Chevrolet Equinox

Chevrolet Equinox: which version to buy and why

If the question is which Chevrolet Equinox to buy, the catalogue data pick two poles and a middle. The fastest measured car is the 3 generation 2.0 AT (AWD): 252 hp, 353 Nm, 6.6 s to 100 km/h. The same 252 hp returns on 3 generation, restyling 1 as 2.0 i AT (FWD) and 2.0 i AT 4WD, but 0–100, torque, tank and weight are not measured there.

If the question is which Chevrolet Equinox to buy, the catalogue data pick two poles and a middle. The fastest measured car is the 3 generation 2.0 AT (AWD): 252 hp, 353 Nm, 6.6 s to 100 km/h. The same 252 hp returns on 3 generation, restyling 1 as 2.0 i AT (FWD) and 2.0 i AT 4WD, but 0–100, torque, tank and weight are not measured there. The other pole is the only Diesel: 3 generation 1.6 AT, 137 hp, 325 Nm, 11.7 s to 100 km/h — 115 hp and 5.1 s slower than 2.0 AT, with torque only 28 Nm lower. For a used SUV with full economy figures, 2 generation / 2 generation, restyling 2.4 AT FWD is the measured frugal Gasoline: 9 L/100 km combined, 182 hp, 9.3 s. If you need current production only, 4 generation offers 1.5 i T FWD AT and 1.5 i T AWD AT at 175 hp and 203 Nm; 0–100, mpg, tank, clearance and kerb weight are not measured. Chevrolet Equinox exists in 6 generations in this dataset, all SUV 5-doors; prices are not in the data, so “what you pay extra for” below means what the numbers add: drive, litres, gears, hp/L, kg/hp.

Generations

1 generation (2004-01-01–2009-12-31), SUV 5-doors, 4 versions. Two names, two drives. 3.4 AT is 185 hp / 135 kW, 285 Nm, 3350 cm³ Gasoline, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves per cylinder, No boost, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 92, Automatic 5, tank 63 L. FWD: 9.8 s, 195 km/h, kerb 1660 kg, clearance 201 mm. AWD: 10.7 s (+0.9 s), 190 km/h (−5 km/h), kerb 1713 kg (+53 kg), same 2300 kg gross. 3.6 AT is 264 hp / 194 kW, 339 Nm, 3564 cm³, same 6 V-shaped layout, Automatic 6. FWD: 7.2 s, 222 km/h, 1732 kg, clearance 168 mm. AWD: 7.8 s (+0.6 s), 219 km/h, 1776 kg (+44 kg). Specific output: 3.4 AT 55.2 hp/L; 3.6 AT 74.1 hp/L. The 3.6 buys 79 hp and 2.6 s (FWD) for 214 cm³ more and 16 L/100 km city vs 12.7, combined 12.4 vs 10.9.

2 generation (2009-01-01–2015-12-31), SUV 5-doors, 6 versions, three names each as FWD and AWD. 2.4 AT 182 hp / 134 kW, 233 Nm, 2384 cm³, 4 Inline, No boost, Distributed injection (multi-point), Automatic 6, fuel 92, tank 71 L, clearance 199 mm. FWD: 9.3 s, 198 km/h, combined 9 L/100 km, 1706 kg / 2127 kg. AWD: 10.8 s (+1.5 s), 187 km/h (−11 km/h), combined 10.2 (+1.2), 1782 kg (+76 kg) / 2300 kg. 3.0 AT 264 hp / 194 kW, 301 Nm, 2994 cm³, 6 V-shaped. FWD: 7.9 s, 225 km/h, 1789 kg, 88.2 hp/L. AWD: 8.7 s, 219 km/h, 1860 kg. Combined 11.8 L/100 km both drives; city 13.8 both. 3.6 AT 301 hp / 221 kW, 369 Nm, 3564 cm³, 6 V-shaped. FWD: 6.8 s, 226 km/h, 1779 kg, 5.91 kg/hp. AWD: 7.3 s (+0.5 s), 226 km/h, 1850 kg, combined 12.4 vs 11.8. Versus 1 generation 3.6 AT, peak power rose 37 hp (264→301) at the same 3564 cm³; 0–100 FWD improved 0.4 s (7.2→6.8). Versus 1 generation 3.4 AT, the new 2.4 AT FWD is 3 hp down, 1.5 s quicker in the FWD pairing that has a 0–100 figure (9.3 vs 9.8), 8 L larger tank, 2 mm less clearance (199 vs 201).

