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Chevrolet Equinox (2nd Gen)

10-17 · Chevrolet Equinox

78out of 100

The 2nd gen Equinox made the necessary safety upgrades and added a proper 4-cylinder, but the Ecotec LE9's oil consumption and piston ring issues keep it ranked below the Japanese competition.

Score breakdown

65/ 100Reliability×2.574/ 100True Annual Cost×2.095/ 100Safety×2.565/ 100Practicality×2.0100/ 100Repairability×1.0

Our take

What it really is

A substantially improved Equinox with 5-star NHTSA, IIHS Good, and standard ESC. The LE9 2.4L is chain-driven and direct injection, but has documented piston ring and oil consumption issues on higher-mileage examples. The 3.0L V6 LFX option is more reliable but costs more. Cargo space is above class average.

Why it's on this list

Good safety ratings, above-average cargo, and low purchase prices. For a domestic compact SUV with standard ESC, it's a functional choice at $8k–$12k if you buy a well-maintained 4-cylinder example.

The honest trade-offs

LE9 oil consumption above 100k miles is a real vetting concern. RepairPal 3.5/5 reliability. Direct injection carbon buildup. The 3.0L LFX V6 is notably more reliable but has higher operating costs. Fuel economy unimpressive at 24 combined.

What to buy and what to avoid

15-17 LT or LTZ with 2.4L 4-cylinder. Check oil consumption carefully above 80k, do a warm engine cold-start oil check. Alternatively, seek out a V6 LFX example for better long-term durability. Verify ESC is equipped on all trims (standard from 2010).

Annual cost of ownership

Fuel (12k mi)
$1,705 (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)
$3,026 (USD)
Total (40yr female)
$2,586 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined
24[5]
MPG city / hwy
20 / 29[5]
Engine
2.4L 4-cyl (Ecotec LE9)
Horsepower
182 hp
Torque
172 lb-ft
Seats
5
Cargo max
63.7 cu ft
Stock tires
235/65R17
Body
SUV
Rear seats
60/40 split

Safety

NHTSA overall
5/5 ★[2]
Rollover risk
20%[2]
IIHS rating
Good[4]
ESC standard
Yes

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity
Low
Frame rust risk
Low

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost
$608 (USD)[1]
Industry avg annual cost
$652 (USD)[1]
RepairPal rating
3.5/5[1]
Unscheduled visits/yr
0.5[1]
Severe issue probability
14%[1]
250k-mile survival
38%[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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