The 2022 Chevy Equinox Got a Makeover, Adding New Details and Features
Scotty Reiss
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And a Sporty New RS Edition.
Every time I see one of Chevy’s new SUVs boasting an RS badge on the grille or tailgate, I do a double take. They look good. The latest one to turn my head is the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, with a starting price of about $27K and priced at about $36K for our test model, which got a makeover and now comes in an RS trim for even more sporty style.
But Chevrolet’s second best-selling vehicle, the Chevrolet Equinox, gets me with this: It’s a small SUV that is thoughtfully designed with lots of details that deliver intuitive conveniences, all at a very approachable price. Such as: wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, lots of rear seat legroom, plenty of USB ports, a household outlet that is easy to reach, wifi and OnStar connected services that are free for 5 years. We were excited to see how Chevy made the Equinox even better, so we took a test drive.
Related: How to Choose the Best Family SUV: Chevrolet Equinox vs Traverse
The black gloss Equinox badge. Photo: Scotty Reiss
More Style on the Outside
The biggest news with this makeover is that the Equinox now comes in an RS edition (RS for Rally Sport). RS adds exterior details and interior luxuries making the Equinox a great go-to for everything we loved in the original Equinox, from an easy-to-drive compact size to flexible interior space to a spacious rear seat and a solid selection of tech features, with a little extra eye-appeal.
The new look of the Equinox starts with the headlight design and in the RS Edition, a blacked-out mesh grille and bow-tie badge that have a modern feel. The red “RS” badge on the front grille is a standout that reminds you of the extra sportiness in this SUV. The sleek black gloss Equinox logo accented with red trim that spans the car’s sides, another sporty detail.
You’ll see the RS badge on the lift gate too, flanked by sleek new tail lights; the black gloss Equinox and Chevy bow tie badge complete the look. Our test model also sported an AWD badge for all-wheel-drive (a $1,600 upgrade and, worth it if you’ll ever need it).
Related: Why I Bought My Chevrolet Equinox: This SUV Was the Right Fit For Our Family
Chevy Equinox tail lights. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Color Matters, and There are Solid Choices with the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox
There is good news and bad news. First the good news: The Chevy Equinox comes in 8 colors, including Cherry Red and Iridescent Pearl. But the bad news? Not all colors are available, at least right now. Chevy’s web site advises that due to supply chain shortages, some features are not available, and we appreciate the heads up.
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The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV but it packs lots of legroom. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Our test model was painted a luscious Seaglass Blue Metallic, a color no longer available for order (but you may find in dealer inventory). It has a sparkly glow that is simply sublime. We hope the color returns, and that Chevy dealers fall as much in love with it as we did.
From there, the Equinox has monochromatic body-colored mirror caps and door handles, elevating the look from simply sporty to elegantly refined.
The RS badge on the gear shifter. Photo: Scotty Reiss
More Style Inside the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Too
The first thing I noticed when I got into the Equinox RS is the black leather, a $1,580 option, a package that also includes a premium sound system. While leather is nice, channel stitched cloth is standard on all models. The leather upholstery is soft to the touch, but solid and supportive. Our model had red stitching on the seats, dash, steering wheel and gear selector, a red RS tab on the seats and a chrome red RS badge on the gear selector.
From there, the interior is elegant and well organized. The multimedia screen is inset into the dashboard flaked by air vents. Underneath the screen is an easy to reach and read climate control panel.
The Chevy Equinox offers wireless AppleCarPlay when you connect your phone, an almost seamless way to connect. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Even More Function on the Inside
The Equinox offers a great selection of features and functions for front seat passengers. From wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — a huge YAY— which is standard across all trims, to a 360 surround view HD camera (an option in our RS edition) to a nice sized cubby under the center console that allows you to store your phone or other things. The cubby has two USB ports: a standard port and a USB-C port so you can avoid needing extra adapters.
I love this feature a household plug that is easy to access even with my big Apple charge block. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The center console between the front seats features two cup holders and the electric parking brake. Under the armrest you’ll find two USB ports and a convent storage tray that is removable (great for cleaning — yay). Under the tray there is large storage well with a light so you can see what’s lurking in its depths.
Love this lift gate height adjustment feature. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Tucked into the driver’s side door panel is of my favorite features: an adjustable lift gate setting. This makes it easy to open and close the lift gate inside your garage without dinging it on the roof or door, which I can tell you from personal experience, hurts.
Lots of Flexible Cargo and Passenger Space
One of the things we love most about SUVs is the flexible cargo and passenger space. The Equinox delivers on this with ample cargo space— 29.9 cubic feet, roomy enough for grocery runs and sports bags for all the extracurriculars. Fold the rear seats down and trunk space expands to 69.9 cubic feet of space for those larger loads. And, the rear seats are conveniently 60/40 split, which means that you can accommodate two passengers and extra stuff. Just pull the tab on the seat shoulder or on the wall of the cargo space to fold seats down–completely flat.
The rear seat is roomy, too; I had plenty of leg room and loved that the floor is flat, so anyone who sits in the center seat won’t have to straddle a floor hump.
I also liked that the center console has air vents, USB ports and a household outlet, an option in our model, but one worth investing in for this reason: It has great clearance around it, so you can plug in almost any type of plug. My large Apple charge block fit perfect, an issue I often find in other cars with a household plug tucked into a cubby or under the cargo space.
In the cargo area there is also a spare tire under the cargo floor. This is great to have, something that many new cars eliminate to preserve fuel economy. But with 27 miles per gallon combined (25 MPG city, 30 MPG highway), you can have your spare tire and decent MPG too.
The HD 360 surround view camera in the Chevy Equinox. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The Equinox Drive Experience
The delight of a small SUV is that it’s easy to drive and park. The Equinox is no exception: it’s agile, makes U turns a cinch and with a very sharp HD rear view camera on our test model, it’s easy to back into our out of a parking space. The 4 cylinder turbo engine delivers 237 horsepower and 258 torque for quick pickup merging onto the highway or getting ahead of heavy traffic. But it’s not so powerful you feel conspicuous cruising through your neighborhood.
The front cabin in the Chevy Equinox. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Our test model also had on-demand all wheel drive. It’s simple: When you want AWD tap the button on the center console and it kicks in. When not in use, the Equinox is front wheel drive. This is a great option because 2 wheel drive uses less fuel than AWD, but you can have the extra power when you need it.
The RS edition comes with standard 19-inch wheels, finished in gloss black. The larger wheels allow for sharper turns and balance, adding to the sporty drive feel.
The Equinox RS that we test drove has an MSRP of $35,970, an almost $9,000 upgrade from the base model, which has a retail price of $27,195 for the LS. The RS starts at $31,495. The top level Premiere edition starts at $32,395; add all wheel drive for $1,600, and the destination charge on all models is $1,195.
That’s a relatively narrow price spread, top to bottom. That’s because the Equinox focuses on delivering only the things you really need, like wireless Apple CarPlay and fold-flat seats, and skips things that drive up the price. And, it delivers a stylish, nice looking SUV with lots of space and flexibility. Enough to make you do a double take when you see it on the road.