2020 Chevy Equinox MPG
EPA ratings for the 2020 Chevy Equinox run from 22–26 mpg in town to 28–31 on the highway, or 24–28 combined, depending on which of its 4 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 28 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive and is rated 24 mpg combined. That is 4 mpg lower than the best gasoline 2019 version (32 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox FWD | 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 31 | 28 | Regular · 315 g CO₂/mi |
| Equinox AWD | 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 27 | Regular · 324 g CO₂/mi |
| Equinox FWD | 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Premium · 350 g CO₂/mi |
| Equinox AWD | 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Premium · 367 g CO₂/mi |
2020 Chevy Equinox fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2020 Chevy Equinox costs about $2,330 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (28 mpg combined), or roughly 16 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (27 mpg combined) comes to about $2,420 a year, $90 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2020 Chevy Equinox specs
2020 Chevy Equinox buyers could choose between 2 engines, according to EPA records: 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo. It came with an automatic transmission, in all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a small sport utility vehicle.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L turbo | 4 | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 2.0 L turbo | 4 | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2020 Chevy Equinox problems
Owners have filed 318 complaints about the 2020 Chevy Equinox with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Service brakes are the most-reported area (20% of component mentions), followed by engine (18%) and fuel/propulsion system (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 45 complaints a year: more than the 2019 (38 a year) and the 2021 (16 a year).
That ranks 7th of 17 Chevy Equinox model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 318, 21 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 9 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 102 | 20% |
| Engine | 93 | 18% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 51 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 44 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 44 | 9% |
| Power train | 40 | 8% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 16 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 3% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 13 | 3% |
| Steering | 13 | 3% |
| Suspension | 11 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 2% |
| Air bags | 8 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 7 | 1% |
| Wheels | 7 | 1% |
| Structure | 6 | 1% |
| Back over prevention | 5 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 5 | <1% |
| Lane departure | 4 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | <1% |
| Visibility | 3 | <1% |
| Buckle chest clip | 2 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 1 | <1% |
| Seats | 1 | <1% |
| Tires | 1 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Vacuum pump failed causing brakes to fail then causing exhaust camshaft to break.
I've spent $1000 on repairs to my turbo and now have to replace the whole thing. While looking online I've seen many people are having the same issue with the 2020 model. …
Fuel Stall with no acceleration while driving on the highway. Barely made it to the side of the road. Vehicle is at a mechanic shop. …
2020 Chevy Equinox recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2020 Chevy Equinox.
The most recent, campaign 23V339000 from May 2023, concerns child seat.
19V704000 · October 3, 2019 · Hydraulic service brakes
Problem: The rear brake calipers may have been produced with an incorrect lubricant, potentially causing the rubber seals to swell and the brakes to drag.
Risk: Brake drag may result in overheating of the brake pads, affecting the braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake calipers, including the brake hose gasket, brake fluid and wheel to hub lubricant, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Equinox years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V339000 | May 11, 2023 | Child seat | 2020–2023 |
| 20V668000 | October 29, 2020 | Power train | 2018–2020 |
| 19V667000 | September 19, 2019 | Gasoline fuel system | 2019–2020 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 2 versions of the 2020 Chevy Equinox; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Chevy Equinoxes can be compared fairly. Among other 2020 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 (28 mpg), 2020 Nissan Rogue (29 mpg) and 2020 Subaru Forester (29 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 25 | 276 | 27 | 0 |
| 2018 | 32 | 410 | 45 | 5 |
| 2019 | 32 | 306 | 38 | 4 |
| 2020 | 28 | 318 | 45 | 4 |
| 2021 | 28 | 100 | 16 | 4 |
| 2022 | 28 | 186 | 37 | 6 |
| 2023 | 28 | 99 | 24 | 3 |
Every Chevy Equinox model year compared →
Similar 2020 models
FAQ
Is the 2020 Equinox a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2020 Chevy Equinox has 45 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (7th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 28 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2020 Equinox problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are service brakes (102), engine (93) and fuel/propulsion system (51). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2020 Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Equinox get?
The EPA rates the versions at 24–28 mpg combined (22–26 city, 28–31 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Equinox per year?
About $2,330 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,420 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).