The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox officially dropped cover earlier this month at the Chicago Auto Show, ushering in a mid-cycle update for the compact four-door crossover utility vehicle (CUV). Now, we want to know – is it Hot, Or Not?
First and foremost for the new ‘Nox is new styling, with a fresh front end punctuated by a broad grille. The headlamps are new as well, drawing back into the fenders with a slim, sharp design. The lower fascia was also redesigned, and comes with new fog lamps and polished trim. Meanwhile, the rear end gains new tail lamp designs with a “Dual Spear” inner graphic.
The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox can also be had in a new RS trim level, which adds in a host of performance-flavored styling bits to give the crossover a more aggressive aesthetic. This includes black Bow Tie badges, red RS badges, unique front and rear fascias, “Dark Android” 19-inch wheels, and quad exhaust tips. Further upgrades are found in the cabin with red contrast stitching and an RS-specific shift knob.
To note, the trim level lineup now lists out as L, LS, LT, RS, and the range-topping Premier. Tech goodies also expand with the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, with new safety and driver assist features now added to the options list.
Motivation is derived from the turbocharged 1.5L LYX inline four-cylinder gas engine, which mates to a six-speed automatic and produces 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. Alternatively, more muscle can be had with the turbocharged 2.0L LTG inline four-cylinder gas engine, which mates to GM’s nine-speed automatic transmission and produces 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox will hit the market this coming Fall. While we wait, we want to know – is the new crossover Hot, Or Not? Let us know by voting in the poll and posting in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Equinox news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Big improvement exterior wise but like I said from day one…the interior is its Achilles Heel.
GM needs better interior materials in their cars especially the Chevrolet Brand.
Totally agree as Hyundai and Kia are moving fantastic interiors down through their Lin’s. The new Sorento as as better interior than any GM interior save the new Tahoe-Escalade. All things being equal a crappy GM “jet black” trash plastic interior will eventually ruin the company.
@Xjug
Agreed 100%
Chevrolet interiors (except C8 and New Tahoe) are by miles the worst in the Industry. It isn’t even close.
I would like to vote for Nissan for that award
I recently test-drove a 2020 Cadillac XT5, and the interior was a big disappointment (cheap looking and unbefitting a Cadillac). While at the dealer I also glanced at the interiors of the 2020 Equinox and Blazer – trash plastic and all – and they looked absolutely horrendous. There will be no GM vehicle in my future! And I used to be a GM guy – even worked for them for 21 years! Sad.
Much better than it was.
The placement of the AWD activation button on the Centre consuls Forward of the shift lever needs better placement and the rear quarter windows surround panels could be less bulk to permit better rear quarter vision in tight parking areas would be an improvement on my 2018 LT 2 Chev. Equinox 250 HP in future updates ,also I am not a stop start fan but my vehicles system is the best I have driven and is almost imperceptible ,but a shut off button would be good too !
Exterior refresh is very good, and I love that they added a start/stop defeat switch.
The interior updates could have gone farther.
Still waiting to find out about the repackaging of active safety equipment.
Well the wheels are better and the exterior barely looks different, the power trains are carryover and the interior remains the Achilles heel. Sounds about right for a GM product. It’s pretty telling when the 32K Hyundai Santa FE SEL AWD I checked out this weekend had a much nicer and more pleasant interior with nicer and more color choices than a 34K GMC Terrain I looked at an hour before.
These small turbo engines have a history of problems. if you look at the history of the Chevrolet Cruze which also had a small 1.4 liter turbo engine.. breakdowns for very common including head gaskets, head warping, and mysterious loss of coolant. Too much stress on the small engine makes it not a durable engine. that is one of the reasons why I switch to a Hyundai Santa Fe with a 2.4 l naturally aspirated engine. If Hyundai puts a strong warranty on their car then I’m in for it. I don’t think I will be buying a GM car for a very long time. The quality of their drivetrains and lack of a good warranty it’s enough to make me switch to a stronger manufacturer.
well its a seller they did not screw it up so thats good not a turbo fan or 9 speed fan(ford put money into developing it put did not put into production huh) and that auto start/stop crap cant be good on the transmission it feels like a neutral drop every time you hit the gas
GM is well aware of interior complaints. GM is rapidly addressing this. This is a mid-cycle touch-up, GM can not re-make an auto in a mid-cycle touch-up, but let us look at the positives of the vehicle. It is a nice all-around small SUV and their sales numbers support that. Mark Russ stated that interior issues are top priorities going forward with all-new editions. as GM leave all these un-profitable overseas market and put their resources here at home we are going to see a much better GM. It’s already has started with new editions of large SUVs from Arlington and Corvette.
GM always has to apologize for lackluster interiors. They have been doing that for thirty years. The beancounters always win and they always wield their hatchets at the interiors, somehow thinking nobody will notice. Maybe if the vehicles were value priced to match the mediocre trimmings they could get away with it. Instead, they’re priced as if they are best in class, which just makes the problem worse.
The problem is why are the interiors so crappy NOW…. its the thinking that put Jet Black garbage in the vehicles in the first place… the chintz here, the cost cutting there… and that customers will pay for it regardless.. Whereas Hyundai cant build Palisade/Telluride’s fast enough and have increased prices 2X as demand is crazy. Its one thing to address a problem but GM interiors have been junk for decades, styling is ehh, powertrain’s are coarse, technology is fussy, dealer – cust svc is pathetic and pricing is higher than others that offer more value. GM has a mindset and Sr Mgt is where it starts… I really think the top echelon needs to be replaced.
The 3.6 needs to be an option just like my 2015 LTZ Equinox
I have a 2019 and a 2020 Equinox………..one with the1.5 and the other is a 2.0. Both are Premiers. The 19 rides so much better than the 2020 with the larger wheels and “CHEAP” Hankook Tires. The 19 has Michelins……….
I like both vehicles. The 2020 has all the safety features………….works great.
My wife and I both absolutely positively hate the start stop feature…………We drive mostly around town and the start stop is a pain!
We always put the transmission in “L” and thumb up to the highest gear…………not fun but it works. Why didn’t GM do a disable switch right away? Hopefully, the switch will be something that will retro fit on 19’s and 20’s! We like our NOX’s, great little vehicle!
Best in class crash rating. Out sold others in class. Higher dependability in class despite the turbos.
I don’t own one but I do own a 19 Traverse Premier-love it and glad I chose it over the Korean twins.
Not fond of LED DTRL shape but better than last years. GM still using reg light bulbs while others are using LEDs. My sister picked an import because of LEDs… and commercials for sporty “fast” car marketing that gets dusted by my neighbors “2.0” turbo. Hyundai 2.0 couldn’t beat it….Stinger was embarrassed.
Buy it….
New front and rear fascia/grill doesn’t do it for me. The last generation Equinox was a really good car at the right price point. It was more mid size than compact, and the relatively large 4 banger provided power without the complexities of a turbo. I had a loaded 2010 LTZ, and put a lot of miles on it with no issues at all. I replaced it with a 2016 LTZ clone, and again have an honest, trouble free, no nonsense loaded every day mid size SUV. The current model is smaller, with a small displacement turbo and stickers for more than 5 grand more than my 2016. Everything I liked about the Equinox is gone. I’ll be replacing it with a Mazda when the time comes. I replaced my Cadillac with a non GM sedan, and the NOX is next. Sorry GM. We had a good run, with more than 3 dozen new cars, including 8 Vettes, through the years, but we are done.
Exterior looks good enough. Stop start defeat though is the right move.