2020 Chevrolet Equinox

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Chevrolet Equinox
Pictured: Chevrolet Equinox LT (III, Facelift) – f 05102022. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV 1.5l AWD, 4dr SUV 1.5l FWD, 4dr SUV 2.0l AWD, 4dr SUV 2.0l FWD
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
28 combined · 26 city / 31 hwy
Length
183.1 in
Curb weight
3,274–3,609 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.5L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 183 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,466 lb (4dr SUV 1.5l AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (26 city / 31 highway), 9% better than the 2020 small SUV average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 318 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2020

  • No diesel version any more
  • Engine dropped: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
  • Best combined MPG down from 32 to 28

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Equinox →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–1.5L turbo 4-cyl
Transmission6-speed automatic
DriveFWD · AWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

LT (1LT)LS

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Ingersoll, Ontario · Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila · San Luis Potosi, Mexico

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Equinox configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 1.5l AWD183.1 in72.4 in65.4 in107.5 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,466 lb57/43
4dr SUV 1.5l FWD183.1 in72.4 in65.4 in107.5 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,274 lb58/42
4dr SUV 2.0l AWD183.1 in72.4 in65.4 in107.5 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,609 lb58/42
4dr SUV 2.0l FWD183.1 in72.4 in65.4 in107.5 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,448 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Equinox FWD1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 31 / 28+9%$2,400315
Equinox AWD1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive25 / 30 / 27+15%$2,500324
Equinox FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 9-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 29 / 25-2%$3,300350
Equinox AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 9-spdAll-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 24+2%$3,400367
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.6 MPG2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★18.5%
2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★16.4%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD
Frontal crash test — 2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD
Side crash test — 2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2020 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Chevrolet Equinox (this car)28 MPG★★★★★4
2020 Toyota RAV440 MPG★★★★★6
2020 Honda CR-V38 MPG★★★★★9
2020 Toyota 4Runner17 MPG★★★★★1
2020 Hyundai Tucson25 MPG★★★★★1
2020 Subaru Forester29 MPG★★★★★0
2020 Mazda CX-528 MPG★★★★★0

Recalls (4)

Child Seat › Vehicle Latch Anchor · May 11, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V339000 · 668,187 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk
The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Oct 29, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · Oct 3, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V704000 · 166 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. The rear brake calipers may have been produced with an incorrect lubricant, potentially causing the rubber seals to swell and the brakes to drag.
Risk
Brake drag may result in overheating of the brake pads, affecting the braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake calipers, including the brake hose gasket, brake fluid and wheel to hub lubricant, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192270920.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · Sep 19, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V667000 · 301 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Equinox all-wheel drive vehicles. The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192271870.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

318Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
21Involved a crash
7Involved a fire
12Injuries reported
13,990 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes102
Engine93
Fuel/Propulsion System51
Unknown Or Other44
Electrical System42
Power Train40
Vehicle Speed Control14
Steering11
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/11: 424/12: 525/01: 525/02: 325/03: 625/04: 225/05: 625/06: 225/07: 825/08: 925/09: 625/10: 625/11: 525/12: 326/01: 726/02: 926/03: 326/04: 626/05: 726/06: 926/07: 1326/08: 426/09: 626/10: 924/1125/0225/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 13

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Chevrolet Equinox buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Service Brakes — 102 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  3. Engine — 93 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 51 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 13,990 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Equinox years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Equinox27–Not rated01
2026 Equinox27183.1 inNot rated389
2025 Equinox27190.6 inNot rated6405
2024 Equinox28183.1 inNot rated2190
2023 Equinox28183.1 in★★★★★399
2022 Equinox28183.1 in★★★★★6186
2021 Equinox28183.1 in★★★★★4100
2019 Equinox32183.1 in★★★★★4310
2018 Equinox32183.1 in★★★★★5410
2017 Equinox25188.2 in★★★★★0276
2016 Equinox26188.2 in★★★★★1399
2015 Equinox26188.6 in★★★★★2680

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →