2021 Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevy Equinox presents four trims: L, LS, LT, and Premier. Starting outfits include halogen headlamps, heated side mirrors, and solar-absorbing glass. The undercarriage is further bolstered by a set of 17-inch aluminum wheels.

Available accessories include LED front and rear lamps, a hands-free gesture liftgate, and roof-mounted side rails, not to mention a swanky set of 18-inch bright machined aluminum wheels. We close out the segment with a handful of unique topcoats, from Cajun Red and Pacific Blue to Iridescent Pearl and Nightfall Gray.

Under the hood of this compact crossover is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Together they generate 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. These units also produce excellent results thanks to engine components such as automatic start-stop technology, direct fuel injection, and variable valve timing.

The Chevy Equinox runs with standard front-wheel drive as well as active aerodynamic shutters, all-season blackwall tires, driver shift controls, and performance brake linings. All-wheel-drive, on the other hand, is exclusive to the LS, LT, and Premier.

What's more, this SUV is a top-earner in terms of fuel ratings. In fact, it returns a combined 27 mpg in all-wheel drive. The figure jumps to 28 mpg in front-wheel drive.

The cabin seats up to five passengers and accommodates 63.9 cubic feet of cargo space. On top of that, it boasts active noise cancellation, front bucket seats, premium cloth upholstery, and a rear split-folding bench. And if you're looking to own a versatile entertainment display, you're in luck. A 7-inch color touch screen takes center stage on the dash, followed by a six-speaker sound system, digital driver information cluster, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot.

Optional add-ons include dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver's seat, and a heated steering wheel to help offset cold winter days. Multimedia upfits further consist of an 8-inch monitor with high-definition graphics, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, and a wireless charger for all your smart devices.

state-of-the-art systems such as front pedestrian braking, intelligent high-beam headlamps, and lane departure warning. Other helpful tools such as a rear backup camera and teen driver monitoring are just as effective in boosting your confidence behind the wheel.

Higher tiers add amenities such as adaptive cruise control, side blind-zone alert, rear park assist, and a safety alert seat to the overall mix. The latter is particularly neat, as it sends out vibrations to pinpoint the direction of a potential crash. More impressive still, this crossover received a Top Safety Pick title courtesy of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It was also awarded top scores for front and side crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.