2019 Chevrolet Equinox — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2019 Chevrolet Equinox

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $25,925–$34,385
Fuel Economy 25 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,100/yr
The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox scores 7.3/10 at Carivo, ranking #1384 of 2454 suvs, with 4 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,100/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2019 Chevrolet Equinox

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$25,925–$34,385

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox

With an overall Carivo score of 7.3/10, the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Performance at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.0/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.3/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $25,925–$34,385, 25 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Equinox sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value lands at 7.8/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox ranks #1384 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 44% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $25,925 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 28%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2019 Chevrolet Equinox

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$10,500 ($2,100/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 4 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Equinox Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox scores 7.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.3 — and starts roughly $2,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.7/10$31,415 Read review →
2025 7.7/10$31,415 Read review →
2024 7.7/10$30,500 Read review →
2023 7.6/10$29,585 Read review →
2022 7.5/10$28,670 Read review →
2021 7.5/10$27,755 Read review →
2020 7.4/10$26,840 Read review →
2019 (this review) 7.3/10$25,925
2018 7.3/10$25,010 Read review →
2017 7.3/10$24,095 Read review →
2016 7.2/10$23,180 Read review →
2015 7.2/10$22,265 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2019 Chevrolet Equinox

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra

NHTSA Recalls — 2019 Chevrolet Equinox (4 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Power train / Automatic transmission
29/10/2020 · 20V668000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC…
Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Disc / Caliper
30/08/2018 · 18V576000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The…
Fuel system, gasoline / Storage / Tank assembly
19/09/2019 · 19V667000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Equinox all-wheel drive vehicles. The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet.
Seats
07/03/2019 · 19V184000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2019 Chevrolet Equinox

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

We rate the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox worth buying?

It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #1384 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 44% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox cost?

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox starts at $25,925 and ranges up to $34,385 across trims (MSRP when new). At 25 MPG, expect roughly $2,100/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Equinox years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Equinox years we've rated are 2016 (7.2/10), 2015 (7.2/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.7/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox have?

The documented issues for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Power train, Service brakes, hydraulic, Fuel system, gasoline, Seats (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Chevrolet Equinox

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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