The coming of new models is as exciting here at the Mid Missouri Powerhouse as bowl game playoffs and weekends on sledding hills: there is NO reason that winter must be a dreaded season! The 2024 Chevy Equinox comes in as welcoming as a mug warmer on a cold morning and represents the seventh model year of the compact crossover’s third and final generation. As we got the snow boots and ice scrapers primed and ready, we first took note of the trim list, as the LS, 1FL, LT, 2FL, RS, and range-topping Premier reside in the ranks.
Riptide Blue Metallic and Lakeshore Blue Metallic join the color scheme, and the Confidence & Convenience Package is now standard on the LT trim. The Driver Confidence II Package now includes Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, as the 2023 models featured them as a standalone option. Value pricing has become crucial over the past 3 years, and the Equinox has cheerfully risen to the occasion of providing current-level greatness on a budget.
The 2024 Chevy Equinox is powered by a 175-horsepower 4-cylinder engine that is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, along with front or all-wheel drive. The Kelley Blue Book team deemed the Equinox comfortable enough on the highway, and adequately nimble for daily driving. Rear-seat legroom is an area where the Equinox thoroughly excels when pitted against the competition, while also offering 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The RS trim takes things to a much sportier level with unique front styling, black Chevy badging, 19-inch black wheels, and very cool red interior stitching.
The Standard Safety Tech suite now includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. The Midnight Edition offers a darkened aesthetic that nicely blacks out the aluminum wheels, front and rear bowtie emblems, body-color mirror caps, and unique grille. As we closely examined user reviews right here in Missouri, one very satisfied owner claimed that she loved the “above average power, features that compare with the Rav4 and CRV, and sweet added touch of the power moon roof for lighting at night.”
The U.S. News auto review crew was excited with the Equinox’s high-performing ability to “tick all the boxes needed for a family-friendly vehicle with a small footprint.” Their test drive saw them discovering and enjoying the Equinox’s very spacious cabin, balanced ride and handling, and excellent fuel economy. The front row offers very comfortable seats and plenty of passenger room, and the Equinox is well worth checking out if you are after a family-friendly and spacious SUV with numerous driver assistance features.
The Premier trim offers luxe features such as a larger touch screen, very useful wireless charging, and posh leather upholstery. The LT trim still offers a robust list of features for great value, and it comes equipped with the same powertrain eagerly showing up for duty across the entire lineup. For just a slight bump up from the base trim, you’ll enjoy power-adjustable front driver’s seats, heated front seats, and a power liftgate, along with a 4.2-inch digital gauge cluster. Their extensive review and comparison had also found that the Ford Escape’s 3-cylinder engine was much noisier than the Equinox’s, and that its fuel economy helps it claim “budget-minded champion” status.
