2018 Chevrolet Equinox | CarGurus Test Drive Review

Shop 2018 Chevrolet Equinox listings: goo.gl/YgLXEV
The Equinox used to fit between compact and midsize crossovers size-wise and did very well for Chevrolet, trailing only the Silverado in units sold. The smaller 2018 Equinox will sit in the compact crossover segment, a large category that includes a bunch of very strong vehicles.
The 2018 Equinox will get a 1.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder with 170 hp and 203 lb-ft, a 2.0-liter turbo four with 252 hp and 260 lb-ft, or a 1.6-liter turbodiesel four with 136 hp and 236 lb-ft. The smaller engines will use a 6-speed automatic, and the 2.0-liter will get a new 9-speed automatic. The diesel will get the best mileage, with Chevrolet expecting an EPA rating of 40 mpg highway.
The 2018 Equinox offers Rear Seat Reminder, which will alert the driver he or she should not forget a child or pet in the backseat, and Teen Driver, which lets parents set speed and geographical limits for young drivers and can give them a report on a young driver’s journey, including how fast he or she went. Read more on CarGurus: cargur.us/j6yVx
Presenter: Chris Wardlaw
Cinematographer: Dan Sharp
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• 2016 Test Drive Reviews

[@JONIJOHNSON28]

This guy does a disservice to the Equinox. This does not describe the Equinox. I am an owner of the LT 2018 version, that I purchased in 2017, and it is fantastic!!! I fill up the car once a week. The gas mileage is incredible. I spent more in gas a week on my 2002 Camry. The features are better than most mid sized SUVs. It is an aesthetically appealing vehicle. Chev has done a great job with this vehicle. This is coming from an owner who has driven the car for over a year now, not a critic.

[@patrickgrengs7594]

I am the owner of a 2003 Camry with 200k miles ... very reliable miles ... it is a comfortable transportation appliance. Now, I am in the market for the next 15 years and all I want is a new, reliable, cost-effective transportation appliance. The Chevy Equinox is looking good. I appreciate your commentary as an owner. Now, I need to get out and test drive one of these then make my selection among a few different vehicles (appliances).

[@wurly164]

I had the larger 2015, not a bad car but the road noise was horrible, it is the reason I got rid of it. With the 2.4 engine I got 36 on the highway

[@leeg3784]

Totally agree Joni. I have a family member that drives one (and know others with one), good mpg.

[@LegoAventuras1718]

I have 2018 equinox and its very cheap on gas! And i love it.

[@paulannabelle]

We have a 2018 Equinox LT and love it. We are very happy with it. Wife is happy , I am happy.

[@Sig721Tau]

You didn't state what kind of powertrain you opted for.

[@eclay432]

He loves the entertainment system. The car companies think we need cars that brake themselves, park themselves, stay in their own lanes is everyone is on their entertainment system with sub ports everywhere. A car is to take you from one place to another and I am a car guy who grew up at speed shack and building my car to perform and enjoy the ride. Now a car guy has his wheels rocked out so the vehicle is riding on 1/3 tire and 2/3 sidewall. Once you have to make a living and raise kids you need transportation that doesn't brake down. Your car payment is half of your mortgage so you better be making some good cake. People need to send a message to these car companies that you want a car not a house. A pickup is a friggin truck, that's it not a 4 door gigantic sled for 60,000 more like 15,000 and a top of the line car shouldn't be more than 25,000 with 6 cylinders. The more little toys you have the more breakdowns and electronic failures. We are letting them create a system where it's normal to pay 40,000 for a car, a car!!!! Stop the cycle America. We can build a car that gets a lot more mileage, is completely reliable with unlimited warranty for 10 years. Come on we can do it!

[@Sig721Tau]

If you don't like tech gadgets like Infotainment systems then, don't buy a vehicle with those features. Problem solved. Btw, some people like having a lot of technology in their cars. As for $30k cars, you gotta think about inflation my friend. Also, GM workers are unionized and some get paid $25/hour to put on a tire.

[@alpenaschools]

holy shit. you are legit dude, awesome vid, keep it up.

[@jbone247]

Just picked up a 2018 with the pearl white and it's very obvious to my eye at least.

[@1533ramsay]

My description of your description is like warm water in my mouth.

