2020 Chevy Equinox – Albany, NY

• Overview

  

  One look at any stretch of highway or freeway, and you’ll notice right away that of all the cars on the road, compact SUVs appear to be the most common. These are vehicles that bridge the gap between compact commuter cars and the sizable machines that inspired these compact SUVs. Fuel economy, engine power, and incredible utility work in concert to create a driving experience that satisfies all sorts of drivers from the busy mom to the rugged road tripper. One popular member of the Chevy family lineup is the 2020 Chevy Equinox. Compact, but still sizeable, with a wide range of engine options, and a level of fuel economy that puts some commuter sedans to shame.

  At first glance the 2020 Chevy Equinox is the best of all worlds, offering a comprehensive driving experience, and living up to every expectation of a compact SUV. At the same time, the Chevy Equinox is bound to satisfy drivers who are SUV purists, who long for the days of when SUVs were all large and in charge. That said, is the Chevy Equinox right for you? While impressive, it is incredibly important to take a closer look at what this leading compact SUV brings to the table, and whether or not it is a right fit for your lifestyle and automotive needs.

  26 / 31 MPG

  Fuel Economy

  63.9 cu.ft.

  Max Cargo Space

  170-252 HP

  Horsepower

  Starting at

  $23,800 

• Performance

  

  For decades, the SUV was synonymous with power. While there are still plenty of SUVs out there that exude the same high-class power of the SUVs of old, the trend seems to be playing more towards smaller engines and by relation a smaller chassis. The 2020 Chevy Equinox bucks trend, while at the same time continuing to live up to modern automotive standards. Nowadays, drivers expect for a vehicle to be powerful, fuel-efficient, and responsive, the 2020 Chevy Equinox marks all three with breathless ease.

  Starting with trim options, you can purchase the 2020 Chevy Equinox in one of four trim options the base L, LS, LT, and Premier. The standard model of the Chevy Equinox sports some pretty standard engine power, equipped with a 1.5-liter Turbo 4-cylinder engine that thrums out a moderately impressive 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft worth of torque. This base engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that certainly gets the job done, and can only be purchased with a front-wheel-drivetrain.

  When its all said and done and the base model Chevy Equinox hits the pavement, drivers can expect a fair range breaking 26 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. This combination of mechanics and design gives entry-level drivers a worthwhile driving experience but is hardly the top of the line for this compact SUV.

  Move up to higher trims, and you’ll be given access to a whole new level of power. The Chevy Equinox can be saddled with a range-topping turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that throttles out 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This larger engine also sports a larger transmission as a sidekick, with 2.0-liter models utilizing a 9-speed automatic transmission, which makes driving simply seamless. Add in the option of an AWD drivetrain, and you have a vehicle that simply can’t be stopped on and off the pavement.

  While this larger engine and more robust drivetrain cut fuel economy, this sacrifice of gas mileage comes with a boost to power that some drivers may not want to miss. At the heights of power offerings, the 2020 Chevy Equinox truly performs, giving drivers the option to haul a tremendous 3,500 pounds, which is a rarity amongst compact SUV models.

  These two engine options, the 1.5-liter, and 2.0-liter four-cylinder break the mold, providing drivers with a varied driving experience. That said, no matter which engine option catches your eye, you’re certainly in for a ride that is bound to live up to all of your expectations of this compact SUV.

• Interior

  

  Compact SUVs attempt to juggle both smaller size and the expectation that SUVs are supposed to be sizable vehicles. Some models fall flat on their face, ending up somewhere in between, while others, like the 2020 Chevy Equinox, manage to find that balance seamlessly. For starters, rear passengers will find plenty of space to stretch out, with each individual getting a roomy 39.90 inches of legroom and 38.50 inches of headroom. Front seat passengers are treated like kings, on the other hand, getting 40.90 inches of legroom and 40.00 inches of headroom.

  Cargo space is a huge expectation for all kinds of SUVs, no matter their size. Fortunately, the 2020 Chevy Equinox delivers in this area as well, providing drivers with plenty of room for all of their gear. Behind the rear seats, you can expect about 29.90 cubic feet, which is pretty good, especially considering that you can expand that initial measurement to a sprawling 63.90 cubic feet when you fold that second row of seats.

  There are plenty of interior comforts in the 2020 Chevy Equinox, even on base models. This is a compact SUV dripping in fancy tech, and it shows even in the entry-level model. Base L models get a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that uses responsive software that is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This compatibility allows for easy connection to your smartphone, allowing you to stream music and adjust navigation without ever having to glance away from the road. Accompanying this base model infotainment system is Bluetooth connectivity, an AUX plug-in, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing you to stay connected to the web at all times.

  Step all the way up to the Premier trim, and you’ll find features that rival that of luxury vehicles. For instance, the Memory Package allows for your seats and mirrors to adjust according to the driver's preferences automatically.

  Drivers will also find the option of adding ash gray leather trim for the seats, as well as a rear-seat infotainment system. Keyless start is standard on the Premier trim, as are features like an auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

  As you can tell, the Chevy Equinox brings a lot to the table in terms of interior comforts, and rightfully so. Driving a compact SUV shouldn’t just be convenient; it should also be a comfortable driving experience from start to finish.

• Safety

  

  Safety is one of the most important factors in not just determining a great SUV, but a great car as well. In recent years auto safety has leapt from simple hardware features to incredibly smart software that can predict and react to the flow of traffic. The 2020 Chevy Equinox uses this cutting edge technology to provide drivers with both reassurances behind the wheel, but awareness of the road and other drivers around them.

  While other automakers make their smart safety features a premium purchase, Chevy has extended these features across all models. When you pay the entry-level price, you can expect to find automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. This feature can sense when an object, car, or person passes in front of your car and will stop your car ahead of time. Lane keep assist is another standard feature, which will detect the lane lines in the road, and keep your car within them. You can even invest in more advanced safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, which will automatically control your speed based on the flow of highway traffic.

  No matter which trim and package you invest in, the 2020 Chevy Equinox provides a top-notch, and safe driving experience through and through.

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