To guide parents in making the best choices when it comes to purchasing a vehicle for their teen drivers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) teamed up with Consumer Reports and has a list of safe vehicles for teens. The periodically updated list breaks down a few categories of new and used vehicles. Included on that list is one Chevy Equinox model.

The 2017 Chevy Equinox’s safety ratings and features

According to the IIHS, the safe vehicles for teens list include structural integrity ratings for various areas, crash test ratings, and reliability ratings from Consumer Reports. 

The mid-size 2017 Chevy Equinox SUV, which is in the category for best choices among used cars, has the highest ratings in all of the crashworthiness categories based on six different area crash tests, according to its IIHS listing. The categories include things like driver-side ratings for the vehicle’s safety cage and structure, as well as driver injury measures and restraints.

Most importantly, based on simulations, the 2017 Equinox received the top rating for how safe the driver was in the event of a crash. One crucial measurement involves side test ratings, in which Equinox also received the highest ratings. In that test, IIHS uses a 3,300-pound barrier with the typical height measurements of an SUV to show what would happen in a crash like that in real life.

Standard features on the base model 2017 Equinox are basic and include a rearview camera, a touch-screen media display, and cruise control.

Overview of the 2017 Equinox

In addition to the high ratings for safety, the 2017 Equinox is also affordable. According to Kelley Blue Book, the IIHS estimates that a typically used 2017 Equinox will cost about $13,700.

According to Consumer Reports, in terms of reliability, the 2017 Equinox ranks the highest for major systems like the engine, fuel, and electronic systems. The vehicle also gets good marks for comfort ratings for the ride, noise, and passenger comfort. 

The fuel economy is average for an SUV, with an estimated overall 18 mpg as calculated by Consumer Reports. It will also travel about 370 miles on a full tank of gas. You can get the 2017 Equinox in either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, which will impact the fuel economy you can expect.

Some drawbacks of the 2017 Chevy Equinox

There are some drawbacks to the 2017 Equinox, but they are minor. Regarding other rated features by the IIHS, the 2017 Equinox doesn’t have any standard driver assistance features, just an optional forward collision warning, so it ranks as basic with that optional equipment.

The Equinox isn’t excellent for space overall either, according to Kelley Blue Book. While the cargo space may not be the largest, the back seat does provide a reasonably roomy ride for occupants.

Although Consumer Reports rates the Equinox as having good acceleration, its road test review does mention that the engine can feel strained at times when trying to accelerate. However, the lack of quick pickup is partly due to some of the car’s fuel-saving features, which would significantly benefit most drivers, especially teens.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), despite those minor drawbacks of the 2017 Chevy Equinox, it amazingly has had zero recalls. That alone, combined with the excellent safety and reliability ratings make the 2017 Equinox a great choice for a used mid-size SUV for any drivers, teens included.