2019 Chevrolet Equinox

2019 is a carry-over second year of the third generation (2018–2024), and the last year all three engines were offered. The volume LS/LT trims use the 170-hp 1.5T, which is low for the class.

The torque arrives early, but the peak is modest for the segment. The diesel and 2.0T add more, but neither is the volume configuration.

The 1.5T is slow for the segment. The 1.5T/6AT drivetrain is unchanged across 2018–2021, so its instrumented times carry across. The 2.0T is quick but is not the volume configuration.

The 1.5T is smooth enough around town but strains and gets buzzy when merging or passing with a load aboard, and the stop/start restart is somewhat abrupt. The diesel is torquey but slow and gravelly, while the 2.0T is far more muscular.

The 6-speed automatic (1.5T and diesel) shifts smoothly but can be slow to kick down. The 2.0T's 9-speed is generally well behaved.

The item measures max capacity in any configuration, and the 2.0T is rated for 3,500 lbs. Volume 1.5T models are limited to 1,500 lbs.

FWD is standard and AWD is optional on the LS, LT and Premier trims (not the base L), including with the diesel. It is a basic on-demand system with a driver-selectable FWD/AWD disconnect and no torque vectoring or terrain modes.

A pavement-oriented crossover with about 7.9 in of ground clearance and no off-road trim, skid plates or terrain management.

There are three distinct engines: 1.5T/6AT, 2.0T/9AT and a 1.6L turbodiesel/6AT, all with FWD or AWD. That covers mainstream needs and is unusual for the class, but there is no hybrid or plug-in while the RAV4 and Escape offer hybrids.

This is competitive for a non-hybrid compact SUV. It is scored on the volume 1.5T FWD; AWD and the 2.0T are lower, and the low-volume diesel is higher.

This is the EPA city figure for the volume 1.5T FWD.

This is the EPA highway figure for the volume 1.5T FWD, 1 MPG better than the 2020 rating.

The 14.9-gal tank and 28 MPG combined give a mid-pack total range for the segment.

This is the EPA annual fuel cost for the volume 1.5T FWD on regular gasoline at standard assumptions (15k mi/yr).

The volume 1.5T runs on regular unleaded. The optional 2.0T is listed by EPA on premium and the diesel needs diesel fuel, so requirements vary across trims.

The 2019 Equinox is a carry-over year of the third generation (2018–2024). NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal and side and the 4-star rollover typical of compact crossovers.

Crash structure is strong: Good in both small-overlap tests, moderate overlap, the original side test, roof strength and head restraints. It earned no 2019 award, though, because every headlight configuration rated Marginal under the tighter 2019 criteria. IIHS's later updated side test also rates the structure Marginal.

For 2019 no driver-assistance suite is standard: AEB, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert are all options. AEB and adaptive cruise are tied to the Premier's Confidence & Convenience II package. Chevy Safety Assist only became standard for 2020, so the volume LS/LT get just a rear camera, Teen Driver and rear-seat reminder.

When fitted, the system rates Superior in vehicle-to-vehicle tests and Advanced for daytime pedestrians, and there is no nighttime pedestrian result. It is optional and confined to the top Premier package, so the volume trims have no AEB at all.

Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert is alert-only. It is a package option on the volume LT and standard only on the Premier, with nothing offered on L/LS.

Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning is available only through the Premier's Confidence & Convenience II package. It only nudges the car back at the lane line, and no trim offers lane centering.

Adaptive cruise is available only on the top Premier trim as part of an option package. The volume LS/LT get conventional cruise, and there is no highway-assist function.

The 2019 Equinox has no hands-free option. Super Cruise did not reach the Equinox until the 2025 redesign.

Every headlight configuration rates Marginal, including the volume LT's HID projectors. Automatic high beams come only with the Premier's Confidence & Convenience II package.

Forward and side views are good from an upright seating position, but thick D-pillars and a small rear window leave rear-quarter blind zones. A rear camera is standard, while the HD Surround Vision camera is limited to a Premier package.

