Three Terrific Years for a Used Chevy Equinox

For more than twenty years, the Chevy Equinox has been one of the most popular SUVs on the road, providing a great driving experience with each iteration. That means there are hundreds of options when looking for a used Chevy Equinox for sale near Latham, though we wouldn’t suggest going back as far as the first generation.

A lot of folks only view the model year as an indicator of how old a vehicle is and how much use it might have on it, but it can mean a lot more than that. The Equinox is a budget-friendly SUV that’s packed with impressive features; what you find, however, depends on what generation and model year you’re looking at. So let’s take a look at three different model years that will illustrate just what we’re talking about and you’ll see the kinds of impressive features you can find on this exciting SUV.

The 2016 Chevy Equinox

At first glance, it might seem like we’ve chosen three model years at random or simply tried to space things out to see what Chevy offers. In reality, however, we’ve picked three years that represent several distinct versions of the Equinox to give you a real sense of what you can find on different pre-owned models.

The second generation of the Equinox ran from 2010 through 2017, and during that time, it was a midsize SUV. The 2018 model year kicked off its third generation with a redesign that saw it shrink to a compact model, and the 2022 Equinox saw a mid-generation update. Thus, the three years we chose perfectly showcase what you will find not just in these models but also in the years between and after them.

We’ve chosen the 2016 Equinox because Chevy gave it a refresh and mid-generation update, making it a terrific choice if you’re interested in something older. We tend to look for newer used vehicles to offer our customers, but this one still gives you an excellent sense of what’s out there.

You’ll find four different trim levels for the 2016 Equinox: The starting L, the LS, the LT, and the top-level LTZ. Keep these in mind when looking at different used options. A 2.4L engine with 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque is standard for the 2016 Equinox, though Chevy offers a 3.6L V6 with 301 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque that’s well worth looking for. You can find both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD).

Standard features on the 2016 Equinox L include 17-inch wheels, comfortable seats, and a seven-inch infotainment display. Looking at the LTZ trim, you get a number of fantastic upgrades, including automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver’s seat with memory settings, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an eight-way power front-passenger seat. You’ll find heated front seats with leather-appointed seating, along with a remote start that makes it easy to get going.

A number of available features can be found in some 2016 models, including advanced safety systems like a Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Side Blind Zone Alert. There’s also an eight-speaker Pioneer sound system and much more to find, giving you a great sense of what the second-generation Equinox ended with, though you’ll see that things get even more impressive moving forward.

The 2018 Chevy Equinox

Oh, what a difference just two model years can make! The 2018 Equinox kicked off its third generation with a full redesign that includes massive changes from what came before. As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest differences was that the Equinox became a compact SUV rather than a midsize model, making it ideal if you are looking for something more streamlined to drive around Latham.

A new 1.5L turbocharged engine is standard for the 2018 model, making 170 hp, 203 lb-ft of torque, and an estimated 26 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway in FWD. There’s a 2.0L turbocharged engine available with 252 hp and a nine-speed automatic transmission rather than the standard six-speed automatic.

Four trim levels are still available for the 2018 model, though things have changed a little: The L remains the starting trim, followed by the LS, then the LT, with the Premier as the new pinnacle trim. The Equinox L comes with 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lamps, heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, and a manual rear liftgate.

Remote keyless entry and keyless open and start became standard for the Equinox, and you get single-zone climate control. Inside the L, you’ll find a Driver Information Center with a monochromatic display, four-way adjustable front seats, a seven-inch infotainment screen, and a six-speaker sound system.

Higher trims bring more to the party, including a multi-color driver display, heated front seats, and eight-way power-adjustable front seats in select models. An enhanced eight-inch infotainment system, a seven-speaker Bose Premium sound system, 18-inch or 19-inch wheels, and a hands-free power liftgate were also available.

The only thing holding this model back is that advanced driver assistance features like a Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and more are still only available options and not standard. That being said, this is a great choice when looking for a used Equinox that helped usher in the modern era for this SUV.

The 2022 Chevy Equinox

Although the 2022 Equinox is still part of its third generation, it saw a significant refresh and a lot of updates that make it well worth looking for. A previous-year model can certainly have a lot to offer, but if you want some of the most recent features available, then we’d suggest you start with the 2022 model.

The exterior got a facelift with a new front grille, redesigned headlights, and more new details that make this Equinox look better than ever. A 1.5L turbocharged engine with 170 hp remains standard for this model year, although the enhanced 2.0L engine is no longer available. You can still find these models with either FWD or AWD, and note that the trim levels were revised for 2022: The LS is now the starting trim, followed by the LT, a new RS trim, and the Premier.

Safety is our favorite starting point when looking at used Equinox models from this period because the Chevy Safety Assist driver assistance suite became standard on every trim. Even the starting LS comes with a Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and more. Enhanced safety tech like a Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert are available.

A Chevy Infotainment 3 system is standard in the 2022 Equinox, with a seven-inch touchscreen, cruise control, and more. Available features include eight-way power front seats, heating and ventilation for them, heated rear seats, and an eight-inch infotainment screen. A six-speaker sound system is still standard, with a seven-speaker Bose Premium sound system available, among other tech features. Overall, the 2022 Equinox and the years that have followed it are amazing options, providing a compact SUV that you’ll love driving.

What Are You Looking for in a Used Equinox?

These different model years give you a great sense of what Chevy offers for the Equinox, which shows why so many people choose it each year. What’s more, even though this isn’t the entry-level SUV in Chevy’s lineup, the Equinox is consistently offered at a great price, which means you can find used ones at incredibly budget-friendly prices. This lets you stretch your budget further and get more for your money, especially as you look at newer models that have fantastic features standard on every trim.

No matter what you want in your next SUV, we’re here at DePaula Chevrolet to help you explore a variety of options. And with so many fantastic vehicles to choose from, we’ll make it easy to find everything you’ve been looking for.