First Drive: Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD

by Michael Satterfield 04/12/2022

The Equinox has often been overlooked as the "also-ran" in the Chevrolet lineup which has a lot of overlap in their compact and midsized SUV offerings. But while most of the automotive press pans Equinox as a bland commuter car, for years the Equinox has been one of Chevy's top-selling vehicles, and after a week behind the wheel of the Equinox RS, I can see why.

This refreshed Equinox for 2022 gets new front and rear styling and the new RS trim level which includes blacked-out trim, 19-inch wheels, and some very nice details for the interior. The model we are driving gets the RS Leather Package ($1,580) which includes the Bose Premium audio, and leather seating with red contrast stitching. It also has the Infotainment Package ($895) that includes a heated steering wheel, extra USB ports, an 8-inch touch screen, voice recognition, Bluetooth audio streaming, wireless Apple Carplay & Android Auto. The Advanced Safty Package ($650) comes with HD surround vision, heated/power-folding mirrors, and adaptive cruise control. In all, our test vehicle comes in at $34,775 before the destination charge. 

For comparison a similarly equipped Ford Escape Titanium AWD starts at $36,880, a Bronco Sport Outer Banks is $36,080, and a Toyota RAV4 TRD starts at $36,465. The Equinox RS offers a lot of content for the price, if you are looking for something a little less sporty and more luxury-focused check out the Premier trim level. 

The 170hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder isn't going to set any speed records but in this segment is about average and provides more than enough power for daily driving. We averaged a combined 30 mpg over the course of the week. This is the only engine option for Equinox, making it stand out as one of the few vehicles in this segment that doesn't offer a hybrid option. It is worth noting that the AWD system on Equinox is not active and does require that the driver turns on the AWD option, just something to keep in mind if AWD is an important factor in your buying decision. 

Behind the wheel, the Equinox is responsive, comfortable, and smooth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration gave Equinox an overall five-star crash test rating, with a four-star on rollover crashes which is not uncommon for this segment. The only complaint we had during the week was from my mother, who didn't like the rear seat angle which leans back, and the fact that the seatback was not adjustable in the rear. The front seats did pass the mom test so there is always an option of just having her ride shotgun. 

Overall we really enjoyed driving the Equinox as a daily driver and think that for most consumers' needs it is one of the better values in the compact SUV marketplace.