The Equinox nabbed a five-star honor from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration but missed out on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick accolade due to headlights that scored only marginal in that agency's testing.

Aside from a capacious center-console storage bin, the Equinox's cabin storage is merely average. Some rivals offer more space behind the rear seats, but we still managed to fit eight of our carry-on suitcases back there. The cabin features plenty of cupholders, but most interior luxuries are reserved for higher trim levels the base Equinox L is a price leader with very few features. The spacious interior should carry both front- and rear-seat passengers in reasonable comfort.

Made from durable materials and nicely styled, the Equinox's cabin should draw broad appeal. It delivered just 28 of its rated 30 mpg on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test while the CR-V managed 32 mpg. In the real world, EPA estimates aren't always so easy to achieve, and our all-wheel-drive Equinox proved thirstier than expected. That said, Honda's CR-V outpaces the Equinox in both acceleration and fuel efficiency. Chevy's turbo 1.5-liter isn't speedy, but it does offer attractive EPA fuel-economy ratings. In the race for the best fuel economy, smaller engines are all the rage.

Right-Size 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Tested.

43 MPG! 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel AWD Tested.

No Diesel Option on 2020 Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain.

The ride is a bit harsh, particularly with the optional 19-inch wheels (17s or 18s come standard, depending on the trim), where rougher stretches of road transmit some unpleasantness into the cabin. Agreeable and easy to drive, the Equinox handles competently, and its steering is accurate and direct. The standard six-speed automatic shifts seamlessly, but in the interest of fuel economy, the gearbox is reluctant to downshift when extra power is needed. This turbocharged 1.5-liter engine makes 170 horsepower, and when paired with the optional (and heavier) all-wheel-drive system (front-wheel drive is standard), it takes a heavy foot to hustle the Equinox up to highway speeds.

Underpowered and frequently out of breath, the base four-cylinder won't win any fans with its sluggish performance. Among them are an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, SiriusXM satellite radio, tinted rear windows, body-colored exterior mirror housings, and extra chrome trim. We'd suggest the mid-range LT model, as it adds several worthwhile features over the more affordable LS. The optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine has been dropped from the lineup. A facelifted version of Chevy's compact SUV will debut for the 2022 model year following a one-year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic that shuttered automotive manufacturing and hampered production of the refreshed model. The 2021 Equinox carries over from 2020 with no significant changes. Driving enthusiasts may prefer to look at the Honda CR-V, the Volkswagen Tiguan, or the Mazda CX-5. The cabin's swoopy styling is well matched to the exterior's, but while Chevy provides plenty of infotainment niceties as standard, the most affordable Equinox models are somewhat short on creature comforts. A turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder is standard, as is front-wheel drive all-wheel drive is available on all but the base model as an optional extra. With a roomy cabin, decent fuel economy, and a spry driving demeanor, the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is a handsome crossover suited for family-hauling duty, but that can be said of the 'Nox's rivals as well.

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