Which Chevrolet Compact SUV Offers a Little Bit of Everything?

2024 Chevrolet Equinox Review: A More Refined, Tech-Savvy Compact SUV

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox continues to be a key player in the highly competitive compact SUV segment, balancing value, comfort, and technology. With a more refined design, improved tech offerings, and a solid reputation for practicality, the 2024 Equinox aims to attract buyers looking for a well-rounded vehicle that’s ideal for families, commuters, and tech-savvy drivers alike. Here’s a deep dive into what the latest Equinox brings to the table.

Exterior & Design:

The 2024 Equinox doesn’t stray far from the clean, approachable design language that has made it a popular choice among compact SUV buyers. The front fascia is updated with a more angular, modern grille, and the headlights have been reshaped with sleeker LED accents. The overall profile is still relatively conservative, but there are enough subtle design tweaks to make it feel fresh without being too aggressive.

The 2024 model comes in a range of trims, from the well-equipped LS and LT to the more premium RS and Premier models. The RS trim, in particular, stands out with its sportier styling cues like dark wheels, black trim accents, and a more aggressive front bumper.

The size of the Equinox is just right for urban driving, offering easy maneuverability while still providing ample space for passengers and cargo. The vehicle sits on a 107.3-inch wheelbase, and the overall dimensions ensure that it’s large enough to offer comfort without being cumbersome in tight spaces.

Interior & Comfort:

Inside, the 2024 Equinox continues to impress with a spacious, user-friendly cabin. The interior materials are well put together, with soft-touch plastics and available leather seating (depending on trim). The overall design is clean and uncluttered, with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen (depending on trim) as the central focus of the dashboard.

The standard cloth upholstery is comfortable and breathable, while the leather upholstery found on higher trims adds a more premium feel. The cabin’s seating layout allows for up to five passengers, with front passengers enjoying generous legroom and comfortable seating. The rear seats are also spacious, providing ample legroom and headroom for adults, which makes the Equinox a solid choice for families or those who regularly drive with passengers.

Cargo space is one of the Equinox’s strong points, offering 29.9 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. This gives the Equinox a good amount of versatility, whether you’re loading up for a road trip or hauling larger items.

Technology & Infotainment:

Chevrolet has packed the 2024 Equinox with a modern suite of tech features, ensuring it meets the demands of today’s drivers. The Chevy Infotainment 3 system is standard across the range, and it’s a significant upgrade from the previous iteration, with quicker response times and more intuitive menus.

Key features include:

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, available wirelessly on most trims, making it easy to connect your smartphone for music, navigation, and apps.
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi hotspot are standard, and the higher trims include available wireless device charging.
• Navigation is available on the top-tier trims, and an optional 8-inch touchscreen provides an upgraded visual interface.

The system also supports Amazon Alexa and has built-in voice recognition, which works well for hands-free control of navigation, phone calls, and other functions. On the higher-end Premier trim, you’ll get a more premium 6-speaker audio system, though the base trim’s 4-speaker setup is more than sufficient for casual listening.

The 2024 Equinox also includes a range of available advanced safety features, including Chevy Safety Assist, which comes standard. This suite of driver aids includes:

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Alert
• Following Distance Indicator
• Front Pedestrian Braking

In addition to these, you can opt for available features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Park Assist, which make parking and maneuvering in tight spots a lot easier.

Performance & Driving Experience:

Under the hood, the 2024 Equinox continues with the same reliable powertrain options as its predecessor, though with a focus on efficiency and daily usability rather than outright performance.

• 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine: This engine remains the sole option for the 2024 Equinox, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it’s not a powerhouse, it’s more than enough for most everyday driving situations, including highway cruising and urban commuting.

Power is sent to the front wheels (FWD) as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that offers smooth shifts and generally good responsiveness.

On the road, the Equinox strikes a solid balance between comfort and capability. The suspension provides a smooth and quiet ride, absorbing most road imperfections without making the cabin feel overly soft or disconnected. Handling is composed, and the steering is light but responsive, making it an easy SUV to drive in both city traffic and on winding roads.

While the Equinox is not an off-road vehicle, the AWD option gives it some added traction in inclement weather, making it a good choice for those who live in areas that see snow or rain.

Fuel Economy:

The fuel economy for the 2024 Equinox is competitive for its class, with an estimated 26 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive version. The all-wheel-drive version is slightly less efficient, with figures of 25 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. These numbers make it a solid option for anyone looking to keep their fuel costs in check.

Pricing & Value:

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox remains an affordable option in the compact SUV segment. Pricing starts around $27,000 for the base LS trim, with mid-tier models like the LT and RS running between $29,000 to $33,000. The top-tier Premier trim, which adds luxury features like leather seating, a larger touchscreen, and advanced safety tech, starts at around $35,000.

Overall, the 2024 Equinox offers great value for the money, especially considering its generous tech offerings, comfortable interior, and solid fuel economy. It competes well against rivals like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape, offering a good mix of features at a reasonable price point.

Verdict:

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox is a well-rounded compact SUV that continues to be a great choice for a variety of drivers. Whether you’re looking for an efficient commuter vehicle, a family-friendly SUV, or a comfortable daily driver, the Equinox delivers. With its updated design, solid performance, and excellent technology offerings, it’s clear that Chevrolet is focused on giving buyers a practical, affordable, and tech-savvy option. If you’re in the market for a compact SUV that offers a little bit of everything, the 2024 Equinox deserves a spot on your shortlist.

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