Top Safety Pick

2021 Chevrolet Equinox

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

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.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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 weight	3,460 lbs
Peak force	18,196 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.26

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	HID projector
High-beam headlight type	HID projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

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 Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2019-24 models

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Negligible (under 8 seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)	None

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	LS
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	LS
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	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

Position	Rating
1
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
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
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

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

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

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

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