2015 Chevrolet Equinox

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 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
FFV, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
26 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
Length
188.6 in
Curb weight
3,761–4,147 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 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), 8% better than the 2015 small SUV average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 680 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Equinox — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Equinox →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–2.4L 4-cyl
DriveFWD · AWD/4WD

Trims

1LTLS

Built in: Cami, Ontario · Oshawa #2 (Ost), Ontario · Roanoke, Tennessee

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2015 Equinox configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

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 lb56/44
4dr SUV 2.4l FWD Ls/Lt/Ltz188.6 in72.4 in66.9 in112.6 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,761 lb56/44
4dr SUV 3.6l AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz188.6 in72.4 in66.9 in112.6 in62.6 / 61.8 in4,147 lb56/44
4dr SUV 3.6l FWD Ls/Lt/Ltz188.6 in72.4 in66.9 in112.6 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,920 lb56/44

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 FWD FFV2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26+8%$2,600347
Equinox FWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26+8%$2,600347
Equinox AWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+2%$2,900381
Equinox AWD FFV2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+2%$2,900381
Equinox FWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-21%$3,550462
Equinox AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-16%$3,550481
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24 MPG2015 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2015 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★17.4%
2015 Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★19.1%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2015 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD
Frontal crash test — 2015 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2015 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD
Side crash test — 2015 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2015 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Chevrolet Equinox (this car)26 MPG★★★★★2
2015 Toyota RAV426 MPG★★★★★4
2015 Honda CR-V29 MPG★★★★★3
2015 Toyota 4Runner19 MPG★★★★★9
2015 Ford Explorer23 MPG★★★★★8
2015 Subaru Forester27 MPG★★★★★3
2015 Mazda CX-529 MPG★★★★★3

Recalls (2)

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor · Mar 17, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V165000 · 681,509 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.
Risk
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Oct 16, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V666000 · 395 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Chevrolet Equinox is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

680Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
24Involved a crash
6Involved a fire
19Injuries reported
73,500 miTypical mileage at failure
Visibility/Wiper250
Engine227
Power Train61
Unknown Or Other54
Electrical System45
Air Bags37
Fuel/Propulsion System31
Visibility18
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/06: 124/07: 524/09: 624/10: 424/11: 324/12: 225/01: 425/02: 125/03: 225/04: 225/05: 325/06: 425/07: 325/08: 225/09: 325/12: 626/01: 526/02: 326/03: 126/04: 326/05: 126/06: 126/08: 126/09: 124/0624/1025/0125/0425/0725/1226/0326/06max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Chevrolet Equinox buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Visibility/Wiper — 250 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  3. Engine — 227 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Power Train — 61 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 73,500 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 2015 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
2020 Equinox28183.1 in★★★★★4318
2019 Equinox32183.1 in★★★★★4310
2018 Equinox32183.1 in★★★★★5410
2017 Equinox25188.2 in★★★★★0276
2016 Equinox26188.2 in★★★★★1399

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