Used 2016 Chevrolet Equinox

So you’re looking at a used 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and you have a couple questions. Like most people, you want to know if the Equinox is a good buy, if it’s going to hold up over time and if it does everything you need a used compact SUV to do.

The first thing you should know is that the Equinox is one of the best-selling compact SUVs out there, although part of that sales number comes from fleet sales Honda and Toyota don’t usually have. That means you’ll have plenty of options when it comes time to find a used model.

You should also know that the Equinox holds only average resale values, something that will make it cheaper to buy than a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, but that will also affect its sale price when it comes time to sell. Buying a used 2016 Equinox is not without its issues, as it isn’t as reliable as some competitors. However, the Equinox does have its strengths, from its roomy interior to its advanced infotainment options to its available V6 engine and 3,500-pound tow rating. There are also a number of trims ranging from basic to pretty plush.

How Does the 2016 Chevy Equinox Compare to the Competition?
Although it competes with other compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the slightly larger Equinox straddles the line between compact and midsize SUV. Its interior is handsome and functional, with a rear seat that can slide fore and aft for better legroom. Cargo space is also good, although not as generous as in a Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester.

The Equinox holds other advantages over its rivals, such as an available V6 engine producing 301 horsepower and touting a 3,500-pound tow rating. The standard 4-cylinder engine produces 182 horsepower, which is in line with most other 4-cyilnder compacts, but its 32-mpg highway figure is near best-in-class.

While the Equinox is not as athletic in the curves as the Mazda CX-5 or Ford Escape, it does offer a very smooth and comfortable ride, and its available all-wheel drive makes it perfect for snowy climes.

What Do Owners Think of their 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
In searching through KBB owner reviews, we found most people are happy with their choice, giving the 2016 Equinox a rating of 4.1 out of a possible five. Owners report the Equinox delivers a comfortable ride, has a roomy rear seat and, when equipped with the V6, plenty of power. If you’re a tall person, you’ll find the Equinox’s front seats offer generous legroom, and parents will appreciate the sliding rear seat that makes it easy to fit child-safety seats.

Some owners did complain about the thick side pillars that somewhat block visibility, the smallish cargo hold and the sluggish performance from the 4-cylinder engine. Others found the Equinox’s fit and finish less than stellar. Still others complained about service issues once the mileage crossed the 75,000-100,000 mark.

The Equinox does offer some modern infotainment features such as 4G connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot, but its MyLink system doesn’t offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

What Are Some Known Issue to Watch For in the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
Looking over some consumer and Equinox forum sites, we found more than a few complaints about the 2.4-liter engine having stalling or stumbling issues. The most common cause for this is a faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor. Some owners reported their touch-screen radios froze up after giving the car a jump-start. This problem is easily corrected by disconnecting the negative battery terminal for about 30 minutes and then rebooting the system.

As with any used car, buyers want to be sure they’re not getting someone else’s lemon. As the Equinox came with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, a used 2016 Chevrolet Equinox may already be out of warranty. Buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) model may add coverage as well as peace of mind, but again age and mileage will determine if that’s advisable.

What About Recalls and Safety?
The 2016 Equinox SUV has only one recall notice, and it’s a minor one at that, regarding incorrect tire information on a label. On the safety front, the Equinox offers a number of driver-assist systems, including blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision alert, but these systems are not standard and can only be found on the more expensive trims. In government crash testing, the Equinox does okay, scoring four stars overall out of five, with a 4-star rating in the front-crash and rollover tests, and five stars in the side-impact test.

Conventional wisdom says that the V6 engine in the 2016 Chevy Equinox makes it something of a hot rod compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V. It would, if the Equinox wasn’t such a dense little machine; at nearly two tons, it weighs hundreds of pounds more than the Honda, canceling out a good portion of the power advantage. Hot-rod power numbers aside, the Equinox is a quiet cruiser, especially in the compact-SUV class, although the 4-cylinder introduces more thrash than we’d like to hear. Fuel economy is pretty good for the 4-cylinder model though, and while the Chevy Equinox goes about its day-to-day life with a comfortable ride, accurate but numb steering and little drama, that’s fine for the majority of buyers in the compact-SUV market, which isn’t exactly brimming with models that yearn for a twisty back road.

The 2016 Equinox interior gets a mild update, with nicer cloth on lower trim levels, a new Saddle Up interior available on LT and LTZ, and a standard 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system. It’s also comfortable and reasonably versatile. However, it’s also small. For example, despite being nearly 10 inches shorter, the Honda CR-V boasts roughly six more cubic feet of storage behind the rear seat. On the other hand, the Chevy Equinox shines when it comes to rear-seat space. With well-bolstered seats front and back and lots of legroom for all passengers, it’s easy to get comfortable.

The 2016 Chevy Equinox is actually longer than the midsize 3-row Kia Sorento SUV, surprising because the Equinox doesn’t look that big; if anything, you’d think it was on the small side. Credit soft curves and a narrow stance – it isn’t any wider than any other compact SUV – for the illusion. This year the nose gets a new grille design, with chrome accents on the dual-port grille, and projector-beam headlights flanked by LED daytime running lights in LT and LTZ models. The rear also comes in for an update, with dual-element taillights, and chrome exhaust tips for V6 models.

ADJUSTABLE POWER LIFTGATE
Whether you’re short in stature, or if you just have a low-ceilinged garage, the adjustable power liftgate height available on the Equinox 2LT models and standard in the top-line LTZ will help this bigger-than-expected compact SUV fit into your lifestyle.

REAR-SEAT LEGROOM
Not only does the 2016 Chevy Equinox have excellent rear-seat legroom, its rear seat slides fore and aft as well. That means there’s plenty of room for rear-seat passengers to stretch out, and it makes it a lot easier to get a child seat in and out as well.

Standard on the base 2016 Equinox L model are things like a rearview camera, manual air conditioning, an audio system with a 7-inch touch-screen display, Bluetooth and USB, and of course power windows and mirrors. Also standard is cruise control, and a driver-information center between the gauges that monitors a variety of functions such as fuel economy and range. Chevrolet also includes its OnStar service that features 4G connectivity and Wi-Fi, and safety features like traction control, electronic stability control and multiple airbags, including those for rear outboard passengers.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is an option on LS, LT and LTZ Equinox models, while the V6 engine is only available on LT and LTZ models. You can upgrade the Color Touch infotainment system to a full-fledged Chevy MyLink system that includes navigation, but unfortunately Apple CarPlay is not available on the Equinox as it is on many other Chevy models this year. The LT has plenty of other options, like blind-spot detection and rear cross-path detection; the LTZ adds lane-departure warning and forward-collision alert. Other options include a power tailgate with a programmable height and a rear-seat DVD player.

All 2016 Chevy Equinox models come standard with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that puts out 182 horsepower. With 3,700 pounds of compact SUV to haul around, it’s at best adequate, but fuel economy is pretty good at up to 32 mpg. If you need more power for either towing or just passing, the 3.6-liter V6 with 301 horsepower available in LT and LTZ models does a better job, but don’t expect a hot rod. Both engines come with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and both run on regular gasoline. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard with either engine, with all-wheel drive an option for those who want a little extra peace of mind on slippery roads.

2.4-liter inline-4
182 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm
172 lb-ft of torque @ 4,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 mpg (FWD), 20/29 mpg (AWD)

3.6-liter V6
301 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
272 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg (FWD), 16/23 mpg (AWD)