[@scottc.5142]

i just bought one this week...i love it..

[@MadaraUchiha116st]

Still love it ? I’m thinking of buying one next week .

[@scottc.5142]

@@MadaraUchiha116st yes I still have it. I have had no problems with anything yet. It's good bang for the buck.

[@jakeschisler7525]

We have one it's an LT love that car

[@baker77664]

I have a 2018 LT drives great gets great gas mileage I have no complaints what so ever.

[@Wasabi9111]

Thanks for an honest review. It's refreshing to hear that a car is just OK, especially when all the other reviewers always rave abt the cars they review. Which compact SUV would you choose if you werein the market?

[@ianalexander2017]

Looks good

[@PunxsutawneyDave]

My dealer gave me a 2018 Equinox while they did work on my SS and I didn't know what to think about it. But Chris hit the nail on the head. It is supremely inoffensive. It's good transportation but you'll never fall in love with it. I was so glad to get my SS back.

[@CG_86]

We just got my wife a 2018 LT. It has the panoramic sunroof, infotainment system, blind spot monitoring, auto start, auto lift gate, heated cloth seats and the sparkling paint in dark gray. It only has 24k miles on it and we got it for 17k. It literally has almost everything you'd get in a premier trim. I can't justify paying the price of a brand new car seeing we put 20k miles on our vehicles in a year. We paid less then half of the MSRP of a brand new model.

[@steverugerguy9606]

Where?....cant find one anywhere near that cheap....im going for new 2021 LS

[@CG_86]

@@steverugerguy9606 We got hers in 2020 before the market became crazy. Going to be hard to find that now with the chip shortage shooting up the prices on used cars.

[@sergevivier2023]

Chris, amazing review that covers all the important points.

[@ukvoo9696]

This isn’t a review, this is a video trashing the equinox.

[@jaredyoung5353]

I would have liked to hear more about the past reliability

[@ganthc]

Jarrod Youngblood it’s a complete redesign, so no reliability numbers existed when he reviewed it. Comparing it with the previous version would be a bad comparison. The transmissions, engines, and chassis are all different.

[@laytonbenjaminotuma7435]

Chris could do show on Ford Explorer St2020. in depth analysis the Do' Don't about the car and advice on your dislike about the car...... Kenya Nairobi

[@aayonce4]

That paint is immaculate idk what he’s smoking that paint pops even off the camera

[@banjalien]

I test drove right after the RAV4. Equinox is quieter and transmission is much smoother. Info screen better, more USB ports. Negatives-rear cargo is smaller, seats are initially comfortable but start to wear on ya the longer you are there. I drive a V8, I thought the 1.5L was perfectly fine. Accelerates and steers better than Tucson. Very nice vehicle. I have no need for adaptive cruise but blind spot and lane drift should be standard in 2018 Chevy!

[@leeg3784]

I couldn't find a comfortable seating position in the Rav4 even in highest trim. Read another reviewer say exact same thing. If I go with Equinox in the end, I would get the leather seats put in for $1500, I've seen them on the dealer floor recently. I really dislike the denim jean look. This is where I believe the competition has done a better job. Just my opinion.

[@eattolive1944]

Hey, Chris, good review. I agree: good, but not great. How is the stop/start system. When the engine shuts off at a stop sign, do you feel or hear it start up when you take your foot off the brake? Thanks.

[@kg9105]

Does anybody else's 2018 Chevy Equinox "squeal" (wind whistles) when you put the windows down? The back is also smaller than my older vehicle, 2006 Chevy Equinox, which I don't like- I wanted the same size

[@ianalexander2017]

Good design I say

[@texaskenny2]

Makes me wonder if the GMC Terrain version of this chassis is just as meh.

[@ATRichard]

Kenneth Richardson I drove the Terrain and personally really liked it. Really thinking about getting one. 1.5 engine and ride is surprisingly smooth quiet. That being said, I don't see it as often as I see the Equinox, and I don't think it'll set any souls on fire... SN: My last name is Richardson too, haha!

[@jacobyo99]

Chevy should have left it at the half size bigger. Some people enjoyed having a slightly bigger car than a regular compact suv. Also the old equinox had a huge backseat. Everyone complains about the cost going up to $40,000 but SO DOES THE ESCAPE!

