2020 Chevy Equinox

The 2020 Chevy Equinox is available in four different trims. The base L starts at an MSRP of $23,800, the LS at $26,300, the LT with a starting MSRP of $27,500, and the fully loaded, top-of-the-line Premier starting at $31,400. All Equinox trims come standard with Chevy’s Driver Confidence Package, including a suite of driver-assist systems. The base L trim is equipped with front-wheel drive as the only option. The LS, LT, and Premier all offer the option of a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The L

The Equinox L is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that delivers 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, plenty of power for responsive acceleration, and great handling at highway speeds. The L also comes standard with 17-inch painted aluminum wheels and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Drivers can also get excited by the keyless open feature that is equipped with this trim.

The LS

For a few thousand more, buyers can opt for the LS and receive standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, LED headlights, and unique Teen Driver technology added to the standard safety suite. The Teen Driver technology allows you to set speed alerts to notify teen drivers when they’re speeding, and an audio system volume limit can be set to control distractions. The LS also shares the same 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine as the L.

The LT

The Equinox LT adds a power driver seat with lumbar and heated front seats and special High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps that improve visibility in nighttime driving conditions. The LT comes standard with the 1.5-liter engine but is also available with an upgraded 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that increases horsepower and torque to 252 and 260, respectively. Chevy adds a nine-speed transmission for smooth acceleration and improved handling.

The Premier

Sitting at the top of the trim lineup, the Premier adds a plethora of luxury and convenience features, including leather seats with driver memory and a hands-free power liftgate. The Premier also comes standard with larger 19-inch wheels, fog lamps, and heated power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators. On the inside, the Premier gets an upgraded 8-inch HD touchscreen and dual-zone climate control. The Premier’s rear vision camera gets an upgrade to HD, too. Find this model with the standard 1.5-liter or optional 2.0-liter engine choices of the other trims.

Chevy Safety Assist

Chevy incorporates its expansive suite of driver-assist systems - Chevy Safety Assist - into every Equinox. Starting with forward collision alert and automatic emergency braking, which detects potential hazards ahead (when traveling at 50 mph or less) and alerts the driver and will apply hard braking if a collision is imminent. In addition, the Standard Intellibeam Auto High Beam Assist will automatically adjust the high beams off and on in response to oncoming traffic.

Front Pedestrian Braking senses when a pedestrian enters the area in front of the vehicle and alerts the driver to the pedestrian’s presence. The system can also apply the brake if it senses a collision is imminent. Front Pedestrian Braking does have limited nighttime and low visibility performance, but it still adds another layer of protection for the driver and pedestrians around the vehicle.

Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning is another standard driver-assist system that alerts the driver when it senses the vehicle drifting out of its lane and the turn signal is not engaged. It will also gently nudge the steering wheel back toward the lane to encourage course correction. This system is a lifesaver on long, tedious drives when drifting can occur. Also helpful on highway drives and local roads is the standard Following Distance Indicator, which displays how far away you are from the vehicle ahead in seconds, so you can determine if you’re following too closely.

Teen Driver

The Teen Driver system, standard on LS and higher trims, monitors and records vehicle data while teens are operating the vehicle. It’s a great teaching tool for new drivers to see their average speed and monitor the number of times the forward collision alert was activated (an indication of tailgating). One of the best features of the Teen Driver system is the Buckle-to-Drive feature, which will detect if the driver tries to shift out of park without buckling in and won't allow the driver to shift for 20 seconds after. It will also automatically mute the radio until the driver and front passenger buckle their seatbelts.

Other Features

Other available driver-assist systems include Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Park Assist, and Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert. These systems are standard on the Premier and available on most other Equinox trims. Finally, the Safety Alert Seat - available as an option on the Premier only - sends pulses through the left or right side of the driver's seat to warn of where potential crashes may occur.

The 2020 Chevy Equinox includes seating for up to five passengers, along with up to 63.9 cu.ft. of cargo space. That cargo space is highly adaptable due to the Equinox’s multiple adjusting seats. The 2nd-row seats fold flat and can be folded in a 60/40 configuration. There is also hidden storage under the rear cargo floor for stowing items out-of-sight and keeping things organized.

Infotainment

The Infotainment system - 7- or 8-inches, depending on trim - offers full smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (except on the base L). The available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging system keep you connected and charged while on the go. The Equinox can be configured with up to six USB ports, too, so there is no more fighting over the charger! Chevy connects the Equinox to your smartphone via its myChevrolet mobile app. Even Amazon Alexa is compatible.

Special Editions

The Equinox Midnight Edition is a special trim-within-a-trim that adds black accents to the vehicle’s exterior and special Jet Black perforated leather seats to the inside for a sleek, stylish interior look. The Midnight Edition is available on the LT. The Premier is available in a Redline Edition that combines black and red exterior and interior accents. On the inside, four additional USB ports, an SD card reader, an auxiliary port, and a 120-volt power outlet are also included.

Opt for the Confidence & Convenience II Package on the Premier, and you’ll add an 8-way power front passenger seat, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel for cozy luxury on cold days. The Infotainment II Package adds navigation and the 8-inch HD touchscreen, and a Bose 7-speaker premium audio system. Chevy even offers an Interior Enhancement Package that adds upgraded floor mats and embroidered Equinox badge on the front row headrests.