also is Bose Sound system with seven speakers, USB ports, 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth with audio streaming, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio connection and voice recognition as well as Chevrolet infotainment with navigation.
Driving Impressions
Out on the highway, the 1.5-liter engine delivers ample power and the 6-speed automatic transmission is well modulated, so the shifts come cleanly and smoothly. The Equinox is an easily maneuverable vehicle with good, responsive steering and excellent braking power.
The vehicle’s overall ride and handling is very good thanks to the solid suspension that give the Equinox a surprisingly smooth ride over varied road surfaces, including gravel or dirt. The Equinox might not look like it has a lot of driving flair, but it’s well tuned to the demands of everyday driving.
2022 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD specifications
| Dimension | L: 183.1 inches/W: 72.6 inches/H: 65.4 inches/Wheelbase: 107.3 inches |
| Weight | 3,476 pounds |
| Powertrain | 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, 6-speed automatic transmission, AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 25 mpg city/30 mpg highway/27 mpg combined |
| Performance Specs | 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque |
| Price | As tested: $36,020 including $1,195 destination charge. |
| On-Sale Date | Available now |
Wrap Up
As GM has turned towards electric vehicles, CEO Mary Barra has taken to saying GM and will produce an affordable and a practical electric vehicle comparable to the Equinox now on sale at Chevrolet dealers. The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox is an affordable — the price of the vehicle I drove was $36,020 — practical and nicely equipped vehicle, which delivers a pleasant everyday driving experience as well as helping to keep you connected with work, family or friends and entertained during a longer drive or commute.
2022 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD — Frequently Asked Questions
What SUVs are similar to the Chevy Equinox?
You might try looking into the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-9, Dodge Durango, Kia Sorento, Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.
How does the Equinox stack up against the competition?
The Equinox has consistently ranked well on sites like J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book, receiving praise year after year for its second-row legroom and assortment of standard safety features.
What is the gas mileage for a Chevy Equinox?
The SUV generates up to 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway in its standard configuration.
