Sometimes, excellence comes in the most unusual forms. That’s the case with a couple of diesel-powered General Motors products, one of which is the Chevrolet Equinox Diesel from the outgoing generation. Sold from 2018 to 2020, this variant ranks among the rarest mainstream compact SUVs ever made. Let’s take a look back, exploring what made this Equinox desirable and why its existence was cut short.
Chevrolet Equinox Diesel: Smooth and Efficient
The Chevrolet Equinox Diesel hit all the right marks from behind the wheel. It had a smooth, comfortable ride, even with larger wheels, and stable handling. No, it didn’t match some of its competitors on winding roads, but it’s reasonably sure-footed for a compact SUV. However, its steering, while direct and accurate, felt numb and video game-like.
Perhaps the reason to get the Equinox Diesel was…the diesel engine. This 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel had 137 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. That meant plentiful torque for the city or freeway driving. Although it’s not quick from a standstill, this compact SUV never felt lacking in power. Generous low to mid-range torque made passing and climbing inclines easy. Yes, the engine had a bit of turbo lag, but not enough to hinder the driving experience. The six-speed automatic, typically a problem child in other GM models equipped with it during that era, became a non-issue here. Thanks to the diesel engine’s torque, you always had power, and the transmission didn’t need to downshift as much.
Perhaps the biggest strength of the Equinox Diesel was its efficiency. The EPA rated it at 28/39/32 mpg city/highway combined for FWD models, while the AWD variants only lost 1 mpg on the highway. In the real world, the SUV did better. It easily achieved 35 mpg or higher in mixed driving, and 40 to 50 mpg on an all-highway run. So yes, this thing sips fuel and goes the distance.
Familiar Design, Intuitive Tech
The previous-generation Equinox had a pretty clean look. It sported Chevrolet’s corporate identity of that era, which was neither offensive nor too bland. The boxy shape remained, but had softer edges than its competitors. Most importantly, the diesel model didn’t brag about its efficiency. The only hint to others that you’re driving the super-efficient one? A TD badge on the tailgate.
Stepping inside, the Equinox easily accommodated four passengers or five in a pinch. It also had generous cargo space and stayed reasonably quiet, save for some wind noise on the highway. On higher trims, the Equinox even pampered you with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Unfortunately, things fell apart when it came to build quality. Hard plastics abound, and so many touch points felt quite cheap, even on the pricier models.
On the other hand, the Equinox excelled when it came to technology. Featuring either a 7 or 8-inch touchscreen, every model came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native MyLink interface worked well, too, thanks to its user-friendly layout and minimal submenus. An available 7-speaker Bose premium audio system also provided a crisp listening experience on the road.
Unfortunately, things took a step back with the driver assistance features. Even though they worked fine and never got intrusive, it required you to go for the most expensive Premier trim. Furthermore, the entire Equinox lineup at that time lacked adaptive cruise control. By then, competitors made a full suite available on most trims, or it came standard on every model.
Chevrolet Equinox Diesel: A Price Too Dear
The Chevrolet Equinox Diesel had so much going for it. Efficient, smooth, intuitive….it came with almost everything. However, several factors went against this unique compact SUV. The typical GM fit and finish issues and lack of driver assistance tech availability were only the tip of the iceberg.
Price became a bigger factor. Both the diesel and gas models started in the low $30,000 range back then. That put the Equinox among the pricier entries in its segment. To make things worse, Chevrolet equipped the base models stingily, hurting its overall value. The prices continued to rise you climbed up the trim ladder with certain variants hitting $40,000. As a result, the Equinox was more expensive than many of its competitors, with the diesel variant at the higher end. Between that and the aftermath of Volkswagen’s Dieselgate scandal, the Equinox Diesel became less desirable. An unfortunate end to a great vehicle.