IIHS rates the LATCH hardware Acceptable, with two full LATCH positions and a tether-only center seat. The rear seat is roomy enough for rear-facing seats, but three across is tight.

2019 is the second, carry-over year of the 2018–2024 third generation, a two-row compact crossover that seats five on every trim.

Without the optional panoramic sunroof, front headroom is generous for the class.

Front legroom is short for the segment, which matches reviewer remarks about a snug driver's footwell.

Second-row headroom is good for a compact SUV.

Rear legroom is near the top of the compact class, and the rear seatback reclines. The rear seat is the Equinox's strongest packaging point.

No 2019 Equinox offers a third row; every trim is a two-row, five-seat SUV.

Cargo space behind the rear seats is middling for the class and trails the CR-V and RAV4.

With the rear seats folded, maximum cargo trails key rivals such as the CR-V (75.8 cu ft).

Everyday storage is competitive: console bin, door pockets, an underfloor cargo tray, flat-folding 60/40 rear seats and a fold-flat front passenger seat. For 2019, though, Chevrolet removed the sunglass holder from L/LS, and the 120V outlet comes only with upper-trim packages.

The front seats support longer drives and the reclining rear bench is comfortable. Reviewers do flag front-seat comfort and limited adjustment on the cloth LS/LT seats.

Reviewers describe a firm, connected ride that is rarely harsh. It is composed most of the time but does not lead the segment.

Reviews of the 2018–2021 Equinox describe a reasonably hushed highway cabin, though the volume 1.5T grows coarse under hard acceleration.

Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a heated wheel are available, but only through LT packages or on the Premier. Dual-zone automatic climate is Premier content, so the key features start at mid trims.

The 2019 Equinox (second model year of the third generation) opens just under $25,000 delivered through the bare L trim. That is among the lowest entry prices in the compact SUV class.

The LT 1.5T is the volume trim, and AWD is the common configuration. At about $29,900 delivered it undercuts comparably equipped CR-V and RAV4 trims.

Routine service on the 1.5T and 6-speed automatic is inexpensive. Repair exposure on this generation's turbo engines (oil consumption, coolant leaks) and the 2019-only 1.6L diesel's emissions hardware pushes the projected total to mid-pack.

Resale is the Equinox's weak point. Comparable model years keep under half their MSRP at age five, against the mid-60s for the CR-V and RAV4, as heavy fleet volume and deep incentives weigh on used values.

GM's 3/36 basic coverage is the segment floor. It matches Honda and Toyota and is half of Hyundai/Kia's term.

5/60 powertrain coverage is the class minimum, well short of Hyundai/Kia's 10 yr / 100,000 mi.

For 2019 models Chevrolet covered only the first required maintenance visit (oil change, tire rotation, inspection) within the first year. It added 5 yr / 60,000 mi roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, plus an OnStar/Connected Services trial. That is short coverage, behind ToyotaCare's 2 yr / 25,000 mi.

$29,895 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (47% retained, or about $14,051) leaves about $15,844 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,700 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $21,544 in total.

2019 is the second model year of the 2018-2024 third generation, a carry-over year, and the last year of the 1.6L diesel. J.D. Power rates its Quality & Reliability 86/100 'Great', and owner aggregators put it near 71/100. Stop-start, transmission and infotainment complaints keep it mid-band. The Equinox's segment win in the J.D. Power 2020 VDS covered MY2017 (the second generation), so it is not credited here.

Chevrolet sits in the lower-middle of Consumer Reports' brand reliability rankings and near industry average in J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study. That is mid-pack, well short of Toyota, Honda and Lexus.

Four recalls cover MY2019. The two broad GM campaigns, rear caliper piston coating and the start/stop accumulator endcap, touch brakes and the transmission. The fuel-tank seam and rear-seat weld recalls are tiny campaigns. That is typical activity, nothing systemic, alongside the generation's 1.5T oil-consumption and turbo TSB history.

