2024 Chevrolet Equinox

MY2024 is the final year of the third generation (2018–2024). The 2.0L turbo and 1.6L diesel were dropped after MY2020, so every 2024 Equinox (LS/LT/RS/Premier) uses the 175-hp 1.5L turbo — low for the compact-SUV class.

203 lb-ft arrives low in the rev range thanks to the turbo, which helps around town, but the figure is modest against 2.5L/turbo rivals.

Instrumented tests of the 1.5T Equinox sit in the high-8 to low-9-second bracket depending on drivetrain, among the slower results in the compact-SUV class.

The small turbo is smooth and quiet at cruise with little lag around town, but it becomes coarse and strained when merging or passing with passengers aboard, and auto stop-start restarts are noticeable.

The conventional 6-speed automatic shifts smoothly and avoids CVT drone, but it is slow to kick down and can hunt on grades because the engine needs revs for passing power.

With the 2.0T gone, the maximum rating is 1,500 lbs — light-duty only, behind rivals offering 3,500 lbs.

AWD is available on every trim (LS, LT, RS, Premier) with a driver-selectable FWD/AWD mode, but it is a basic on-demand system with no terrain modes or torque vectoring.

Pavement-oriented crossover with about 7.9 in of ground clearance, no off-road trim (the ACTIV arrived only with the 2025 redesign), no skid plates and no terrain modes.

Single powertrain — 1.5T with a 6-speed automatic — with no hybrid, PHEV or upgrade engine (the Equinox EV is a separate nameplate).

The 1.5T/6-speed earns a competitive 28 MPG combined in FWD form, mid-pack for a non-hybrid compact SUV; AWD drops to 26.

26 MPG city is solid for a non-hybrid compact SUV, helped by auto stop-start.

31 MPG highway is respectable, though the six-speed leaves it short of the best non-hybrid rivals.

A 14.9-gallon tank at 28 MPG gives about 417 miles per fill for the FWD model — middle of the SUV range band.

EPA's current estimate for the FWD model is $2,400 a year on regular, average for a gas compact SUV and well above hybrid rivals.

Runs on regular unleaded on every trim, with no premium requirement or charging needs.

NHTSA's API lists the 2024 Equinox (VehicleIds 19005/19006) as Not Rated, but the same third-generation body earned 5 stars overall in its last tested year (2023), so that rating stands for 2024 per the item's 'latest tested year of this generation' rule.

Original small-overlap and moderate-overlap tests are Good, but the aging 2018 structure rates Poor in the updated moderate-overlap test (rear-occupant protection) and Marginal in the updated side test, and the Equinox earned no 2024 award.

Chevy Safety Assist (AEB with pedestrian detection, FCW, lane keep assist with LDW, following distance indicator, auto high beams) is standard on every trim, and for 2024 blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert became standard on LT and up; adaptive cruise is optional-package only and unavailable on the LS.

IIHS rates the standard AEB Poor in its tougher vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 test, though daytime pedestrian AEB earns Advanced; the camera-only system lags newer rivals.

Blind-spot monitoring with lane-change alert and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the volume LT trim and above for 2024 (optional on LS), but they're alert-only with no active steering or braking intervention.

Standard lane keep assist with lane departure warning nudges the car back from the lane edge but offers no true lane centering, and GM's camera-based LKA of this era tends to bounce between lane lines.

Camera-based adaptive cruise exists only in optional packages on LT/RS/Premier (not available on LS), with no lane-centering highway assist to pair with it, so most volume-trim cars ship with plain cruise.

Super Cruise was never offered on the gas third-generation Equinox; no hands-free option exists for 2024.

IIHS rates the LED reflector headlights fitted to every 2024 trim Poor; standard IntelliBeam auto high beams only partly offset that.

Upright greenhouse gives decent forward sightlines, but thick rear pillars and a small rear window create rear-quarter blind zones. Standard front/rear park sensors on LT+ help, and the HD surround-view camera is optional.

IIHS rates the LATCH hardware Acceptable, with two full LATCH positions in the second row. The rear seat is roomy for the class, but the anchors aren't the easiest to reach.

The third-generation Equinox is a strict two-row, five-seat compact crossover on every 2024 trim.

Generous front headroom for a compact SUV without the optional sunroof, which costs nearly two inches.

Front legroom is on the short side for the segment, though most drivers fit comfortably.

Rear headroom is competitive for a compact crossover without the sunroof.

Near-40-inch rear legroom with a flat floor is one of the Equinox's strongest packaging points and is class-competitive with the CR-V.

No third row is offered on any 2024 Equinox; buyers needing seven seats are steered to the Traverse.

Cargo space behind the rear seat trails the CR-V and RAV4 by several cubic feet, a known shortfall of this generation.

Seats-folded capacity is below class leaders (CR-V ~76, RAV4 ~69 cu ft).

