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 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.