carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $26,840–$35,800 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.4/10, the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Base earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. 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. 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 6.7/10 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. Technology comes in at 7.1/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $26,840–$35,800, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Equinox Base sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The 8.1/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this suv delivers more than most of the class. 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.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Base, but it needs the right buyer. Its 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 →
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Base 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 → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox Base 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.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
We rate the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Base's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #1166 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 53% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Base starts at $26,840 and ranges up to $35,800 across trims (MSRP when new). At 26 MPG, expect roughly $2,019/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
