Ranking in the top half of the compact SUV class, Chevrolet’s 2013 Equinox has gotten high marks from consumers for its overall style as well as its comfortable ride.
Adding to its appeal is the Equinox’s above-average marks for reliability and safety. Despite comparatively high ownership costs, the 2013 Equinox remains a top choice among consumers in the crowded compact crossover class that also includes the popular Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Honda CR-V.
The 2013 Equinox is the subject of two recalls. But, before we review those, let’s take a closer look at this compact SUV and what it has to offer over its competitors.
Overview
Honda and Toyota may dominate the compact SUV field, but Chevy’s Equinox certainly deserves a seat at the table. This SUV is known for its eye-catching style, inside and out, but guess again if you think the 2013 Equinox is just another pretty face. This Chevy has plenty of high-tech features as well, earning high marks in what has become a world of increasing demand for the latest tech.
If you miss the heyday of the minivan, with all its sliding seats and configurations, get ready for a flashback. One of the most coveted features of the 2013 Equinox that sets it apart from the competitors is its ability to offer an expandable rear passenger area with a second-row bench seat that can slide forward and backward.
Consumers also give the Equinox high marks for its lack of road noise when moving down the highway. In addition, the comfort and smoothness will make you think you’re driving a much larger crossover. Of course, part of the reason you’ll feel that way is that the Equinox is a bit large for the compact crossover class, coming in at about 10 inches longer than similarly priced competitors in the class. Chevy seems to have stretched the definition of compact while stretching the length of the Equinox.
The 2013 Equinox is available with either a four-cylinder or V6, the latter having undergone a makeover so that it is more powerful than in previous years. If you need a commuter car with decent fuel economy, Equinox’s 182-horsepower inline-4 engine can get you where you need to go without dogging out. If you’re looking for more of a beast, however, the V6 with 301 horsepower does not disappoint when you hit the accelerator, though you will need to give a little when it comes to mileage. The V6 also increases your towing capacity from 1,500 to 3,500 lbs.
EPA’s estimated fuel economy for the 2013 Equinox four-cylinder is rated at 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, and 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for the all-wheel drive version.
It’s not all rainbows and unicorns when it comes to the 2013 Chevy Equinox, however. For starters, despite its larger size, it doesn’t measure up when pitted against the more expansive cargo room of some of its competitors, including the popular Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
While the 2013 Equinox gets high marks for a comfortable ride, it’s not garnering a lot of fanfare for its decidedly mediocre maneuverability, particularly when it goes up against sportier, more rugged models, like the Kia Sportage or Ford Escape.
If you’re looking for a fun driving experience, you won’t find anything too remarkable about the 2013 Equinox, with a more vague feel to its steering and unexceptional handling compared with some of its competitors in the class. But realistically, neither of these imperfections are problematic enough to be an issue for most buyers.
The lack of rear visibility and poor quality of the rearview camera’s video are more likely to generate complaints. But if you’re looking for a smooth, over-the-road vehicle with a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, the stylish 2013 Chevy Equinox is well worth a look.
History of the Second-Generation Equinox
The 2013 Equinox is part of Chevy’s second-generation lineup, which debuted with the 2010 model and extended to the 2017 model year. Chevy gave the Equinox some updated styling as well as new powertrains. The 2012 Equinox was the first model year to offer a rearview camera and Bluetooth as standard in the 1LT trim. That was also the model year that the Equinox stepped up the tech, with lane departure and forward collision warnings becoming available.
The 2013 model debuted with an upgraded suspension and newly available V6 engine. The only other noteworthy addition during the second-generation Equinox years was the 2015 model year, when Chevy boosted the tech again, adding an OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot as standard equipment.
2013 Chevrolet Equinox Available 7rims
The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is available in three trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ.
The entry-level LS still comes with the expected standard features, including 17-inch alloy wheels, full-power accessories, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth phone connectivity, OnStar emergency communications and a driver seat that allows power adjustments up and down, though back and forth remains manual.
Also included as standard is Equinox’s popular sliding and reclining rear seat.
For entertainment, the LS has the bases covered, with a CD player, satellite radio, USB/iPod interface and an auxiliary jack.
