The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox will no longer be offered with General Motors’ LH7 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine.
The same is true for the 2020 GMC Terrain, with GM listing no trim levels that are available with the 1.6-liter oil burner for 2020.
This is a fairly unsurprising development, seeing as demand for smaller diesel vehicles in the United States is already low and the 1.6-liter turbodiesel and Equinox make a bit of an oddball pairing. The diesel was only really attractive due to its fuel savings potential, as the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine was just $100 more and brings the crossover’s tow capacity to 3,500Â pounds.
It’s not clear what the take rate on the 1.6-liter diesel engine for the Equinox was, but GMC representative Stewart Fowle told Autoblog a “huge majority” of Terrain buyers have opted for one of the two gasoline engines.
| RPO Code | Displacement | Configuration & Cylinders | Aspiration | Ignition | Valvetrain | Engine Stop/Start | Power (hp / kW @ RPM) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LYX | 1.5L | I-4 DOHC | Turbocharged | SIDI | 4-valves per cylinder | Yes | 170 / 127 @ 5600 | 203 / 275 @ 2000-4000 |
| LTG | 2.0L | I-4 DOHC | Turbocharged | SIDI | 4-valves per cylinder | Yes | 252 / 188 @ 5500 | 260 / 353 @ 2500-4500 |
The two remaining engines in the Equinox lineup are GM’s turbo-charged 1.5-liter LYX four-cylinder and the turbo-charged 2.0-liter LTG four-cylinder. All Equinox models with the 1.5-liter engine come with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is mated to the GM nine-speed automatic. The diesel engine was paired exclusively with a six-speed automatic.
The Equinox remains one of Chevrolets core models, with GM having sold over 174,000 units so far this year in the United States alone.
Stay tuned for more details on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox and 2020 GMC Terrain, as we will have more information about the duo shortly. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Equinox news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Bad pairing. Should’ve put a higher spec diesel in it
The death call for the diesel (other than VW) was the Opel sell, the EV market and Cruze cancellation. Shame GM finally got a competitive small diesel before killing it.
From what everyone I have talked to says, you couldn’t find one on the lot. I talked multiple people into going to look at them as they are amazed by my Cruze 1.6 fuel economy. However, they couldn’t find a diesel equinox to try out at any local dealers.
When you look at the entire market for the Equinox, who are the drivers demanding diesel? Apparently not many. As I see many around I have to say nearly every driver is a young mom with kids. Unless the wife and mom is a truck driver, most have no idea what a diesel is other than noisy engines and smelly fuel at the pump that cost more than gasoline at the gallon level. Now in Europe were gasoline is taxed to death to help pay their government medical insurance, diesel is a larger market.
This is what happens when you make a vehicle and then do absolutely nothing to advertise it exists – including to dealers.
All the reviews stated that while it was by no means fast, it didn’t feel slow, and it got absolutely fantastic fuel economy. But GM chose not to tell anyone that it was available.
They did nearly the same thing with the Cruze Diesel (90% of the people you ask would not have a clue one exists – my wife’s ’14 Cruze Diesel always garners very confused reactions), and to a lesser extent, the Volt. Thinking about it – how much advertisement do you see for the also-excellent Malibu Hybrid?
The only reason for the slow sales is GM Marketing itself. Throw them all away.
I always buy fuel at BJ’s which doesn’t sell diesel. Also get 10c off per gallon when using the BJ’s credit card. Doesn’t make sense to have a diesel.
This is what I call expensive dum management decesion. They should have offered hybrid and voltec equinox and introduced electric awd.
Future to equinox ev
As the owner of three Duramax pick up’s, it’s disappointing to see the little Diesel going away as we are planning to replace the wife’s 2012 Equinox next year and a one that got 40 mpg was pretty enticing.
At least I was able to land a blacked out 2019 Dually before the lovely new 2020’s hit…
-JDR –
Why would you discontinue a engine that gets 750 miles on one tank? They just didn’t market this well.
Why would you discontinue a engine that gets 750 miles on one tank? My wife’s gets better than 50 MPG on the road. They failed in marketing the engine. Are either they just want to get rid of it before problems coming!
I second that. I was looking at all the gas Equinox for my first Chevy since 1990, when I stumbled upon the diesel..only 3 available in our State. Bought one and LOVE getting 54 mpg on the highway and 39 when just running kids to sporting events locally. I love the handling also; handles curves very well which is fun!! My husband wants one now too. So sad they won’t be making more and yes, I feel their marketing of all these fuel efficient/alternative vehicles really sucks.
My wife and i have one and we love it. Had a problem with the wire harness to the ECU in the first 3000 miles but after that was fixed we have been very happy. She averages combined 45 mpg. If gas goes back up maybe they will bring it back as an option or put the 2.8 duramax in it.
They did NOT advertise this engine. I think here is a problem and they are avoiding it. It would raise the MPG’s for their cars