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2022 Chevrolet Equinox
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There are no major redesign changes between the 2021 and 2022 Chevy Equinox.
- Three car seats can work with the right setup: I successfully fit a rear-facing seat, forward-facing seat, and infant seat across the second row, but it took a very specific combination to make it happen.
- Lower anchors in the outboard seats: I like that both outboard seats have lower LATCH anchors because it keeps installs straightforward for families with two car seats.
- Three tether anchors across the bench: I always appreciate seeing tether anchors in all three rear seating positions because it gives families more flexibility with forward-facing installs.
- Tall roof makes car seats easier to manage: I really noticed how much easier it felt loading kids into car seats because the cabin height gives you more room to work.
- Surround-view cameras are genuinely impressive: I loved how clear the cameras looked and that I could zoom in around different areas of the vehicle.
- Heated steering wheel and heated seats are excellent: the heated steering wheel and heated seats work really well and kept me “nice and toasty.”
The Exterior
The Equinox keeps things very simple on the outside, which honestly feels pretty on-brand for Chevy. I even said during the tour that the exterior is “good, it’s fine,” because nothing about it is especially flashy, but it still feels approachable and functional for families.
Chrome Details Help the Premiere Trim Feel More Upscale
On this Premiere trim, I liked all the extra chrome detailing throughout the exterior. There’s chrome on the door handles, chrome around the keyless entry, and chrome roof rails that help make the Equinox feel a little more elevated.
- Front and rear parking sensors are built in: I specifically pointed these out right away because they’re helpful features on a compact SUV.
- Compact size still feels manageable: I like that the Equinox stays easy to park and maneuver while still giving families usable space inside.
- Simple styling keeps it approachable: Chevy keeps the overall design clean and straightforward without overcomplicating it.
First Row
The first row of the Equinox feels simple, comfortable, and really easy to use. Chevy keeps a lot of physical buttons throughout the cabin, and honestly, I appreciate that because everything feels intuitive right away instead of overly complicated.
The Tall Cabin Makes This Feel More Spacious Than Expected
For a compact SUV, I was genuinely impressed with the amount of headroom up front. The taller roofline also makes getting kids in and out of car seats feel much easier compared to lower vehicles like sedans.
- Panoramic sunroof brightens the whole cabin: I loved how much natural light came into both the front and back seats.
- Seats are comfortable for everyday driving: the seats felt supportive and comfortable, especially for a smaller SUV.
Chevy Keeps the Controls Straightforward and Easy To Reach
I actually liked how button-heavy this interior was because everything from the climate controls to the steering wheel controls felt easy to find and use while driving.
- Steering wheel controls are placed really well: the audio controls behind the steering wheel felt natural and easy to use.
- Power tailgate height can be adjusted: I loved that you can choose full height, three-fourths height, or turn the power function off entirely.
The Screen Is Small but Still Has the Features I Want
The screen itself is not huge, but it still includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Alexa integration, and really impressive surround-view cameras.
- Wireless charging and extra USB ports add convenience: I liked having USB, USB-C, wireless charging, and extra storage inside the illuminated center console.
Second Row
The second row of the Equinox works best for families with one or two car seats, but I was able to successfully make one three-across setup work with a very specific combination of seats. This is definitely one of those vehicles where your exact car seat setup matters a lot.
Lower anchors in the outboard seats work well for two-car-seat families
The Equinox has lower LATCH anchors in both outboard seats along with three tether anchors across the rear bench. For most families running one or two car seats, I think the setup feels pretty manageable.
- Rear-facing seats fit behind tall drivers: I specifically noticed that the taller roofline and spacing worked well with rear-facing installs.
- Three tether anchors add flexibility: I always like seeing tether anchors across all three rear seating positions for forward-facing installs.
Three-across setups require a very specific combination
I was able to fit a Clek Foonf, Graco SlimFit LX3, and Uppababy Mesa across the second row, but I also made it very clear that many other combinations did not work.
- Seatbelt installs gave me more flexibility: I used three seatbelt installations instead of lower anchors so I could slightly adjust positioning and maximize space.
- This is not a dedicated three-across SUV: I would absolutely recommend families test both their current and future car seat combinations before buying.
No middle head restraint still frustrates me
I pointed this out again because the lack of a middle head restraint makes that center seat less ideal for older kids or adults who are not sitting in a car seat.
Third Row
The Equinox Still Delivers Strong Cargo Space for a Compact SUV
The Equinox continues to offer 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which is solid for the compact SUV category. I was able to fit a Zoe Twin double stroller back there while still keeping usable cargo space around it.
Double Stroller Space Makes This More Family-Friendly
I was honestly pretty happy with how well the Zoe Twin fit in the trunk considering this is still a compact SUV.
