DecodedCars2016 Chevrolet Equinox
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.
- 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
- 188.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,761–4,147 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
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 22 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 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 188 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), 6% better than the 2016 small SUV average of 24.6 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 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 399 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2016
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Equinox — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Equinox →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 2.4l AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz | 188.2 in | 72.4 in | 66.9 in | 112.6 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,929 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr SUV 2.4l FWD Ls/Lt/Ltz | 188.2 in | 72.4 in | 66.9 in | 112.6 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,761 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV 3.6l AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz | 188.2 in | 72.4 in | 66.9 in | 112.6 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 4,147 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr SUV 3.6l FWD Ls/Lt/Ltz | 188.2 in | 72.4 in | 66.9 in | 112.6 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,920 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 26 | +6% | $2,600 | 347 |
| Equinox FWD FFV | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 26 | +6% | $2,600 | 347 |
| Equinox AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | 0% | $2,900 | 381 |
| Equinox AWD FFV | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | 0% | $2,900 | 381 |
| Equinox FWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -19% | $3,350 | 459 |
| Equinox AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | -22% | $3,700 | 482 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox.
Similar 2016 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Equinox (this car) | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Toyota RAV4 | 32 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Honda CR-V | 29 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Toyota 4Runner | 19 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2016 Subaru Forester | 27 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Toyota Highlander | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (1)
Equipment › Other › Labels · Jun 21, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V449000 · 17 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015. The certification labels may have incorrect tire/rim size and cold tire pressure information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- Risk
- If the information on the certification labels is incorrect, the operator may install incorrectly sized tires or rims or may improperly inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1050, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 46600.
Not every 2016 Chevrolet Equinox is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Chevrolet Equinox buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 203 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Visibility/Wiper — 114 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Power Train — 25 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 65,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Equinox years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Equinox | 27 | – | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Equinox | 27 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 88 |
| 2025 Equinox | 27 | 190.6 in | Not rated | 6 | 405 |
| 2024 Equinox | 28 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 190 |
| 2023 Equinox | 28 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 99 |
| 2022 Equinox | 28 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 186 |
| 2021 Equinox | 28 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 100 |
| 2020 Equinox | 28 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 318 |
| 2019 Equinox | 32 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 308 |
| 2018 Equinox | 32 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 410 |
| 2017 Equinox | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 276 |
| 2015 Equinox | 26 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 680 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →