2020 Chevrolet Equinox Overview
First introduced as a mid-size SUV in 2004 for the 2005 model year, the Chevy Equinox is now the bowtie brand’s compact crossover SUV option. The Equinox made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show and was made as a Pontiac vehicle at the same time — the Torrent. However, over the years, the Chevy SUV remained and has been a top seller for the automaker. Now in its third generation, the 2020 Equinox is ready to hit the pavement.
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is available at four trim levels: L, LS, LT, and Premier.
More Chevrolet: Check out the entire Chevy SUV lineup
What’s new for the 2020 Chevy Equinox?
The latest generation of the Equinox was unveiled in 2017, so not much has changed on the vehicle since then and the same can be said for the 2020 model year. What we won’t get this year is the diesel option due to low demand. On the flip side, a suite of standard safety features have been added to all trims of the Equinox, including Forward Collision Alert and Front Pedestrian Braking.
Exterior
You won’t notice many differences on the outside between the Equinox’s four trims unless you’ve got an exceptionally keen eye. For example, the standard 17-inch aluminum wheels on the L, LS, and LT change to 18-inch bright machined aluminum wheels. Black window trim and mirror caps are the norm on the L and LS while body-color options take over for the LT and Premier. If you want some additional help seeing in difficult situations, you’ll need to opt for the Premier trim, which comes with standard fog lights and LED headlamps. The hands-free gesture liftgate is also standard on the Premier, allowing you to load up groceries and other cargo easily.
Interior
Depending on the trim you choose, you’ll get varying levels of comfort and convenience inside the 2020 Chevy Equinox. The L and LS trims come with a standard four-way manual driver’s seat while the upper two trims offer an eight-way power-adjustable seat. Active Noise Cancellation is standard across the board, so you’ll experience serenity on every drive. For an extra touch of relaxation, go with the Premier trim and its ambient interior lighting and heated front seats.
Tech also varies inside the Equinox, with the base L trim getting helpful features like 12-volt front and cargo area power outlets, 4G LTE Wi-Fit capability, a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, charging USB ports, and a 7-inch color touchscreen. For even more advanced connectivity, go with the Premier, which comes with an 8-inch diagonal HD color touchscreen, a Memory Package, Remote Start, and wireless charging.
Performance and efficiency
The 2020 Equinox can be equipped with one of two engine options, depending on the trim. The L and LS come with a standard 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Combined, you can expect 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy comes in at 26 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. The upper trims can be equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder mated to a nine-speed automatic, producing 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for this engine sits at 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined.
Thinking of Buying? Consider the benefits of leasing before you decide
Safety
As previously mentioned, Chevrolet added some standard safety systems to the 2020 Equinox. On the base L trim, features like an airbag system, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Seat Reminder are all standard. Even more protection is offered on the Premier trim, which upgrades its rear vision camera to HD. You’ll also have helpful systems like Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist to aid you on every journey.
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