[@Chockster612]

Again, another super common sense review, thank you. I actually really like the styling and available options but the pricing......

[@sgbradley]

Great review, GM has lost a lot of clients to Dodge for money valued cars and most SUV's. The drivetrain and dash components are perfect but seats, prices, and cheap plastics have taken its toll in sales.

[@rockford2523]

Stephen Bradley You are 100% correct! I can’t afford a Chevy, so I bought a Dodge.

[@swanblake]

Chris does such a great job at reviews. Love him. I'm kind of let down by GM on this vehicle. Nothing really wrong with it but wished they would have done more to really stand put. The asking price is also offensive even if transaction prices are much lower. I think it deters initial sales when shoppers she prices higher than Toyota, Honda, ECT. Which have much better residual values

[@Speedinginprogress]

Perfect Lease vehicle.

[@saltcar]

Reviews should be more facts less opinion. Not sure how/why you would test a 1.5L FWD Premier (oddball build) but I've owned a 2.0L AWD for 2000 miles so far and haven't found much to complain about. Ask me in 5 years/80K miles or if I have warranty repair and then my opinion may change

[@haze1123]

$40K for an Equinox? See what $40K gets you in a KIA Telluride.

[@Sig721Tau]

Different vehicle. Apples and oranges, dude.

[@keytothegate68]

Awd models sold at 19.5 K so forget about that car priced at 40K as he says

[@windanthonystream]

I got a 2017 Dodge Durango R/T with 3 rows of seats leather panaromic sunroof with navy Uconnect system and a powerful 5.7Hemi with ZF sourced 8 speed automatic after rebate for $36,000... Why would I buy this bearing a small 4 cylinder turbo and much smaller. I also get 29 MPG on the highway in my Durango.

[@AnsrMax]

Clarence Wade Durangos are the most underrated vehicles on sale.

[@brucec43]

Unfortunately off year end clearance the Durangos I see at no haggle dealers are $44K.

[@lightsurfer5721]

With a hemi you get 29 mpg. Really, forget it give me equinox diesel with 40 mpg

[@jaffarbaqi]

Huh. I guess I'll wait for the upcoming GMC Terrain.

[@eattolive1944]

I was interested in the 2018 Terrain until I saw what they did with the shifter. Also, I'd have to test drive it to see if the stop/start system is annoying. I do always like GMC. We'll see...

[@Sig721Tau]

@@eattolive1944 Um, what did they do with the shifter? You didn't state what happened.

[@ahmadghosheh3104]

Have they fixed the Oil Consumption issue that exists for the 2010-2015? What about the Engine blowing seals and self destructing? Without a doubt, it's a beauty but the Engine and transmission, transaxel, are crap. For that money I will get a dependable Toyota Highlander which will last forever. BTW, I have a 2010 and it drinks 1 quart per 1000 miles or less. Chevy will not fix under the service Bulletin since it's over 120K miles, also the transmission blow up at 93K miles.

[@palebeachbum]

It looks like a nice CUV, but Chevy has gone nuts with their pricing on their vehicles. When Chevys are priced at or higher than comparable Hondas and Toyotas, you know they've lost their minds. However, based on what i'm seeing advertised online, Chevy offers massive discounts, whereas with Honda and Toyota, you're going to pay much closer to MSRP.

[@brucec43]

63 cu ft is the same as a Volvo XC60 and more than a BMW X3. This thing competes with honda CRV and Tucsons and Sportage. It's as impressive as any of the others.

[@BTC909]

35K will get you a mid sized middle trim V6 powered SUV.

[@normt5463]

The 2018 Equinox 1.5 TAWD is $21K on cars dot com where the CR-V is $5,000 more at $26K. Not sure if it is worth $5,000 than the Chevy but the bank set Honda residuals won't catch that discount within a lease period. The older CR-V L 2.4l AWD is still $2,000 more expensive with lower output engine and less features that the 2018 Equinox 1.5T AWD.

[@leeg3784]

You never pay MSRP for Chev's or any GM's. We just bought an Encore for $26K and it was $35K sticker. Chevy overinflates the MSRP to act like they are giving you a fantastic price. No other make comes close.

[@Sig721Tau]

Ivan You sound like one of those guys who thinks bigger is always better. These new turbocharged 4 cylinder engines produce more hp/tq than yester years V6s. You have to jump from a compact Crossover to a midsized SUV to get a NA V6.

