carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $31,415–$40,361 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox at 7.7/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Performance at 6.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.4/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.5/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.9/10 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 7.2/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $31,415–$40,361, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Equinox sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.2/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Our take: The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is a solid, well-rounded suv that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 →
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox ranks #564 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 77% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,415 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 13%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Equinox model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $31,415 | |
| 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 | 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 → |
The following recall campaign has 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.
| Equipment / Other / Owners/service/other manual 26/02/2026 · 26V114000 | General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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