2 generation, restyling (2015-01-01–2017-12-31), SUV 5-doors, 4 versions: 3.6 AT and 2.4 AT, FWD and AWD. Power, torque, 0–100, top speed, mpg, tank 71 L, kerb and gross match the same-named 2 generation cars. What changed in the data: injection becomes Direct injection (direct); rear brakes become Disc ventilated (front stays Ventilated disc); wheels are listed as 225/60 R17 and 235/55 R18; ground clearance falls 24 mm to 175 mm (199→175). The restyling does not add horsepower; it records a lower stance and a different injection label.

3 generation (2016-09-01–2021-02-28), SUV 5-doors, 3 versions. The V-shaped 6-cylinder line is gone from this generation’s table. 2.0 AT: 252 hp / 185 kW, 353 Nm, 1998 cm³ Gasoline, 4 Inline, 4 valves, Turbo, Front, longitudinal, Direct injection (direct), fuel 95, Automatic 9, AWD, 6.6 s, top speed not measured, tank 55 L, clearance 200 mm, 126.1 hp/L. Versus 2 generation 3.6 AT AWD (301 hp, 7.3 s): 2.0 AT has 49 hp less but is 0.7 s quicker to 100 km/h, with 176.7 Nm/L vs 103.5 Nm/L, tank 16 L smaller (71→55). 1.6 AT: 137 hp / 101 kW, 325 Nm, 1598 cm³ Diesel, 4 Inline, Turbo, Front, longitudinal, injection not measured, fuel Diesel, Automatic 6, AWD, 11.7 s, tank 55 L, clearance 200 mm. Highest Nm/L in the file: 203.4. 1.5 AT: 170 hp / 125 kW, 280 Nm, 1490 cm³ Gasoline, 4 Inline, Turbo, Front, longitudinal, Direct injection (direct), fuel 95, Automatic 6, FWD, 9.0 s, 182 km/h, city 9 / highway 7.3, combined not measured, tank 55 L, Euro 6, kerb 1550 kg, clearance 200 mm, wheels 225/65 R17 and 235/50 R19. Lightest measured Equinox: 9.12 kg/hp. Versus 2.4 AT FWD (1706 kg, 182 hp, 9.3 s, combined 9): 1.5 AT is 12 hp down, 0.3 s quicker, 156 kg lighter, tank 16 L smaller.

3 generation, restyling 1 (2021-03-01–ongoing), SUV 5-doors, 4 versions. 2.0 i AT 252 hp / 188 kW, 1998 cm³ Gasoline, Direct injection (direct), fuel 92, Automatic 9, FWD, clearance 198 mm. 2.0 i AT 4WD same 252 hp / 188 kW, AWD, clearance 198 mm. 1.5 i T AT 170 hp / 125 kW, 1498 cm³, Automatic 6, FWD. 1.5 i T AT 4WD same 170 hp, AWD. Torque, cylinders, layout, boost, 0–100, top speed, mpg, tank, CO2, eco class, kerb, gross, wheels, suspension, brakes: not measured on all four. Versus 3 generation 2.0 AT: same 252 hp, kW listed 188 not 185, fuel 92 not 95, FWD appears as a 2.0 option, clearance 198 vs 200 mm. Versus 3 generation 1.5 AT: same 170 hp / 125 kW, displacement 1498 vs 1490, fuel 92 not 95, AWD appears as 1.5 i T AT 4WD.

