2022 Chevrolet Equinox Review By Larry Nutson

2022 Chevrolet Equinox Review

By Larry Nutson
Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
THE AUTO CHANNEL

The Chevrolet Equinox compact utility vehicle (UV) is one of many good choices in this segment. The segment offers lots of suitable utilities for both young singles and couples as well as city-folk looking for versatility in small package.

With the ever present need to attract new buyers as well as keeping current with the competition the Equinox gets refreshed styling for 2022 with new front and rear fascias, new grille design, new LED headlamps and new LED daytime driving lights.

There’s a new RS model with black exterior trim, 19-inch Dark Android wheels, black interior with red stitching and unique shift knob. The Premier model offers a black grille with chrome inserts, new available 19-inch wheel design, logo-projection liftgate, unique interior trim finish and French stitching. There are also new interior trims on all LS and LT models.

On the tech-front, features now include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as front and rear park assist, and automatic park assist, depending on trim level. Chevy Safety Assist package of advanced driver assist safety (ADAS) features is standard. Chevy Assist includes automatic emergency braking, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning and automatic high beams.

GM’s Teen Driver monitoring, hands-free power liftgate, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats are available.

The 2022 Equinox is available in a choice of four trim levels: LS, LT, RS and Premier. Under the hood the only engine available is a 170-HP turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

The 1.5-L develops 203 lb.-ft. of torque in the 2,000 to 4,000 RPM range which provides decent acceleration performance. Balancing the performance are EPA fuel economy ratings of 26 city mpg and 31 highway mpg for front-drive models. With all-wheel drive the ratings are each one mpg less. The engine idle stop/start system which saves fuel and reduces emissions now has a switch to turn off this feature.

The 5-seat Equinox is rated to tow up to 1,500 lbs. which is suitable for power sports equipment or a small camper. Rear cargo space is 29.9 cu.ft. which opens up to 63.9 cu.ft with the rear seat folded. Ground clearance ranges from 7.6 inches to 8 inches, depending on model. All of these features make the Equinox suitable for weekend getaways to your favorite campsite or lakefront.

2022 Equinox prices start at $25,800 and top out at $31,000, plus the $1,195 destination charge. For my recent drive experience I drove the new RS trim priced at $31,700. Options fitted on my “driver” included the RS Leather package ($1,580), Iridescent Pearl Tricoat ($995), Infotainment package ($895) and Advanced Safety package ($650). The bottom line totaled at $37,015.

My Equinox driving was mixed with both Chicago in-city driving as well as a couple highway drives to the suburbs. Overall, the Equinox is comfortable to drive with decent behavior on the road. Powertrain performance is adequate, although I mostly drove alone or also with my wife, and not heavily loaded. When loaded up or in hilly terrain the engine might be stretched a bit.

Front seat accommodations are roomy and pleasant. Cargo area isn’t the biggest in the class, but it’s certainly a nice size for everyday living. The infotainment system is straightforward, intuitive and easy to use. Chevy has kept to straightforward switches and buttons on the instrument panel also making for easy use. The heated seats and steering wheel on the RS, as well as the power rear hatch, make motoring more comfortable.

Living in a crowded city like Chicago I make good use of a rear-view camera, 360-degree camera systems, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert. These ADAS features make maneuvering so much easier and more confident. One can almost say that a concern with blind spots is irrelevant.

More details on the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

The 2022 Chevy Equinox is worth your time to take a look if you're in the market for a compact utility vehicle.

Happy motoring!