[@LegoAventuras1718]

I had 2014 for 4 years now i drive the 2018 one! And theres few things that i dislike! I myself noticed that fuel wise is great! I think the 2014 had less miles per galon, i put in like 25lts a week and thats more than enought to drive me around the city and be left with a 1/4 by friday when i gas it up again, i run it at 90mph and it runs great no drifting to the sides or weird shakes like the Honda BRV wich it suck had it for rental for an 7hour trip and it goest to the side at 70mph it SUCKS DONT BUY IT PPL!

[@kenmoats3654]

I LOVE my Equinox Premier. I don't think THIS review guy is a fan of Chevrolet.

[@ovm4816]

i stopped watching at the beginning of the drive bc of that camera placement. it's the same sorta thing used at nba & nfl games to makes players (who r usually above average height & weight already) seem even bigger than they actually are... putting viewers at a servant-subject type vantage point. it's insulting!!! y not place the friggin can in the dash or closer to eye level?

[@Frank71]

"I'm not sure if it's American, assembled in Canada with 40% of its parts comming from Mexico" only a car reviewer from the states would say that. But in 1980's Car and Driver picked the s!#$ box Chevy Celebrity as car of the year. An continue to pick favorably unreliable lemons.

[@Sig721Tau]

Chevy Celebrity...? I'm going to Google it. Lol

[@keithsage7258]

After a long drive of 150 miles my ass is killing me. The comfort of the seats are a zero. I would rather own a YUKON any day. Build me a car without all the technology and with a CD player I would be happy.

[@markadler2460]

It a Chevy and only a Chevy

[@lmn222002]

I have a dealer loaner of this vehicle and it's is terrible...the engine is terrible..GM is crazy and anyone who buys this at 40k should be committed...there are too many other options out there for that money..

[@Sig721Tau]

What's so terrible about this vehicle? You didn't state what's wrong with the Equinox. Nor did you say what kind of powertrain it had in it. You just ledt a very vague comment.

[@liamdean9456]

Bullet arrangement lifestyle sponsor mutual lawsuit toxic chance female.

[@motorsportz8040]

No CD player NO BUY

[@keithsage7258]

I agree.

[@leeg3784]

Why? And who has them in other makes?

[@hawkinshill9012]

No 8 track player no buy. 😒. C’mon dude, it’s 2020.

[@swanblake]

Never understood the point of a fwd SUV. Just get a car for a better experience. Unless you are to out of shape and heavy to bend over to get into a car.

[@brucec43]

Good luck fitting 3 dogs or kids and luggage in a sedan. Or moving that piece of furniture, sometimes it's nice to have the utility. We have one of each.

[@TruthHasSpoken]

I went to a showroom and sat in the new Equinox. Couple of things: - the rear quarter panel is humungous and the small side window is laughable. One simply can't see ANYTHING through this quarterpanel. On that reason alone I wouldn't purchase the car. It's an AWFUL decision by GM to have made this choice. Someone within GM said "otherwise" and got over-ruled by "someone else." I really don't want to sacrifice visibility for the sake of styling. - The gas pedal is RIGHT AGAINST the center stack. Stupidly so. There is hardly any separation between the two. In fact, the center stack is cut out around the gas pedal itself. In addition, the center stack is so HIGH that one can't flex one's knee to the right at all. A terrible thought on a long driver. It's a horrible design by GM. Someone knows better than to do this... and I'm confident that their voice wasn't heard. I wanted to like this vehicle but the two reasons above prevented me from taking a test drive.

[@HALWG51]

You can buy a nicely optioned Nissan Murano for less. It's a much better vehicle.

[@swanblake]

HALWG51 I love the styling on that vehicle. I would agree whole heartedly but really wish it didn't have a cvt. If it had a ZF 8 speed with the VQ v6 it would hustle. The previous gens were all faster

[@teddyhenriquez5192]

I just bought a 2016 murano platinum for 34,000 and it makes more sense than this equinox

[@piersandromannino4109]

No reasons to buy Chevy. In any segment there are better options with other brands

[@HALWG51]

You can buy a nicely optioned Nissan Murano for less. It's a much better vehicle.