Not only is the Chevrolet Equinox one of the best-selling vehicles in its segment, but it’s also GM’s second most-popular vehicle (behind the Silverado) in terms of overall sales volume. In a few months, Chevy will roll out the 2021 Equinox with a midcycle refresh and updated exterior styling, but before that happens, we have the 2020 Chevy Equinox – which features several updates and changes. Here’s what’s new and different for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox.

Model Line

The model lineup of the 2020 Equinox changes slightly, with the deletion of the 3LT and 3LZ trim levels, both of which were used to house the 1.6L turbo-diesel LH7 engine for prior model years. Since the engine is deleted for 2020, the two trim levels that incorporated the engine are also going away.

The model line now consists of the following trim levels:

• L (1SM)
• LS
  • 1FL
  • 1LS
• LT
  • 2FL
  • 1LT
  • 2LT
• Premier
  • 1LZ
  • 2LZ

Exterior

Outside, the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox introduced three new colors while deleting seven other hues:

Other changes to the exterior include the deletion of outside heated power-adjustable, manual-folding body-color mirrors with turn signal indicators. For the 2019 model year, these mirrors were standard on the 2FL trim level and available on 1LT, 2LT and 3LT as part of the Driver Confidence Package and/or the Redline Edition. The 2020 Equinox replaces these with heated power-adjustable, manual-folding mirrors, without the turn signal indicator feature.

In addition, the front fog lamps are now included with the Driver Convenience Package on 2FL, 1LT and 2LT as well as Infotainment Package (WPZ) on 3LT. For the 2019 model year, fog lamps were not available on LT models.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox also makes the rear bumper protector (an LPO-level item) available as a free-flow item on LS, LT and Premier/1LZ equipment groups. For the 2019 model year, this item was bundled in two packages. In addition, the body-color door handles as well as the body-color door handles with a chrome strip now have two-door Passive Entry, meaning that only the two front doors have buttons for the keyless entry system.

The exterior changes are rounded out by two changes: the addition of a new, High-Gloss Black window trim (DLO trim) for Midnight Edition and Sport Edition models (more on these below) as well as the change in RPO Code from RT7 to PJT for the 19-inch wheels with bright machined finish and Sparkle Silver pockets.

Interior

Inside, the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox adds Jet Black perforated leather-appointed seating on the Midnight Edition and Special Edition models, while deleting the Jet Black / Cinnamon color combination.

What’s more, the leather-wrapped shift lever, which was standard on Premier models and available on the Driver Convenience Package, has been deleted. It has been replaced across the entire lineup with the chrome-trimmed shift lever.

The last change to the interior of the popular crossover involves the standardization of the 3-spoke steering wheel on the 2FL (fleet-only) trim level. By comparison, the 2019 Equinox 2FL featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Those in need of a leather steering wheel will have to upgrade to either the LT trim with the Driver Convenience Package or the Premier trim level.

Packages

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox also gets two new packages – the Midnight Edition and the Sport Edition. The two packages are identical, but have different availability restrictions that you can see here. Both packages include the following content:

• Jet Black perforated leather-appointed seating
• 19-inch Gloss Black aluminum wheels
• Memory settings
• Inside rearview auto-dimming mirror
• Outside heated power-adjustable mirrors with driver-side auto-dimming feature
• Dark finish fog lamp bezel surround
• Unique mold-in-color Black grille and mesh with Black surround
• Front and rear Black bow ties
• Black window trim (DLO)

2020 Chevy Equinox Midnight Edition

In addition, the Driver Confidence Packages are renamed:

• Driver Confidence Package is now Driver Confidence II Package
• Driver Confidence II Package is now Driver Confidence III Package

In addition, the Driver Confidence III Package now includes the following features:

• (KSG) Camera-based Adaptive Cruise Control
• (UV2) HD Surround Vision
• (HS1) Safety Alert Seat

Finally, the following packages are deleted:

• Sun & Navigation Package
• Sun, Sound & Navigation Package
• LT Appearance Package
• Driver Confidence Plus Package (content within the package becomes standard)
• Lights and Bright Package
• Style & Go Package (LPO-level item)

Safety

The 2020 Equinox adds a host of active safety features as standard on all models, including:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Forward Collision Alert
• Following Distance Indicator
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Automatic Braking
• IntelliBeam headlamps

These features were only available on two trim levels – 2FL (as part of the optional Driver Confidence Plus Package) and Premier (as part of the Driver Confidence II Package).

Mechanical

Mechanically, the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox deletes the aforementioned 1.6L Turbo Diesel LH7 engine option along with the 2.89 final drive ratio. This leaves the 2020 model with two gasoline engine choices:

• 1.5L LYX I4 – turbocharged DOHC engine rated at 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque
• 2.0L LTG I4 – turbocharged DOHC engine rated at 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque

The 1.5L is mated to GM’s six-speed automatic while the 2.0L pairs to the new GM 9-speed automatic transmission.

Looking Ahead

The current, third-generation Chevrolet Equinox was introduced for the 2018 model year. The 2021 Equinox introduces a refresh (midcycle enhancement) that includes updated front and rear ends, the introduction of a sporty new RS trim level, and various other changes, like the addition of an engine auto stop-start defeat switch.