Since the SUV's inception, its reasons to own one have expanded tenfold. SUVs are no longer in their infancy, and some of the best vehicles you can currently purchase are none other than sport utility vehicles. There are many kinds of SUVs, from mid-size to full-size models, but if you’re looking at an SUV like the 2023 Chevy Equinox, you're probably interested in a compact SUV. The Chevy Equinox is more than meets the eye; this compact SUV packs a punch at a price tag that keeps its competitors in check.
The amount of features Chevy has implemented into the 2023 Equinox is something to admire, even if changes made to the 2023 Equinox are more evolutionary than revolutionary. Ultimately, the evolution of the Equinox begs the question: to what extent does the 2023 model differentiate from its predecessors, and is it a model worth considering over the 2022 model? Well, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" The 2023 Equinox is worth purchasing over its predecessor because the changes are welcomed and will be a stark upgrade to returning drivers or first-time Chevy owners.
The 2023 Chevy Equinox starts at an MSRP of $26,600, which isn’t too dissimilar from the outgoing Equinox model.[a] Also not too different are the assortment of trim levels, which the 2023 Equinox retains the four trim levels from the 2022 model. Drivers returning from older Equinox models released before 2022 will notice the L trim was removed, which is a change that rolls over from last year. In the place of the L is the RS trim, which sits between the LT and Premier, the latter of which remains the best Equinox trim in its feature set.
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Chevy has made strides with its engines. The 2023 Equinox follows the footsteps of the 2021 and 2022 models, which means the turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine from the 2020 Equinox isn’t present. However, that’s old news by the 2023 model because the fan-favorite turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine is still the base engine – providing drivers with ample power and stellar fuel efficiency without breaking the bank. The 2023 Equinox isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison with its predecessors; the turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine received a slight boost to its horsepower output. While the engine produced 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque inside the 2022 model, the 2023 Equinox’s usage of this engine sees a small difference of 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. Sure, it's slight, but it’s a difference nonetheless.
Aside from the increase in horsepower output, the turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine inside the 2023 Equinox has the same maximum towing capacity as the preceding model and identical fuel efficiency numbers. Compact SUVs regularly aren’t marketed to tow, but the Equinox can tow 1,500 lbs in a pinch, which is undoubtedly a byproduct of its 203 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine that left the lineup after the release of the 2020 Equinox had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, and while sorely missed, drivers had to deal with lesser fuel economy numbers.
The 2023 Equinox and its turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine are certainly fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated rating of 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway in FWD. Opting for AWD, which is recommendable with an SUV for better traction in various road conditions, the fuel economy ratings remain sufficient at 24 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. Between the excellent fuel efficiency and performance, the Chevy Equinox is a commuter’s best friend, and because it’s a compact SUV with more of a vast interior than your average sedan, the Equinox is also suited for the busy family.
Living up to its class as a compact SUV, the 2023 Chevy Equinox provides a spacious interior in an SUV that stretches far shorter than many other SUVs on the market, such as all of the mid and full-size SUVs you’ll find from Chevrolet. Sitting inside the Equinox provides comfort for any passenger, no matter which seat they’re sitting in or how tall or wide they are. Compact SUVs restricting back-row space to maximize the front row isn’t uncommon, but the Equinox is anything but common.
Passengers sitting in the rear row of the Equinox will have an impressive 38.5-inches of headroom and 39.9-inches of legroom. You, the driver, and your front-row passenger will have a roomy 40-inches of headroom and 40.9-inches of legroom. Additionally, the Equinox gives you and the person next to you 54.2-inches of hip room and 57.2-inches of shoulder room, and in the back, these passengers get 55.5 and 51.7-inches of shoulder and hip room, respectively.
The Equinox hasn’t changed in size in quite some time. Like preceding models in 2022, 2021, 2020, and more, the Equinox has a maximum of 63.9 cu.ft. in cargo space when the back row of seats is folded. Even when the seats are upright, the Equinox will give you a notable 29.9 cu.ft. of space, which is phenomenal for a compact SUV.
The interior of the Equinox has a strong emphasis on comfort. With the LS, you’ll get a 4-way manually-adjustable driver’s seat. If you want to upgrade, you can get into an 8-way power-adjustable seat instead. The seat comes standard with succeeding trims, but you can opt to have it integrated into the LS for an extra cost. The front-row passenger will have a 4-way manually-adjustable seat unless you purchase the Premier, in which case the passenger is treated to an equally comfortable 8-way power-adjustable seat. Cloth upholstery is the standard fare with the Equinox, but there are also premium cloth and perforated leather options, so take your pick based on your taste and budget.
If you purchase the RS trim, you can take part in the RS Leather Package, which implements the genuine leather feature and accompanies it with a Bose premium 7-speaker audio system for a superior music experience. Another feature with a strong focus on comfort is the dual-zone automatic climate controls. The 2023 Equinox offers Dual-zone automatic climate controls; however, it’s not available on the LS but is on the LT and every higher trim after.
Chevy vehicles are feature-rich, with amenities designed to make your life easier and more enjoyable. For example, the 2023 Equinox comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment center, which was the same for its more recent predecessors, with Chevy being quick to implement features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto before many of its competitors.
The 2023 Equinox not only includes these two innovative connectivity features, but the 2023 Equinox implements them wirelessly, which has quickly become the preferred method of using either. Much like the usefulness of wireless access to these features, the 2023 Equinox also harnesses this wireless convenience when charging your smartphone by offering a wireless charging pad. Between the Wireless Charging Pad and Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the 2023 Chevy Equinox is an untethered experience that allows for a clean cabin void of cables yet retaining the versatility of the infotainment center.
The Chevy Equinox has been treated to Chevy’s assortment of safety features for many years via its Chevy Safety Assist package. Safety and driver-assistance suites like Chevy Safety Assist do more than just add an assortment of safety features to an already reliable SUV. They can also make or break a vehicle's worth in the eyes of many drivers, especially those looking for a family-friendly vehicle.
Features that come standard with the Equinox include lane keep assist with lane departure warning, but lane change alert with side blind zone alert is an optional feature. Additionally, the Equinox comes standard with forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking, and features like rear cross traffic alert and rear park assist are the perfect features to utilize your standard rear vision camera.