- 29.9 cubic feet behind the second row: that keeps the Equinox ahead of smaller options like the Kia Seltos at 26.6 cubic feet and the Ford Bronco Sport at 22.4 cubic feet.
- Very close to the Chevy Blazer: the larger Blazer only offers slightly more cargo room at 30.5 cubic feet.
- Less cargo room than the Kia Sportage and Ford Escape: the Sportage offers 39.6 cubic feet and the Escape offers 37.5 cubic feet.
Extra storage underneath helps keep things organized
I also liked the additional storage underneath the cargo floor along with the side cubbies because they make it easier to organize long-term items and kid gear.
Trunk
The Equinox Has One of the Better Trunks in the Compact SUV Category
The trunk was one of the biggest surprises for me in the Equinox. For a compact SUV, 29.9 cubic feet behind the second row is really solid, and the Uppababy stroller fit back there with plenty of room left over.
Stroller Space Is Not the Problem Here
I had an Uppababy stroller in the trunk, and it fit really well. This is exactly what I want to see in a compact SUV because if you’re shopping for a five-passenger car, stroller space can make or break the setup.
- 29.9 cubic feet behind the second row: that puts the Equinox above the Kia Seltos at 26.6 cubic feet and the Ford Bronco Sport at 22.4 cubic feet.
- Close to the Chevy Blazer: the Blazer has 30.5 cubic feet, so the Equinox is only slightly behind it despite being the smaller SUV.
- Less than the Kia Sportage and Ford Escape: the Sportage has 39.6 cubic feet and the Escape has 37.5 cubic feet, so those give you noticeably more cargo room.
Hidden Storage Makes the Trunk More Family-Friendly
The main cargo area is strong, but the extra storage underneath is what made me really excited. I loved the lower cubby space and the little side cubbies because those are perfect for things you want to keep in the car long term, like diapers, emergency items, extra clothes, or random kid gear.
For the size of the car, I’d give this trunk a 10 out of 10.
Safety
The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but it was not named a Top Safety Pick for the 2022 model year.
Seatbelt Pretensioners Are Included in the Front and Rear Outboard Seats
I still like seeing seatbelt pretensioners included in both the front seats and the rear outboard seating positions because those are important family seating areas.
Chevy Safety Assist Comes Standard Across the Lineup
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision alert
- Front pedestrian braking
- Follow distance indicator
- Lane keep assist
- Lane departure warning
Front and Rear Parking Sensors Add Extra Visibility
This Premiere trim also includes both front and rear parking sensors along with surround-view cameras, which I thought were especially helpful on a smaller SUV.
If you’re considering the 2022 Chevy Equinox for your family, here’s the full rundown on how car seats fit in this car based on the setup I tested. I tested this Equinox with three car seats installed because I know the biggest question families have with smaller SUVs is whether they can realistically make them work for multiple kids.
Quick Car Seat Facts in the 2022 Chevy Equinox
- Lower LATCH anchors on the outboard seats
- Three top tether anchors across the bench
- Taller roofline made loading kids easier
- No middle head restraint in the second row
- Three-across is possible, but only with specific seat combinations
- Better setup for two kids in car seats than three
The 2022 Chevy Equinox Worked Better for Rear-Facing Than I Expected
One thing I immediately noticed in the 2022 Chevy Equinox is how tall the cabin feels for a compact SUV. I’m about 6 feet tall, and I still had good clearance with a rear-facing seat installed behind a tall driver. The taller roofline also made getting kids in and out much easier, especially with the infant seat.
Three-Across Is Possible, But It’s Complicated
I was able to make one three-across setup work, but several other combinations did not. This is definitely not what I’d call a “three-across machine.”
The setup that worked for me was:
- Clek Foonf rear-facing behind the passenger seat
- Graco SlimFit LX3 in the middle
- Uppababy Mesa infant seat on the opposite outboard seat
I used seat belt installations for all three seats because it gave me a little more flexibility with positioning.
If you’re shopping for a smaller SUV with three kids, I’d strongly recommend testing not just your current setup, but your future setup too once kids move into different stages and seat types.
One Thing I Didn’t Love
I really wish Chevy would add a middle head restraint in the second row. Without it, there’s less protection against whiplash for someone sitting in that center seat without a car seat. Because of that, I personally would avoid putting a booster-age child in the middle seat.
Overall, I think the 2022 Chevy Equinox is a great fit for families with one or two kids in car seats. Could you make three across work? Yes, but it takes the right seats and a very specific setup. If you’re buying this vehicle for three kids, definitely bring your exact car seats to the dealership and test everything yourself before making a decision.
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