2016 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LT
A small, tech-savvy, no-nonsense practical SUV.

- Likes
- Smart looks
- decent value
- Dislikes
- Somewhat upderpowered
Now that the Chevrolet Trax is the brand’s smallest crossover, the Equinox becomes something of a middle child in the Chevrolet CUV lineup. That said, it may not be flashy but the Equinox is the second best-selling Chevy in North America, with only the Silverado Pickup moving more units in 2015. The small crossover segment is, after all, not a small segment. The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox SUV gets mild updates to help it stay upmarket of the smaller, cheaper Trax.
The styling has been updated somewhat, and built-in wifi with 4G LTE service is now offered on all trim levels. The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox is thus still a class leader when it comes to in-car tech. Chevrolet’s phone pairing works well, about on a par with the systems that now come in Ford, Toyota and Chrysler cars. Four-wheel drive is optional on the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox.
We tested a patriot blue metallic front-wheel-drive LT model powered by the 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4. The base engine, this little mill makes 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. Paired with the standard 6-speed automatic, pickup is leisurely, about as you’d expect.
The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LT does return decent gas mileage, though, probably a more important consideration than raw power in this segment. It’s rated at 22 mpg city/32 highway. Opting for all-wheel drive or the V6 knocks these numbers down a bit, of course.
If you’re looking for one of the better looking crossovers out there, and place a priority on in-car infotainment tech, the Equinox is worth a look. For driving fun it may not be the most exciting, but it also has more cargo space than most rivals and deliver the U in its acronym: utility. Overall safety rating tops at an honorable 4 stars, so you and the family can feel confident on the tasks ahead.
Warranty/Service: 2 Years/24,000 Miles 2-Year Scheduled Maintenance, 3 Years/36,000 Miles Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty, 3 Years/36,000 Miles Rust-Through 6 Years/100,000 Miles Corrosion Warranty, 5 Years/60,000 Miles Powertrain/Drivetrain Limited Warranty
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Equinox FWD LT is featured on
Specs
Base Price: $26,450
As Tested: $26,450
- 22 / 32 mpg
- EPA
- 8.9 sec
- 0-60
- 182 hp @ 6700 rpm
- Horsepower
- 115 mph
- Top Speed
- Vehicle : Front Engine, Front-Wheel Drive, 5-Passenger, 4-Door SUV, SUV
- Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC 4-cylinder SIDI engine
- Horsepower: 182 hp @ 6700 rpm
- Torque: 172 lb-ft @ 4900 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission
- Curb Weight: 4,168 lbs
- Wheelbase: 112.5 in
- Length: 187.8 in
- Width: 72.5 in
- Height: 66.3 in
- Brakes: 4-Wheel Anit-Lock, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
- Suspension: MacPherson strut , Multi link
- Traction: Traction Control System
- 0-60 mph: 8.9 sec
- 60-0 mph: 185 ft.
- Top Speed: 115 mph
- EPA City: 22 mpg
- EPA Highway: 32 mpg
- Combined MPG: 26 mpg
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Safety: Air bags with passenger sensing system, Standard Standard Brakes, Hill Start-Assist (HSA), Daytime Running Lamps, Daytime Running Lamps, Door locks, rear child security, Forward Collision Alert
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