The volume 2019 Equinox runs the 1.5L turbo LSY four with GM's 6-speed automatic. The 2.0T with a 9-speed and the 1.6L diesel with a 6-speed were optional. The 6-speed is a proven GM unit, but the LSY has a mixed record of oil-consumption and turbo-actuator bulletins, and this year carries the accumulator-endcap transmission recall.

This is the pre-facelift cabin, heavy on hard plastics. Reviewers consistently placed it behind the CX-5, CR-V and RAV4 for perceived quality. It is serviceable but plain for the money.

A second-year build with no widespread rattle or panel-gap complaints, and J.D. Power's 86/100 quality score supports solid initial quality. The caliper-coating, fuel-tank seam and seat-weld recalls point to assembly and supplier lapses, which tempers the score.

Chevrolet has the largest single-brand mainstream dealer network in the US (roughly 2,800-3,000 franchised stores), with dense rural coverage and generally solid service satisfaction.

The Equinox is one of the best-selling compact SUVs in the US, sharing its LSY engine, 6-speed automatic and D2XX platform parts with the Terrain, Malibu and others. Parts are cheap, abundant and well supported by independents and the aftermarket. The diesel's parts are the one niche exception.

The volume LS/LT trims use the 7-inch touchscreen. The 8-inch navigation unit is standard only on the Premier and comes in a package on the LT, which is small for the era.

For 2019 every trim moved from MyLink to the new Chevrolet Infotainment system. Reviewers consistently praise it as easy to use and quick to respond, and it keeps physical climate controls; the small screens hold it back.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every trim but work only over a cable. Wireless projection did not reach the Equinox until the 2022 refresh.

Native navigation comes only with the 8-inch system (standard on Premier, packaged on LT). Basic voice commands work, but most owners will rely on phone projection.

The base six-speaker audio is adequate, and the Bose premium system is available only in a package with navigation on upper trims.

Analog gauges flank a driver-information screen, which is color from LT up. No trim offers a full-digital cluster.

The 2019 Equinox predates GM's Vehicle Intelligence Platform. Its infotainment has limited over-the-air capability, and there are no whole-vehicle updates that add features.

Through OnStar, the myChevrolet app offers remote lock/unlock, locate and remote start where equipped. Many functions require a subscription, and there is no phone-as-key.

For 2019 every trim has dual front USB ports and dual rear charge-only USB ports. Wireless charging is Premier-only, and the 120V outlet comes in an upper-trim package.

Push-button start is standard. Remote start is optional on the LT and standard on the Premier, proximity entry and a hands-free liftgate are upper-trim items, and there is no phone-as-key.

For 2019 the cameras moved to HD: an HD rear camera, plus HD Surround Vision available on the Premier. Rear park assist is Premier content, so the volume LT typically has only the rear camera.

No 2019 Equinox trim offers a head-up display.

Roomy rear legroom (39.9 in), wide-opening rear doors and a flat rear floor make car-seat duty easy. IIHS rates the LATCH hardware only Acceptable, and cargo space for strollers trails rivals.

Crash structure is solid (NHTSA 5-star overall, Good IIHS crash tests), but no 2019 trim has standard AEB or lane assist, every headlight rates Marginal, and AEB is confined to a Premier package. Families buying the volume LS/LT get a rear camera, Teen Driver and a rear-seat reminder only.

The reclining rear seat with generous legroom helps, and rear vents and two rear USB charge ports are standard. There is no rear climate zone, luggage space with the seats up is mid-pack, and adaptive cruise is Premier-only.

The Equinox is easy to drive in traffic. On the volume 1.5T, though, the auto stop/start cannot be switched off (fixed only for 2022) and the 6-speed hesitates on downshifts, both daily annoyances.

28 MPG combined on regular fuel is average for a non-hybrid compact SUV. The low-volume 1.6L diesel reaches 32 MPG, but no hybrid is offered, unlike the RAV4 and Escape.

A compact footprint and a 37.4-ft turning circle suit the city, and the rear camera is now HD. Thick D-pillars limit rear visibility, and HD Surround Vision is limited to a Premier package.

