My last Equinox

[Jondster]

I'm just ranting here. I have a 2020 Midnight Special LT with the 2.0L Turbo and 9 speed trans. I leased it for 3 years, and liked it so much I purchased it off the lease.

In 2022 or 2023 Chevrolet, in their infinite wisdom, removed availability of this power train, leaving only the standard 1.5L wheezer with a 6 speed trans as a available power train. I'm sorry. I've driven that combo and I was far from impressed. The 2025 model looks pretty good but in no way can I accept the 90 or so horsepower downgrade. So I'll either keep driving this for a while, or until I can find a replacement that can get out of it's own way.

Am I alone in this opinion?

 

[Charvel1975]

I'm just ranting here. I have a 2020 Midnight Special LT with the 2.0L Turbo and 9 speed trans. I leased it for 3 years, and liked it so much I purchased it off the lease.

In 2022 or 2023 Chevrolet, in their infinite wisdom, removed availability of this power train, leaving only the standard 1.5L wheezer with a 6 speed trans as a available power train. I'm sorry. I've driven that combo and I was far from impressed. The 2025 model looks pretty good but in no way can I accept the 90 or so horsepower downgrade. So I'll either keep driving this for a while, or until I can find a replacement that can get out of it's own way.

Am I alone in this opinion?

I agree with you I have a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD with the 1.5L motor and while it's been reliable, great on fuel economy, good cargo space for hauling my music gear, I still get nervous when getting on the highway as the 6 speed transmission just doesn't shift right and you have to really hammer on the gas and it stays in like 3rd gear or something and then you have to let off the gas for it to shift gears?!

I'm currently checking out a used 2023 Nissan Murano SL AWD but I see it has the CVT transmission which I know nothing about?

 

[Jondster]

I agree with you I have a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD with the 1.5L motor and while it's been reliable, great on fuel economy, good cargo space for hauling my music gear, I still get nervous when getting on the highway as the 6 speed transmission just doesn't shift right and you have to really hammer on the gas and it stays in like 3rd gear or something and then you have to let off the gas for it to shift gears?!

I'm currently checking out a used 2023 Nissan Murano SL AWD but I see it has the CVT transmission which I know nothing about?

I've heard NOTHING good about Nissan CVTs. I had a 2005 Ford Freestyle with the CVT and it served me well without any problems. Many claimed I was lucky & and got a "freak" Ford CVT. If you get any car with a CVT that's previously owned (no warranty), look into a 3rd party warranty.

 

[PoManNox]

I personally like my 2021 Equinox just the way it is with the 1.5T and 6AT, but I get it. If you're used to driving an equinox with the 2.0T, the 1.5T will feel like a loss. GM has the lineup now, such that you have to get a Blazer, etc, for a 2.0T.

 

[Jondster]

If they would have put that power train in the Trax, I'd indeed be interested. But not with that 3-banger

 

[PoManNox]

If they would have put that power train in the Trax, I'd indeed be interested. But not with that 3-banger

I haven't driven one to see how it feels, but I'd imagine it would be similar to a 1.5T powered Equinox.

Unfortunately, small displacement, turbocharged 3 and 4 bangers are taking over the CUV market. Easier to control emissions on, yet still offer the same fuel economy as V6s of yesteryear. Go figure.

 

[Jondster]

Either way, I guess I'm gonna have to keep this thing until a new, better alternative comes along. It's nice to have a SUV \ grocery-getter that can break the tires loose on a rolling 15 mph punch.

 

[Big Papi]

Hadn't had a Chevy for many years when an Equinox was left as part of an estate. What a complete disappointment from not only an owners perspective but the engineering is rubbish. Almost daily there are new TSB's addressing faults with these cars. On what planet does a turbo, direct injection engine make sense for a road car? The objective was to produce a throw away vehicle that could hit the CAFE standards and reliability be dammed. Mary Barra's goal is to take the company all electric so don't expect any improvements to ICE powers offerings.

 

[NXR71]

I'm just ranting here. I have a 2020 Midnight Special LT with the 2.0L Turbo and 9 speed trans. I leased it for 3 years, and liked it so much I purchased it off the lease.

In 2022 or 2023 Chevrolet, in their infinite wisdom, removed availability of this power train, leaving only the standard 1.5L wheezer with a 6 speed trans as a available power train. I'm sorry. I've driven that combo and I was far from impressed. The 2025 model looks pretty good but in no way can I accept the 90 or so horsepower downgrade. So I'll either keep driving this for a while, or until I can find a replacement that can get out of it's own way.