4 generation (2024-01-01–ongoing), SUV 5-doors, 2 versions. 1.5 i T FWD AT and 1.5 i T AWD AT: 175 hp / 128 kW, 203 Nm, 1500 cm³ Gasoline, 4 Inline, 4 valves, Turbo, Front, transverse (not longitudinal), Direct injection (direct), fuel 92, Automatic 6. Rear suspension label in data: Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem. Front: Independent, spring. Brakes: Ventilated disc / Disc. 0–100, top speed, mpg, tank, CO2, eco class, kerb, gross, clearance, wheels: not measured. Versus restyling 1.5 i T AT: +5 hp, +3 kW, displacement 1500 vs 1498, 116.7 hp/L vs 113.5 hp/L. Versus 3 generation 1.5 AT: +5 hp, torque 203 vs 280 (−77 Nm), 0–100 not measured vs 9.0 s.

Engine specs

All Chevrolet Equinox versions in the data are Automatic. Cylinder count and layout are taken only where the row lists them.

hp/L (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 2.0 AT / 2.0 i AT / 2.0 i AT 4WD 126.1; 4 generation 1.5 116.7; 3 generation 1.5 AT 114.1; restyling 1.5 i T AT 113.5; 3.0 AT 88.2; 1.6 AT 85.7; 2 generation 3.6 AT 84.5; 2.4 AT 76.3; 1 generation 3.6 AT 74.1; 3.4 AT 55.2. The 1.5–2.0 Turbo four (where Turbo is listed) more than doubles the specific output of 1 generation 3.4 AT.

Performance and mpg

0–100 km/h measured: 2.0 AT 6.6 s; 2 generation / restyling 3.6 AT FWD 6.8 / AWD 7.3; 1 generation 3.6 AT FWD 7.2 / AWD 7.8; 3.0 AT FWD 7.9 / AWD 8.7; 1.5 AT 9.0; 2.4 AT FWD 9.3 / AWD 10.8; 1 generation 3.4 AT FWD 9.8 / AWD 10.7; 1.6 AT 11.7. Not measured: all 3 generation, restyling 1 four versions and both 4 generation versions.

Top speed measured: peak 226 km/h on 2 generation and restyling 3.6 AT (both drives); 3.0 AT FWD 225, AWD 219; 1 generation 3.6 AT FWD 222, AWD 219; 2.4 AT FWD 198, AWD 187; 1 generation 3.4 AT FWD 195, AWD 190; 1.5 AT 182. Not measured: 2.0 AT, 1.6 AT, restyling 1, 4 generation.

mpg (L/100 km). Combined measured only on 1 generation, 2 generation and 2 generation, restyling: 2.4 AT FWD 9.0 is the lowest Gasoline combined; 2.4 AT AWD 10.2; 3.4 AT both drives 10.9; 3.0 AT both 11.8; restyling / 2 generation 3.6 AT FWD 11.8, AWD 12.4; 1 generation 3.6 AT both 12.4. City/highway 1.5 AT: 9 / 7.3, combined not measured. Diesel 1.6 AT city, highway, combined: not measured. Restyling 1 and 4 generation: city, highway, combined all not measured. CO2 not measured on every version. Eco class: Euro 6 on 3 generation 1.5 AT only; not measured elsewhere.

AWD cost in the pairs that have both drives measured: 2.4 AT +1.5 s, −11 km/h, +1.2 combined L/100 km, +76 kg; 3.6 AT (2 gen) +0.5 s, 0 km/h top speed, +0.6 combined, +71 kg; 3.0 AT +0.8 s, −6 km/h, combined unchanged 11.8; 1 generation 3.4 AT +0.9 s, −5 km/h, mpg unchanged; 1 generation 3.6 AT +0.6 s, −3 km/h, mpg unchanged.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb / gross (kg), where measured. Lightest kerb: 1.5 AT 1550, gross not measured. 1 generation 3.4 AT FWD 1660 / 2300; AWD 1713 / 2300. 2.4 AT FWD 1706 / 2127 (lowest gross among measured); AWD 1782 / 2300. 1 generation 3.6 AT FWD 1732 / 2320; AWD 1776 / 2320. 2 generation 3.6 AT FWD 1779 / 2360; AWD 1850 / 2404. 3.0 AT FWD 1789 / 2360; AWD 1860 / 2400 (heaviest kerb). kg/hp: 3.6 AT FWD 5.91; 3.0 AT FWD 6.78; 3.4 AT FWD 8.97; 1.5 AT 9.12; 2.4 AT FWD 9.37. Not measured: restyling 1 (all four), 4 generation (both), 2.0 AT, 1.6 AT.

