As the sixth model year of the current third-generation compact crossover, the 2023 Chevy Equinox introduced a few changes over the fully-refreshed 2022 model. Among these updates is a new powerplant, and now, GM Authority has learned how its fuel economy compares to that of 2022 models.
As a quick refresher, the 2023 Chevy Equinox is equipped with the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD engine, producing 175 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 203 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. The LSD engine replaces the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LYX found in the 2018-2022 Chevy Equinox, which was rated at 170 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 203 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm.
The new LSD engine is mated to the same GM six-speed automatic transmission found in previous model years of the Equinox. Despite the new engine, fuel economy numbers are the same for FWD models and slightly lower for AWD models.
As seen below, FWD models deliver the same combined 28 mpg, while AWD models with the new engine are less efficient by one mpg in the city than their 2022 model year equivalents, resulting in a one mpg drop to 26 mpg in combined fuel economy.
| Powertrain | Power (hp / kW @ rpm) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm) | Drivetrain | City (mpg) | Highway (mpg) | Combined (mpg) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Equinox | Turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD | 175 / 131 @ 5,600 | 203 / 275 @ 2,000 to 4,000 | FWD | 26 | 31 | 28 |
| 2023 Equinox | Turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD | 175 / 131 @ 5,600 | 203 / 275 @ 2,000 to 4,000 | AWD | 24 | 30 | 26 |
| 2022 Equinox | Turbocharged 1.5L I4 LYX | 170 / 127 @ 5,600 | 203 / 275 @ 2,000 to 4,000 | FWD | 26 | 31 | 28 |
| 2022 Equinox | Turbocharged 1.5L I4 LYX | 170 / 127 @ 5,600 | 203 / 275 @ 2,000 to 4,000 | AWD | 25 | 30 | 27 |
It’s worth noting that GM does not consider the LSD a “new” engine, with the only difference between the two being tweaks to improve combustion and emissions.
In addition to the new engine, the 2023 Chevy Equinox also implemented a new electronic brake booster system, introduced a revised exterior color palette, and made the Blackout and Redline Edition packages available. However, both appearance packages have been unavailable since September.
Chevy Equinox production takes place at the GM San Luis Potosi plant and GM Ramos Arizpe plant, both of which are located in Mexico. Production of the model year commenced on August 22nd.
Under the skin, the 2023 Chevy Equinox rides on the GM D2 platform, which it shares with the GMC Terrain. It’s worth noting that the 2023 GMC Terrain shares the new LSD engine with the Equinox, but the boosted four-pot is mated to the GM nine-speed automatic transmission in that application.
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Comments
Amazing how GM keeps losing mileage ratings year after year on various ICE variants. The Malibu for 2023 sees a staggering 2 MPG drop for city now down to 27 and only 30 combined which is down from 32. Highway drops by one to 35. The 5.3 in the Silverado 4X4’s I have been seeing are rated at a horrible 14/19 using the 10 speed automatic and the Dynamic fuel management version of this engine which was reported to increase MPG from the previous AFM setup. keep in mind the same engine was rated 16/22 a couple of years back using the inferior 8 speed auto. Looks like the Terrain loses too now down to 24 city from 25 but the already low 28 highway figure remains.
Could be the result of changing product mixes – pandemic related shortages have prioritized higher trim levels that usually come with bigger, heavier wheel and tire packages which reduce fuel economy. That said, GM hasn’t been to keen to introduce any changes to improve ICE efficiency as they pivot focus on EVs – this is going to push customer away from GM and then lead to product cancellations because “no one is buying them” (classic GM).
My 2019 FWD Nox with the 1.5 T gets 30 fast driving on the interstate and 27-28 combined.
What’s a Nox?
My AWD 2015 Equinox with the 301hp 3.6L V6 gets 28mpg on the highway and 20mpg in the city. So while the 1.5L is definitely more efficient, dealing with 175hp in a vehicle of this size is not very much fun. My original selling dealer has been aggressively trying to get me to trade my 2015 for a new Equinox and one of their “benefits” they keep pushing is that the fuel economy of the new model will provide “substantial fuel savings”. I only drive 5,000 miles per year…trading to potentially save 50 or so gallons of gas per year is not a compelling enough reason.
Understood. I was worried about the 1.5 T being under powered, my wife is the primary driver, but I have driven it on a road trip fully loaded, through the Smoky Mtns. at 70-80 mph with zero issues and it got 29 mpg on that trip. But what really surprised me is that it uses zero oil in 5k miles. I just did the 25k change, always change my own, and zero oil consumption! I’m used to newer GM’s using at least a quart in 5k miles.
On the ‘T’:
That’s a good thing that no one mentions about Turbos. They’re good altitude compensators. If I didn’t live live at sea level, I’d definitely would want a turbo.
WOW one engine choice under powder at that put the 250hp 9 speed transmission back in I’ll buy one today, the Ford escape has 4 engine choises
Note the new refreshed Escape didn’t loose any MPG. The base 1.5 EB is rated 26/28/31 with AWD and 27/30/33 with FWD which is well above the GM twins. Move up to the far more powerful 2.0 EB in the Escape with AWD and the numbers are 23/26/31 which is one less city, the same combined and one more highway than GM’s sole 1.5 choice.
Far from under powered. They sold them for years, why didn’t you buy one then? All these people say “if you do this I will buy one” yet they do and sales are nonexistent. Truth is you are in the minority when you say that. You want to think half the people feel the same way you do and will actually buy them but reality says otherwise. Look at the manual transmission among past special cars…
Didn’t buy an equinox then because I got an Impala, don’t think I am in minority based on ratings of comment guess I don’t understand your comensence
My 2018 with the 2.0 L all wheel drive gets this if not better and I use 89 octane. Just got 33 on country roads averaging 55 mph
My 2019 with a 2.0 turbo in a recent 3500 mile road trip through mountains and the prairies averaged 32 mpg with up to 40 mpg at times doing 65-70 mpg for the most part.
What boggles my mind overall is I was getting mid-20’s and higher when I started driving 45 years ago with heavier vehicles, bigger carburetor engines, less aerodynamics, older tire technology and I could go on. After all this time with the technological improvements that have been made vehicles aren’t getting much more than that. Internal combustion engines by now should be getting 50 mpg or more with increasingly better mileage every decade, but I suppose energy providers can’t sell enough volume to justify manufacturers to offer more efficient vehicles despite the effects to the overall global environment. Sad fact of life I suppose . . . ☹️
“tweaks to improve combustion and emissions” reduce the MPG? How about untweaking it to improve the MPG?!