What’s New With the 2022 Chevy Equinox?
The 2022 Chevy Equinox got a bunch of new upgrades and changes for its new model year. The Equinox is one of the most popular compact crossovers in the world, but it needs to continue to impress. For recent model years, the updates have been less than exciting, to say the least. Due to the global pandemic, updates intended for 2021 were delayed until the 2022 model year. That means technically the Chevy Equinox is a year behind on upgrades and changes. Here’s everything new with the 2022 Chevy Equinox, good or bad.
New 2022 Chevy Equinox RS trim
New to the compact SUV for this model year is the RS trim level. This trim gives the Chevy Equinox a sportier look and feel than other models. Though we wish the changes were more drastic, like a more powerful engine, the RS trim does improve the look of the vehicle. It also starts slotted-only under the Premier trim for the highest price at $31,295.
Features exclusive to the RS are a unique front grille and fascia, black exterior accents, black Equinox badges, black-painted 19-inch wheels, and a quad-tip exhaust. On the interior, the changes come only by way of the red contrast stitching and RS-branded shift knob with a stitched leather shift boot. An additional RS Leather Package is available to any Equinox. The package adds a driver seatback map pocket, Jet Black perforated leather-appointed seat trim, and a Bose 7-speaker sound system.
Equinox Premier upgrades
The highest trim level available on the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox is called Premier. This trim is not new to this model year, but it has received a few minor upgrades to increase its value. For a starting price of $32,195, the Equinox Premier offers a lot in the way of features. Only cosmetic details are new for 2022.
Chevy added interior cabin details like French stitching and gloss-black trim on the console. Nothing else specific to the Premier trim has been added, but there are a few model-wide upgrades. These upgrades are the reason the Equinox Premier received a nearly $700 price jump for 2022.
What’s new with every Chevy Equinox?
The RS trim was added and the Premier trim got very minor upgrades, but what’s new for all models? For 2022, Chevy refreshed the front-end headlights, gave it a new grille design, and updated both bumpers. These changes give the exterior design of the vehicle a bit more of a sleek look. The curves around the body of the vehicle flow well into the new grille and bumpers, and the headlights look more modern.
Chevrolet has completely dropped the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the lineup. The only engine offered on any Equinox model for 2022 is the 1.5-liter. Chevy intended to remove the more powerful engine from the lineup in 2021, but held off until 2022 due to the pandemic.
Most of the changes for the new model year are strictly cosmetic. That means not much excitement, especially in the way of engine options. If the 2021 Chevy Equinox didn’t impress you, this one probably won’t either. CarAndDriver called it “an unremarkable compact crossover with myriad mainstream attractions.” in its review, noting the weak engine and higher price than competitors. That’s everything new for the 2022 Chevy Equinox, starting at $26,995.