Ground clearance (mm): 1 generation 3.4 AT 201 (highest); 3 generation 200 on 2.0 AT, 1.6 AT, 1.5 AT; 2 generation 199; restyling 1 198; 2 generation, restyling 175; 1 generation 3.6 AT 168 (lowest measured). 4 generation: not measured.

Tank (L): 2 generation and restyling 71; 1 generation 63; 3 generation 55 on 2.0 AT, 1.6 AT, 1.5 AT. Restyling 1 and 4 generation: not measured.

Wheels: 3 generation 1.5 AT 225/65 R17, 235/50 R19; 2 generation, restyling 225/60 R17, 235/55 R18. All other versions: not measured.

Problems, reliability

The dataset has no failure rates, recalls, or durability scores. Reliability is not measured here. What can be compared is how complete each row is: 2 generation and 2 generation, restyling publish 0–100, top speed, three mpg figures, tank, kerb and gross; 3 generation 1.5 AT adds Euro 6 and wheels; 3 generation 2.0 AT and 1.6 AT give 0–100 and tank but not mpg or mass; 3 generation, restyling 1 and 4 generation leave 0–100, mpg, tank and mass not measured. That is a data gap, not a defect claim.

Which version to choose

Buy 2.0 AT (3 generation, AWD) if the file’s only 6.6 s and 353 Nm matter, and you accept tank 55 L, fuel 95, mpg and kerb not measured. If you want that 252 hp with FWD or 92 fuel, the names are 2.0 i AT and 2.0 i AT 4WD — same hp, 0–100 not measured.

Buy 1.6 AT if Diesel and 325 Nm at 137 hp is the point (203.4 Nm/L, 11.7 s). It is 115 hp and 5.1 s behind 2.0 AT; mpg not measured, so an economy advantage is not in this table.

Buy 3 generation 1.5 AT if you want the lightest measured kerb (1550 kg), the only Euro 6 label, 9.0 s, 182 km/h, city 9 / highway 7.3, FWD only. Restyling twins 1.5 i T AT / 1.5 i T AT 4WD keep 170 hp and add AWD on the 4WD name; performance not measured. New-car 4 generation 1.5 i T FWD AT / 1.5 i T AWD AT add 5 hp and list 203 Nm and Turbo 4 Inline Front, transverse; they drop 77 Nm versus 1.5 AT’s 280 Nm; 0–100 not measured.

Buy 2 generation or restyling 2.4 AT FWD for the lowest measured combined Gasoline use (9.0) with a 71 L tank and 9.3 s. AWD on the same name costs 1.5 s, 11 km/h, 1.2 L/100 km combined, 76 kg.

Buy 3.6 AT (2 generation or restyling, 301 hp) if peak power is the filter: 369 Nm, 6.8 s FWD / 7.3 s AWD, 226 km/h, 5.91 kg/hp FWD. Combined 11.8 FWD / 12.4 AWD versus 9.0 / 10.2 on 2.4 AT. 1 generation 3.6 AT is the same name at 264 hp, not 301: 37 hp less, 7.2 s FWD. Do not confuse those two 3.6 AT rows.

Buy 2 generation 3.0 AT as the middle V-shaped 6: 264 hp, 88.2 hp/L (best among the No-boost sixes), 7.9 s FWD, combined 11.8 like 3.6 AT FWD with 37 hp less.

Buy 1 generation 3.4 AT only if the 201 mm clearance (FWD/AWD) is the number you need: 185 hp, 5-speed Automatic, 55.2 hp/L, 9.8 s FWD. The 1 generation 3.6 AT on the same generation sits 33 mm lower (168 mm).

AWD versus FWD, when both exist: same power in every pair; the measured extras are seconds, km/h, litres, and kilograms listed above — not a second horsepower figure. 4 generation and restyling 1 AWD rows do not add measured 0–100 or mpg, so the AWD increment there is drive label only.