The Amazing Chevy Equinox Continues Its Reign as Best Compact Crossover in 2022

As the largest Chevrolet dealer in OH, McCluskey Chevrolet knows a thing or two about helping buyers choose the right vehicle for their individual needs and stage of life. With so many families flocking to crossovers and SUVs, automakers continue launching new models. What results is a confusing array of choices that leaves buyers scratching their heads.

Instead of spinning your wheels (see what we did there?), consider one of the most reliable, elegant crossovers on the market today: the Chevy Equinox. The Equinox was first launched in 2005. Since then, this compact crossover has captured the hearts of millions of American drivers. It’s one of the most popular utes on the market, offering the perfect mix of value, performance, and upscale styling.

The Equinox started its reign as a standout compact crossover almost from the day it was first launched. Chevy knew it had a winner because sales skyrocketed and buyers reported high owner satisfaction ratings. Now in its third generation, the Equinox continues attracting not only families but buyers from all walks of life. It’s versatile, fuel-efficient, and–best of all–affordable.

The Beginning: The Equinox Is Launched

The engineers at Chevy knew they were on to something when they designed the first Equinox. After all, the crossover segment was exploding in popularity, and buyers seemed unsatisfied with the models on offer. What was missing? A truly complete compact crossover that offered a combination of value, performance, and high-end styling.

When Chevy launched the 2005 Equinox, popular review site Car and Driver called it “people-friendly” and “agile,” but the kudos didn’t end there. Car and Driver cites the Equinox as the one that gave Chevy “a whole new attitude.” A modern, spacious crossover, the Equinox settled in as Chevy’s best effort to upset the competition. Over its 17-year run, the Equinox remains a top seller.

Sales numbers don’t lie, and in the case of the Equinox, every model year has achieved top-ten sales volume. It’s impressive, but those numbers don’t even consider the Equinox’s popularity on the used market. Buyers know that owning a Chevy means reliability is as close to guaranteed as one can expect with a motor vehicle, and six-figure sales every model year keep the used market flush with high quality gently loved Equinox crossovers.

Generations and Key Upgrades

In its first generation, the Equinox came in hot, offering tons of passenger and cargo volume and athletic, angular styling. Design cues came from Chevy’s performance car playbook, and the result was a standout crossover in a sea of vanilla-styled competitors. Words like sharp, edgy, and futuristic were used to describe the earliest Equinox models, and those adjectives still apply today.

The first generation Equinox was launched as a 2005 model. In 2008, Chevy gave it a refresh, including adding the high-end LTZ trim, which features a Pioneer audio system, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and leather seating. Next up came generation two, which hit dealers in 2010 and featured a stiffer platform and a set of more efficient available engines. A 2016 refresh focused on the Equinox’s exterior, with a new grille and front fascia added.

In 2018, Chevy launched a completely redesigned Equinox, which was smaller and more technologically advanced than its predecessors. Chevy now offered three different engine options, including a 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Modern safety features include a 360-degree surround-view camera, automatic braking, and a forward collision alert driver-assist system.

This third-generation Equinox kept all the best of its previous versions while also adding newer in-vehicle tech and app-based convenience features. Available in four trims––the L, LS, LT, and Premier––buyers were given tons of models to choose from, as well as a handful of package add-ons to bundle the most desirable features, like a panoramic sunroof or upgraded wheels.

The Refreshed 2022 Equinox

For 2022, Chevy gave the Equinox yet another facelift. The newest version features a sleek, modern grille that slopes back to meet integrated LED headlights. Carved door panels and a boxy back end give the Equinox just enough SUV-like appearance features to remind buyers that despite its elegant, upscale front end, the Equinox is still a capable utility vehicle.

The new RS trim includes blacked-out exterior features that add a little extra drama. These include 19-inch black wheels that Chevy calls Dark Android, as well as a trim-exclusive black interior stitched in red and a custom shift knob. The Premier model still sits at the top of the lineup, and if it’s luxury you want, you’ll find it in the Premier. Features like a logo-projection liftgate and glossy black trim in the cabin are unique to the Premier.

The sole four-cylinder 1.5-liter engine delivers 170 horsepower and impressive fuel economy ratings of 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. Buyers can choose the optional all-wheel drive system and see next to no reduction in fuel economy. This little crossover has the might to tow up to 3,500 pounds, making it a great choice for campers hauling small RVs for weekend road trips.

The 2022 Equinox also features robust infotainment features powered by Chevy’s lightning-fast operating system. Choose the up-sized 8-inch touchscreen and enjoy Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, as well as a 4G LTE W-Fi hotspot. The Equinox received a 5-Star crash test rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, giving buyers extra peace of mind.

Why Chevy Hit a Home Run With the Equinox

Whether in its first generation or the current one, the Chevy Equinox hits all the major must-haves on compact crossover buyers’ lists. With advanced safety features, plenty of cabin niceties, and a sleek, athletic exterior that turns heads, compromise isn’t part of the equation. Buyers don’t have to settle for so-so styling or choose a crossover that looks like all the others.

Practicality comes by way of the Equinox’s 63.9 cu.ft. of cargo space and the long list of standard driver-assist safety features that keep occupants safe and aware in challenging driving conditions. Add to that the available all-wheel drive, and the Equinox is the perfect choice for four-season climates and winter adventure seekers. It’s even capable of towing the family snowmobiles up to the trail or hauling the fishing boat up to the lake.

Starting at just over $25,000, the 2022 Chevy Equinox takes a swing at compact SUV domination and hits it out of the park. With next-gen features like wireless smartphone connectivity, Amazon Alexa interactivity, and even an upgraded Bose audio system and navigation, the Equinox keeps pace with SUVs at triple the price. Buyers looking for luxury can even add ventilated front seats and heated rear seats for the kids.

If you’re looking for a crossover that not only keeps pace with competition but offers available features typically found on vehicles costing thousands more, join millions of happy buyers and choose the Chevy Equinox. Whether you go for the value-oriented base L or a fully-loaded Premier, it’s nice to know you’re captaining one of the safest compact crossovers in the category. Get in your Equinox, stream your favorite playlist, and start your next adventure.