Equinox is Chevy's Solid Compact SUV

CHATHAM, Mass. – The 2023 Equinox provides Chevrolet with a solid, well-equipped entrant in the highly competitive compact sport-utility (SUV) segment.

The Premier AWD (all-wheel drive) version which we piloted around Cape Cod last week fits in with other top of the range segment entries including a full suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment system with navigation and comfort/convenience amenities suitable for a luxury or premium vehicle.

The 2018 introduction of the latest (third) generation of the Equinox brought a more angular, modern 183.1-inch-long shape (72.6 in. wide, 65.4 in. tall) for the established nameplate. Underpinning it is a four-wheel independent suspension featuring MacPherson-type struts up front with tuned coil springs and direct-acting stabilizer bar with a multi-link setup at work in the rear.

The power-assisted brake system features anti-lock (ABS) along with 11.8-inch rotors in the front and 11.30-inch ones in the rear. Aluminum 18-inch wheels are shod with P225/60R18 all-season tires.

Providing the motivation is a 1.5-liter turbocharged double-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engine (with automatic stop/start technology) which produces 175 horsepower and 203 pounds-feet of torque.

The remainder of the powertrain combines a six-speed automatic transmission with a full-time all-wheel-drive system (which can be turned on/off with a push of the console-mounted button).

Performance is not the 2023 Equinox AWD's forte, but It will provide more than adequate power for everyday driving, whether merging onto a highway or zipping around plodding slowpokes on multi-lane secondary roads.

Speaking of everyday driving, we achieved 26.4 miles for each gallon of gasoline devoured, just north of the federal Environmental Protection Agency's 26 mpg overall rating (30 on the highway, 24 in urban settings).

All levels of the 2023 Equinox come with the Chevy Safety Assist system, a roster of basic advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The package consists of automatic-emergency braking (AEB); following-distance indicator; forward-collision alert; front-pedestrian braking (including an in-cluster orange warning lamp when a pedestrian is detected in front of the Equinox); lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams.

The Premier top-of-the-range trim level adds front and rear park assist; rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitor.

The optional ($1,745) Confidence & Convenience II package on the review Equinox added automatic parking assist (which can automatically park the SUV in either a parallel or perpendicular parking spot); adaptive cruise control, and HD Surround Vision (360º camera view).

The Equinox shares a feature with other General Motors products: a seat-of-the-pants warning should one of the ADAS detect an issue. Specifically, the driver can choose between a more common audible warning or a haptic vibration in the driver's seat (bottom) cushion. It takes some getting used to, but once familiar, it is very effective – a virtual "kick in the pants" if a potential danger presents itself.

All Equinox trim levels are well equipped; the range-topping Premier even more so. Inside the five-seat cabin is 103.5 cubic feet of passenger space as well as 63.9 cubic feet of cargo space (with the second seat folded; 29.9 with it upright).

Leather seating surfaces with power adjustment and memory for the driver, a heated steering wheel and automatic two-zone climate-control system head this list of premium amenities.

The aforementioned Confidence & Convenience II package adds additional interior features including ventilation in addition to the front-seat heat; rear-seat heating for the two outboard occupants, and power adjustment (including lumbar support) for the front passenger seat.

Headlining the Infotainment II option package ($1,125) is the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus with Navigation which means an eight-inch color LCD touchscreen; voice recognition; Bluetooth streaming audio; wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. The remainder of the package consists of a seven-speaker Bose premium sound system.

The last major option ($1,495) is the power moonroof.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox Premier AWD represents the bowtie brand well within the compact SUV segment of the U.S. market. It brings a solid, comfortable very well-equipped machine to the group which has offerings from virtually every automotive brand sold in the country.

The test Equinox, with all of the features and equipment discussed carried a total price of $39, 355 (of which $1,395 is the destination charge), making it one of the better top-of-the-model-range compact SUV values. And considering the high number of Chevrolet dealers in virtually every corner of the land, owning an Equinox can be very reassuring.

Mike Geylin is the Editor-in-Chief at Hagman Media. Geylin has been in automotive communications for five decades working in all aspects of the industry from OEM to supplier to motorsports as well as reporting for both newspapers and magazines on the industry.