The Chevrolet Equinox was originally supposed to be updated for the 2021 model year, but the pandemic derailed those plans.
The updates are now ready to go on the 2022 Equinox with sales starting in the summer of 2021. As the second best-selling model in the GM lineup, the Equinox definitely deserves a face-lift to add more features and visual appeal.
Most Significant Changes
The biggest changes to the Equinox include a refresh for the front and rear exterior styling, discontinuation of the L trim, addition of the RS trim, and the newly available automatic parking assist feature. The starting price of a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox is higher than the 2021 model due to the discontinuation of the base L trim. The starting trim is now the LS trim, which starts at $26,995. The new RS trim starts at $31,295.
Exterior and Tech Updates
As previously mentioned, the Equinox gets a significant exterior facelift for 2022 that includes front and rear designs as well as a new grille and updated LED lights. The new RS trim is a midrange trim that fits between the LT and the Premier top trims. The RS trim includes some of its own extra design elements, including black exterior trim, a black interior combined with red stitching, and 19-inch darkened wheels.
For new tech on the 2022 Equinox, you can expect a seven-inch touchscreen to come standard on the LS, LT, and RS trims. The Premier trim features an eight-inch touchscreen. All trims come with Apple/Android connectivity. Most standard safety features carry over from 2021, but the new parking assistant suite is now available.
Powertrain
The powertrain on the 2022 Equinox is the same as the one on the 2021 model, which is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet originally indicated that they would offer a new 2.0-liter turbo-four for the 2022 model, however, that hasn’t come to fruition yet. Switchable AWD is available on the 2022 model as well, but the standard layout is FWD. EPA estimates for the standard setup are 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway.
Should You Buy the 2021 or 2022 Equinox?
Deciding between these two models mainly depends on what you need and how much you have to spend. The starting price for the 2022 Equinox is higher, but that’s due to the elimination of the previous base trim. The other trims all have price cuts between $500 and $700 compared to the 2021 model. It’s also quite difficult to find many 2021 Equinox L models on the used market. If you buy the 2022 model, you can get more features for a similar or lower price, especially if you buy one of the higher trims.
If you’re looking for a compact SUV, you can’t go wrong with the Chevy Equinox, which is one of the more popular models available and one of GM’s top-selling models period.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.
