2018 Chevrolet Equinox review

2018 Chevrolet Equinox used car review

Chevrolet redesigned the Equinox for 2018 with an enhanced focus on fuel economy. The third generation Equinox is smaller, lighter, and more efficient than the SUV it replaced. Unfortunately, it's still not up to the standard set by its competition. The Equinox is not the sportiest, roomiest, or most modern compact SUV you can buy — but it may be one of the most affordable. 

And the Equinox isn't wholly unappealing. We think the ride quality is good, the cargo space is adequate and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ come standard on all trims. 2018 is the only year the Equinox came with the older MyLink infotainment system, which works fine but will feel more dated than the touchscreen introduced in 2019.

2018 is also one of the only years the 2.0-liter engine was available on the Equinox and it's a significant improvement over the 1.5-liter engine that comes standard on the Chevy. This is also one of the only years a fuel-efficient diesel engine was available. It's no punchier than the 1.5-liter engine, but fuel economy is much improved. 

Adaptive cruise control isn't available until 2019, so consider a newer Equinox if that tech is important to you.

Check out the full review below for more details on why you might want to consider a used 2018 Chevy Equinox:

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does a used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have?

Connectivity

Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ come standard on all trims of the Equinox. If you need to charge your phone, you have four USB ports to choose from. You can also connect to the Equinox's entertainment system using Bluetooth®. The touchscreen's simple interface is easy to use, making adding your device simple. 

A pair of additional USB ports are available on the RS trim and standard on the top-of-the-line Premier trim. The Premier trim is also the only place you'll find wireless charging on an Equinox. But the Premier trim doesn't come fully loaded. An upgraded Bose® sound system is part of an available package, along with a built-in navigation system. 

Infotainment

Two touchscreen infotainment systems are available on the Equinox. The standard seven-inch touchscreen is what you'll find on most Equinox trims and we think it works well. It's easy to use and, while not very big, displays information clearly enough that you shouldn't have trouble with it. The upgraded touchscreen is an inch larger and can be found on some second-from-top RS trims thanks to an option package, and it was standard on the Premier trim.

Driver-assist tech

There are not many standard advanced driver aids on the Equinox. A pair of warning systems, one for forward collision and another for lane departure, are standard. Adaptive cruise control is an option for the RS and Premier trims, while the second-tier LT trim throws in front and rear parking sensors. Those can come in handy when pulling in and out of tight parking spots. The package that adds adaptive cruise control on RS trim Equinoxes also brings a camera that simulates a top-down view, making it even easier to park.

How comfortable is a used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?

Front seating

The front seats in the Equinox accommodate a wide variety of body types, and they remain comfortable to sit in over long journeys. We found the leather upholstery on higher-trim Chevys doesn't breathe very well. Some Equinox models have cooled seats, which help, but otherwise the cabin can get a little swampier than anyone but a gator would like.

The second-from-bottom LT trim includes heated seats, but you'll need to find an RS trim with some available packages installed or the top-trim Premier to get cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated seats for second-row passengers. Climate control is a weak point on the Equinox. The cooling and heating vents are placed at the perfect angle to blast your knuckles with air, but they are poorly placed to cool down or heat up the cabin.

Rear seating

We think rear legroom in the Equinox is good for most adults, but keep an eye out for headroom if the SUV you're looking at has a panoramic sunroof. It cuts into rear seat headroom, which could be a problem if you're regularly transporting taller adults in the back seat. You can get heated seats for rear passengers on the Premier trim, but cooled seats are only available for front passengers. 

The step-in height of the Equinox is manageable for kids, and the small doors open wide enough to make getting in and out of tight spaces easy. Keep in mind that the low position of the doors makes it easy to scrape them on high curbs.

Ride quality and interior noise

It's not a silent oasis when on the highway, but we think the Equinox does an adequate job of keeping road and wind noise out of the vehicle. The ride quality is good and can absorb most modest bumps whether you're puttering around town or on a four-lane highway. We found the Equinox to be a little bit louder than the Honda CR-V in Edmunds' testing, but not by a significant amount.

Does a used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have good storage?

Cargo 

The Equinox can hold 29.9 cubic feet of goodies behind its second row. That's a far cry from the 39.3 cubic feet offered by the Honda CR-V. But we think the Equinox offers enough storage for most families. Its nearly 30 cubic feet of storage is comparable to the dimensions of a standard four-burner stove, and the rear seats fold down easily to accommodate longer items. There's also a little bit of storage under the cargo floor in the trunk that can be quite useful.

Storage

There are lots of little bins and cubbies to stow small items. The Equinox also offers a rubberized cellphone tray, which helps keep your phone in place while on the move. There are also a couple of handy clips under the lid of the center console storage bin. This can be a nice spot to store an insurance card, the registration, or a little bit of ca

How easy is a used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox to use?

Entry, exit, and car seats

The Equinox has a low step-in height that makes it easy, even for smaller passengers, to enter and exit the vehicle. The doors are also small enough that they can still be opened widely in narrow parking spaces. The LATCH anchors are easy to find and hook up to, making it easy to install a car seat. Rear-facing car seats can fit comfortably if the passenger seated ahead doesn't have their seat slid all the way back.

Interior layout and visibility

We think the infotainment touchscreen is installed at an awkward angle, but that's about the only potential usability issue. Otherwise, there are plenty of physical buttons to control things like cooling and heating, and the system overall is easy to learn and to use.

What’s a used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox like to drive?

Driving

A 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine is the standard engine on the 2018 Equinox and we think its 175 horsepower just isn't enough. Getting up to highway speeds is slow, and if the on-ramp is short, you'll find you need to give a big push on the accelerator pedal to get up to speed in time. If you're looking for more power, an upgraded 2.0-liter engine is available and we think it's a big improvement. You lose the thriftiness of the standard engine, but getting up to highway speeds is much easier. If fuel economy is your top concern, the 1.6-liter diesel gets numbers more commonly associated with hybrids, although it's very hard to find.

Towing

The Equinox can tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped, which is in line with the competition. That's enough to tow a small boat, trailer, or camper.

EPA fuel economy estimates