Body Styles

The Chevrolet Equinox (2018–2024) was offered exclusively as a five-door compact crossover SUV with a tall, athletic profile and refined aerodynamics. The design featured a forward-leaning stance, pronounced wheel arches, and a rising beltline, giving the vehicle a confident, slightly aggressive look. Despite its compact classification, the Equinox delivered a surprisingly spacious cabin and cargo area, thanks to its long wheelbase and clever packaging. The sloping roofline, short overhangs, and horizontal LED elements emphasized width and stability while retaining city-friendly proportions.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

Chevrolet selected the name "Equinox" to evoke balance and stability, referencing the astronomical event where day and night are of equal length. This aligns with the brand’s goal of positioning the Equinox as a vehicle of equilibrium — between performance and comfort, utility and efficiency, urban agility and highway endurance.

Model Name Meaning (Languages)

Linguistically, "equinox" comes from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night), referencing the astronomical phenomenon of equal day and night durations. This gives the vehicle a cosmological undertone, suggesting harmony and universal balance. The term is universally recognizable and lends the model a calm, measured identity that contrasts nicely with more aggressive or utilitarian-sounding competitors.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Chevrolet Equinox was available in a refined and evolving palette of body colors, designed to balance mainstream appeal with modern sophistication. Standard colors included Summit White, Mosaic Black Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic, and Nightfall Gray Metallic, while more expressive choices such as Cajun Red Tintcoat, Pacific Blue Metallic, Iridescent Pearl Tricoat, and Cherry Red Tintcoat added depth and richness to higher trims. Special editions like the Redline or Midnight Edition introduced exclusive darkened aesthetics, with black mirror caps, grille inserts, and unique badges, often paired with a black exterior paint for a bold contrast.

Inside, the Equinox offered multiple interior color schemes tailored to trim level and edition. The most common was Jet Black, which conveyed a sporty, cohesive feel, especially when combined with aluminum or gloss black accents on the center stack and doors. Other configurations included Medium Ash Gray, offering a lighter, airier cabin environment, and a more upscale two-tone Jet Black/Brandy combination, with warm brown seating surfaces, contrast stitching, and metallic accents. Perforated leather upholstery was available on higher trims, with heating and ventilation options, while base models featured durable woven cloth with subtle patterning. Interior trims evolved over the years to include brushed aluminum-look elements, piano black inserts, and, in some special editions, dark-tinted wood-effect applications.

Wheel designs played a major role in defining the Equinox’s stance and visual identity. Entry-level models came equipped with 17-inch aluminum wheels featuring simple, functional spoke layouts in silver finishes. Mid-tier trims upgraded to 18-inch machined-face alloys with contrasting inserts that added a sense of movement and polish. Top-tier Premier trims and Redline Editions featured striking 19-inch wheels, including gloss black or diamond-cut surfaces with machined pockets, giving the vehicle a more assertive, dynamic look. Across the range, the wheel finishes and patterns evolved subtly with facelifts and edition packages, keeping the design fresh while maintaining compatibility with the Equinox’s conservative yet athletic proportions.

Top Expensive Options

• Infotainment 3 Plus with Navigation: $1,500
• Panoramic Power Sunroof: $1,400
• Adaptive Cruise Control Package: $1,200
• Bose Premium Audio System: $900
• Surround Vision Camera System: $850
• Heated & Ventilated Front Seats: $1,000
• Hands-Free Power Liftgate: $700
• Blackout Redline Edition Package: $1,500
• Leather-Appointed Seating Package: $1,300
• Advanced Safety Package (incl. Lane Keep Assist, Collision Warning): $1,100

vs Competitors

In the compact crossover segment, the Chevrolet Equinox faced stiff competition from the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, and Mazda CX-5. While some rivals offered hybrid options and more dramatic styling, the Equinox distinguished itself with its broad powertrain selection, including a diesel variant early in the cycle and a powerful 2.0T gas engine. Compared to the CR-V and RAV4, the Equinox delivered a quieter cabin and more traditional, conservative styling that appealed to a wider age demographic. Against the Mazda CX-5, it couldn't match sheer driving dynamics but offered better infotainment, more rear legroom, and an easier entry-exit experience. It struck a well-rounded balance of American sensibility, tech accessibility, and comfort-focused tuning — often priced lower when similarly equipped.

Fun Fact

At launch, the 2018 Equinox was one of the few compact SUVs in North America to offer a turbo diesel engine — a 1.6L unit rated at 240 lb-ft — making it the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid SUV in its class at the time. Although eventually phased out due to market shifts and emission regulations, its presence highlighted Chevrolet’s brief experiment with broadening the Equinox’s appeal through efficiency-first innovations.