Ordinary console, door-pocket and under-floor cargo storage plus a fold-flat front passenger seat on some trims; nothing standout and no onboard power outlets beyond 12V.

Front seats are supportive enough for commutes and the rear bench offers good legroom, but cushions are somewhat flat and power adjustment with lumbar is limited to upper trims.

Reviewers consistently call the ride comfortable and composed even on larger wheels, one of the older platform's better traits.

Ample sound deadening keeps highway noise in check, though the 1.5T becomes audible under hard acceleration.

Volume LT brings heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate and remote start as standard; ventilated front seats, heated wheel and heated rear seats are Premier-only or packaged.

MY2024 is the seventh and final year of the third generation. The entry LS FWD lists at $27,995 delivered, which is low for the compact-SUV class.

LT is the volume trim, at $30,890 delivered with FWD or $32,490 with AWD. For 2024 the LT price rose $1,795 over 2023, but it still undercuts comparable RAV4 and CR-V mid trims.

KBB's 5-year projection for the 2024 Equinox lands above the middle of the SUV band. The 1.5L turbo and 6-speed automatic are conventional, but GM includes only one maintenance visit.

Resale is weak for a compact SUV. Fleet volume, heavy incentives and the outgoing-generation status all hold down 2024 residuals. KBB's projection (~38%) is the most pessimistic and CarEdge's nameplate average (~48%) the most optimistic, and this figure blends the two.

GM's bumper-to-bumper coverage is 3 years/36,000 miles, the industry minimum, while Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage offer 5 years/60,000 miles.

The powertrain is covered for 5 years/60,000 miles, the floor of the band and half the 10-year/100,000-mile term Hyundai and Kia give their competing compact SUVs.

Chevrolet includes one maintenance visit in the first year/12,000 miles and 5 years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. Connected services are trial-only. The 8-year OnStar Basics inclusion began with the 2025 model year, so the 2024 is short included maintenance with basic roadside.

$30,890 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (42% retained, or about $12,974) leaves about $17,916 in depreciation. Add the projected $7,323 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $25,239 in total.

2024 is the seventh and final model year of the third-generation Equinox (2018-2024), a mature design whose launch bugs were long resolved. J.D. Power rates its quality & reliability Great, and Consumer Reports' model-year data runs above average. Those signals are tempered by CR later dropping its Recommended rating on combined 2023-2024 owner data, which cited transmission leaks and in-car electronics faults.

Chevrolet sits in the lower-middle of Consumer Reports' brand reliability rankings while landing around industry average in J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study, which puts it mid-pack overall. That is well short of Toyota/Honda but clear of the bottom-tier brands.

MY2024 itself has a single NHTSA recall, a door-striker fracture affecting only 265 vehicles, which is a very clean year. The generation as a whole accumulated a longer recall list, and the 1.5T has documented oil-consumption and turbo TSBs, so this stops short of the 80s.

The sole 2024 powertrain is GM's 1.5L turbo LSY with a conventional 6-speed automatic, after the 2.0T and diesel were dropped earlier in the generation. Both units are well proven by 2024 and avoid the CVT used in the later generation. However, the LSY's oil-consumption and turbo-actuator history and owner-reported transmission fluid leaks keep this mid-band.

By its final year, the third-generation cabin is dated and dominated by hard plastics on the dash, doors and console. Reviewers consistently place it behind the CX-5, CR-V, Tucson and RAV4 for perceived quality. The 2022 refresh freshened the styling but not the surfaces.

Late-cycle production of a seven-year-old design means assembly has been refined. Reviewers don't flag systemic gaps or rattles, and J.D. Power's owner-reported quality is strong, while scattered electrical-accessory complaints keep this mid-band.

Chevrolet has one of the largest mainstream franchised dealer networks in the US, roughly 2,800-3,000 stores, with dense rural coverage. Service satisfaction is around the mainstream average.

The third-generation Equinox sold in very high volume for seven years and shares its 1.5T and 6-speed with the Terrain and Malibu. Parts are therefore abundant, cheap and well stocked by independents and the aftermarket, with repair costs in the normal compact-SUV range.

The volume LT uses the small 7-inch screen; only the Premier gets an 8-inch display, both well short of newer rivals.

Chevrolet Infotainment 3 is simple and reasonably quick with physical climate and volume controls, but the small screen and dated graphics feel behind the class by 2024.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every 2024 trim.

Basic voice commands on all trims; embedded navigation is limited to the Premier's Infotainment 3 Plus, so most owners rely on phone projection.

A 6-speaker base system on LT; a 7-speaker Bose premium system is available on upper trims and is a modest step up.

Analog gauges on every trim, with a 3.5-inch monochrome driver info center on lower trims and a 4.2-inch color screen higher up; no full-digital cluster.

