Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox is a small SUV that competes with some of the most popular vehicles on the market, including the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. So for 2022, Chevy is giving the Equinox a bit of an update in hopes of making it a more

This latest model includes a refreshed look with new LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and a new grille. The styling on the front and rear bumpers has been revised as well. You'll also be able to get the Equinox in the new RS trim that adds more features and has black wheels and blacked-out trim to make it look sportier.

Unfortunately, the Equinox faces some steep competition, and those cosmetic upgrades don't do much to fix the Equinox's small cargo space, lackluster cabin design and sluggish performance. These are things that will only likely be remedied by a redesign. For 2022, we think most small SUV shoppers would be better off with a Ford Escape, CR-V or Mazda CX-5.

Which Equinox does MatoCar recommend?

We recommend the LT trim level. It provides the broadest array of standard and available features at the most reasonable price. But if you're looking for a little more style in your Equinox, the RS trim doesn't cost much more, adds some sleek black wheels, and offers an impressive number of features for the money.

Chevrolet offers the 2022 Equinox in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS and Premier. Each one is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (170 horsepower, 203 lb-ft of torque) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. Feature highlights include:

LS The base Equinox comes with:

17-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
Keyless entry and push-button ignition
7-inch touchscreen
Six-speaker audio system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot

The Equinox also comes standard with driver aids such as:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Equinox back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Rear-seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)

You can also opt for the LS Convenience package that adds:

Power-adjustable driver's seat
Enhanced multi-color driver information display
Rear privacy glass

LT Our recommended trim level is your ticket to satisfaction. It comes with:

LS Convenience package
Added chrome and body-colored exterior trim
Satellite radio
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Remote rear-seat folding levers
Illuminated sun visors

Several packages are available for the LT trim, including:

Confidence & Convenience package:

Remote engine start
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Heated front seats
Power liftgate
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible when parking)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

Infotainment package:

8-inch touchscreen
Navigation system
High-definition backup camera
120-volt household-style power outlet
Heated steering wheel

RS Has more standard features and a sportier look thanks to:

Features from the LT's Confidence & Convenience package
Black-painted 19-inch wheels
Black interior with red stitching
Unique shift knob
Power liftgate
Roof rails

The RS trim offers a unique RS Leather package with:

Leather upholstery
Bose sound system

Premier Includes all the LT content, plus the Confidence & Convenience package. It also adds:

18-inch wheels
Hands-free liftgate
Ambient cabin lighting
Wireless charging pad
120-volt power outlet
8-inch touchscreen
Upgraded backup camera
Heated steering wheel
Driver's seat memory settings
Leather upholstery

The Premier isn't fully loaded out of the box, however. You can also add:

Confidence & Convenience II package

Heated steering wheel
Power-adjustable passenger seat
Ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts the speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Equinox and its surroundings for tight parking situations)