2013 Chevrolet Equinox

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 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 2.4l AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz, 4dr SUV 2.4l FWD Ls/Lt/Ltz, 4dr SUV 3.6l AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz, 4dr SUV 3.6l FWD Ls/Lt/Ltz
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
26 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
Length
188.6 in
Curb weight
3,761–4,147 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints702 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 160 for similar models — most often about the engine.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,929 lb (4dr SUV 2.4l AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 13% better than the 2013 small SUV average of 23 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 702 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2013

  • Engine added: 3.6L 6-cyl
  • Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Equinox →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 2.4l AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz188.6 in72.4 in66.9 in112.6 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,929 lb58/42
4dr SUV 2.4l FWD Ls/Lt/Ltz188.6 in72.4 in66.9 in112.6 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,761 lb58/42
4dr SUV 3.6l AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz188.6 in72.4 in66.9 in112.6 in62.6 / 61.8 in4,147 lb58/42
4dr SUV 3.6l FWD Ls/Lt/Ltz188.6 in72.4 in66.9 in112.6 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,920 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 FWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26+13%$2,600347
Equinox FWD FFV2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26+13%$2,600347
Equinox AWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+7%$2,900381
Equinox AWD FFV2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+7%$2,900381
Equinox FWD FFV3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20-13%$3,350454
Equinox FWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20-13%$3,350457
Equinox AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-11%$3,550481
Equinox AWD FFV3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-11%$3,550481
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23 MPG2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox.

Similar 2013 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Chevrolet Equinox (this car)26 MPGNot rated2
2013 Toyota RAV426 MPGNot rated5
2013 Toyota 4Runner19 MPGNot rated6
2013 Ford Explorer23 MPGNot rated11
2013 Subaru Forester23 MPGNot rated12
2013 Mazda CX-529 MPGNot rated1
2013 Toyota Highlander28 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (2)

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor · Aug 4, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V582000 · 367,808 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode and wear over time, possibly resulting in one or both of the windshield wipers becoming inoperative.
Risk
Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, dealers will repair the AIP-hole, inspect and, if necessary, replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017. 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 25302.
Electrical System › Ignition · Jul 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

702Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
12Involved a crash
4Involved a fire
14Injuries reported
80,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine404
Visibility/Wiper140
Power Train75
Unknown Or Other62
Electrical System52
Fuel/Propulsion System40
Air Bags20
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)19
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/05: 224/06: 124/07: 224/08: 224/09: 324/10: 424/12: 325/01: 125/02: 325/03: 225/05: 225/06: 425/07: 225/08: 125/10: 325/11: 125/12: 226/01: 126/02: 126/04: 126/05: 126/06: 126/07: 226/09: 224/0524/0824/1225/0325/0725/1126/0226/06max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Chevrolet Equinox buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 404 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Visibility/Wiper — 140 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  4. Power Train — 75 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 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 2013 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 rated388
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
2020 Equinox28183.1 in★★★★★4318
2019 Equinox32183.1 in★★★★★4308
2018 Equinox32183.1 in★★★★★5410
2017 Equinox25188.2 in★★★★★0276
2016 Equinox26188.2 inNot rated1399

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