The gas Equinox predates GM's Vehicle Intelligence Platform, so OTA capability is limited to minor infotainment updates with no feature-adding whole-vehicle updates.

myChevrolet app offers remote start, lock/unlock and vehicle status, but remote features require an OnStar/Connected Access plan after the trial and no digital key is offered.

USB-A and USB-C ports up front plus rear charging ports and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot; wireless phone charging is upper-trim only and there is no household outlet.

Keyless Open and push-button start plus remote start are standard on the LT; hands-free liftgate is Premier-only and there is no phone-as-key.

Rear camera on all trims and front/rear park sensors standard on LT and up for 2024; HD Surround Vision is optional on upper trims.

No head-up display is offered on any 2024 Equinox trim.

Wide rear doors and 39.9 in of rear legroom make rear-facing seats easy to fit, and LATCH rates Acceptable, but the 29.9 cu ft cargo hold gets tight with a stroller plus groceries.

Five-star NHTSA overall and standard AEB plus blind-spot on LT help, but IIHS rates updated moderate-overlap rear-occupant protection Poor, headlights Poor and vehicle AEB Poor, with no 2024 award.

Roomy rear seat and a comfortable, quiet ride suit long trips, but rear amenities are thin (no rear climate controls, heated rear seats optional) and luggage space trails rivals.

Light controls, a comfortable ride and good visibility forward make it easy in traffic, though the 175-hp 1.5T and 6-speed feel sluggish merging and stop/start can be abrupt.

About 28 mpg combined (FWD) on regular fuel is average for a gas compact SUV, well behind hybrid rivals.

Compact footprint and a 37.4-ft turning circle with standard front/rear park sensors on LT make urban parking easy; rear-quarter visibility is the main weakness.

Towing tops out at 1,500 lb with the 1.5T and the cargo hold is small, so it handles only light utility trailers or hardware-store runs.

A fleet staple with a mature platform, but the 1.5T has drawn oil-consumption and piston-related complaints and the interior isn't built for abuse.

Cargo tie-downs and an available hitch/roof rails are about the extent of work provisions; no onboard power or upfit ecosystem.

Quiet, comfortable highway ride and a ~14.9-gal tank give 400+ mile range, but adaptive cruise is package-only with no lane centering, limiting fatigue reduction.

Available AWD and roof rails handle gravel roads and bike racks, but modest ground clearance, a 1,500-lb tow limit and no off-road trim keep it pavement-oriented.

60/40 split folding rear seat, roof rails and an available hitch help, but total capacity (63.9 cu ft) is below most compact rivals.

Composed and predictable with responsive turn-in for a compact crossover; Car and Driver credits above-average ride and handling, though it's not as sharp as a CX-5.

Light, accurate electric steering that's easy in parking lots but offers little feedback.

Brakes are progressive and adequate for daily use with typical class stopping distances; no instrumented 2024-specific figure was retrieved.

The 175-hp 1.5T paired with a 6-speed automatic (the 2.0T and 9-speed were dropped after 2020) feels underpowered when loaded, and auto stop/start is noticeable.

Quiet at cruise, but the small turbo four turns coarse and droning when pushed up hills or on highway merges.

A tight turning circle for the class aids urban maneuvering.

Upright, commanding seating with simple physical climate controls; limited lumbar adjustment on lower trims and thick rear pillars are the drawbacks.

A competent but appliance-like commuter; the modest engine removes any eagerness the chassis has.

Chevy Safety Assist (AEB, lane keep assist, forward collision alert, auto high beams), a 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Wi-Fi are standard on every trim. The base LS is otherwise plain against rivals that now standardize larger screens and adaptive cruise, but equipment is competitive for the price.

Fair value: about $28,000–$35,000 delivered undercuts the RAV4 and CR-V. Against that, the 175-hp powertrain, 1,500-lb tow rating, dated cabin and weak residuals erode the value, and the LT rose $1,795 for 2024 without new content. Typical incentives restore some of the advantage.

There are four well-spaced trims (LS, LT, RS, Premier), each available with FWD or AWD. A single engine and transmission, with no hybrid or off-road variant, limits choice.

It remained a high-volume compact SUV in its final generation year, with about 208,000 US sales in 2024. That trails the RAV4, CR-V and Rogue, and sales dipped about 2% year over year.

Chevrolet is a neutral mainstream badge. A heavy rental and fleet presence for the Equinox weighs on its image and resale against Toyota, Honda, Mazda and Subaru rivals.

As the run-out year of an outgoing generation, the 2024 drew steady incentives: up to $2,500 off, 0% APR offers and a national LT lease. These were meaningful discounts without desperation pricing.

MY2024 is the seventh and final year of the 2018 generation, last refreshed for 2021, and a fully redesigned Equinox arrived for 2025. That makes it an aging generation with imminent replacement for buyers.

Reviewers call it competent but unremarkable and fault its lazy engine and dated interior. It does not win comparison tests and has no 10Best, NACTOY or Top Pick-type awards, though owner sentiment is solid.