2020 Chevrolet Equinox — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2020 Chevrolet Equinox

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $26,840–$35,800
Fuel Economy 26 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,019/yr

Key Specifications — 2020 Chevrolet Equinox

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$26,840–$35,800

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

About the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox

Our scoring places the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox at 7.4/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 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. We score reliability at 7.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.3/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.7/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.1/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.

Priced from $26,840–$35,800, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Equinox sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.1/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Our take: The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.

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 2020 Chevrolet Equinox ranks #1166 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 53% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $26,840 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 26%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Equinox Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.4 — 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 (this review) 7.4/10$26,840
2019 7.3/10$25,925 Read review →
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 — 2020 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 — 2020 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 by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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…
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Disc / Caliper
03/10/2019 · 19V704000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. The rear brake calipers may have been produced with an incorrect lubricant, potentially causing the rubber seals to swell and the brakes to drag.
Child seat / Vehicle latch anchor
11/05/2023 · 23V339000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the…

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

Similar SUV to Consider

Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.

2025 Toyota RAV4 Base
2025 Toyota RAV4 Base
8.4/10
View →
2025 Toyota RAV4
2025 Toyota RAV4
8.4/10
View →
2026 Toyota RAV4
2026 Toyota RAV4
8.4/10
View →
2025 Toyota RAV4 S
2025 Toyota RAV4 S
8.4/10
View →

More Chevrolet Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.