The volume 1.5T and the diesel tow only 1,500 lbs; the optional 2.0T is rated for 3,500 lbs. Modest cargo volume keeps it light-duty in any configuration.

The Equinox is a common fleet and rental vehicle, but a small turbo engine under load and middling reliability reports leave it unproven for hard use.

It has cargo tie-downs and a factory trailering package with the 2.0T. Roof rails are optional on the LT and absent on L/LS, the only onboard power is an upper-package 120V outlet, and there is little upfit ecosystem.

It offers a composed ride, supportive seats and about 417 miles of range (around 500 with the diesel). No adaptive cruise below the Premier package and no lane centering limit how much driver fatigue is reduced.

Available AWD on every engine handles gravel roads, and the 2.0T's 3,500-lb rating can pull a small camper. About 7.9 in of clearance, no rugged trim and roof rails missing from lower trims limit adventure use.

The 60/40 rear seat folds flat, the front passenger seat folds for long items and there is underfloor storage. The 63.9 cu ft maximum trails the CR-V and RAV4, and roof rails are optional below Premier.

Reviewers credit a balanced ride and handling that copes well with a twisty road, though it is less athletic than the Mazda CX-5. It is secure but not class-leading.

The steering is accurate and direct, but light and short on feedback.

Stopping power is adequate and the pedal feels conventional. No 2019-specific instrumented braking figures were retrieved.

The volume 170-hp 1.5T is adequate in town but strains when pushed, the 6-speed can hesitate on downshifts and the auto stop/start cannot be switched off. The optional 2.0T/9AT is far more responsive and the diesel is torquey but slow; neither is the volume configuration.

The 1.5T is inoffensive at a cruise, but it grows buzzy under hard acceleration and stop/start restarts are noticeable. The optional diesel is gravelly.

A tight turning diameter for a compact SUV helps maneuverability.

Controls are logical, with physical climate knobs and a commanding view. Rear-quarter visibility is poor, though, and front legroom (40.9 in) is short.

With the volume 1.5T the Equinox is a competent appliance. The optional 252-hp 2.0T is quicker than almost every rival and adds some character to the nameplate.

A 7-in touchscreen with CarPlay/Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot and a rear camera are standard. Unlike the 2019 RAV4 (Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard) and most CR-V trims (Honda Sensing from EX up), the 2019 Equinox had no standard automatic emergency braking; Chevy Safety Assist only became standard for 2020. The L and LS are sparse cloth-seat trims.

It has a low sticker price ($24,995–$36,895 delivered), and an optional 252-hp 2.0T with a 9-speed automatic (LT/Premier) that few rivals match at the price. Deep 2019 discounts made it cheap to buy, but a dated interior, optional-only active safety and weak resale keep it at fair value rather than a bargain.

There are four trims (L, LS, LT, Premier) with FWD/AWD on all but the L, and three engines: the 1.5T, the 2.0T, and the 1.6L turbodiesel (LT/Premier) in its final year. That is an unusually broad powertrain menu for the class, though there is no hybrid.

Calendar 2019 was the Equinox's best US sales year ever, with 346,048 units. It was GM's best-selling crossover and third in the compact SUV segment behind the RAV4 and CR-V.

Chevrolet is a familiar mainstream brand with a vast dealer network, but its crossovers lack the resale reputation and loyalty of Toyota, Honda or Subaru. Heavy rental-fleet presence softens the Equinox's image.

Chevrolet discounted the 2019 Equinox heavily all year. There were 0% APR offers for 60–72 months, cash allowances, and conquest discounts of 14–21% off MSRP for owners of competing vehicles.

2019 was the second model year of a generation launched for 2018, so the platform and powertrains were current. Changes from 2018 were minor, and the mid-cycle facelift did not arrive until MY2022.

Reviewers rated it a comfortable, quiet but forgettable compact SUV. The 2.0T and the frugal diesel drew praise, but the base 1.5T was called underpowered and the cabin plain. It generally ranked in the lower half of class comparisons and won no major awards.