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Chevrolet Equinox (1st Gen)

05-09 · Chevrolet Equinox

68out of 100

The 1st gen Equinox is primarily here for completeness, its reliability, fuel economy, and safety scores make it difficult to recommend except at rock-bottom prices to a mechanically savvy buyer.

Score breakdown

55/ 100Reliability×2.568/ 100True Annual Cost×2.070/ 100Safety×2.565/ 100Practicality×2.0100/ 100Repairability×1.0

Our take

What it really is

An early compact SUV from GM that hasn't aged gracefully. The 3.4L V6 was the main engine, adequate power but poor fuel economy and above-average repair costs. Intake manifold gasket failure is the single most common issue. No ESC. IIHS Marginal.

Why it's on this list

Priced at $3k–$5k. For someone who needs cheap AWD transportation and will maintain it carefully, a 07-09 with a clean intake manifold gasket repair history can serve as a basic utility vehicle.

The honest trade-offs

Intake manifold gasket failure is essentially a scheduled repair on this engine, plan for $400–700. No ESC. IIHS Marginal. 19 MPG combined is genuinely bad. RepairPal 3.0/5 reliability. This is a budget floor, not a recommendation.

What to buy and what to avoid

07-09 LT with documented intake manifold gasket service. If the gasket hasn't been done, budget for it and negotiate accordingly. Verify AWD engagement. This is a below-average vehicle at a below-average price.

Annual cost of ownership

Fuel (12k mi)
$2,103 (USD)[5]
Maintenance
$608 (USD)[1]
Tires (prorated)
$193 (USD)
Insurance (25yr male)
$1,920 (USD)[8]
Insurance (40yr female)
$1,480 (USD)[8]
Total (25yr male)
$3,304 (USD)
Total (40yr female)
$2,864 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined
19[5]
MPG city / hwy
17 / 24[5]
Engine
3.4L V6 (LNJ)
Horsepower
185 hp
Torque
210 lb-ft
Seats
5
Cargo max
63.2 cu ft
Stock tires
235/65R16
Body
SUV
Rear seats
60/40 split

Safety

NHTSA overall
4/5 ★[2]
Rollover risk
23%[2]
IIHS rating
Marginal[4]
ESC standard
No

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity
Moderate
Frame rust risk
Low

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost
$608 (USD)[1]
Industry avg annual cost
$652 (USD)[1]
RepairPal rating
3/5[1]
Unscheduled visits/yr
0.6[1]
Severe issue probability
17%[1]
250k-mile survival
30%[7]

Repairability

Headlight type
Halogen
DIY replacement cost
$22 (USD)
At major retailer
Yes
Headlight benchmark
10/10

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

  1. [1]dataset
    RepairPal

    Annual repair cost, visit frequency, and severe issue probability. Used in the reliability formula.

  2. [2]government
    NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

    Federal crash test star ratings and rollover percentages. Used in the safety formula.

  3. [3]government
    NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins

    Manufacturer-issued service bulletins flagging known defects. Used in the PPI checklist generator.

  4. [4]dataset
    IIHS Safety Ratings

    Insurance Institute crash test ratings (small overlap, side, headlight quality). Used in the safety formula and the repairability headlight benchmark.

  5. [5]government
    EPA Fuel Economy Guide

    Official combined/city/highway MPG figures. Used in the true annual cost formula.

  6. [6]forum thread
    CarComplaints

    Owner-reported defect patterns by mileage and year. Used in the known-issues list and PPI checklist.

  7. [7]dataset
    iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability

    Probability of reaching 250,000 miles by make and model. Used in the reliability formula.

  8. [8]publication
    Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates

    Full-coverage insurance estimates by driver profile (25M, 40F). Used in the true annual cost formula.

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Chevrolet Equinox?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist

Modernize this car

CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.

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