2015 Chevrolet Equinox SL — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2015 Chevrolet Equinox SL

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $28,944–$33,697
Fuel Economy 21 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,500/yr

Key Specifications — 2015 Chevrolet Equinox SL

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$28,944–$33,697

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

About the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox SL

The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox SL is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.0/10, 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.0/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

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. At 7.1/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $28,944–$33,697, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Equinox SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.4/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox SL sits in the middle of the field. Until its performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

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 2015 Chevrolet Equinox SL ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $28,944 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 20%.

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

Which Equinox SL Year Should You Buy?

Across the Equinox SL model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2025 7.6/10$40,839 Read review →
2024 7.7/10$39,650 Read review →
2023 7.6/10$38,460 Read review →
2022 7.5/10$37,271 Read review →
2021 7.5/10$36,081 Read review →
2020 7.4/10$34,892 Read review →
2019 7.3/10$33,702 Read review →
2018 7.3/10$32,513 Read review →
2017 7.2/10$31,323 Read review →
2016 7.2/10$30,134 Read review →
2015 (this review) 7.2/10$28,944

Pros & Cons — 2015 Chevrolet Equinox SL

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • 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
  • Fuel economy at 21 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

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