2021 Chevrolet Equinox

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 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
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
28 combined · 26 city / 31 hwy
Length
183.1 in
Curb weight
3,274–3,466 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 28 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is a small SUV offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine 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), 6% better than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 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 100 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.

What changed for 2021

  • Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Equinox →

Trims, performance & features

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

Trims

LT (1LT)

Safety & driver-assist features

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringOptional
Rear cross-traffic alertOptional
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Parking assistOptional
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard

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

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 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

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+6%$2,400318
Equinox AWD1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive25 / 30 / 27+13%$2,500330
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.4 MPG2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2021 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★18.5%
2021 Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★16.4%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2021 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD
Frontal crash test — 2021 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2021 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD
Side crash test — 2021 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2021 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 Chevrolet Equinox (this car)28 MPG★★★★★4
2021 Toyota RAV440 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime38 MPGNot rated4
2021 Honda CR-V38 MPG★★★★★5
2021 Toyota 4Runner17 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Hyundai Tucson25 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Subaru Forester29 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump › Control/Drive Module · Jan 19, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V013000 · 23,323 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The fuel pump module may not consistently provide sufficient fuel to the engine, resulting in an engine stall.
Risk
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 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 N222372310.
Tires › Tread/Belt · Aug 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V612000 · 9,597 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.
Risk
Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212343560.
Seat Belts › Critical Fasteners · Dec 23, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V811000 · 470 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk
If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

100Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
5Injuries reported
55,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Fuel/Propulsion System20
Unknown Or Other17
Power Train17
Engine16
Electrical System15
Service Brakes8
Steering4
Air Bags4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/05: 124/07: 224/08: 224/09: 124/11: 324/12: 125/05: 225/06: 325/07: 325/08: 325/09: 525/10: 125/11: 125/12: 126/01: 326/02: 526/03: 126/04: 126/05: 326/06: 326/07: 326/08: 326/09: 526/10: 424/0524/0925/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Chevrolet Equinox buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Fuel/Propulsion System — 20 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.
  3. Power Train — 17 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Engine — 16 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 55,000 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 2021 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
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
2015 Equinox26188.6 inNot rated2680

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