Get ready because shopping for a vehicle won’t be the same again. Have you ever second-guessed yourself when about to make a big decision? Second-guessing can occur when shopping for a car, but there’s no longer a reason to doubt––the 2023 Chevy Equinox should be your next SUV. The Chevy Equinox is a compact SUV dating back to the mid-2000s and comfortably sits between the Trailblazer and Blazer in terms of power and pricing. Many Chevy drivers would consider the Equinox as the perfect blend of value and performance, and the 2023 Equinox exemplifies this. The 2023 Chevy Equinox isn’t a transformation but natural evolution. For example, Chevy has changed several things with the 2023 Equinox, including a powertrain producing more horsepower than its predecessor.
The 2023 Chevy Equinox starts at an MSRP of $26,600.[a] Several packages and special editions are available, including the Midnight, Sport, and Redline Editions, with the ladder swapping out the standard 17-inch tires for a 19-inch set and has articulately placed black accents surrounding the exterior. The Equinox is available in a variety of trims, from the simple LS base model to the sporty RS and feature-packed Premier. If you want the Midnight or Sport Editions, you'll need to add the packages to the LS trim, while the Redline Edition is a package for the Premier trim. Chevy drivers have much to look forward to because Chevy incorporates generous standard technology in the Equinox, so even though you aren't paying luxury prices, you'll still feel like you're riding in style.
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Returning drivers will know the score, but for those who own an older Equinox or have never owned one, the 2023 Chevy Equinox utilizes a turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine first appeared in the 2018 Equinox and replaced the 2.4L I-4 engine from prior models like the 2017 Equinox. By switching from a regular powertrain to a turbocharged one, Equinox models equipped with the turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine receive superior fuel efficiency during city travel and torque output, but elements like horsepower output suffered, albeit not drastically. The 2023 Equinox is the first time the turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine has received an update.
The turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine is the only engine for the Equinox and comes with each of the four trims. The Equinox hasn’t offered more than one engine since the 2020 model, but front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are both available. With the turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine, the Equinox outputs 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, and you can tow light cargo with its maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. Fuel economy numbers vary between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive Equinox models, but the difference is minute. Driving the 2023 Equinox with front-wheel drive gets you EPA-estimated ratings of 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, and all-wheel drive models achieve a similar 25 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway.
The 2023 Chevy Equinox is a comfortable vehicle stocked with features that aid you in the daily grind or provide entertainment and connectivity during leisurely activities. Best of all, we’re referring to the base Equinox. However, the features installed with your Equinox can be more abundant on higher-tier trims, like the Premier. We recommend opting for a trim level like the LT or higher for the best experience, but if you can put up with the four-way manually-adjustable seats, the base model is easy to recommend. That’s not to say the base model can’t have power-adjustable seats. The LS can include an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat for those who opt for it. The front-row passenger can be treated to an eight-way power-adjustable seat, but only on the Premier trim, and it’s optional.
Premium cloth seats come standard with the Equinox, but leather seats are available depending on the trim level you purchase. Alternatively, those who buy the RS trim can opt for the RS Leather Package. The RS Leather Package not only swaps the cloth seats out for genuine leather – but the standard six-speaker audio system gets replaced with a Bose audio system. The Bose audio arrangement fits seven high-grade speakers through the cabin to provide the sound you’d expect from speakers with the Bose badging on the front. Music sounds fantastic on the premium audio solution, but how you access your music brings us to another topic: the infotainment system.
The 2023 Chevy Equinox takes several cues from other Chevy models gracing the lineup this year in that Chevy includes a seven-inch infotainment center in the base Equinox model. You'll find the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System in the 2023 equinox, and with it comes the features you’d expect to see in any vehicle. For example, the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System utilizes its standard seven or available eight-inch screen to display apps and provide turn-by-turn directions. The infotainment center is also where you’ll answer phone calls or send hands-free messages, so answering your phone is safe and more viable than ever.
Chevrolet’s patented Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System includes many features, from those targeting entertainment to a significant focus on connectivity. The Equinox comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. What may surprise some shoppers: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the base Equinox LS are the wireless variants, which is something many other brands reserve for the highest trims only. With no wires to clutter up your dashboard, you can utilize Apple CarPlay and Android Auto by connecting your phone to the infotainment center to access your media, contacts, and apps. You can also use turn-by-turn navigation without a subscription service. However, you will need a subscription to access the 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot that comes standard with the Equinox, but it is worth having for those who want private and fast internet in their vehicle.
Returning drivers already know that Chevy has a dedication to reliability that other manufacturers can only hope to match. Many of Chevy’s 2023 models include Chevy Safety Assist––a suite of safety features with many uses. Whether you’re traveling in the city, on the freeway, or trying to enter or leave a parking space, Chevy Safety Assist has features that will make transportation safer. A handful of features come standard with the Equinox, but more are available to maximize its life-saving potential.
The features that come standard with Chevy Safety Assist, and the Equinox by extension, include Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Rear Vision Camera, and more. The Chevy Equinox includes modern-day staples of the Chevy brand, like Teen Driver technology, which has been the de facto choice for parents looking to teach their newly-licensed son or daughter how to drive safely. Teen Driver allows parents to preset rules their child must follow, such as volume and speed limits, and Teen Driver also prevents the driver from shifting into reverse without a fastened seatbelt. Available features for the Equinox include technology like Adaptive Cruise Control, which works in tandem with the Following Distance Indicator, Front and Rear Park Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and many more.
Breaking down the Chevy Safety Assist suite, Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Front Pedestrian Braking work in tandem. When traveling at low to moderate speeds, the Equinox preemptively identifies collisions and aims to stop them before impact. The Forward Collision Alert will signal a warning to the driver with the hope of preventing the collision without interference. However, if the driver doesn’t apply the brakes, the Equinox takes matters into its hands and automatically applies braking pressure. When the Equinox applies the brakes, the collision will either be prevented or have reduced severity. The Front Pedestrian Braking ensures the Equinox can identify pedestrians and brake the vehicle when needed.
The most experienced drivers aren’t exempt from accidents, and when driving on the freeway, even the best driver can still feel nervous about their surroundings. With the advent of Chevy Safety Assist, features like Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist keep you in your place on the freeway, so there’s no more accidental lane-crossing. Optional features like Side Blind Zone Alert help you know if your blind spot is occupied and makes it easier to switch lanes.