For model-year 2018, the Chevrolet Equinox was redone from the ground up, and the resulting machine rode an Opel-based platform that was stronger and lighter than its predecessor.
Our Derek McNaughton reviewed the all-new Equinox back in 2018 (read his story here) , and largely found it to be a compelling package with a comfortable ride, a quality feel, and ample power from a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The Canadian-built Equinox offered shoppers newly available content including advanced safety equipment, a surround-vision camera system, Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking, available LED lighting provisions, a heated steering wheel, and in-car WiFi.
Key competitors included the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Jeep Cherokee, and Nissan Rogue.
An all-turbocharged engine lineup was fitted, with most used models running a 1.5 litre four-cylinder turbo with 170 horsepower, or a 2-litre four-cylinder turbo with 252. A turbodiesel engine was also available, and both remote start and heated seats were standard on all trim grades sold in Canada.
On connectivity, look for available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and both 7- and 8-inch touch-screen interfaces, depending on the model selected.
Follow the related links for more information, specs, pricing, news, and reviews on the Chevrolet Equinox, and read on for five tips to help you find the best used model you can for your dollar.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox 2.0T AWD Photo by Derek McNaughton
Tip 1: (Rough) Road Noise
Some Equinox owners wish for a smoother and quieter ride in a variety of situations; others do not. On your test drive, pay close attention to ride comfort and noise levels to be sure the Equinox’s ride and comfort levels suit your needs.
Note that upscale or sportier models with larger wheels and lower-profile tires may deliver a firmer, choppier ride — especially on rougher road surfaces or coarsely-textured pavement. If you’re set on an Equinox but you find the ride too rough and noisy, consider test-driving another model with smaller wheels and thicker tires, which you may find to deliver a more comfortable drive.
Tire choice also plays into noise levels, with some owners noting that replacing factory tires with some proven favourites from Michelin or Goodyear saw a notable reduction in noise levels.
On your test drive, quiet the Equinox’s cabin and listen carefully for signs of unwanted noise, or excessive noise levels– especially during highway-speed driving and while travelling over a rough road surfaces. Pay close attention to the sound levels emanating from the rear of the vehicle, beneath the cargo area. According to some owners, plenty of noise enters the interior form this area.
Be on the lookout for unwanted popping, snapping, clunking, or grinding sounds while test-driving an Equinox from a quieted cabin too, as these could be signs of suspension or driveline trouble that could cost you money.
If in doubt, have a technician inspect the vehicle before you buy.
2021 Chevrolet Equinox RS Photo by Chevrolet
Tip 2: Caring for Your Used Equinox
If a Chevrolet Equinox from this vintage will be your first new car in some time, consider a few tips to help start your ownership off on the right foot, and to help care for your new-to-you Equinox for the long term.
Though this generation Equinox looks to be a reliable second-hand crossover buy, shoppers can elevate their chances of a headache-free ownership experience by taking a few specific steps.
First, replacing a weak or dying battery with a fresh one can instantly boost your vehicle’s reliability, by eliminating the possibility of hundreds of electronic problems that result when factory batteries start to degrade and die, often after 2 to 3 years. Test and (if necessary) replace your Equinox’s battery when you take ownership, for best results.
Almost all modern vehicles have some owners complaining of poor performance or clumsy operation from their automatic transmission. Usually, these issues are fixed with a software update to the transmission’s computer brain, possibly alongside a fluid and filter change. Still, a poorly-performing or rough-to-shift transmission may be suffering from more expensive trouble that could cost you money.
Ensure the transmission in the Equinox you’re considering is running the latest software updates by working with a dealer service department. At the first sign of unwanted noise or harshness from the transmission, plan to have the vehicle inspected before you buy, or move to another unit.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox 2.0T AWD Photo by Derek McNaughton
Tip 3: Water Leak Check
Some Equinox owners have reported interior water leaks; most have not. In many reported cases, evidence of a water leak includes excessive interior window condensation, a mouldy smell, and a buildup of water beneath the Equinox’s cargo area, in the spare tire well.
On your test drive, inspect all interior carpeting for signs of dampness or water staining, and be sure to access the spare tire area beneath the Equinox’s cargo floor to check for signs of moisture, rust, standing water, or mould.
Water leaks like this are relatively rare, but can cause damage to your vehicle and reduce its resale value. Causes are numerous, and few are easy to fix. Models with sunroofs are typically at the highest risk of leaks like this.
Always check a used Equinox’s spare tire well, as well as front footwell carpeting, for signs of a troublesome water leak. If you notice one, moving to another vehicle is typically best.
Tip 4: Sunroof Check
Some owners of sunroof-equipped models have reported trouble with sunroof hardware, including shade panels that come off of their tracks, or shades and glass panels that have difficulty opening, make unwanted noises when doing so, or outright fail to respond to the sunroof switch.
Most have not.
On your test drive, fully open and close the sunroof and sunshade of the Equinox you’re considering, several times. Work each part of the sunroof entirely through its paces. Any struggling, binding, unwanted noise or failure should be further investigated and called into your pricing negotiations.
According to the owner’s community, a sunroof that suddenly begins to work very slowly may be about to quit altogether. Some owners have had sunroof trouble remedied with a simple software update, while others have required pricier replacement parts.
If something’s wrong with the sunroof on the Equinox you’re considering, you’ll want to know about it before you buy.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox 2.0T AWD Photo by Derek McNaughton
Tip 5: AWD System
Equinox models equipped with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) use a driver-selectable system that can be toggled between front and all-wheel drive. This allows drivers to turn the AWD system off to save fuel, in situations where it’s not needed.
On your test drive, be sure to operate the vehicle in front and all-wheel drive modes, especially at highway speeds.
Some owners have reported a high-pitched whine or ‘whirring’ sound at higher speeds when the AWD system is engaged; most have not.
Quiet the cabin of the vehicle, and listen closely for this sound. If detected, have a technician investigate further before you buy — there could be a problem with the driveshaft, or another powertrain component.
A Chevrolet Equinox being built at General Motors Canada’s CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario Photo by General Motors Canada
Final Thought
These tips are designed to help test-driving shoppers more easily identify possible trouble areas reported by some owners. An attentive test-drive and shopping process that focuses on the areas above can help you find a first-class example of a second-hand Chevrolet Equinox.
Keyword: Used Guide: 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox