2021 Chevy Equinox MPG
Across its 2 EPA-rated versions, the 2021 Chevy Equinox returns 25–26 mpg city, 30–31 highway and 27–28 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 28 mpg combined. At the other end, the 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive manages 27 mpg combined, 1 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2020 model.
| 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 · 318 g CO₂/mi |
| Equinox AWD | 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 27 | Regular · 330 g CO₂/mi |
2021 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 2021 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.
2021 Chevy Equinox specs
The EPA lists one engine for the 2021 Chevy Equinox: a 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo. It came with an automatic transmission, in all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Small Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L turbo | 4 | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2021 Chevy Equinox problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 100 owner complaints about the 2021 Chevy Equinox.
Fuel/propulsion system is the most-reported area (14% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (13%) and power train (12%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 16 complaints a year: fewer than the 2020 (45 a year) and the 2022 (37 a year).
That ranks 16th of 17 Chevy Equinox model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 100, 6 mention a crash and 4 an injury, and none report a fire.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 20 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 18 | 13% |
| Power train | 17 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 17 | 12% |
| Engine | 16 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 6% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 5 | 4% |
| Structure | 5 | 4% |
| Air bags | 4 | 3% |
| Lane departure | 4 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 3% |
| Steering | 4 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 2% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 2% |
| Tires | 3 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | <1% |
| Seats | 1 | <1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | <1% |
| Wheels | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The fuel injector module had to be replaced. My car stall while driving and I was stuck at work for over 2 hours waiting to be towed home. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. …
REPLACED A PROPELLOR SHAFT AT 59,000 MILES 8/23/2025. PAID $859.00. UNAWARE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND COVORERD BY A MANUFACTURERS WARRANTEE. …
2021 Chevy Equinox recalls
The 2021 Chevy Equinox has been the subject of 4 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 23V339000 from May 2023, concerns child seat.
20V811000 · December 23, 2020 · Seat belts
Problem: Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Equinox years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V339000 | May 11, 2023 | Child seat | 2020–2023 |
| 23V013000 | January 19, 2023 | Gasoline fuel system | 2021–2022 |
| 21V612000 | August 5, 2021 | Tires | 2021–2022 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 2 versions of the 2021 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 2021 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 (28 mpg), 2021 Subaru Forester (29 mpg) and 2021 Subaru Outback (29 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2024 | 28 | 82 | 27 | 1 |
Every Chevy Equinox model year compared →
Similar 2021 models
FAQ
Is the 2021 Equinox a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2021 Chevy Equinox has 16 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (16th 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 2021 Equinox problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are fuel/propulsion system (20), electrical system (18) and power train (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2021 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 2021 Equinox get?
The EPA rates the versions at 27–28 mpg combined (25–26 city, 30–31 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 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).