The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox comes a new RS trim level giving it a more aggressive look.
Chevrolet hits the Windy City with an evolutionary exterior update for its 2021 Equinox sport-utility vehicle, which includes a new sportier RS trim level.
The update includes redesigned front and rear fascias, new headlights and a meaner looking grille. The big news for the 2021 model is the new RS package, which joins the existing L, LS, LT and Premier trim levels.
By adding the RS to the line-up, Chevy gives Equinox buyers a low-key, but sporty-looking offering that features new a gloss black grille, 19-inch black wheels and black bow ties and other badging. On the interior, it gets a distinctive RS shifter knob and black upholstery with red stitching that stands out.
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Additionally, the midsize ute’s Premier level package also gets an update, including a gloss black grille with chrome inserts, LED head and tail lights, new 19-inch machine-faced wheels, a logo-projection rear liftgate and on the inside the luxurious look and feel continues with high gloss black accents on the console and French stitching on the seats and other areas.
For 2021, the Equinox RS gets a new gloss black grille and 19-inch wheels as well as black bowties and badging.
While having an attractive SUV is important, its functionality is also vital. The new model comes with two powertrain offerings: a 1.5-liter turbo mated to a six-speed transmission or a 2.0-liter turbo with a nine-speed transmission.
All-wheel drive is available on the Equinox, but no one is going to confuse the new model with a rough-and-tumble offroader; however, it makes for a very capable performer in difficult weather and if a little bit of off-pavement fun is in the offing, the Equinox could handle that too.
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The new SUV comes with plenty of safety features as well, including lane keeping assist with land departure warning, a rear camera and a following distance indicator as standard. Additionally, buyers can add a HD Surround-Vision camera system, a camera-based adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assist, safety alert seat, rear cross traffic alert and more options.
The 2020 Equinox also earned a 2019 IIHS Top Pick when it’s equipped with high-intensity discharge headlamps and a NHTSA five-star crash rating, so the brand will certainly be looking to at least repeat those results with the 2021 model.
The 2021 Equinox comes with two engine choices: a 1.5-liter turbo or a 2.0-liter turbo.
The updates are necessary to keep the Equinox competitive. The ute is Chevy’s biggest seller, accounting for more than 300,000 sales annually, and allowing any fall off could have serious repercussions to the brand’s bottom line.
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It has performed well for the brand, enjoying sales increases in nine of the last 10 years and accounting for one out of every five new buyers the brand conquests from other makers. Overall, it’s General Motors second-best selling vehicle.