Top Safety PickTop Safety Pick criteria

2021 Chevrolet Equinox

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2021 Chevrolet Equinox 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain were redesigned for the 2018 model year. Both vehicles are smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore are now classified as small SUVs. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN1801
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Footrest (cm) 5
Left toepan (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 5
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 5
Lower instrument panel (cm) 5

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN1801
Head
HIC-15 86
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Femur (kN)
Left 0.7
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.47
Right 0.51
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 0.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 56
Right 43

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox LS 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain were redesigned for the 2018 model year. Both vehicles are smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore are now classified as small SUVs.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was maintained reasonably well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the passenger dummy’s head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Intrusion of the dashboard and door hinge pillar contributed to a moderate risk of injury to the right lower leg.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID CEP1811
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 11
Footrest (cm) 7
Right toepan (cm) 3
Center toepan (cm) 2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 6
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 11
Upper dash (cm) 9
Right lower dash (cm) 11

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CEP1811
Head
HIC-15 109
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 16
Maximum Nij 0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm) 16
Femur (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 1.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 9
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.43
Right 0.82
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.8
Right 1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 63
Right 41

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEP1811
Head
HIC-15 90
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.28
Right 0.19
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 54
Right 42

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Premier 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain were redesigned for the 2018 model year. Both vehicles are smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore are now classified as small SUVs. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1801
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 5
Left (cm) 7
Center (cm) 7
Right (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -3
Rearward (cm) 1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 1

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1801
Head
HIC-15 163
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 4
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.0
Femur force - right (kN) 0.4
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.34
Maximum tibia index - right 0.67
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.7
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 3.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 54
Right 81

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2021-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Chevrolet Equinox LS 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Equinox was redesigned for the 2018 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head remained a safe distance from the front seatback.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a likely risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF2116
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 4
Left (cm) 6
Center (cm) 9
Right (cm) 8
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -3
Rearward (cm) -7
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF2116
Head
HIC-15 172
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.33
Right 0.41
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.3
Right 2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 57
Right 161

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2116
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 4.3
Compression (kN) 0.5
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 55
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 8.3
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression 0.2
Right femur compression 0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Premier 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain were redesigned for the 2018 model year. Both vehicles are smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore are now classified as small SUVs. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1802
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -20.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1802
Head HIC-15 151
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 38
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 38
Average deflection (mm) 33
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.51
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.77
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.9
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.2
Combined force (kN) 2.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.7
L-M moment (Nm) 19
A-P moment (Nm) 84

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1802
Head HIC-15 194
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.8
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 31
Lateral force (kN) 1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 22
Average deflection (mm) 19
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.34
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.31
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.9
Combined force (kN) 3.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.1
L-M moment (Nm) 15
A-P moment (Nm) 27

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Chevrolet Equinox LS 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain were redesigned for the 2018 model year. Both vehicles are smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore are now classified as small SUVs.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection
The dummy's head contacted the C-pillar hard, through the side curtain airbag. The head protection is inadequate.

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

The dummy's head contacted the C-pillar through the side curtain airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2107
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -21.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2107
Head
HIC-15 131
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 44
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 43
Average deflection (mm) 39
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.63
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.76
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.5

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2107
Head
HIC-15 733
Peak gs at hard contact 101
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) 2.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 42
Lateral force (kN) 1.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 40
Average deflection (mm) 36
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.20
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.60
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.0

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Premier 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,460 lbs
Peak force18,196 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.26

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 26
Distance below top of head (mm) 24
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.9
Head contact time (ms) 60
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 26
Max neck tension (N) 443

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • LT trim
Low-beam headlight typeHID projector
High-beam headlight typeHID projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • LT trim
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type HID projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-21 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 87.0 m None
Straightaway left edge 54.1 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 58.2 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 49.6 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 47.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 43.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 145.0 m
Straightaway left edge 111.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 61.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 62.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 50.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 49.5 m

Trim level(s)

  • Premier trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Premier trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-21 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 96.7 m None
Straightaway left edge 65.7 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 45.5 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 48.0 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 40.4 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 41.8 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 109.1 m
Straightaway left edge 97.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 54.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 55.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 44.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 44.9 m

Trim level(s)

  • L trim
  • LS trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the gradual left curve and on the gradual right curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • L trim
  • LS trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-21 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 118.5 m None
Straightaway left edge 62.5 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 51.7 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 49.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 40.3 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 40.2 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 144.9 m
Straightaway left edge 26.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 52.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 51.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 39.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 39.6 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Standard Forward Collision Alert

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2019-24 models

Advanced
Advanced

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 17 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 18 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 17 mph. A warning was issued 1.6 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2021-22 models

Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationNegligible (under 8 seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
None
Technical measurements for this test
Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h 53 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h 64 dB
Difference between background and signal 11.5 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h 57 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h 64 dB
Difference between background and signal 7.6 dB
Dominant audio frequency 750 Hz

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLS
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLS
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 13
Clearance angle (degrees) 88
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 14
Clearance angle (degrees) 85
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 12
Clearance angle (degrees) 85
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 11
Clearance angle (degrees) 97
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation