The 2005 Chevrolet Equinox is a solid mid-size SUV. The engine and powertrain are built to last, the interior is versatile and spacious, and the suspension rides smooth. But it doesn’t do much to stand out in a model year packed with excellent used SUVs.
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – A fairly average SUV that’s hard to recommend for any reason besides the low price tag.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – “Luxurious” would be a stretch, but the 2005 Equinox is certainly comfortable, spacious, and smooth-riding.
- Reliability 7/10 – The engine and powertrain are built to last, but you’ll likely be shelling out a lot of money for little here-and-there repairs.
- Safety 7/10 – Safety features are basic, even by 2005 standards, though crash test reports are solid.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – You could do a lot worse than 19/22 miles to the gallon in a 2005 mid-size SUV. You could do a lot better, too.
- Value 7/10 – The Equinox is priced fairly, but comes with a lot of nickel-and-dime repair bills, and the superior Explorer is cheaper.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?
Consumer Reports liked the roomy rear seating in the Chevrolet Equinox, and that’s about as far as their praises went. They rated the interior quality as subpar, they found the handling cumbersome, the seating uncomfortable, the cargo space limited, and the overall performance below average.
Kelley Blue Book users gave the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox an underwhelming 73% recommendation. Some faint praise was given for the vehicle’s reliable powertrain and engine, but this was offset by frequent expensive repairs for things like fuel pumps and head gaskets.
Edmunds liked the fact that the V6 engine came standard. They found the layout unintuitive and the drivetrain choices limited, and they considered the car overpriced next to comparable SUVs.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox Have?
Most of the problems you’re likely to face as an Equinox owner will be electrical, as the 2005 model has 159 electrical complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some of the most worrying reports have to do with the ignition failing to register when the driver has switched it off.
Overheating has been an issue for some Equinox drivers, with reports of overheat and engine stall when driving at highway speeds for too long. Typically this comes down to coolant spilling through broken head gaskets, which may run up to two thousand dollars to replace.
The 114 powertrain complaints on file with the NHTSA report keys falling out of the ignition, even after a recall intended to address this issue. Thankfully, total transmission failure at low mileage is fairly uncommon.
There has been only one recall issued for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. But, seeing as this recall left some drivers experiencing the issue again a month later, another recall might be in order.
How Long Will the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox Last?
According to data from drivers, the Chevy Equinox can last a minimum of 200,000 miles with decent care, and will likely reach a maximum of 250,000 miles before the engine or transmission gives out. But, expensive repairs may have you parting the car out before you reach that number on the odometer.
RepairPal report an annual maintenance cost of around $537, on average, with some of the more expensive common repairs being new oil pan gaskets starting at $453, new brake pads at $306, and new EGR valves, at $226.
I have only had issues with the car when it has not received proper maintenance. However, servicing the car is very easy.
I have had 1 problem with the carburetor but I quickly fixed the problem which was concerned with the engine, not the car. Other than that, there were no problems with the model.
Yes it is very reliable! Around 210,00 miles it does need a spark plug replacement but other than that I have never been stranded in my equinox.
It is reliable no minor issues just simple things so far nothing major that I have had to fix just simple wear and tear.
It does not have any problems and it is also very reliable. I haven't had to fix it as often and it is an easy first car.
I am going to have to have the brakes fixed in the near future other than that no problems. My car has been very reliable and it has gotten me where I need to go safely. The only thing that I have had to replace since I bought it in 2015 was a new battery. One of the keys also got bent and the key fob does not work properly but other than that I have had no major problems.
The Chevrolet equinox has been very reliable had a minor issue with the gas cap which led to light malfunction to appear on dash but dealer quickly identified and remedied with a replacement cap.
It is very reliable. Though it does have some design flaws that I expect have been fixed on newer models.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology onboard the Chevy Equinox is pretty basic, even by 2005 standards. While the competition were adding MP3 players and backseat DVD players to the higher trim levels, the Equinox tops out with a CD player and six speakers.
Safety features are, likewise, pretty basic. Anti-lock brakes are optional in the entry-level model and standard in the high-end LT trim. Traction control is available, but not standard in either model. Even for 2005, this is pretty underwhelming.
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox a Good Value?
The 2005 Chevrolet Equinox is priced fairly, but there are better SUVs available at the same cost. The entry-level LS typically lists at around $3,761, while the LT lists at around $4,251.
Those prices aren’t bad, but when you add in frequent repairs and middling fuel economy, you wonder why you didn’t just go with a Ford, or even a Hyundai.
What are the Different Models of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?
The 2005 Chevrolet Equinox is available in just two trims, the entry-level LS and the high-end LT.
With the base LS you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- Manual air conditioning
- AM/FM stereo
- Remote keyless entry
- Power windows and door locks
The top-of-the-line LT adds:
- CD player
- Cruise control
- Anti-lock brakes
- Fog lights
What Engines Come In the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?
- The 2005 Chevy Equinox comes packed with a 3.4L V6 engine delivering 185 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission, it’s configured in front/all wheel drive, and it averages 19/25 miles to the gallon, city highway.
What Colors Does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?
The 2005 Chevy Equinox is plenty comfortable. You’ve got 51 inches of hip room in the back, which is enough to seat a couple of adults, or three if it’s a short trip. The suspension rides smooth and has held up well over the years, with few complaints on file for the shocks and struts.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox Have?
The 2005 Equinox has about as much storage space as you can expect of a crossover SUV. You’ve got 35 cubic feet of space with the seats up, 68 with the seats down, and plenty of little pockets and slots throughout for your phone, books, tablets and so on.
One neat feature in the Equinox is that the front passenger seat folds flat for a few extra feet of storage space, or you can even use the hard plastic seatback as a table.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The Chevrolet Equinox was introduced for the 2005 model year as a replacement for the outgoing Chevy Tracker. The SUV’s 1st Generation ran from 2005 to 2010, when it was redesigned as a compact.
2005: The 2005 Equinox debuted with a standard 185 horsepower V6 engine and a flexible interior, maximizing the space available in the mid-size crossover.
2006: Chevrolet added some new styling touches for 2006, including GM badges on the front doors, and dashboard panels going from grey to black.
2007: Redesigned instrument clusters and trip computers made their debut in 2007.
2008: 2008 saw the debut of a new 264 horsepower 3.6L V6.
How Does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox Compare to the Competition?
The 2005 Ford Explorer is a little cheaper than the Equinox and a little better than the Equinox in more ways than not. The XLS Explorer delivers 210 horsepower at only a slight loss of fuel efficiency, and it can be sell for under three grand if you know where to look.
A 2005 Toyota RAV4 is more expensive, typically listing in the $7,000 range at the entry-level, but it’s one of the most reliable crossover SUVs on the market, and it’s considerably more efficient than the Equinox, at 24/30 miles to the gallon.
If you want a reliable mid-size SUV in the $4,000-and-under range, you’re better off with a Ford Explorer than an Equinox. If you’re willing to spend a little more, Honda and Toyota offer excellent mid-budget alternatives. The Equinox isn’t a terrible SUV, but there’s not much reason to buy it over the competition.
Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?
Yes, it has proven reliable for the last fifteen years. I have had very little issues with it since purchasing.
Yes, I love the equinox model. It has tons of room and is extremely comfortable. I would recommend this car to anyone with the money.
Yes! I love my equinox. The only issues I have come across is trying to do repairs. The 05 equinox is not an easy vehicle to work on due to the strange placement of parts and several plastic covers that you have to remove in order to access the engine.
Yes it is a good running vehicle has not given me a lot of problems so far hopefully it will last a while.
Yes it is a good car very spacious and it has a sunroof. It is low maintenance and runs well. It is my first car.
Very good when I bought it had very low mileage and it has been a very good car for me. No major problems.
The Chevrolet equinox is an excellent mini SUV with plenty of easy acceleration and spacious fold down back seats to allow for pet crates and larger purchase items.
It is an excellent vehicle that is beyond reliable. The handling is amazing and gas mileage is decent.
