Deep into its second generation, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox arrives refreshed and sportier than before. The Equinox brings items you want when you drive a modern SUV, including new style elements. Are these upgrades enough for you to choose the Equinox in the densely populated compact crossover SUV class? Let’s find out.

What are the pros and cons of the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox?

According to Kelley Blue Book, this latest model brings us a few specific items to admire and a couple we won’t.

Pros

• Standard active safety systems
• Standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Roomy rear seat

Cons

• Not as much cargo room as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or Volkswagen Tiguan
• No hybrid option

That’s not a bad place to start, but we need to dig deeper to see if this SUV fits in your lifestyle.

Does the Equinox have a good powertrain?

You no longer find an option for the power you want in this SUV. The 2022 version has only one powertrain.  That is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine attached to a six-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain gives you 170 horsepower and 203 lb.-ft. of torque. You’ll have 26 city/31 hwy mpg in FWD models and 25 city/30 hwy mpg in AWD versions. This SUV can pull up to 1,500 pounds when you need to tow a small load.

Previous model years of the Equinox offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This long-gone powertrain gave us 252 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. We aren’t sure why Chevy did away with the powertrain option, but we wish they hadn’t.

What does the standard safety package include?

The safety suite in the Chevrolet Equinox brings it in line with other automakers’ models. This package includes:

• Forward-collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane-keeping assist
• IntelliBeam automatic headlights

Higher trim levels add the benefits of:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alerts
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Safety Alert Seat
• Automatic parking assist
• Surround-view camera

The Teen Driver System is one item found in the Equinox that you won’t find in competing SUVs. This system allows you to set parameters programmed to a key fob. It also gives parents useful reports regarding the driving habits of their teen drivers, which they can use to coach and teach young drivers to improve.

What is the ride like in this SUV?

You won’t find the athleticism of the Mazda CX-5 or the adventurous spirit of the Jeep Cherokee when you drive the Chevrolet Equinox. This Chevy SUV drives best on paved roads at normal speeds. Even though it’s not an exciting vehicle to drive, the Equinox is comfortable, predictable, and dependable on any road. As long as you don’t need it to carve up any roads, this SUV is pleasant to drive.

Where does the Chevrolet Equinox rank?

According to U.S. News and World Report, the Equinox is the tenth highest-rated compact crossover SUV in the market. That happens to be in the lower half of the class, but this ranking isn’t surprising. The Equinox has a roomy cabin, easy-to-use infotainment system, good handling, and solid reliability going for it. Unfortunately, it’s also too laid back on the road and lacks the cabin quality other models in this class offer.

How much does the Equinox SUV cost?

Four trim levels make up the lineup for this Chevy. The LS model starts at $25,800, with the LT asking for $26,900. The sporty RS will require you to part with $30,100, and the Premier model comes in at $31,000 to finish things off. You can add AWD to any model, but that increases the price by $1,600.

Typically, we see the Equinox falling to the lower end of the pricing spectrum, which could make it a good option for you to drive.

Should you drive the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox?

Among the compact crossover SUVs, the Equinox doesn’t stand out. This SUV has lackluster power, meager interior qualities, and underwhelming style elements. On the flip side, it gives you a nice list of safety features, it’s predictable, reliable, and comfortable, and has a highly affordable price range.

If you want a more exciting SUV, look at the Mazda CX-5 for driving dynamics or the Jeep Cherokee for off-road fun. If you’re looking for an SUV that’s easy to own, drives right, and gives you what you need, you could do a lot worse than the Chevy Equinox.