Am I alone in this opinion?

Nope. At the dealer we took the 1.5L for a test drive up a short, steep interstate entrance ramp with just me and the wife. It was during rush hour and I realized I probably was not going to be at the speed limit at the top of the ramp even when floored. It barely got there. But then I had to stop and wait for traffic and try to merge from a stop. Not good.

We then drove the 2.0L at the same dealer the same day. Half-throttle had us at the 65 MPH speed limit easily and a quick stab of the gas pedal got us safely merged. Don't need that performance often but it is comforting to know it's available.

We can easily tow the 1,800 lb pop-up camper with the 2.0L. That would not be possible with the 1.5L.

And since we tow the Equinox behind a motorhome and since the 2025's cannot be dinghy towed this is our last Equinox for a third reason.

It happens.

 

[Slow Learner]

I'm just ranting here. I have a 2020 Midnight Special LT with the 2.0L Turbo and 9 speed trans. I leased it for 3 years, and liked it so much I purchased it off the lease.

In 2022 or 2023 Chevrolet, in their infinite wisdom, removed availability of this power train, leaving only the standard 1.5L wheezer with a 6 speed trans as a available power train. I'm sorry. I've driven that combo and I was far from impressed. The 2025 model looks pretty good but in no way can I accept the 90 or so horsepower downgrade. So I'll either keep driving this for a while, or until I can find a replacement that can get out of it's own way.

Am I alone in this opinion?

Totally agree. Have 2017 Malibu and 2019 Equinox, both with 2.0 turbo and 9-speed transmission. Fine for every day. Even decent gas mileage, but has that extra punch when you need it. Plan to keep these a long time.

 

[AmmoJoe]

I agree with you I have a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD with the 1.5L motor and while it's been reliable, great on fuel economy, good cargo space for hauling my music gear, I still get nervous when getting on the highway as the 6 speed transmission just doesn't shift right and you have to really hammer on the gas and it stays in like 3rd gear or something and then you have to let off the gas for it to shift gears?!

I'm currently checking out a used 2023 Nissan Murano SL AWD but I see it has the CVT transmission which I know nothing about?

I have 1.5 and I agree it isn’t the fastest. I had a 2023 Rogue as a rental car and I really liked it. Bigger interior, comfortable, faster with a 3 cylinder and amazing on gas. I went from NY to NC on a single tank doing 80-85mph average at 35 mpg (front wheel drive model). Only issue is the CVT….

 

[shelbymann]

I'm just ranting here. I have a 2020 Midnight Special LT with the 2.0L Turbo and 9 speed trans. I leased it for 3 years, and liked it so much I purchased it off the lease.

In 2022 or 2023 Chevrolet, in their infinite wisdom, removed availability of this power train, leaving only the standard 1.5L wheezer with a 6 speed trans as a available power train. I'm sorry. I've driven that combo and I was far from impressed. The 2025 model looks pretty good but in no way can I accept the 90 or so horsepower downgrade. So I'll either keep driving this for a while, or until I can find a replacement that can get out of it's own way.

Am I alone in this opinion?

I work for GM and have bought a lot of new cars in my 39 years there. My 2019 AWD Redline with the 2.0 is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. My only problem is I have almost 133K on it. When I bought it the salesman had me dive a Premier with the lesser engine then drive the redline. I was hooked. I am, too, perplexed that GM got rid of the 2.0 in these vehicles. I'll be buying a new vehicle by the end of the year and I might just go with the Traverse Z71 as I'm not happy with the powertrain options(lack of) for the 2024 or 2025 EQ.

 

[NXR71]

I am, too, perplexed that GM got rid of the 2.0 in these vehicles.

The original articles said the 2.0 L was only supposed to be eliminated for 2021 with a different 2.0L planned for 2022 and later. Then Covid hit.

Depending on which article you read, the 2.0L was only selected between 8% and 12% of the time. Switching to a single engine greatly simplifies the production and support tasks. Less training, less versions of sales materials, less owner and tech manual changes, less parts to stock, etc.

And you'll still keep 90% of the buyers happy. Even if GM has a customer like you and me who preferred the 2.0L, as you noted, GM just may still get the sale but just with a different model.

 

[Brian-Nj]

I'm just ranting here. I have a 2020 Midnight Special LT with the 2.0L Turbo and 9 speed trans. I leased it for 3 years, and liked it so much I purchased it off the lease.

