The Chevy Equinox is up against some heavy-hitting competition, including standout crossover SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. However, the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox brings with it a number of updates and changes, highlighted by a brand-new set of standard safety features.
The following features are now standard across all 2020 Chevrolet Equinox equipment groups/trim levels (RPO code in parentheses):
- Automatic Emergency Braking (UHY)
- Forward Collision Alert (UEU)
- Following Distance Indicator (UE4)
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning (UHX)
- Forward Automatic Braking (UKJ)
- IntelliBeam headlamps (TQ5)
Previous model years offered these features as part of optional packages.
This marks a huge change for GM and the way the automaker offered its vehicles. Previously, The General would typically only offer active safety features as available options. However, the competition – namely Honda, Toyota and Hyundai – have recently started to offer several of these active safety features as standard equipment.
It’s worth noting that the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox’s corporate cousin, the 2020 GMC Terrain, also receives a bevy of active safety features, as we covered earlier this month.
2019 Chevrolet Equinox interior
Finally, GM is no longer behind the curve when it comes to active safety features, as per the newfound equipment in the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. Active safety technology is becoming increasingly important to consumers, and certainly more of an expectation for newer vehicles. In fact, GM CEO Mary Barra was asked by a financial analyst why the automaker was offering less standard active safety features than the competition during the recent Q2 2019 earnings call.
We’re happy to see The General finally align with the rest of the industry in that respect, and look forward to seeing what other active safety features are headed down the pipeline for other nameplates as well.
For reference, the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox will be offered in four trim levels – L, LS, LT and Premier. Engine options include the turbocharged 1.5L LYX inline four-cylinder, as well as the turbocharged 2.0L LTG inline four-cylinder. Output is rated at 170 horsepower for the former and 252 horsepower for the latter. The previous model year’s turbodiesel 1.6L LH7 inline four-cylinder is no longer part of the lineup. The remaining gas engines mate to either the GM six-speed or new GM nine-speed automatic transmission.
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Comments
I have a 2019 Equinox, and we tried to use these systems, and it lasted two weeks. We turned off all the safety systems, the lane departure, adaptive cruise, automatic braking and such. I feel like I do not have control of the vehicle, and these systems are obtrusive. The only one that we are not sure that can be turned off is the forward collision alert. That one always makes my wife look up from her phone, while in the passenger seat.
A recent article from JD Power stated “on average, the study found 23% felt the alerts were “annoying or bothersome.” Of these owners, a whopping 61% disabled the system. Even some drivers who don’t find the alerts bothersome are disabling the function. The study said 21% of drivers that don’t find the systems annoying still shut the feature down.”
Since these were options on the 2019 Equinox, I wish I would have not bought this one fully loaded, and saved some money with not getting these. I plan to turn them off when I get another new vehicle, since by the time I get one, every vehicle will have these as standard. If the Transportation Department says these cannot be turned off, unless by a dealer for certain situations, I will continue to turn off and disable them.
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/us-tech-experience-index-txi-study
I love it in the cars that I have purchased over the years from Mercedes to Lexus and now Chevy Impala Premiere. I would not want to do without it. I have purchased a 2018 Chev Equinox and I was letdown when i found it was not installed within the SUV. You see I had an accident in 1999 with a Ford Explorer and broke my neck and injured my Spine. So, I look for safety. At present, I am looking for a reputable company to have it installed in the 2018 Equinox LT I purchased in July….. If it become to expensive for the model, I will have to breakdown and purchase the newer model.
You may regret turning your off. Everyone, I allow to use my car to assist me in driving the Chevy lmpala is now saying, “Chevrolet has entered the 21 century.” I agree and I have been surprised at Chevrolet putting Customer First in the design and safety. I will never do without because when I travel for distant I take the Impala but around town I am using the Equinox until I can find a reputable person to install a system within it.
If you know a reputable company in Alabama let me know….please.
Excellent move, Chevy!
The Equinox is going to be even more popular. Now please add the auto stop/start defeat switch like you did in the Malibu.
I’m in a weird place on this topic. I think the Stop/Start either has to be mandatory and a pleasure to use, or gone completely. If gone I believe all ‘Noxes should be hybrids. What the hybrid could save in energy presumably embarrasses the stop/start savings.
I have driven a 2019 Chevy Malibu with the Stop/Start system and it is great, althou I prefer a real hybrid. I wish GM could had applied the Volt technology in the Equinox and all other Chevys.
There is, it’s called manual mode. Or L mode on the box/terrain twins
Excellent move by gm and right on time since my lease is about to expired. I have driven a few Gm vehicles with all this safety features and they are not intrusive at all in my opinion and works excellent. Hope they make it standard for The rest of them. Tired of reading comments from Honda,Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai owners on how their vehicle are better based just on this features, when in reality gm has a better product. Thank you.
Personally, I’m sorry to hear this. Even when they work correctly, these systems are annoying and intrusive at best, potentially dangerous at worst. Even if you can supposedly disable them, there’s still the “ghost in the machine” capable of providing unexpected and potentially very inappropriate steering and/or braking inputs. When (not if) they malfunction, they may well cause an accident, rather than preventing one. Personally, I will not own any vehicle so equipped. Should it come to the point that I need help from a computer to stay in my lane or avoid crashing into stuff, it’ll be time to hang up my driving gloves.
Maybe you have to give up now.
This is excellent news!
I agree that some of these safety systems are overdue and some are overplayed. Anyway, the Chevy Equinox is GM’s best vehicle, with only the Silverado selling more because it is a truck. And it is the second best selling CUV because the imports are CHEAP (in price and quality). I know because I have a 2009 Equinox , and in ten years it has been excellent.
GM will lose sales if the Equinox does not become a hybrid soon. It now shares the same platform as the discontinued Volt, so it is an engineering task to make it a PHEV.
It is about time. Now make these Standard across the board within the GM Family as soon as possible.
Glad to hear they are doing this even if late.
I have found that running the air conditioner will ,for the most part, eliminate the start – stop feature. It is not fool-proof, but a.c. and applying foot brake firmly without ‘mashing it’ to the floor will almost always leave the motor running at a stop light or sign.