Chevrolet Equinox

Name: 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
Brand: Chevrolet

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Equinox has a roomy rear seat rivalling that of some large sedans and SUVs. But overall, it doesn't compare well with competing models. We found interior quality subpar and seating very uncomfortable. Further, rear seats that don't fold flat and obtrusive wheelwells limit the usefulness of the cargo area. The ride is unsettled, handling is clumsy and steering is vague. The coarse-sounding engine gets only 17 mpg, which is typical of larger SUVs.

2006 SUVs Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Chevrolet Equinox

vs. Similar Cars

Ford Escape

Honda CR-V

Honda Element

Hyundai Tucson

Jeep Liberty

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Marginal

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Marginal

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Marginal

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

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2006 Compact SUVs Ratings

2006 Chevrolet Equinox

$2,875 - $3,000

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Ford Escape

$3,200 - $3,750

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid

$3,200 - $3,750

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Honda CR-V

$5,225 - $5,625

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Honda Element

$4,825 - $6,375

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Hyundai Tucson

$3,325 - $3,850

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Jeep Liberty

$3,400 - $4,100

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Kia Sportage

$3,000 - $3,925

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Mazda Tribute

$3,275 - $3,750

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Mercury Mariner

$3,225 - $3,750

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Mitsubishi Outlander

$3,025 - $4,275

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Nissan Xterra

$3,700 - $4,850

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Pontiac Aztek

$ NA

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Pontiac Torrent

$3,500 - $3,700

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Saturn Vue

$3,075 - $3,650

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Subaru Forester

$4,125 - $5,325

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara

$4,075 - $4,175

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Toyota RAV4

$5,550 - $5,875

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

3.4-liter V6 (185 hp)

5-speed automatic

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2025-Present

Current Generation

Redesigned for 2025, the Chevrolet Equinox is similar in size and mechanical details to the SUV it supplants. It is again powered by a 175-hp, 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but this time it is paired with either a CVT (FWD) or 8-speed automatic transmission (AWD). The Equinox is offered in three trims: LT, RS, and ACTIV, each with their own styling touches. The RS is positioned as the sporty-looking choice, and the ACTIV is dressed for adventure. All share an interior that houses twin 11-inch screens and boasts standard niceties like heated seats and steering wheel. We managed 25 mpg overall for the AWD model we tested, which lags behind class leaders. The ride is mostly comfortable, handling is responsive but not sporty, and stopping distances are competitively short. The front seats are reasonably comfortable and the rear seat is spacious. The LT AWD we tested comes well-equipped with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start.The Equinox features standard Chevy Safety Assist, a bundle of active safety and driver assistance features.

2018-2024

2018 Redesign Year

The new Equinox has tidier dimensions, bringing it in line with the small-SUV segment dominated by the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. The Equinox packs the latest infotainment and safety technology, and two small-displacement turbocharged engines, plus a diesel choice that's promised to deliver an estimated 40 mpg on the highway. Power comes from a 170-hp 1.5-liter mated to a six-speed automatic; the uplevel engine is a 252-hp, 2.0-liter four mated to a nine-speed automatic. The MyLink infotainment system is offered in 7- and 8-inch forms, each with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The interior has some cheap touches, however, the seats are quite comfortable. Updates for the 2020 model year saw the discontinuation of the diesel engine. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine option was dropped for 2021. The Equinox received a number of exterior styling updates for 2022. Other changes include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

2010-2017

2010 Redesign Year

The redesigned 2010 model, which offers four-cylinder and V6 engines, is light years better than its predecessor. It still has a roomy rear seat, but the interior is much nicer. The ride is taut, yet supple and controlled. Handling is responsive and secure. But fuel economy still falls short of the best small SUVs. We recommend skipping the base Equinox and jumping right to an LT, which comes with a power driver's seat. While the four-cylinder engine manages to get the job done, the V6 is more enjoyable. The 2013 models brought a much quicker optional 3.6-liter V6, as well as a revised interior with new infotainment technology. WiFi debuted in 2015. For 2016, Equinox got a smattering of cosmetic updates and advanced safety features, including available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which join forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems. Also, a rear-view camera became standard on all trim lines.

2005-2009

2005 Redesign Year

The first-generation Chevrolet Equinox is a mediocre SUV. While it has a roomy rear seat, the interior is crafted of subpar materials. The old-tech 185-hp, 3.4-liter V6 lacks refinement and returns poor fuel economy. A tip-up onto two wheels in the government rollover test was another negative until electronic stability control became standard in 2007. Ride and interior noise are improved in 2007 models, though handling remains clumsy, even with electronic stability control. The body also leans a lot in turns. Curtain airbags were made standard for 2009 (they were previously an option).