2019 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is an impressive choice if you’re shopping for a modern-day SUV. Along with a fresh, up-to-date design, the Equinox offers high-tech safety measures, online connectivity and turbocharged engines. It also delivers the extra storage space and towing capability that cars can’t match.

Chevy’s Equinox is a compact SUV with five-place seating. For 2019, you can choose from L, LS, LT and Premier trim levels. These are all equipped with a four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive as standard equipment. All-wheel drive is available above the entry model, and an additional engine choice is paired with a nine-speed automatic.

More safety technology, upgraded infotainment systems and a new appearance package are some of the key Equinox updates for 2019.

Exterior

The upscale design of the Equinox features subtle body-side sculpting. The result is a sophisticated, multi-surfaced appearance. To complement that look, the Equinox has dramatic rear roof pillars with a wraparound-style rear glass. Chevy also provides some expected SUV cues.  For example, there is a prominent lower molding that runs around the lower edge of the Equinox.

The Equinox supplies a typical range of standard content. This includes halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, heated exterior mirrors and 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The vehicle’s list of options is competitive as well. You can find Equinox models with LED headlamps, LED taillights, mirror-mounted turn signals, a power sunroof, a hands-free tailgate, roof rails and 18- and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Interior

The Chevy Equinox shows off plenty of sharp details on the inside. Just check out that dashboard, with its symmetric wing-like trim and flag-shaped center climate vents. The view from the driver’s seat is focused on a large, self-contained instrument panel. In the standard 60/40-split folding rear seats, passengers have more legroom than in a 2019 Ford Escape. The Equinox has 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats. You can expand that cargo capacity to 63.5 cubic feet by folding the rear seats flat.

When it comes to standard content, the entry-level Equinox L gets cloth upholstery, manually adjustable seats, manual air conditioning, power accessories, cruise control and a multifunction steering wheel with a tilt-and-telescoping column. The setting is more luxurious in the upper trims. By the time you get to the range-topping Equinox Premier, you can enjoy perforated-leather appointments, heated and ventilated eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated outboard rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Performance

The Equinox stands out from its rivals with three turbocharged four-cylinder engine choices. The standard 1.5-liter unit makes 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. For peppier performance, Chevy offers a 2.0-liter turbo. This four-cylinder engine produces 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The Equinox can tow up to 3,500 pounds with this engine. The next option is a fuel-efficient turbodiesel 1.6-liter four-cylinder. It can deliver 137 horsepower, 240 pound-feet of torque and the lineup’s best EPA ratings. The standard gas engine and the diesel powerplant are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. A nine-speed automatic is standard for the 2.0-liter gas engine. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional with all engines.

With the diesel engine, the front-wheel-drive Equinox earns fuel economy ratings of up to 28/39 mpg city/highway. Models with the base engine deliver up to 26/32 mpg city/highway.

Technology

The standard safety content for the 2019 Equinox starts with a rearview camera, Chevy’s Teen Driver technology and a rear-seat reminder system. Meanwhile, the standard infotainment system has a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also standard are a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, USB ports, an auxiliary input jack and six audio speakers.

The Equinox then checks in with a variety of optional technologies. They include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors and a high-definition surround-view camera system. You count on Chevrolet for higher levels of infotainment, too. The Equinox further offers a navigation system with an 8-inch touch screen, satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless charging and a seven-speaker Bose audio system.