The Chevy Equinox is a popular compact crossover that offers families the versatility needed for day-to-day driving and short trips out of town. Before committing to a purchase, many car buyers wonder how long does the Chevy Equinox last? The answer to this question depends on many factors, including how you look after your crossover. Finding this information can help you understand the expected longevity of your vehicle, along with its reliability and performance.
We can give some advice on what you can expect to get from Chevy’s renowned compact SUV over the coming years. Our Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville team has put together a guide of the expected mileage and reliability offered by the Equinox.
What Is the Chevy Equinox Lifespan?
The Chevy Equinox has been on the market since 2005, so we have quite a bit of experience to base our judgement of its lifespan on. Most estimates suggest that you can get between 150,000 and 200,000 miles out of your Equinox with regular maintenance. Translated into years, this equates to approximately 13 to 17 years of driving. This calculation assumes that you drive about 12,000 miles per year, which is the average for American drivers. If you drive more than that, you should expect your Equinox to reach its lifespan limit sooner.
If you’re looking for a used Equinox with the best chance of passing 200,000 miles, it’s best to focus on the 2016 model year or newer. We’ll talk more further down about some of the problems earlier model years have at higher mileages, but the main thing to note here is that the second-generation four-cylinder engine caused more problems than other power trains. Equinoxes older than 2016 with a V-6 engine or those equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine are less likely to showcase issues as the mileage on the odometer rises.
Is the Chevy Equinox Reliable?
Newer models of the Chevy Equinox have a very high reliability score. J.D. Power, which ranks all vehicles for their reliability, gave the 2023 Equinox 90 out of 100 points. A score between 81 and 90 is considered “great,” underscoring that the Chevy Equinox can deliver predictable performance and endurance for years to come.
The Equinox also boasts an above-average record in safety tests carried out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For the 2024 model year, the Equinox secured a five-star rating based on the crash tests the NHTSA conducted. These tests include front impact, side impact, and a rollover. This high performance is an important sign of a vehicle’s dependability over time.
Are There Common Chevy Equinox Problems?
Many buyers ask us whether there are Chevy Equinox years to avoid. We already touched on issues with the second-generation Equinox, specifically its four-cylinder engine. The most unreliable years are models from 2010 to 2013 with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder unit. They’re more likely to consume high quantities of oil as mileage increases and also show a tendency to require higher repair costs.
The 2014 and 2015 model years with the same engine have fewer complaints, but the issue with high oil consumption remained present to some degree.
It’s important to underline that these complaints only make up a small portion of the vehicles from these model years. That being said, if you’re thinking about buying a pre-owned Equinox with significant mileage on the odometer, you may want to opt for a third-generation model or an older one with a V-6 engine. In the third generation, Chevy introduced a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that proved much more reliable than the older four-cylinder.
How Can You Extend Your Chevy Equinox’s Lifespan?
Your role as an owner can prove decisive in determining how long your Chevy Equinox lasts. First of all, your driving habits can impact your crossover’s condition. Simple things like not accelerating and braking too hard on busy city roads can help protect your vehicle from unnecessary wear and tear. Driving at a steadier speed helps remove pressure on the engine and reduces your need to slam on the brakes, which causes the pads to wear more quickly. It’s also a much safer way to drive, reducing the risk of damage to your vehicle.
Routine maintenance is a critical part of extending your Equinox’s life. You should stick to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual, which outlines when tasks like oil changes, fluid top-ups, and tire rotations should be performed. Motor oil changes are key to lengthening your engine’s lifespan. Oil deteriorates over time, and can get contaminated with dirt and debris. When this happens, it loses its ability to lubricate your engine’s components, which results in more friction.
Changing your oil every six months or so ensures that the protection it provides to your engine is retained. Wear and tear will be reduced to a minimum, and you’ll also benefit from the Equinox’s best fuel economy numbers. Other maintenance tasks like tire rotations and fluid top-ups help ensure that your Chevy’s systems operate as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Over the lifetime of your vehicle, this can have a significant impact on reducing the need for repairs and increasing the lifespan of specific components.
Another benefit of following your maintenance schedule is that you get regular multi-point inspections from a trained Chevy mechanic. These inspections can help identify problems with your vehicle before they get serious.
Major issues with older cars often develop over a long period of time and go unnoticed if maintenance procedures aren’t followed. The problem is made all the worse because it only emerges when something serious goes wrong. Oftentimes, this can result in excessive repair bills that could have been avoided or, in the worst case scenario, irreparable damage to your vehicle.
Get Your New Equinox at Huffines Chevy Lewisville
As you can see, the Equinox is a reliable vehicle that can give you well over a decade of top-quality performance. If you’d like to explore our selection of new or used Chevy Equinox crossovers, we’d be delighted to help you. Whether you have questions about the vehicle or would like to arrange a test drive in Lewisville, you can contact our team anytime. We’d also be delighted to assist you with auto financing to close the deal on your purchase with no hassle.