In 2022 or 2023 Chevrolet, in their infinite wisdom, removed availability of this power train, leaving only the standard 1.5L wheezer with a 6 speed trans as a available power train. I'm sorry. I've driven that combo and I was far from impressed. The 2025 model looks pretty good but in no way can I accept the 90 or so horsepower downgrade. So I'll either keep driving this for a while, or until I can find a replacement that can get out of it's own way.

Am I alone in this opinion?

Couldn’t agree more I got 2 of them my wife is driving a 2019 2.0 9spd awd premiere 2lz and I have a 2020 Lt with the 2.0 9spd love it . She will probably look to trade up in another year or 2 but I’ll keep mine the power is phenomenal for a 4 cylinder . I’ve always liked the equinox I had a 05 v6 years ago which I put 150k on and she had a 2015 Lt 2.4 which we sold due to lack of power . Don’t know what she’ll wanna get next but I’m gonna look to go a long way with my 2.0 lt

 

[kanietfeld]

I'm just ranting here. I have a 2020 Midnight Special LT with the 2.0L Turbo and 9 speed trans. I leased it for 3 years, and liked it so much I purchased it off the lease.

In 2022 or 2023 Chevrolet, in their infinite wisdom, removed availability of this power train, leaving only the standard 1.5L wheezer with a 6 speed trans as a available power train. I'm sorry. I've driven that combo and I was far from impressed. The 2025 model looks pretty good but in no way can I accept the 90 or so horsepower downgrade. So I'll either keep driving this for a while, or until I can find a replacement that can get out of it's own way.

Am I alone in this opinion?

No you are not alone. I’m guessing it has something to do with government regulations on miles per gallon.

 

[Jondster]

NXR71 is correct. The option was eliminated because only 10% of the 'Noxes were ordered with it. It's still available in the Blazer and some Buick models, but at a rated 230 HP instead of 252 HP. I'm guessing GM "detuned" it slightly to use regular unleaded exclusively.

 

[Vondoman]

I'm just ranting here. I have a 2020 Midnight Special LT with the 2.0L Turbo and 9 speed trans. I leased it for 3 years, and liked it so much I purchased it off the lease.

In 2022 or 2023 Chevrolet, in their infinite wisdom, removed availability of this power train, leaving only the standard 1.5L wheezer with a 6 speed trans as a available power train. I'm sorry. I've driven that combo and I was far from impressed. The 2025 model looks pretty good but in no way can I accept the 90 or so horsepower downgrade. So I'll either keep driving this for a while, or until I can find a replacement that can get out of it's own way.

Am I alone in this opinion?

I hv a 2020 Premier w/ the 2.0t. Yeah, if that engine went away, so would I as a customer.

 

[PoManNox]

NXR71 is correct. The option was eliminated because only 10% of the 'Noxes were ordered with it. It's still available in the Blazer and some Buick models, but at a rated 230 HP instead of 252 HP. I'm guessing GM "detuned" it slightly to use regular unleaded exclusively.

The 2.0T in the newer blazers, Buicks and Acadia base models is the LSY version of the 2.0T. It's a completely different 2.0L than the LTG version used in the Equinox.

 

[Yates 51]

Our 24 model seems to up shift too early sometimes, and It causes a lugging sound just like when you shift a manual transmission too soon. It only does this at speeds below 50 mph. On the open road it is not a problem at higher speeds. I'll mention this when I get the first oil change, and just wonder if this is a live with it thing or can the shift points be reprogrammed to smooth things out.

 

[terryg]

I'm just ranting here. I have a 2020 Midnight Special LT with the 2.0L Turbo and 9 speed trans. I leased it for 3 years, and liked it so much I purchased it off the lease.

In 2022 or 2023 Chevrolet, in their infinite wisdom, removed availability of this power train, leaving only the standard 1.5L wheezer with a 6 speed trans as a available power train. I'm sorry. I've driven that combo and I was far from impressed. The 2025 model looks pretty good but in no way can I accept the 90 or so horsepower downgrade. So I'll either keep driving this for a while, or until I can find a replacement that can get out of it's own way.

Am I alone in this opinion?

Please note that all 2024 Buick Envisions come with the 2.0L Engine; but I do not think it is the same version that you have in your Equinox. However, this latest Buick Envision 2.0L does have i228 HP + 258 lb-ft torque. Also, the 2024 Envision comes with all the features that were for the last few years in short supply. Everything from HD Surround version to Adaptive Cruise Control is now standard.