Stepping up to the LT trim, you’re immediately faced with the choice of the 1LT or 2LT — the trims within a trim. The 1LT comes with everything the LS has to offer, but adds rear privacy glass, a rearview camera, upgraded cloth upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, roof rack side rails and heated mirrors. The 1LT also improves its tech game with a 7-inch touchscreen and iPod/USB audio interface.
If you step up to the 2LT, you’ll get the added features of foglamps, remote start, automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The 2LT also turns things up a notch with an eight-speaker Pioneer sound system.
If you’ve got your heart set on the top-of-the-line Equinox, the LTZ delivers everything the lower trims have to offer, plus automatic headlights, a power liftgate, perforated leather upholstery, rear parking sensors, an eight-way power passenger seat and driver memory settings. The LTZ V6 also provides firmer suspension tuning.
If you don’t want to spring for the higher price tag of the top trim level, you can add many of the standard features found with the LTZ as “a la carte” packages. Options include 18- and 19-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, sunroof, navigation system with smartphone integration, and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system. Adding the safety package gets you the rear parking sensors, along with the tech for collision and lane departure warning.
Eye-Catching Interior
The 2013 Chevy Equinox gets high points for style. The cabin’s two-tone color scheme is the perfect complement to the interior’s overall elegant design. Despite the actual materials not being top-of-the-line quality, the overall effect comes across as more luxurious than that of many of its competitors.
Chevy adds the new touchscreen infotainment interface with customized menu on the LT and LTZ trim levels of the 2013 Equinox. The Equinox offers the optional MyLink system, which enables integration of smartphone apps like Pandora via Bluetooth streaming audio.
Icing on the cake for the stylish Equinox is its expansive passenger room, with 60/40-split rear seats that slide back and forth, providing substantial rear legroom when needed. The seats recline as well, so second-row passengers may just have the best seats in the entire vehicle. The downside? All that legroom comes at the expense of some cargo capacity. Even so, the 2013 Equinox still provides 31.4 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 63.7 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded down. For most owners, that provides enough space for what they’ve got to haul, though it’s less than some of its competitors. If you have greater cargo needs, you may want to reconsider the Equinox.
Safety
Chevrolet’s 2013 Equinox comes with a number of safety features standard, including antilock disc brakes, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags, as well as traction and stability control.
You’ll also get GM’s OnStar emergency communications system, including an automatic crash notification, emergency assistance button, remote door unlock and stolen-vehicle assistance.
A rearview camera is standard on all trims once you get past the entry-level LS. The top-of-the-line LTZ adds rear parking sensors, as well as warning systems for front collision and lane departure.
What about when the rubber hits the road? In government crash tests, the 2013 Equinox was awarded an overall score of four out of a possible five stars. The overall rating was derived from a four-star rating for overall frontal crash protection and five stars for overall side protection. In frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength crash testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Equinox a top rating of “Good.”
Recalls for the 2013 Equinox
Chevrolet’s 2013 Equinox has been the subject of two recalls to date.
The first recall began April 13, 2017, and involves a problem with the windshield wipers becoming inoperable, which reduces the driver’s visibility, increasing crash risk. General Motors believes the recall affects approximately 367,808 2013 Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles.
GM warns that in affected vehicles, the ball joints in the windshield wiper module can corrode and wear over time, leading to one or both of the windshield wipers becoming inoperative.
Owners were notified by GM that dealers would repair the defective part and inspect for any damage. If necessary, the entire front wiper module will be replaced at no cost to the owner.
Owners are asked to contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 and reference recall number 25302. Alternatively, owners may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.
The second recall is a bit less straightforward. It started October 14, 2016, and is estimated to impact about 8,367 vehicles. The electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being put in park. The risk is that the vehicle may roll as occupants are exiting, increasing risk of injury. In addition, the defect means the affected vehicles no longer comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, “Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention.”
This recall primarily affects the 2016-17 Buick Verano and the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. However, the 2013 Equinox is also part of the recall because certain models may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. Because it’s possible a 2013 Equinox could have been serviced with the defective replacement part, the Equinox is included in the recall.
GM has notified the affected owners. Dealers will inspect and then replace the key cylinder lock housing if necessary, at no cost to the owner. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. GM’s numbers for this recall are 50490 and 50491.
Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
