Launched as a mid-size crossover SUV in 2004 for model-year 2005, the third-gen Equinox is now a compact sports-ute that ranks second, only to Silverado in Chevrolet sales, and currently ranks as the fifth best-selling vehicle in America.

Last redesigned in 2018, the 2020 Equinox plays on last year’s cosmetic tweaks and adds a Midnight Edition available on the LT trim. Content includes: Mosaic Black Metallic exterior color, Jet Black interior with perforated leather-appointed seating, 19-inch wheels in Gloss Black, front fog lamps with dark-finish bezel surrounds, black grille and grille mesh with black surround and black Bowtie emblems. New exterior paint schemes include Chocolate Metallic, Cayenne Orange Metallic (extra-cost) and Midnight Blue Metallic, and Jet Black perforated leather-appointed seats are available on LT trim. Additionally, the engine choice shrinks from three to two, retiring the 1.6-liter turbo-diesel and relying on a 1.5-liter turbo and a 2.0-liter turbo.

The exterior paint plays off Equinox’s expressive styling with sculpted designs. A mass-efficient body structure is at the center of the Equinox’s lean curb weight and helps make the most of its available turbo engine options. The rounded and clean Equinox architecture measures 183.1 inches long, 72.6 inches wide and 65.4 inches high on a 107.3 -inch wheelbase, for an 8.0-inch ground clearance with 19-inch wheels. The 2.0-liter Turbo AWD crossover I tested in the Premier trim had a curbweight of 3665 lbs.

Packed with amenities inside and out, standard exterior highlights include projector-beam headlamps and LED daytime running lamps, LED taillamps on uplevel models, a hands-free power liftgate, outside heated power-adjustable and auto-dimming body-color manual-folding mirrors with turn signal indicators and chrome mirror caps, 19-inch ultra-bright aluminum wheels and a chromed dual-outlet exhaust.

The Equinox cabin is accommodating, and filled with entertainment and function. With seating for five, the interior provides 40 inches of front headroom and 38.5 inches in row two; legroom is 40.9 inches in the row one and 39.9 row two, while shoulder room is 57.2 and 55.5.

Inside, the cabin has a “kneeling” rear seat that features tilting bottom cushions that enable a flat load floor for easier loading. Connectivity technologies include 7- and 8-inch-diagonal MyLink® infotainment systems designed to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Teen Driver allows parents to set controls and review their teen’s driving habits and available Surround Vision offers a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the vehicle. Also inside are dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview auto-dimming mirror and standard active noise cancellation. In addition, my test Equinox Premium came with heated leather seats with driver memory, a heated steering wheel and wireless charging.

Equinox power comes from a choice of two engine systems: 1.5-liter turbo or 2.0-liter turbo engine. The 1.5-liter 4-cylinder is rated at 170hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, and the 2.0-liter turbo I tested is rated at 252hp and 260 lb-ft. and was EPA-rated at 22mpg in city driving for both FWD and AWD, and 29/highway for FWD and 28mpg/highway for AWD. My week of mixed-use driving averaged 25.5mpg in an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

The turbo exhibited only slight lag in acceleration on the highway and at the track, where I finished off a zero-to-60mph dash in 6.6 seconds, en route to a steady 15.1-second quarter-mile (hand-timed). During quick maneuvers, the Equinox electric power rack-and-pinion steering showed some vagueness, and cabin visibility was a bit obscured. The sports-ute’s ride was soft, and tuned for passenger comfort rather than driver’s feel, as the independent MacPherson strut front suspension with specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar and its independent four-link rear leveled out most pavement irregularities. And Equinox’s switchable All-Wheel Drive – available on most trims -- enhances traction and control on slippery or snow-covered roads. Conveniently, you can leave switchable AWD on year-round, since the rear wheels only engage when the system senses reduced traction. In FWD mode, AWD components completely disengage for greater fuel efficiency.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is offered in FWD, AWD and either of two engine selections. Equinox pricing starts at $24,995 for the base L-trim model with the 1.5-liter turbo liter engine in front-wheel-drive; the LS 1.5 bases at $27,495; the LT 1.5 trim starts at $28,695 and the Premier starts at $32,595 with the 1.5 Turbo. My test Premier upgraded to AWD at $34,195 and up-powered to the 2.0-liter turbo to put my starting price at $36,895.

My Premier 2.0L Turbo added Cajun Red Tintcoat exterior paint for $495 and was matched to a Jet Black, perforated leather interior. The Infotainment II Package (Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium System, Navigation and 8-inch diagonal touch screen, as well as a Bose® premium 7-speaker system, added $1125. Also added, for $1650, was the Confidence and Convenience II Package: Safety Alert Seat, HD Surround Vision, Adaptive Cruise Control – Camera, Front Pedestrian Braking, IntelliBeam® headlamps, heated steering wheel, 8-way power front passenger seat with power lumbar, Ventilated driver and front passenger seats and Heated rear outboard seats. With Destination Freight charges of $1195, my test 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium stickered at $40,065, but cash allowances and regional incentives cut my test ride by $4750, so check with your local dealer.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

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