2012 Chevrolet Equinox review

1. Roomy interior

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox may be listed as a subcompact crossover SUV, but that doesn't mean you'll lack space inside. There's a total of 99.3 cu-ft of passenger volume available, and there's more than enough legroom for all your passengers to relax in—41.2 inches in the front seats, and 39.9 inches in the rear. There's also an innovative 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat that offers reclining seatbacks and can slide backward to give even more space for backseat occupants—up to nearly eight inches of extra legroom. 

2. Base engine is very kind to your wallet

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox has a choice of two engines, and each one has its own strengths to suit your needs. Standard on all 2012 Chevrolet Equinox models is a 2.4L four-cylinder engine that puts out 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque, and this motor is the ideal choice if you want to minimize trips to the pumps. In the standard front-wheel drive configuration with this engine, the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox can achieve an EPA-estimated 31 mpg on the highway, and even with optional all-wheel drive equipped, that only drops to an EPA-estimated 28 mpg on the highway.

3. Optional V6 engine delivers great pulling power

The other choice for power under the hood of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is a 3.0L V6 engine, which increases output to 264 horsepower and 222 lb-ft of torque. And while this engine is still good for up to an EPA-estimated 24 mpg on the highway, when equipped with front-wheel drive, the real ace up its sleeve is in its pulling power. Compared to the standard engine, which offers a maximum estimated towing capacity of up to 1,500 lbs when properly equipped, the 3.0L V6 engine boosts that up to a maximum estimated towing capacity of 3,500 lbs when properly equipped.

4. Feature-rich selection of trims and packages

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox comes in three different trim levels, and between these and available option packages, there's a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox configuration that's perfect for your requirements. Standard LS trims have a great selection of features to start, including air conditioning, cruise control, and the previously mentioned sliding and split-folding rear seat. The LT trim has two separate versions; the 1LT adds roof rack side rails and a rearview camera, and the 2LT includes automatic climate control and heated front seats. Finally, the premium LTZ trim adds perforated leather upholstery, a power liftgate, rear parking sensors, and more. And the best part is, premium features on higher trims can be had on lower-trim models too by way of various option packages. 

5. Plenty of storage bins and cargo space

Do you ever feel like you're losing things or running out of space to store stuff in your car? Maybe you have friends or kids who always bring extra items with them for days out and road trips? Fear not, the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox has you and your passengers covered for storage space. There's a total of 18 separate storage areas inside, including a cubby hole designed to hold cell phones, equipped with a power outlet. There's 31.5 cu-ft of cargo volume behind the rear seats, and that expands to 63.7 cu-ft with the rear seats folded. And just as the rear seat can slide backward, it can also slide forward to further expand storage capacity.