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Equinox is the best-selling crossover SUV by General Motors. Well, it still can’t catch up with sales of the Silverado 1500 truck, which is the company’s flagship model. The compact crossover class is very popular nowadays and the GM made the right move when they launched the new generation in 2018. The 2021 Chevy Equinox will bring the first facelift with minor changes up front.
The competition is very tough and Chevrolet needs to keep pace with rivals. One thing is missing in the lineup – a hybrid engine. General Motors, as one of the biggest automotive group in the USA, is not delivering such unit for two hottest classes at this moment – compact and mid-size SUVs. We hope the 2021 Chevy Equinox will surprise everyone by adding a hybrid drivetrain before the previous announcement.
Nevertheless, other options are making the Equinox very attractive. A couple of turbocharged petrol units will let you pick a vehicle with more or less power. What’s more, there is a diesel unit in the fleet, so the hybrid system would complete the offer. Plus, the crossover is coming in four different trim levels and a lot of additional upgrades and packages. So, let’s check what you can expect from the 2020 YM.
2021 Chevy Equinox Engines
The base configuration of the 2021 Chevy Equinox will include a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-pot engine with 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. This drivetrain is available across the entire lineup and pairs a six-speed automatic transmission. The combination returns 26/31 mpg. If you upgrade the crossover with an all-wheel drive, you can get better traction and balanced ride, but the price jumps by $1,700 and fuel economy drop by 1 point.
More power comes from a 2.0-liter turbo mill. However, the engine is available only with LT and Premier trims. Instead of a six-pace, it forwards power through a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The new transmission improves the fuel economy, but these models can’t do better than 25 mpg combined. On the other hand, the crossover sprints to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds.
The Best Small and Compact SUVs For 2020
Last Run for Diesel, Makes Room For Hybrid
We can hear information speaking about the discontinuation of a diesel engine. A 1.6-liter turbo unit was good for 140 hp and 240 lb-ft, returning 28/38 mpg. So, why would the company cut it? First of all, slow sales. Buyers were not so keen on models with this engine. The second reason is competition. Although the diesel had no rivals, it didn’t help boost the sales. It seems that models with hybrid drivetrain attract more attention.
And that is the main reason why we believe the GM will discontinue the diesel and make a room in the lineup for the hybrid unit. It will have the same and maybe even better fuel economy numbers. On the other hand, hybrids are not big polluters as diesel engines. So, Equinox Hybrid would face fewer restrictions by EPA and other agencies.
2021 Chevy Equinox Models, Spy Photos
The 2021 Chevy Equinox will suffer a minor facelift. The new model was spotted testing with heavy camouflage on the nose. Well, the changes will refresh the look and the new crossover could challenge the class leaders in sales, especially if the hybrid model arrives. Chevrolet sold 330k units in 2018, and the sales are at the same level in the first three quarters of 2019. For example, Nissan, Honda, and Toyota are achieving 400k sales per annum.
The base version of the 2021 Chevy Equinox will be L. This one, and the LS is not going to offer alternatives to a 1.5-liter turbo engine. The standard offer includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 17-inch wheels, power windows, and LED DRLs. All that costs $25,000. The LS adds $2,500 for compass, interior protection package (Premium) with floor mats, splash guards, and keyless entry feature.
LT and Premier
The LT trim level offers more. The price for this version starts at $29,000 if you choose the FWD or $30,500 with the AWD package. A larger 2.0-liter engine costs $2,500. Standard upgrades are HID headlamps, body-color mirror caps, dark-tinted rear glass, and a color driver’s display. Besides these, you can add some of the cool upgrade packages, such as Black Edition or Redline.
The top of the class model is 2021 Chevy Equinox Premier. Leather buckets with heating are installed in the front row. Safety gets advanced features, such as rear cross-traffic alert, and lane change warning with blind-spot monitor. Power liftgate has a hands-free and programming functions. Chevy Infotainment 3 Plus System is added. Buyers are getting a premium audio system, an 8-inch touchscreen display, and wireless charging. If you want more, optional packages are Confidence & Convenience II, and Sun, Sound & Navigation suites. Premier model will cost at least $33,000 before you build a perfect crossover. Heavily loaded, it exceeds $40,000.
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