The popular Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover receives a mild refresh for the 2016 model year. The update delivers new styling, premium exterior accents, new wheel designs, new standard and available safety features, and a larger color touchscreen radio.
The updates will carry on for the 2016 and 2017 model years, with the 2018 model year Chevy Equinox slated to become an all-new model on GM’s D2 platform. See more on the 2018 Chevy Equinox.
The updates and changes to the 2016 Chevy Equinox are comprised of:
- New trim lineup: L, LS, LT and LTZ, a streamlining of the model lineup that eliminates the 1LT and 2LT trims
- New front fascia and chrome-accented dual-port grille design – including specific chrome trim on LT and LTZ grilles
- New, premium projector-beam headlamps on all models helps make the Equinox more visible at night
- New daytime running lamps on LT and LTZ, with reflector-style lamps on L and LS, and light-emitting diode, (LED) lamps on LT and LTZ that create a distinctive, upscale lighting signature
- New fog lamps on LTZ
- New, Chevy-signature dual-element taillamps, revised license plate applique and revised lower rear fascia on all models, with chrome trim on LTZ lower fascia
- New 17-inch aluminum wheels on LT and new 18-inch aluminum wheels on LTZ
- New available 17-inch wheel optional on LS model
- New chrome exhaust outlets on V6 models
- Available Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features on LT and LTZ
- Standard seven-inch-diagonal Color Touch radio (including Bluetooth phone connectivity) and rear-vision camera on L and LS models
- Revised instrument panel “center stack” with new storage shelf and updated control graphics
- New, chrome-trimmed transmission shifter with Electronic Range Selector mode buttons relocated to the top of the shifter handle
- Enhanced interior fabrics in L and LS designed for a premium look and feel
- New Saddle Up interior color
- New universal tablet holders available through dealers from Chevrolet Accessories. They mount on the rear of the front seats to provide convenient access for rear-seat passengers
RPO-Level Changes
Following are GM’s official RPO-level updates and changes to the 2016 Chevy Equinox:
Deletions
- (GAR) Black Granite Metallic
- (GBE) Crystal Red Tintcoat
- (GBN) White Diamond Tricoat
- (GWS) Silver Topaz Metallic
- (G22) Sea Grass Metallic
- LT 2LT Equipment group
- CD player (radios retain MP3 playback capability)
- (UYE) Audio system, AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3/WMA playback capability
- (UE0) OnStar, delete
- (EBC) Base Cloth on L and LS
- (PDX) Chrome & Convenience Package
- (UWG) Rear Seat Entertainment System
- (QDT) Tires, P235/55R19 all-season, blackwall
- (RT6) Wheels, 19″ (48.3 cm) chrome-clad aluminum
- (RSX) Wheels, 18″ (45.7 cm) chrome-clad aluminum
- (LFX) 3.6L V6 SIDI engine on 1LH26 and 1LJ26 FWD models
New Features
- (GB7) Patriot Blue Metallic
- (GB8) Mosaic Black Metallic (extra cost)
- (G1E) Siren Red Tintcoat (extra cost)
- (G1W) Iridescent Pearl Tricoat (extra cost)
- L 1SM Equipment group
- (EAZ) Premium Cloth seats now standard on L and LS
- (PCY) Technology Package, includes (UHQ) Chevrolet MyLink radio with Navigation and (UZ8) Pioneer premium 8-speaker sound system
- (PCQ) Enhanced Convenience Package, includes (AH8) 8-way power front passenger seat, (TB5) power programmable rear liftgate and (UG1) Universal Home Remote
- (PCW) Driver Confidence Package, includes (UFT) Side Blind Zone Alert, (UFG) Rear Cross Traffic Alert and (UD7) Rear Park Assist
- (PCU) Driver Confidence Package II, includes (UEU) Forward Collision Alert and (UFL) Lane Departure Warning
- (UFG) Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- (UFT) Side Blind Zone Alert
- (SIF) LPO, Universal Tablet Holder
- Bumpers, body-color with Charcoal lowers
- Bumpers, body-color with Charcoal lowers and rear bright chrome insert (LTZ only)
- (9H8) Daytime Running Lamps, LED
- (T96) Fog lamps on LTZ
- Grille, Black with chrome surround
- Headlamps, halogen projector lamp
- (RVF) Wheels, 17″ (43.2 cm) aluminum
- (5P4) Wheels, 18″ (45.7 cm) aluminum
Like all models of the second-generation Chevy Equinox, the 2016 Chevy Equinox continues to utilize the long-wheelbase version of GM’s Theta platform.
The 2016 Chevy Equinox continues to be offered with two GM engines, a four- and a six-cylinder:
- Base engine: 2.4L I4 LEA
- Optional engine: 3.6L V6 LFX
We expect this information to become available in the summer of 2015 and will update this section then.