For those of you looking for the perfect compact crossover, you have come to the right place. The 2021 Chevy Equinox has everything you could possibly want in a petite SUV. At an affordable price and with plenty of legroom, this vehicle is ideal for families on a budget. If you are searching for practical transport that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, this is the perfect solution.
With available seating for up to five people, the 2021 Chevy Equinox is quite spacious. Offering 29.9 cubic feet of room in the back, it has a larger cargo area than many of its competitors. If you need more space, you can fold the rear seats down to gain access to 63.9 cubic feet of room.
There is one engine and two drivetrain options, so you don't have to sacrifice power and can get a drive that will take you anywhere. For folks who wish to explore the outdoors on the weekends, the all-wheel drive version may be your best bet. For those who are strictly city-dwellers, the front-wheel drive standard version will be perfect. This vehicle gets stellar gas mileage as well, which means that you will be spending less time and money at the pump. There is simply so much more than meets the eye with the 2021 Chevy Equinox.
Starting at
Although the 2021 Chevy Equinox is a compact crossover, it still comes with a pretty impressive standard engine option. The standard powertrain is centered around a fuel-efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder motor. Equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, it generates 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. While a single engine option may seem limiting at first, this means that you won't have to sacrifice power for other features, nor will you have to pay extra to get a more impressive power.
One of the benefits of driving a small SUV as opposed to a full-size model is how much gas mileage you get while driving it. If you have a model with front-wheel drive, you can expect to see around 26 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway. If you opt for the all-wheel drivetrain, you'll see the fuel economy drop a little bit to 25 miles per gallon city and 30 miles per gallon highway. As you can see, even with the slightly less efficient all-wheel drive, you will still be saving a lot at the pump when it comes to fuel.
No matter which of the four trim levels you end up buying, every 2021 Chevy Equinox comes equipped with the Chevy Safety Assist suite. This package includes numerous advanced driving aids such as forward collision alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator. Let’s explore these high-tech systems to learn more about each one.
First up is the forward collision alert. This system uses radar sensors to detect oncoming obstacles in your path. Visual and audible warnings will alert you to take evasive action to avoid a collision. However, if no action is taken on your part, the system will trigger the automatic emergency braking system. This will drastically slow the Equinox down and even bring it to a complete halt if necessary. Furthermore, this system works with pedestrian braking as well to help avoid hitting people walking across the street. Please keep in mind that the forward collision warning system only works at speeds under 50 mph. It’s really ideal for big cities with heavy foot traffic.
Next is a two-for-one deal. Lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning go hand in hand. Lane-departure warning uses sensors to keep tabs on the lines in the road. If your vehicle begins to drift outside the lines, the system will alert you to correct your path. If you do not give the Equinox any input to correct the path, the lane-keeping assist feature will gently guide the vehicle back to the designated lane. This is designed to help reduce the risk of side-swiping accidents. The most dangerous aspect of side-swiping accidents is that they can often cause the vehicle to flip. You certainly want to avoid that at all costs!
The next system in this suite has to do with the lighting. Automatic high beams will toggle between high and low depending on oncoming traffic. For example, if you are driving down the highway at night with your high beams on and another vehicle approaches, the system will automatically dim the lights. This will prevent the other driver from being temporarily blinded by your brights.
Finally, the following distance indicator will let you set a safe distance between your Equinox and the vehicle in front of you. If the other vehicle begins to slow down, you will be notified immediately to prevent a rear-end collision. This system is designed to keep you at a safe distance at all times.
As an added bonus, you should know that adaptive cruise control is optional for the 2021 Chevy Equinox. Using your set speed limit and the following distance as guides, this system will automatically slow down the Equinox if you begin to draw too close to the vehicle in front of you. It’s ideal for driving in places with heavy rush hour traffic. Other available safety features include rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert with side blind zone alert, and an HD surround vision camera system.
The 2021 Chevy Equinox is available in four distinct trims. However, your vehicle will come with some amazing standard tech features no matter which model you choose. Let’s take a look at what’s included!
The standard Chevrolet 3 Infotainment System is displayed on a 7-inch touchscreen. Operating with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, you can sync up to two smartphone devices at the same time. With these advanced connectivity features, you will be able to make and receive phone calls, send texts, stream online playlists, and use apps hands-free. It works with voice recognition software for your convenience. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is also included on every trim to keep you connected everywhere you go.
There are four trim levels to choose from, including the L, LS, LT, and Premier models. The aforementioned 7-inch infotainment interface is standard on the first three trims. However, the LT offers the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus System with Navigation as an option. This interface works with an enlarged 8-inch HD touchscreen. In addition to the features already mentioned, it also included voice recognition navigation to ensure that you can always find your way around.
On the top-tier Premier model, the larger 8-inch Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus System is standard. This is similar to the optional interface on the LT trim, but it doesn’t have navigation. If you can’t live without navigation, there is another option on the Premier trim. You can upgrade to the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium System with Navigation. This system uses cloud-connected navigation to ensure that you are always on the fastest route. Additional memory space has also been installed for in-vehicle apps.
Available in eight unique paint colors, the 2021 Chevy Equinox can be personalized to suit your style. You can choose from the following shades: Iridescent Pearl Tricoat, Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Mosaic Black Metallic, Midnight Blue Metallic, Pacific Blue Metallic, Nightfall Grey Metallic, and Cajun Red Tintcoat. No matter which hue you decide on, you can rest assured that heads will turn when you drive by.
If that’s not enough to satisfy your need to stand out, then take a peek at a few of the special edition models. First is the Midnight Edition. Rolling on 19-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, this styling package is available on the LT trim. It comes in Mosaic Black Metallic and features black exterior accents for a darkened aesthetic. You can also opt for the Jet Black perforated leather interior to complete the look.
Another special edition model is the Sport Edition. Also available on the LT trim, this version includes 19-inch gloss black aluminum wheels as well. It also comes with black exterior accents and the option to get Jet Black perforated leather upholstery. The main difference between this model and the Midnight Edition is that this one allows you to choose the exterior paint color. It doesn’t have to be black.
Finally, one of the other aesthetic based special editions is the Redline Edition, available on the Premier trim. This trim also has the 19-inch black wheels but with red accents. You'll also get Redline-specific grilles, black bowtie emblems, black mirror caps, and Equinox badging with a red outline. This particular package with the red accents gives the Equinox a sleeker, more aggressive look.