2013 Chevrolet Equinox Review and Prices

Styling: The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is expected to receive a makeover that could go slightly beyond the typical midcycle facelift. Instead of merely a new grille insert and maybe different taillamp lenses, the 2013 Equinox could get a reshaped hood and fenders to go along with a fresh nose and new front and rear fascias. Expect a more aggressive look overall. This four-door wagon’s basic profile won’t change, however, and it’ll keep its gently sloping roofline. Inside, the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox will likely see new seat fabrics and color combinations, mildly revised gauges and updated switchgear.

Size-wise, the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox will remain roughly midpack for five-passenger midsize crossover SUVs. It’ll continue on a longer wheelbase than such rivals as the Ford Edge and Subaru Outback. The distance between the front and rear axles, wheelbase is important because it’s key to a vehicle’s interior roominess. Indeed, the 2013 Equinox will again have a spacious passenger compartment and, with the wheels pushed out to its corners, will maintain well-balanced ride and handling characteristics.

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox should again seat four adults very comfortably; a fifth will be able to squeeze into the rear seat for shorter trips. The back seat will likely continue to adjust fore or aft to help rear riders find their comfort zones or to maximize cargo space. Be aware that rear legroom shrinks with the back seat moved forward and that cargo space truncates with the seat in its rearmost position. The rear seatbacks will again fold flat on a 60/40-split basis to help expand carrying space. Expect the 2013 Equinox to provide cargo volume on par with five-seaters of its size: around 32 cubic feet behind the rear seat and almost 64 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded. 

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox will remain mechanically related to the more self-consciously macho-looking GMC Terrain. They’ll share underskin architecture and most components. And both will again qualify as crossover SUVs because they ride on a car-like unibody structure. Compared to the traditional truck-based SUVs that ruled America’s driveways in the 1990s early 2000s, lighter unibody crossovers have a lower step-in height, better fuel economy, and more amenable ride and handling.

Chevy’s had good luck with a four-level Equinox model lineup and the 2013 version is likely to reprise it. Each level will add features at incrementally higher cost. Expect a return of the base-model LS, the volume-selling 1LT, the well-equipped 2LT, and the leather-upholstered and fully equipped LTZ.

Mechanical: The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is highly unlikely to get substantive mechanical changes, though engineers may find ways to boost power and fuel economy a few ticks.

Engine choices should continue with 2.4-literfour-cylinder engine or an optional 3.0-liter V-6, both of which will again use advanced direct fuel-injection to help maximize output while maintaining reasonable fuel economy. Expect the four-cylinder to repeat at or near 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, which should be peppy enough to suit most buyers.

For those who regularly transport a full load of passengers or cargo, the optional V-6 will likely again produce around 264 horsepower and 222 pound-feet of torque for livelier acceleration and stronger passing abilities. Chevy has made this V-6 available on all Equinox models except the base LS version and that policy probably would continue for model-year 2013.

We’ll qualify this projected engine lineup by saying Chevrolet could give the 2013 Equinox an injection of added performance with a variant of the 3.0-liter V-6 or by adding one from its inventory of higher-output sixes. We’ll have to wait and see.

Certain to return for the 2013 Equinox are smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmissions. With either engine, Chevy will again include a separate shift mode for drivers who like manual-type gear selection. And the transmission used with the four-cylinder should continue to include a selectable “Eco” mode that alters the shift schedule to help fuel economy. Unfortunately this essentially taps the higher gears sooner than normal and tends to make the vehicle a bit slower in the process, though not dramatically so.

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox will also return with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive (AWD). Front-drive concentrates the engine and transmission in the vehicle’s nose, over the tires that also propel it. That helps maximize interior packaging and enhances wet-surface traction.

Like virtually every other crossover, the Equinox isn’t designed for serious off-road use. But AWD should again be available with both engines and on all trim levels to improve traction in snowy road conditions or on uphill gravel driveways or similar loose surfaces. In typical crossover-AWD fashion, the 2013 Equinox system  will automatically shuffle power between the front and the rear wheels as necessary to counteract wheel slippage and maintain grip.

Standard active safety systems should again include stability control (now mandated by federal regulation) to help prevent the Traverse from fishtailing out of control in extreme or emergency handling situations, traction control to help launch the vehicle on slippery surfaces, and antilock brakes to help prevent skidding in sudden stops, especially on slick roads.

All 2013 Equinox models should again come with alloy wheels as standard equipment. Chevy had been fitting all versions with 17-inch-diameter wheels and offering 18s on LT and LTZ models, with 19s optionally exclusive to the LTZ. It could well make the larger wheel sizes standard on some 2013 models or even introduce 20s as part of a possible performance upgrade.

Features: The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox should continue to offer a competitive list of standard and optional features for safety, connectivity, comfort, and convenience.

Returning as standard or optional depending on the trim level will be heated seats, leather upholstery, premium audio arrays, a rearview camera system for easier and safer parking, a remote engine starter, a GPS navigation system, and a power liftgate that be set to open at two heights. Expect Chevy dealers to also continue to offer a device that turns the Equinox into a rolling Wi-Fi hot spot for connecting portable devices to the Internet.

Among noted features added for model-year 2012 and certain to continue on the 2013 Equinox is General Motors’ Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning crash avoidance system. Less complex and more affordable than similar technology from other automakers, the GM system mounts a high-resolution camera on the windshield ahead of the rearview mirror. The system scans the road ahead for vehicles and lane markers and gives audible and visual warnings if it determines the Equinox is following a vehicle too closely or is inadvertently veering across highway lane markers. If it senses a frontal collision is imminent, the system also pre-charges the brakes to engage at full force. On the 2012 Equinox, this optional feature was limited to LTZ models equipped with the V-6 engine. We’d urge Chevy to broaden its availability to other models in the 2013 Equinox line.

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox should also again offer Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system, which was added to the line for model-year 2012. Chevy’s answer to Ford’s Sync system, MyLink affords hands-free operation of Bluetooth-linked mobile phones and the audio system. Users can select songs and playlists stored on their mobile devices via voice commands and can stream music from their smartphones to be played through the audio system via the Pandora Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio services.

Also returning as standard across the 2013 Equinox line should be GM’s OnStar assistance that can automatically call for help in a crash, remotely unlock the doors if the keys are inadvertently locked inside, and help the police locate the vehicle if it’s stolen. Other standard features will likely include power locks, mirrors, and windows, air conditioning, a CD audio system with XM satellite radio, a digital compass, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel.